Anyone with a phone instantly becomes somewhat of a photographer. However, even with mobile photography, some people manage to take it to the next level.
The Mobile Photography Awards (MPA) come into play to recognize talented individuals who capture unique shots with their phone cameras. This year, the MPA celebrated its 13th anniversary by spotlighting the finest moments from around the world, and the grand prize was awarded to Yajun Hu, a Shanghai-based photographer. Yajun Hu captured his photos with a Xiaomi Ultra 13, and as a winner, Hu earned both the prestigious title and also walked away with a $3,000 US cash prize.
Besides the grand prize winner, there were 13 categories, and each had a worthy champion, showcased down below.
MPA Photographer of the year - Grand Prize winner Yajun Hu
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
To learn more about the awards, Bored Panda reached out to Daniel Berman, the founder of the Mobile Photography Awards.
As mobile photography continues to evolve, we asked Daniel to share how he sees the role of platforms like MPA in shaping the industry and recognizing emerging talent.
“The Mobile Photo Awards (MPA) plays a pivotal role in shaping the mobile photography industry by providing a platform for emerging talent to showcase their work. Through the MPA, we aim to elevate the status of mobile photography and highlight its artistic potential on a global scale,” replied Daniel.
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Daniel also shared some insights into the judging process of the MPA, and what criteria they prioritize when selecting winners from such a diverse pool of entries.
“In the judging process of the MPA, we prioritize creativity, technical proficiency, storytelling, and originality. With such a diverse pool of entries, our judges meticulously evaluate each submission to ensure that the winning images represent the highest caliber of mobile photography,” wrote Daniel.
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Yajun Hu, this year's grand prize winner, captured his winning images with a Xiaomi Ultra 13. We asked how MPA views the intersection of technology and artistic expression in mobile photography.
“Yajun Hu's stunning images really do capture the intersection of technology and artistic expression in mobile street and editorial-style photography. The MPA celebrates innovation in mobile camera technology and recognizes its role in empowering artists to push the boundaries of creativity,” replied Daniel.
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Daniel shared what opportunities MPA offers to winners and participants to further their careers or artistic pursuits in mobile photography.
“Beyond recognition and cash prizes, MPA offers winners and participants valuable opportunities to network, collaborate, and gain exposure within the mobile photography community.”
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Lastly, Daniel added: “I'd like to emphasize that mobile photography is not just a trend but a powerful medium for self-expression and storytelling. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or just starting out, the MPA welcomes everyone to join our competition and share their unique perspectives through the lens of their mobile devices.”
Landscapes and wildlife category winner- "Golden Mountains" by Di Lu
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
People photos category winner - "Cadet Obstacle Course" by Elliot Ferguson
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Macro and details category winner - "Beyond the Green" by Hollyn Johnson
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Portraits and self-portraits category winner - "The Violinist Returning Home at Night" by Queenie Cheen
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Silhouettes category winner - "Tetris" by Roy Pan
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Travel and transportation category winner - "Wonder Kelingking Beach" by Yuepeng Bao
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Street photography category winner - "Playground" by Chang Nianzu
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Black and white category winner - "Broken Portrait" by Yajun Hu
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Visula FX and digital art category winner - "Forge" by Melissa Johnston
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Water / snow / ice category winner - "The Falls" by Ryan Cardone
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
The darkness / noir category winner - "Light Up" by Wai Ying Kwok
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Architecture / design / still life category winner - "The Void" by Wei Wei
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Photo essay category winner - "Firecracker Symphony" by Victor Tan KH
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards
Image credits: mobilephotoawards