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A picture of a food vendor working in front of a smoky grill has won the grand prize in a food photography competition.
Debdata Chakraborty has been nominated for first prize in the “Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year 2022” competition for his photo “Kabbayana”, which he took in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir.
The Indian photographer took the picture in a crowded street at night, as vendors light coal ovens to prepare kebabs and other types of street food.
“In today’s world, we need comfort and love more than ever,” says Caroline Kenyon, contest director.
She adds, “There are many things in this picture that give us reassurance, the beautiful embrace of the rising smoke of the seller, the golden light, and the features of the person preparing the food for serving.”
“Sparks are flying off the skewers so we can almost smell the barbecue,” says Caroline. “We imagine the warmth and the smell of delicious food.”
“This beautiful yet powerful image nourishes our souls,” she adds.
The competition chose the works from among thousands of entries received from more than 60 countries around the world, and the jury announced the names of the winning photographers through the Internet in a ceremony broadcast live.
Below are some of the award winners in the competition categories, with some details mentioned by the photographers.
Festive Taitinger Food: A traditional skill by Chen Ying, China
picture released, Chen Ying
The photo was taken on a small farm in Xianlian Village, Xiangyun County, Putian City, Fujian Province. A family gathers to make rice or bean pancakes, they use a wooden stamp to imprint the red dough with the words “luck” or “happiness”, and steam from a large pot steams up the pancakes. This tradition means preparing for a new year and family reunion, and optimism for the prosperity of the coming year.”
Food on the Table: Placing Food at the Ritz, by John Curry, UK
picture released, John Carey
“Table catering, which is called ‘the art of table setting’, is a unique experience for the Ritz.”
Fujifilm Creativity Award: Central Park, by Yuli Vasiliev, Bulgaria
picture released, Yuliy Vasilev
The image is part of a project called “Foodtopia”, a microcosm that uses food as its embodiment.
Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers: Photo titled On the Table, by Margaret Olofsey, South Africa
picture released, Marguerite Oelofse
A celebration of African heritage, an image inspired by the work of the French artist, Henri Matisse. The aesthetics of the photograph, much like a painter’s palette, create a three-dimensional sense using bold colour, subject matter and structure. These elements are indigenous to the diverse culture of South Africa. On the table A celebration of the fruits of our freedom.
Fish drying, by Cassia Sisselska-Faber, UK
picture released, Kasia Ciesielska-Faber
“In Norway’s Lofoten Archipelago, watching fish storage shelves has become part of the landscape. Cod is kept by drying it on large shelves without the need for salt or smoking, as temperatures approach freezing, which is an ideal climate for drying fish in the open air.”
Food Politics: A photograph entitled Where Dreams Fly, by KM Asad, Bangladesh
picture released, K M Asad
“A little girl collects water with her older sister in Chad Udan slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh in September 2021. In slum areas where people only get fresh water twice a day, in the morning and evening.”
Food Designer Award: Summer Vegetable Tart, by Caroline Struth, Germany
picture released, Carolin Strothe
Celebrate summer with an amazing vegetable tart, topped with buffalo mozzarella, feta, tomatoes, pea pods, green onions and cornflowers.
Young People (10 years and under): Fish processing, by Robkotha Roy Parai, Bangladesh
picture released, Rupkotha Roy Barai
“The women of the village work in processing raw fish that are collected locally.”
Erasuris Wine Photographer of the Year Award: Collecting pruning remains in Corton Hill, by John Weyand, UK
picture released, Jon Wyand
Winter pruning of vines and turf gathering on Corton Hill Farms in Burgundy.
Best Crop: Photo titled A Field of Carrots Forever, by Paolo Grinza and Silvia Fola, Italy
picture released, Paolo Grinza and Silvia Vaulà
“This image is part of a series of photographs featuring the concept of ‘Hands at Work’, taken for Etico Bistrot (Torino, Italy) – Art and Concept Photography.”
Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year Award (Southeast Asia): Anchovy Fishing, by Tien Nguyen Ngoc, Vietnam
picture released, Thien Nguyen Ngoc
“The dim light at the start of a new day shines through the smoke from the engine of a fishing boat and the green nets that move under the water’s surface as local fishermen pull their nets. Many local families fishing along the coast in Phu Yen County follow the inshore currents. For fishing anchovies during high season. Salted anchovies are the most important raw ingredient used to make traditional fish sauce – the spirit of Vietnamese cuisine.”
All photos are from a contest Pink Lady for Food Photographer For 2022, an exhibition of the winning photos will be held at the Royal Photographic Society, Bristol, from 20 November to 12 December 2022.