Washington, D.C., 23 October 2012 - Vietnam featured prominently in the 2012 CGAP Photo Contest with four Vietnamese photographers being recognized for their work. Dinh Manh Tai received a Special Mention Award for his entry “Shine,” while “Against the Wind” from Vo Anh Kiet and two entries from Ngo Quang Phuc – “To Catch Fish” and “Anchovy Season” – were among the finalists. The East Asia and the Pacific region saw a great deal of entries this year, including 16% of all contest entrants as well as 10 of the finalists. China, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam were all represented among the finalists.
The overall winning photo of the 2012 Photo Contest was submitted by Yavuz Sariyildiz of Turkey, whose photo “Smoke of Charcoal” depicts men separating charcoal to scale in order to sell at a local market.
For a full gallery of the winning photos, please visit www.cgap.org/photos-videos/2012-cgap-photo-contest
“I started photography in 2004. Immediately, it became a passion,” said Sariyildiz, who was previously assistant general manager responsible for small and medium enterprises at a leading Turkish bank. “After 25 years of my banking career I quit in 2009. Now I am a full time freelance photographer. My banking experience is helping me communicate easily with very small producers and enterprises to create new documentary projects. Now I am still working with them, but this time the subject is their lives through photography.”
The judges also selected 28 other photos from around the world as finalists, which were highlighted for their technical skill, emotional impact or ability to convey the story of financial inclusion. Of particular note was the third prize winner, “Happiness,” from Wang Xiaohong of China, which the judging panel commended for its emotional energy.
For the first time this year, a popular vote on CGAP.org also determined a People’s Choice winner. The winning photo, “The Book Suffers,” portrays a bookseller in one of Baghdad’s largest markets.
Photographers from over 80 countries made this the most competitive year so far in the Contest, now in its seventh year. Entries were judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact, and artistic merit. The panel of judges consisted of Anne Farrar, Photo Editor at The Washington Post, Chris Combs, Photo Editor at National Geographic, Suzanne Lemakis, Director of Fine Art at Citigroup, and Susan Sterner, Director of New Media Photojournalism at the Corcoran School of Art and Design.
The annual CGAP Photo Contest aims to highlight stand-out photography from amateurs and professionals depicting microfinance around the world. The Contest draws thousands of entries from all regions of the world. Over the years, the photo contest has resulted in a remarkable set of images, showcasing the different ways in which poor households use microfinance and how financial inclusion can improve the lives of the poor. This year’s grand prize is a $2,000 gift certificate for photography equipment and accessories.
Email Jeanette Thomas at jthomas1@worldbank.org for further inquiries about the annual CGAP Photo Contest.
Please see the full list of winners of the 2012 CGAP Photo Contest here.
About CGAP
CGAP (The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) is the world's leading resource for the advancement of microfinance. CGAP provides the financial industry, governments and investors with objective information, expert opinion, and innovative solutions to effectively expand access to finance for poor people around the world. More information: www.cgap.org
