30 Best Entries In #BestPhotoOf2020 Photography Contest

Location: Svalbard, Norway

"We were on my boat, cruising to a big glacier as the plan was to see the glacier calve. Once we got closer, we saw a polar bear walking in front of it. As we were floating, the bear decided to take a nap. Once it got to sleep I wanted to create a peaceful yet powerful image, because polar bears are afraid of loud unfamiliar sounds. I also wanted to contrast his snow-less bed with the snowy mountains behind him that reflect the global warming crisis. Luckily, there was a small breeze which allowed us to very slowly get a little closer for the shot. Due to the world's situation with Covid-19 and non-essential travel not permitted, I would use some of the money to catch up traveling once it is allowed again. I would also invest in new equipment."

@uglefisk, Norway

Location: Caracas, Venezuela

"The subjects of this photo are two soldiers who were part of the Venezuelan government's containment group in charge of dissipating the 2017 protests against Nicolás Maduro and his administration, and a Nun named Esperanza. In 2017 I tried to document in the best way the social chaos that was being experienced in Venezuela. On that day, there was a lot of repression on the part of the security forces; it got aggressive. When the protest died down, I saw a nun walking towards me who asked for help to get to the highway where these two men were. When she reached the military, she told them: "My name is Esperanza, and hope this is the last thing you lose." It had been a terrible day, but I feel that Sister Esperanza's words reached the hearts of the military. My intention was to convey hope for a country that is full of problems; a country submerged in a very deep social, political, and economic crisis. Photography has been my means of communication and creation, and through art, I seek to inspire and motivate, especially Venezuelans who are without hope. I'm still in Venezuela trying. Being the best possible citizen. Making art. Communicating. Behind that photo is an entire country that continues to suffer today. I would use this money to inspire more photographers to keep taking photos and never lose hope of being seen and valued. Winning this award, living in a country like Venezuela, would be a direct light of the universe."

@donaldobarros, Venezuela

Location: Koyashskoe Salt Lake, Crimea, Russia

"I shot this picture of my wife wearing a dress we made ourselves from fabric that reflects all the colors of the rainbow. In the summer, this lake turns pink due to the special plankton - one of the most unusual places I've been to. This lake has a depth of just 3-4 centimeters so when you walk on it, it feels as if you are walking across the sky, as the water reflects it. Through this shot, I wanted to achieve a minimalistic picture, with no human structures, that transmits tranquility and unity with nature. The dress, which looks more like a pearl, does not have its own color but reflects the environment, thus it fits perfectly in harmony with the rest of the picture. We got a nasty surprise on this shoot given that the salt on this lake sinks underfoot, scratches the skin, and causes pain, meaning we also had to throw out the shoes which we were wearing. Then when the dress dried out, it turned to stone, like wet clothes in a severe frost. If I were to win, I'd use the money to pay off our mortgage and go on a new trip for new adventurous photos with my wife."

@fondphoto (Russia)

Location: Yen province, Vietnam

"My photo represents the farmers harvesting the sedge which will be later used to weave mats. I associate these mats with my childhood, as every family in Vietnam uses this kind of mat to sleep on. If I win, I will take my wife on a trip and donate a part of the prize to charities."

@hoacarol, Vietnam

Location: Achimota, Accra, Ghana

"This photo depicts warrior-looking young men united in chorus of affirming the belief in themselves as a group. This photo has become increasingly meaningful to me for many reasons. Due to the global pandemic and the implementation of social distancing, it occurred to me that such gathering of people will be a rare sight for a while. Coupled with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and mass demonstrations all over the world that have been a major part of 2020, I found this photo symbolic and meaningful to the fight for racial equality and unity. The photo conveys unity, strength, and determination. Furthermore it now also illustrates the furor of the #EndSars demonstrations in Nigeria. If I win, I would invest in my photography to travel and meet new people, landscapes, and stories of as many places as I can."

@photogerard, Ghana

Location: Karanganyar, Indonesia

"This landfill catches fire almost every year during the dry season on this 17-hectare area, due to methane gas contained in the garbage. It amazes yet saddens me that there are people who, despite the health hazards, tirelessly look for scraps or items they want to go on to sell in order to be able to provide for their families. I would use the prize to donate and build a place of worship near my hometown, and to develop my business in photography."

@cymot, Indonesia

Location: Kelitsadi Lake, Kazbegi, Georgia

"The emotion I try to convey through this photo is a feeling of peace, achieved from being alone and finding oneself. This photo was taken 3080 meters above sea level, which makes the weather so cold and difficult to enter in the volcanic lake, despite what the conditions of the day and garments of the model might suggest."

@damiane (Georgia)

Location: Khanh Vinh District, Khanh Ho, Vietnam

"The photo captures an old person cooking, from the Raglai ethnic minority of Khanh Vinh mountainous district. I took it as part of the Help-Portrait Programme, which is a community of photographers and volunteers from around the world who voluntarily devote their time, equipment, and expertise to photographing people in need. With the idea that photographers take pictures, print and send them to people, and more importantly, give them a belief and joy in life. This woman was thrilled to be photographed for the first time, if not also a little embarrassed, it was a special moment for me as it is for her. Through the pictures we know, happiness often comes from very simple things. Everyone's happiness is different. If I were to become the Hero and win the prize of 25,000 dollars, I will first fund travel to places far from the city where there are still difficulties, using my passion for photography to capture beautiful moments, spread the message to help people share and love each other more."

@manhcuongvuong, Vietnam

Location: Pangandaran beach, Indonesia

"There are those who say that the border between legal and illegal is somewhere between being caught or not. And it was among those seas that the infamous fishing vessel sailed for years, being wanted by 13 different nations for fish poaching. Now, its wreckage rests in this fine border between sea and land as a display of Indonesian maritime power, as a symbol of the fate that awaits those who try to do the exact same. It took me 3 hours to take this photo because I waited until the shadows were exactly where I wanted them to be. If I win, I would love to donate a part of this prize, buy new equipment and invest another part of it to travel again and focus on humanitarian photography."

@jordisark, Spain

Location: Daecheong Lake, South Korea

"Autumn is an exceptionally beautiful season here, and a blessing for photographers. This beautiful scenery, enhanced on this occasion by a small boat when the fog rises in the early morning hours of the morning, is the reason why I go to this lake with my camera. The long rainy season of 40 consecutive days made Daecheong Lake full of water. The small trees submerged in the water show fragility as the water level begins to go down again, but the water mist covered it beautifully. I wore boots that come almost up to my chest, and I took a picture by lowering it closer to the surface. If I win, I will donate half of it to neighbours in need, update some of my old photography equipment, and put the rest away for my family."

@pqiiiipq, South Korea