The awe-inspiring photography exhibition of the 2023 TIFA winners has come to a close in Tokyo. Running through the entirety of March, the exhibition featured images from the award winning first and second place photographs across the TIFA categories. Spanning 11 different genres of photography, the imagery brought together unlikely photographs from nature photography, editorial photography, fine art, and travel.
Located in the Shin-Tokyo building, the Marunouchi Gallery is home to international photography and art exhibitions. The exhibition featured both professional and non-professional photographers giving a voice to artists emerging and established. The photographs also came from all across the globe, bringing culture and politics from every corner of the world. The diverse imagery and breadth of work featured allowed the Tokyo art community a special look into what makes contemporary photography so special; the ability to speak through images no matter the country of origin.
The images were displayed all across the gallery, wrapping around the entire space. There was also special cabinet featuring the top winners from the competition. With the 2024 TIFA competition now open, there is only a short time until another amazing set of winners is announced and introduced to the Tokyo photography community.
TIFA proudly launched a highly successful exhibition featuring its 2022 & 2023 Winners on March 5 at the Marunouchi Photo Gallery and Art Space in Tokyo.
Photography books are a very special medium as they allow viewers to become very intimately knowledgeable with the work. Unlike a museum, the photographs can be viewed over and over again, shared with friends, and appreciated whenever and where ever you would like. Photography books also allow for new formats and ways of displaying one's photos. Take a look at 2023's top photography books carefully curated by the TIFA jury. These books represent some of 2023's greatest photos set in the most well designed and printed books. From portrait photography, to landscape photography, to documentary photography, the TIFA winners cover every genre and represent the most elite group of photography.
Based on his life and memories, 'Broken Shadow' explores life from childhood to adulthood. Hjelmen uses high contrast black and white to evoke the highs and lows of life. The shadows of despair and the light of happiness.
In this book, Yager documents the LA street gang Playboys 13. Starting in 1993, this historic book documents the gang over 10 years. Jury member Professor William Snyder remarked that it was an "intimate look at an insular society. Great moments and intimate perspective."
Starting as a hobbyist, Dong-Wook Lee's project evolved over the years. Now, 'Borrowed Scenery' is a fully fledged documentary work that explores climate change and Korean culture.
Made up entirely of self portraits, Salem McBunny explores their own mental psyche and the problems that they have. This set of self portraits acts to heal the artist and explore their inner demons.
For over ten years, artist Minghang Lai explored the natural beauty of his home country of Taiwan. During this time, he mainly documented the various bird species he saw culminating in this photography album.
A book of mixed media art, Marco Casini uses photography, sculpture, and found objects. In this book, Casini explores consumer culture and the ways that previously useful technology quickly becomes obsolete and the waste that it creates.
Made during the height of the pandemic, these photographs explore the isolation that many faced. Using his daughter as the subject, Rovenko documents the adventures they had together while locked down and the way this made him and many feel.
While this is only a small highlight of the talent that the 2023 TIFA winners possess, there are many new and innovative ideas amongst all of last year's books. Take the time to view some of the most creative photography put to paper and finely curated by our esteemed jury. The best photography worldwide awaits!
Commencing with an opening event on March 5th, the TIFA Winners exhibition will be open until March 31st. Held at the prestigious Marunouchi Photo Gallery and Art Space in Tokyo, Japan, this venue will be the backdrop for showcasing the exceptional works of TIFA 1st and 2nd place winners from the years 2022 and 2023. Join us for a celebration of talent and creativity that spans 11 categories.
Displayed in the exhibition will be an array of captivating works from awe-inspiring nature and fine art photography to enthralling advertising and architectural wonders, the showcase is a testament to the multifaceted world of visual storytelling. The exhibition will also show striking editorials that unfold profound narratives on important current issues, each skillfully captured through the lenses of both seasoned professionals and talented amateurs.
Join us and explore the rich tapestry of creativity and storytelling that awaits you at our event.
Location:
Marunouchi Photo Gallery and Art Space
1st and 2nd Floor, Shin-Tokyo bldg
3-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
100-0005 Japan
Duration:
March 5 - 31, 2024
Weekdays 8:00-20:00
Saturdays 8:00-17:00
TIFA is proud to announce this year's winning photographs! After sorting through thousands of entries, the highly esteemed TIFA jury has selected 20 first place category winners as well as the photographer of the year and discovery of the year. The entries were highly diverse in both style and country of origin. Both non-professional photographers and professional photographers alike can be seen breaking boundaries and exploring new themes in photography that have previously gone unrepresented.
Program Director Hannah Lillethun reflects upon this year's winning images: "It's been a privilege to observe the impactful images and exquisite artistry presented by thousands of photographers worldwide in the 2023 Tokyo Foto Awards. Each image narrates a vivid story, and we are privileged to highlight these remarkable works.". Let us celebrate these grand achievements in the world of photography through the imagery of the 2023 Tokyo International Foto Award winners!
Using aerial photography, Francis Leroy captures hundreds of moments at once across sandy beaches. In his innovative take on landscape photography, Leroy captures the essence and dreaminess of a beach day. With the ever-changing tide and waves, Leroy pays tribute to the enchantment and beauty of a world effected by climate change.
'Free Palestine', the award winning editorial photography by Tiziana Sonia Spelta, documents Palestinians in Italy. The powerful and heart-wrenching series is meant to stand as a symbol of solidarity between Palestine and Spelta's home country of Italy.
artdaily – Tokyo International Foto Awards announces the winners of 2023
2023 was an exciting year for the Tokyo International Foto Awards and the many photographers that TIFA is dedicated to supporting and exhibiting. The Tokyo Foto Awards brings photographers from around the globe and shows their work to one of the hearts of the photo world; Tokyo, Japan. 2023 saw new photography being displayed and new boundaries being pushed. Both professional photographers and non-professional photographers saw their work reach new heights through TIFA and spread worldwide. Let us look back on the award-winning photography from last year.
With the 2023 TIFA photography awards winners being announced recently, let us look back on last year’s winners and their great accomplishments. From the global submissions, only a handful of winners are chosen by the esteemed jury. Below are some of our top photos from 2022:
Desolation by Alejandro Martinez Velez
Alejandro Martinez Velez explores the Russia Ukraine war through his eclectic photojournalism. His images show the devastation that the war has caused.
Below is an excerpt from TIFA 2022 Photographer of the Year photographer Alejandro Martinez Velez:
“The photographic report ‘Desolation’, made up of nine images, documents the first weeks of war in Ukraine. All the photos have a story behind them, but I will talk about the first photo of the series. On March 17, 2022, I went with two photojournalist colleagues to a destroyed building in a residential neighborhood in Kyiv. When we arrived we met Oleksandr Shvets, 36, crying next to the lifeless body of his mother, 67- year-old Ukrainian theater actress Oksana Shvets. Mother and son were together at home when the remains of a Russian missile, shot down by the Ukrainian Air Defense, fell into their apartment. Oksana was crushed to death by a wall that collapsed on her.”
Read the full interview with Velez here: https://www.tokyofotoawards.jp/interviews/alejandro-martinez-velez/
Hopper Essence by Andres Gallego
Inspired by painter Edward Hopper, Andres Gallego plays with light, windows, and the drab colors that make up Hopper’s work.
Blueberry Waffles by Gareth Morgans
A playful and captivating image by Gareth Morgans shows waffles, blueberries & maple Syrup dripping on a fork.
2021 ± 2: Utopia Broadcasting by Serena Dzenis
Capturing the Icelandic landscape, Dzenis plays with themes of sci-fi, dystopia, and futurism. A possible look into the future of our world.
Shadows of Emmett Till by Bob Newman
In his book “Shadows of Emmett Till”, Bob Newman explores the Mississippi Delta and the history of what remains of Emmett Till’s time. Newman explores the racism, poverty, and socio-economic problems that lead to and resulted from Emmett Till’s murder.
Chairs by Cain Shimizu
A surreal and meditative image by Cain Shimizu breaks the boundaries of event photography.
Life On A Prosthesis by Michael Dorohovich
Michael Dorohovich uses his camera to capture the life and work of Tetyana Litus: the girl who overcame oncology lost her leg, but did not lose herself.
Watercolors by Olena Zubach
Olena Zubach takes an artistic and unique look with her nature photography as she mimics the brushstrokes and beauty of watercolors.
Ethiopia : The Ethnic Earth by Jatenipat Ketpradit
Jatenipat Ketpradit explores the eight different tribes of the Lower Omo River in south west Ethiopia. Each tribe has a unique culture and way of life that creates a beautiful array of life in Ketpradit’s images.
Bullfighting: Art, Religion and Death by Jordi Cohen
Jordi Cohen uses bullfighting as a way to explore the themes of art, religion, and death. The controversial practice in Spain lends itself to these themes as the intensity and heritage of the sport is unmatched.
The TIFA community’s photography has reached far and wide with help from fellow organizations and magazines. Look back through the press mentions highlighting the fantastic photography featured this year.
The inherent strength and captivating allure of architecture have consistently fascinated those who contemplate it. The 2022 Tokyo International Foto Awards showcased a remarkable assortment of submissions in the realm of architectural photography, offering more than just a representation of architecture itself – it presented a perspective molded by the skilled lenses of photographers. Below is a collection of the most outstanding photographs in this category.
Do you think that the first space colony created by mankind will happen during your lifetime? ‘2021 ± II: Utopia Broadcasting’ encapsulates everything about human construction, sheer curiosity, consumerism, as well as the wonders and dangers associated with science. The overall aim of this project is to utilise existing structures within the Icelandic landscape to transport the viewer’s imagination to another world that exists outside of time. In doing so, the hope is to invoke conversation around themes of futurism and dreams for a better life amidst the darker side of human ideals.
Usually, you cannot see comets over the Manhattan skyline with your naked eye due to all the light produced by the buildings. But because NEOWISE was the brightest comet since Comet Hale-Bopp, which, according to NASA, flew by Earth 23 years ago in 1997, I could undoubtedly see the comet during the break of dawn.NEOWISE was like a giant icy snowball melting into the morning lights on during the captivating magic hour. I hope this stunning, early morning photo will make you happy- even if it's for a moment. Thank you, Shintaro Ueyama
Element of life, yet essential to the production of nuclear energy, water can take everything by inviting itself where it is not expected. Climate change and its share of increasingly frequent flooding, the inevitable rise in water levels, seismic activity are all threats that defy inflexibility and calm apparent of these installations. Very inspired by the poetry of MacNeice, I let see in this photograph the water which slides slowly on the walls and in the tomb of the basin preparing for a dark funeral. This work is a way of thinking about the beautiful in a disrupted world.
The early 19th-century ushered in an audaciously romantic American gem: the picture-palace. As "movie magic" permeated the public's sensibility, pleasure domes of unrivaled artifice and euphoric pageantry swiftly sprouted up across the nation. Architect-designers embodied splendor of ancient temples, Renaissance palaces, and European opera houses. For a few cents, visitors transported into enchanting “playhouses” of exotic cultures—cinema's glamour revamped the significance of theatres as treasured gathering places. I am intrigued by these historic places and I aim to preserve their memories.
This series of architectural interiors features arches, ceilings, and skylights that capture the texture, color, and form within an architectural space.
Elizabeth Holmes is a New York based photographer specializing in architecture, street, infrared and landscape photography. Her work is rooted in her love of history and architecture and the inspiration she finds in cultural and vanishing landscapes.
The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, located in China, is the world's longest sea-crossing bridge with a total length of 55 kilometers, and is world-renowned for its mega-scale construction, unprecedented construction difficulty and top-notch construction technology.
Once rich and opulent, Kolmanskop is now a ghost town invaded by sand lost in the middle of the desert. But its history remains as surprising as it is short. In 1908, Namibia was still under German control. A railroad worker named Zacharias Lewala found a diamond while working on the construction of new train tracks between Keetmanshoop and Lüderitz. Initially, the rumors of miners finding diamonds were received with a great skepticism; but soon the gossip spread that diamonds were sold daily and that a geologist had confirmed the discovery. Kolmanskop was born.
The particular details of the evolution tower in moscow
A professional musician (pianist and composer), I have been working in photography for many years, with particular interest in image editing. I have overcome the concept of pure photography, in favor of a wider expression of the image, which is able to express a concept with force and immediacy through colors and lights. A great passion.
Matching silence with rationality, color with too long shadows, contradicting the laws of perspective by going beyond reality. Waking up in a remote village in the middle of a flat plain. Asking oneself if in that place people's lives flow as elsewhere on earth or if here time follows a measure unknown to us: a dilated measure, irregularly divided into unequal fractions that never repeat themselves. An arrhythmic succession of interrupted pauses. Walking along streets that indicate temporary paths waiting for non-existent goals, changing and deceptive lights in search of something that has bee.
I'm passionate about photography, I feel free when I shoot and through it I can unleash all my creativity. I like to capture the naturalness of the moment, the colors, the angles, the details, the lines, the perspectives... in a word "PLAY" with what I see, giving life to the buildings through my gaze, something that I have been doing for the last 5 years.
Step into a world where visual storytelling transcends words and limitless creativity takes center stage. The renowned Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) has once again honored the most imaginative and captivating photographers in the field of advertising. Let us venture into the captivating realm of advertising photography and discover the extraordinary vision and artistic brilliance of the exceptional winners in the Advertising category at TIFA 2022. Get ready for an exciting journey that will ignite inspiration, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the boundless possibilities captured through the lens.
Red Riding Hood has grown up and become a fashionista. She wears the clothes she likes and enjoys her own fashion. This model now faces a serious medical condition. It is unprecedented and Japanese doctors keep refusing to give her medication. I entered this work this time to encourage her.
"Beauty is in everyone and everyone is beautiful.... being different is beautiful. I started a new project in which I wanted to show that beauty and thus also beauty photography is not just related to a small group of people. But everyone is beautiful. In beauty photography, only perfect ideals are often staged. This started to bore me and I wanted to show how much more fascinating people and all sorts of beauty there are. This is the first part of the project in which I photographed Tamara , a model with Down syndrome.
Taiwan is a country full of delicious food. In the past, everyone’s impression of Taiwanese food was cheap and large portions. Through showing works and food styling this time, we want more people to know that our Taiwanese street food can be presented in such an elegant manner!
"When one spends all one's time working and earning a living, that sea in your heart dries up in your lake." In this parched reality, your heart will always map out that sea! A fusion rock quality album that organically combines Screamo, Trap, Funk and R&B, exploring and experimenting more with the boundaries of the Emo genre.
Through the novelty of a miniature visual journey through time and space, a God's-eye view of the Republican era of Shanghai's foreign trade exchanges, labour and prosperity from dusk to night, as well as related vibrant local flavours such as military parades and wedding ceremonies to showcase the humanities. The overall atmosphere of the architectural and sculptural world recreates the vitality of the Republican era, a time of cultural collision between East and West.
This picture was made for Ukrainian brand Oversized. It presents the "Floral" collection - line of clothing inspired by the various forms of the flowers and made from upcycled jackets, shirts and suits. It follows the idea of sustainable fashion. It's a classical studio shooting with specific coloring that reminds atmosphere of the winter garden.
Sometimes the landscape around a subject reflects perfectly the emotional landscape inside the mind of the subject. In this picture I believe this is the case, a magical moment of harmony and connection between the inside and the outside. The stormy clouds seems to come out directly from the heart of the woman portrayed in the picture. I like to think that pictures like this might help people to feel more connected to nature, and I hope they might inspire a sentiment of environmentalism and of openness and respect toward the natural beauty of the world around us.
For the Cherry Fruit Project, captured a pair of Cherrys , Orange and pineapple fruit dessert.
I am a Hong Kong native, and very interested in many different kind of photography. During 90’s, I graduated in Creative Photography from Humber College , Toronto, Canada. Within the same year, I received the "Student of the Year" awarded by Professional Photographer of Ontario (PPO).
For the Assignment of Orange Project, captured the new conceptual of Orange Squeezer for the Mixed Fruit Orange Juice Splash.
Almost wanting to console us of the sad period of Pandemia, in 2020 Castelluccio (Umbria, Italy) gave us one of the most beautiful summer blooms of the last century.
Stefano Pasquini lives in Umbria (Italy). Since 2021 he has transformed his great passion for nature into a job, carrying out the professions of photographer and hiking guide full time. It focuses particularly on landscape photography, with particular reference to the Umbrian landscape.
In the realm of visual storytelling, editorial photography holds a unique power to capture and convey thought-provoking narratives that resonate with viewers. The Tokyo International Foto Awards (TIFA) 2022 showcased an exceptional collection of editorial photographs that delved deep into pressing social issues, cultural nuances, and human experiences. In this blog post, we present the top 10 strong editorial photos from TIFA 2022, each with its distinct story and impact.
On February 24, 2022, Russia started a massive invasion of Ukraine. There were reports of explosions outside of the unrest-torn eastern areas held by rebels with Russian support and in other cities. Millions of people who had escaped the invasion came in Poland throughout the course of the ensuing months. More than 3.5 million refugees will reside in the Central Eastern nation through July 2022.
His ongoing long-term effort describes an Italian family with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their struggles. After years of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, Emilia and Francesco used artificial insemination (ICSI) and successfully gave birth to twins, Luisa and Riccardo. Emilia unexpectedly fell pregnant with their third child, Michele, just nine months after their first two were born. Riccardo and Luisa were identified as having a severe type of ASD at the age of two and a half. Unfortunately, Michele had the same diagnosis a year later.
Promote the Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ministry. Korea, one of the few split nations in the world, went through the pain of war in 1950. There are around 58,000 veterans still alive, a number that is declining yearly. There are several tales, from the first female soldier to the student soldier who went through tens of thousands of dead bodies. They now only resemble the elderly neighbour. What can we do to remember and celebrate their selfless sacrifice before they complete their mission? We are grateful for your service, forgotten heroes in our neighbour.
Before the Russian invasion, 79-year-old Valentyna Konstantinovska is exercising in Mariupol, Ukraine. Konstantinovska and an army of "babushkas," or older women, who have volunteered since fighting started in the nation in 2014, have dug trenches, delivered food, created nets, provided medical treatment, and even erected an observation tower to aid in the battle effort.
Since Taiwan has been debating the import of American pork for several weeks, some heated debate has resulted in turmoil in the congress of Taiwan. Legislators from the opposition party opposed the law and flung the viscera of the pork onto the floor, angering the ruling party in the process. This female legislator from the ruling party tossed back the chitterlings on the stage to defend Premier Su. The Taiwanese Congress witnessed a lot of flying pork organs on this particular day.
In the hamlet of Djirnda, which is located in the Siné Saloum Delta on the Senegalese coast, the women's group "Bol-Boly" is in charge of mangrove replanting and protection. By raising and selling oysters, prawns and other shellfish, the ladies are able to support themselves. They declare, "We are ready to do anything that protects the environment and our dignity." In addition to being essential for the livelihoods of thousands of people living in the delta, intact mangrove trees also help to mitigate the effects of climate change by shielding coastal settlements from erosion, soil salinization, and more powerful storm surges.
At the Patchogue, New York, Stereo Garden's Flex Fight Series, Melissa Balic squares off against Savannah Graham. I have always appreciated courage in battle. The more martial arts I practised, the more comprehension I developed. The little amount of information lead me to discover Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Now I am more aware of when to be more attentive. Fighters (and other athletes) put in an amazing amount of preparation for their matches, battling through injuries and traumatic experiences, healing, and going back on stage. searching for knowledge to inspire others and discover inner serenity. They do a wonderful job, and I am very appreciative that I got to see it.
On a nuclear aircraft carrier for the afternoon. In the Mediterranean, somewhere. As tensions between Ukraine and Russia are clearly visible. I concentrate on these soldiers and their magnificent weapons. I consider what aggressiveness entails for the rest of the living things. All species have a natural tendency towards aggression. It has its own system of checks and balances in nature. But with humans, excessive technology use that increased the vast gap between causes and consequences caused it to spiral out of control. Dangerous. The paradoxical fact that animals are most capable of both love and hostility gives us hope.
Live performance of Estonian conductor Risto Joost leading the Wuppertal Symphony at the magnificent "Historische Stadthalle" of Wuppertal, the city's music venue. In order to get these performance images, I had the honour of being sitting on stage right in the orchestra's centre, between the woodwind section and the strings. photography with available light. commissioned creation. I took more photojournalistic photographs of Risto backstage in his dressing room to finish the series.
In Bulgaria, I met the shepherd's family. Sisters, a big brother, and their cheerful, always-smiling widowed father. This gipsy family is extremely underprivileged and struggles to survive. All of the gipsies in Bulgaria, they said, live in misery and poverty, abandoned by the government and society. Sadly! Ginka and Neda, the girls, also look after the remains of an old, ancient temple in the pasture area. Visitors occasionally stop by and drop a tiny payment. When they had just completed cleaning this temple, I specifically noticed them there. They were standing in the golden glow of the setting sun, which appeared to be a sign of greater things to come.