After two intensive rounds and the screening of more than 3,560 photographs, the winners of the first international Hahnemühle Student Photo Competition have now been announced.
Under the motto ‘Show us your Series’, the Student Photo Competition started on March 1, 2019 and addressed the creative up-and-coming photographers. All registered students with the focus on photography were eligible to participate. The expectations were high and the task demanding. A photo series with five motifs representing a self-chosen topic with its own focus had to be submitted. Ultimately, more than 700 students from over 50 countries have taken up this challenge.
The entries were evaluated in two steps. The jury, consisting of photographers, photojournalists, gallery owners and other experienced experts from the photo industry, selected 50 finalists from all online entries. Then these finalists had to submit their photo series printed on Hahnemühle paper. Hahnemühle provided them the paper. In the final step, the jury selected the three best photo series from the 50 finalists. Not only the creativity, but also the photographic quality and the selection of the paper matching the subject were judged. Above all, the high level and the great potential of many entries were impressive.
The winning photo series
1st place – “simili modo” by Daniel Niedermeier and Jan Staiger
Right from the start, the winning series of the German duo Daniel Niedermeier and Jan Staiger stood out. The series convinced the entire jury in all evaluation points. ‘simili modo’ is the most complete work and captivates with a very strong concept. The simulation of realities in areas such as research, science and medicine is playing an increasingly important role. “The edit is very tight and exceptionally good. Many levels of information. Also, technically a very good work, which is exquisitely photographed and printed,” judged the jury of the Student Photo Competition. This impressive achievement is rewarded with prize money of 1,500 €. The ‘simili modo’ series will also be exhibited at Photokina 2020 at the Hahnemühle booth in Cologne and at the ‘Eisfabrik‘ gallery in Hanover for six weeks.
2nd place – “The two parallel” by Karina Bikbulatova
The photo series by Karina Bikbulatova from Russia was equally convincing. “The sculptural, even monumental images are beautifully photographed. The story is intriguing and shows great sensitivity and gentleness. Each picture has a different construction and yet all five pictures are very well connected. The composition of the series is very good and creative”, said the jury about “The two parallel”. In addition, the fact that black and white photography was chosen is interesting because it contributes to the artistic concept. A deserved second place, which is rewarded with a prize money of 1.000 €. Furthermore, this series will also be exhibited at Photokina 2020 in Cologne and at the ‘Eisfabrik’ in Hanover.
3rd place – “of suddenly growing up” von Tamara Eckhardt
Tamara Eckhardt from Germany took the third place with her photo series ‘of suddenly growing up’ about the life of young mothers in Berlin’s district Marzahn-Hellersdorf. “The series shows the life of young mothers in a very emphatic and intense way. Simple moments are captured in a strong manner that creates a melancholic mood. The facial expressions and body language tell empathetically of the mothers’ hard lives in a socially disadvantaged district. The photographs are beautifully illuminated and make use of an unusual colour range that translates and intensifies the empathic effect. Simply good photography!”, said the jury. This third place is rewarded with a prize money of 500 €. ‘of suddenly growing up’ will also be on display at the Hahnemühle booth at Photokina 2020 and at the ‘Eisfabrik’.
Honourable Mentions
Due to the high level of the finalists’ entries, two more photo series will be honoured. Both just missed the podium, although their potential was huge. With this in mind, Hahnemühle would like to reward such a good performance and will also be exhibiting these two photo series at Photokina 2020. Additionally, they will also be exhibited at the gallery ‘Eisfabrik’ in Hanover for six weeks.
Honourable Mention – “Landscapes Behind” by Angela Svoronou
The jury was also very impressed by the photo series of Angela Svoronou from Greece. It is like a painting. “The images and the colour scheme fit very good together. Feelings and empathy are reflected in a delicate way. When looking at the images, the imagination of the viewer awakes and starts a movie in the head about who lived there, which pictures had been on the walls … a very good work”.
Honourable Mention – “Lost Paradise” by Farnaz Damnabi
The verdict on ‘Lost Paradise’ was also consistently positive: “The series by Farnaz Damnabi is very sophisticated and aesthetic. Technically very well done. The beautiful images deal with the visibility / invisibility of women and the carpet works as a great metaphor. The viewer really likes to know more as there is something eye-catching in the images”. The photo series from Iran thus rounds off the Top 5 of the Hahnemühle student photo competition.
The first international Hahnemühle Student Photo Competition is over and can be described as a complete success. Now we have to wait until the photo series can be admired as printed versions on Hahnemühle FineArt Inkjet paper at the Photokina and at the gallery ‘Eisfabrik’. Who knows when the next Hahnemühle student photo competition will start?
