Our images of the year
Claire Gillo Editorial team
From the series ‘Mallakhamba’ by Ken Hermann
It's hard to decide on one favourite image from the year, as the quality of photography in 2019 has been incredibly high. I was impressed this year by the standard of images in the 2019 ZEISS Photography Award, and one in particular from among those that were shortlisted stood out for me. It's a clever image taken by photographer Ken Hermann from Denmark. It makes me think about human strength and endurance, environment, sport, architecture, and culture; this is all in just one image. The art these girls are performing is a traditional Indian sport called Mallakhamba, and although that is impressive in itself, it's the contrast between the bright blue sheet hung like a stage against the ordinary outdoor scene that makes it so interesting. What the performers are doing in such an extraordinary and professional way is contrasted against the housing in the background, making you want to know more about them and their stories.
Andy Westlake Technical editor
‘Organic Staircase’ by Janet Miles
The sheer qualitypages every year is remarkable, so when it comes to choosing a favourite picture, it can be extremely difficult to know where to start. It's not just the seasoned professionals or the big competition winners, either; we have some incredibly talented readers, too.
