A photography contest organized by junge Welt has concluded its latest edition, focusing on themes that encourage participants to look beyond simple black-and-white interpretations of the world. The competition, which deliberately seeks to allow for nuanced perspectives and refuses indifferent worldviews, attracted 44 readers who submitted a total of 136 entries across various categories.
The first theme, "Black and White," initially invited photographers to approach the subject from a purely technical standpoint, resulting in numerous impressive photographs. However, the jury developed criteria to handle the abundance of material, particularly looking for submissions that interpreted the theme beyond its basic framework. Jürgen Jabs secured second place in the Black and White category with his photograph titled "Punk (My Nephew)."
Several entries stood out for their political commentary and social awareness. Walter Liepe from Berlin submitted "Good Cityscape," which addresses current debates and takes a stance against racism in German society. Henrik Wolff from Chorin presented a photograph titled "Greetings from Saxony," showing flowers growing through cracks in concrete, demonstrating how color photography can be as powerful as black and white imagery in different ways.
The contest's second theme, "Eat the Rich - Food is Political," generated particularly thought-provoking submissions. Steffi Franke's photograph of spoiled peaches cannot be overlooked for its political message, highlighting issues of excess and waste while questioning consumer behavior. The image also references the criminalization of dumpster diving, a practice that has become a contentious social issue. Helene Weidemann, at just 16 years old, became the youngest prize winner of this year's competition, taking first place with her two-part submission "Bon Appétit - We Are the Last Menu."
The third theme focused on water, or more precisely, the lack thereof. André Wokittel from Berlin traced this environmental concern through his three-part close-up series "Water Forest Tesla," photographed in Grünheide near Berlin. While the images appear almost romantically aesthetic, they address the serious issue of nature's exploitation by capitalism, particularly in the context of industrial development in the region.
Additionally, Susanne Haußmann from Hamburg contributed a photograph of a mural in northern Portugal that honors the hardworking women in the fishing industry, adding an international perspective to the competition's social commentary.
The statistics reveal a diverse participation base, with contributors representing a mixed demographic of male and female participants from both western and eastern Germany. The organizers expressed satisfaction with this year's entries, describing it as a strong vintage that gives them hope to continue the competition next year.
The contest organizers extend their gratitude to sponsors who supported the event with attractive prizes. An award ceremony and exhibition opening is scheduled for Thursday, November 27, at the Maigalerie, beginning at 6:30 PM. The celebration will include refreshments and drinks, welcoming all participants and friends of junge Welt to attend the festivities.
