SELECTION, EDITION #19
Winners of the nineteenth edition of the Los Angeles Photography Awards.
BLACK & WHITE
WINNER
The People of Calcutta, by Debaudh Majee.
Is need for wealth real and what is the connection of wealth and humans?
Debaudh Majee was born on 12 November 2005 in Asansol, West Bengal, India. He grew up watching Hollywood movies on cable TV. As a child he had deep interest in astronomy. Slowly that interested changed to music, cinema, photography, and writing. He became a movie lover .He was introduced to Disney in his teens. He fell deeply in love with them and believed that one day he will write a feature length screenplay of a musical with songs, composition and cinematography directions even though it might never be produced. He always loves a visit to Kolkata.
OPEN THEME
WINNER
When We Say Vaquitas, What Are We Talking About, by Iliana Sun.
Documentary photography series regarding various operations upon saving the critically endangered vaquitas.
Iliana Sun, a dedicated biologist, artist, and storyteller, is steadily finding her voice in environmental conservation by combining her knowledge of science and art. With this union, Sun hopes to further the global dialogue concerning ‘wicked’ conservation issues and the intricate socio-ecological relationships inherent within them. Sun is an artist currently based in Durham, North Carolina.
Artist Statement
Through photography and film, I advocate a scientific understanding of our environment, while also conveying the complexity of our relationship with it. I am especially interested in wicked environmental problems as their intricate socio-ecological interconnectivity lends itself to storytelling from multiple perspectives.
I hope to gently nudge people to appreciate the intricate interconnectedness of life on Earth. My work emphasizes the role of human empathy and understanding in the quest for biodiversity conservation and sustaining our planet for future generations.
My rationale is to share and present what I’ve learned, understood, and experienced through my art. Rather than trying to change the world dramatically, I prefer the long-term, slow and steady approach, much like the flow of a tranquil brook in a pastoral landscape.
PORTRAIT
WINNER
Flora by Ashwin Mitchell.
Ashwin Mitchell (b. 2001) is an emerging filmmaker and photographer from Dallas, Texas. He is currently based in Los Angeles while pursuing his MFA in Screenwriting from the Univerisity of California, Los Angeles. He received his BA in Media Arts from the University of North Texas in 2022. Ashwin strives to create engaging stories with a Neo-Noir influence both in stills and script.
In the production environment, Ashwin helps transition material from script to screen as a producer. Or he may be seen capturing behind-the-scenes photos and video; Ensuring an efficient, effective, and friendly atmosphere. He is exceptionally skilled in visual editing, character-driven storytelling, and managing production crews.
As hobbies, Ashwin enjoys traveling, attending jazz concerts/festivals, exploring Los Angeles County, and spending time with family/friends.
In the future, Ashwin wants to contribute to an organization that improves fine art studies in African-American communities.
Artist Statement
In Ashwin Mitchell’s photography, he explores the intersection of emotional expression and creative exeretion behind the scenes of film/tv productions. Despite the hectic and uncontrollable environment, Ashwin captures intimate stills highlighting the emotional waves that take place on set. His current body of work takes a split approach between color and black/white photography. Additionally, his work is heavily influenced by street photography, film noir, and the higher-than-life atmosphere of Slim Aarons.
WILDLIFE, NATURE, LANDSCAPE
WINNER
Live together by Junya H.
Mikurajima Island in Japan is home to approximately 150 wild southern bottlenose dolphins, making it a rare island in the world where you can observe dolphin life up close.
The dolphin becomes interested in the human and swims with her according to her swimming speed.
A woman was photographed swimming towards the bottom of the water with a dolphin.
FINALIST
Antarctica by Artem Shestakov.
The photograph “Moonwalk” is a striking black and white portrayal of King Penguins in Antarctica. This image stands as a testimony to the serenity and rhythm of their natural habitat. The smooth, reflective surface beneath their feet adds a moon-like mystique to their procession. With the icy landscape serving as a muted backdrop, the penguins, depicted mid-stride, become symbols of grace and endurance in the stark wilderness. This visual narrative not only showcases the beauty of these creatures but also hints at the vastness of their colony and the rich, untold stories of their existence on the frigid continent of Antarctica.
Artem Shestakov, a renowned Ukrainian photographer and producer, has garnered international acclaim for his exceptional nature and landscape images. His resume consists of a long list of impressive works and accolades. Through his journeys, he captures unique and unseen parts of the world.
Los Angeles Photography Awards 