LUXEMBOURG, Nov. 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
The world's largest photo competition is now over, and the global winners of Metro Photo Challenge have been chosen. The Grand Prize winner chosen by the global jury is Alexander Svistunov, a retired pilot at 66, from Russia in the category of Hearing. He says of his photo, that "I became interested in photography when I retired. The beauty of pictures does not depend on the technique you use - it depends on the approach inside you". Global judge Alejandro Cartagena comments "This image is great for its spontaneity and charisma. The framing is right on the spot and the photographer has managed to make this simple act of playing an instrument a joy to look at". Sara Damber from Reach for Change says "Being passionate about children's rights, expressive photos with active children tend to rate high with me. This one is a perfect composition filled with emotions, stories and the real life through a child's point of view. There are some really powerful contrasts to the photo and it will be a pleasure to have this photographer capturing the stories of children and local heroes in Ghana." Global judge Urban Brådhe comments: "When you see a real good picture, you can feel it in your stomach! This is the one I felt from the first time I saw it. Perfect, from the texts in the background to the color of the boy's face! A winner!" The grand prize winner chosen among the public selected photos - is Dominika Wypych, 34, from Sweden working in correctional. Dominika Wypych's photo won in the category of the Sixth Sense, and she adds to the story behind her photo: "The picture I took is of my dog, Salsa, who has cancer. This was the day before she was going to surgery. Dogs are smarter than you think and she felt that something was going to happen. I saw it on her. So I wanted to capture the moment and took the picture with my camera phone, because it was really a sixth sense moment." Global judge Liu Bolin comments "The dog uses his instinct to feel the world, so it really describes the sixth sense here." Judge Urban Brådhe says: "So beautiful! And every dog-lover and a few others know about a dog's sixth sense. It was a very challenging category for the photographers and the jury." Two grand prize winners will have the opportunity of traveling to Ghana for a life-changing photo expedition. Together with Reach for Change, the two grand winners will travel to Ghana, West Africa, in order to document the lives of the children living there. The work will be published in Metro newspapers around the world. The Global Category Winners are the best photos in their category. The six Global Category Winners, including the two Grand Winners will get featured in Metro newspapers around the world. The Global Jury consists of an international panel of representatives from Reach for Change and the renowned photographers Alejandro Cartagena (Mexico), Liu Bolin (China), Bruno Bayley, Vice Magazine (UK), Lars Bech (Denmark), Ulrik Jantzen (Denmark), Urban Brådhe (Sweden), Colourbox CEO Esben Darling Meng (Denmark), and Sara Damber from Reach for Change (Sweden). "With yet again massive engagement around the world, with over 37 000 participants submitting over 120 000 pictures in just 6 weeks, Metro Photo Challenge remains the world's largest photo competition. We are delighted to have created within our readers a strong and loyal photo community who now have the ability to connect to each other" says Jeremy Bryant, Global Marketing Director at Metro. The award-winning Metro Photo Challenge will be back in September 2014. For further information please visit www.metro.lu or contact: Jeremy Bryant Marketing Director Jeremy.Bryant@metro.lu *** ABOUT METRO INTERNATIONAL AND METRO Metro is the largest international newspaper in the world. Metro is published in over 100 major cities in 24 countries across Europe, North & South America and Asia. Metro has a unique global reach - attracting a young, active, well- educated Metropolitan audience of over 18 million daily readers. Grand Prize Winners Announced: http://hugin.info/132142/R/1740205/584221.pdf [HUG#1740205]
