LOOK: Pictures of the Year
- Posted by: Patrick James
- on July 13, 2009 at 6:22 pm
A Pakistani lawyer lunges over a snarl of barbed wire, fleeing a blast of tear gas. A Kenyan man lies on his back on the dirt, surrounded by fatigued, gun-toting soldiers, raising his arms and shutting his eyes. Michael Phelps emerges from an Olympic pool, his face awash with clear water and the elation of victory. A Haitian man lifts the limp, naked corpse of a young girl before a crowd of onlookers in the wake of Hurricane Ike. The Democratic nominee for President, Barack Obama, steps toward a podium and thousands of onlookers at the National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
These are among the defining moments of the past year, captured—with expertise, daring, and some degree of luck—by the best photographers in the world. Simultaneously still and full of motion, the images tell the stories of our lives and, in the words of Pictures of the Year International Director Rick Shaw, “they give the world something to focus on.”
For the past six and a half decades, Pictures of the Year International has awarded excellence in international photojournalism annually from its headquarters at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. This year, the awards were bestowed at the newly established Annenberg Space for Photography in the Century City neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Culled from some 45,000 entries, more than 80 of the award-winning print photographs hang on the space’s walls, which spiral inward—in a shape not unlike a reel of film—as they lead visitors into a dark viewing room, where a state-of-the-art, high definition digital screen shows 1,400 more images in brilliant resolution. From now through the first of November, the free-to-the-public show consists of this remarkable print and digital collection, as well a series of lectures and workshops by photographic luminaries (you can also launch an online image gallery here).
“This place is about as far away from where I took those photos as you could get,” said Magazine Photographer of the Year Uriel Sinai, looking out upon treetops and tiled roofs of Beverly Hills and the manicured glass towers that surround the Century City space. “But that’s life, I guess.” Sinai, who documented last year’s post-election violence in Kenya with brutal clarity, also offered, on the eve of POYi’s opening, a circumspect assessment of what it takes to photograph regions in conflict.
“It’s what my friend calls visible invisibility,” he said. “You have to let the moment be bigger than you. You have to be there, and, paradoxically, not really be there at all.”
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Top image: Pakistani lawyer runs from tear gas, Pakistan © Emilio Morenatti. Bottom image: Kenyan man lays lies on the ground after clashes with police in the unrest after the elections and political gridlock, Nairobi, Kenya © Uriel Sinai.
DISCUSSION: 14 Comments
If ‘Good’ is to live up to, be responsible for the credibility of its name and content then apply the English language properly The caption “lays”(on the ground)” is wrong… incorrect.The correct word that should be used is “lies”. Your American-ness is showing! Others may call it ignorance. Perhaps it’s your Ed? — Another Contributor
For the top image, I suggest the caption ‘I AM BATMAN.” That’s correct grammar.
If you want to share these, why don’t you just put them online? Culture is not contained in wine & cheese halls, y’all. Everyone could see these right now and the world would be better for it.
@HowardG”English language properly The caption”You missed a period.”is wrong… incorrect.”That is redundant…repetitive.”Your American-ness is showing!”An American is a citizen of the Americas. Do you mean South American or North American? Certainly, you mean a United States citizen. This is a very common and easy attack for simple minded folk such as yourself. Do you mind stating your country of origin so I can point out your government’s and society’s failures? “Perhaps it’s your Ed? “Informal contraction of simple words such as “it is” and “education” shows your lack of education in proper English. I suggest thinking when writing. Even I understand these basics and English is my third language. –A South AmericanIn addition, you sound jealous and spiteful.
@ John Kane…While I may sympathise with your reply to HowardG’s comment, you perhaps might heed your own advice about thinking when writing…Criticising him for contracting ‘it is’ to ‘it’s’ is wholly unnecessary. Use of contractions of this type is in no way indicative of a lack of education and it is wrong of you to suggest so.Similarly, you mistake his use of ‘Ed’ as a contraction of ‘Education’. It is not; it is a contraction of ‘Editor’ and commonly understood to be so…
John Kane, Shut the fuck up. Howard G is clearly better at English than you. Don’t deny it. And usually, American is the word used to describe those living in the United States. Canadians are not called Americans. North Americans, maybe, but not Americans. And why are you taking such offense to Howard’s poking fun at the United States. You aren’t even from there. Who cares what he says. American’s have built their own reputations, they can live with it. You need to get off your high horse and DEFINITELY not correct those with English as a first language on their English. PS: You are actually the one who sounds ignorant and spiteful. You did not even fully understand Howard’s comment, which was lighthearted and a little sarcastic. Just a bit of ball-busting. So calm down.
At the same time, Howard: lays, lies, who cares. It’s so minor it’s not even worth mentioning.
Why are internet comment sections so filled with anger?
The photo’s are great, the moronic slanging match in the comments is pityful!!
I agree with the last two comments. This is a place for GOOD—not hate.
Duh!! Here’s your sign! Git ‘er done!
Agreed, the photos are GOODer than GOOD, and the negative comments are pitiful.
God bless every one and the peace of God be with you all
Just a note to anyone out there that would like something to do to help some of the bloggers.Yes there does seem to be a lot of angry bloggers out thre. Maybe someone could start a site where everyone who has an anger issue could go on the sight & vent their anger so they would leave eveyone else alone!