This year’s winner of the coveted World Press Photo of the Year award went to a colour image taken on 31 March, 2003, by French photographer Jean-Marc Bouju. The image depicts a hooded Iraqi war prisoner holding his 4-year-old son at a US detention camp in Iraq and portrays a rare moment of humanity in a war zone.

 

World Press images

This year’s winner of the coveted World Press Photo of the Year award went to a colour image taken on 31 March, 2003, by French photographer Jean-Marc Bouju. The image depicts a hooded Iraqi war prisoner holding his 4-year-old son at a US detention camp in Iraq and portrays a rare moment of humanity in a war zone.

As in previous years, the current collection showcases some provocative images, ranging from harrowingly graphic and confronting to poignantly beautiful and humorous.

Australian winners are:
Philip Blenkinsop – 1st prize, People in the News (Stories), Hmong Guerilla;
Tim Clayton – 1st prize, Sports Action (Single), Yannick Bru in the scrum at Rugby World Cup;
Tim Clayton – 2nd prize, Arts and Entertainment (Single), Australian Ballet School;
Adam Pretty – 2nd prize, Sports Action (Stories), Sports Portfolio;
Craig Golding – 3rd prize, Sports Action (Stories), Sports Portfolio;
Sandy Nicholson – 3rd prize, Daily Life (Story), Suburban Fetishists;
Tanya Lake – 3rd prize, Nature (Story), Sydney Waterways.

Winning images from this year’s World Press Photo competition were on show at the State Library of NSW in Sydney until the end of July, courtesy of major sponsor, Canon. Regrettably, due to commitments in more than 80 cities across the globe this year, they won’t be exhibited elsewhere in Australia, but can be viewed at www.worldpressphoto.com

Like 81 percent of entries received, the winning entry was submitted in digital format. Last year, 69 percent were digital.