Travel Photo Competition Finalists – People & Cultures Category

Have a look at our shortlist!

Here we go! These are the finalists in the people & cultures category of our Travel Photography Competition. Congratulations to everyone who made it! The winners in all categories will be announced next week, so stay tuned. (Check out the finalists in the wildlife category and the landscape category.)

Title: Gido
Photographer: Lynn Fraser
Location: Ethiopia
Description:
“During a visit to the Omo Valley, Ethiopia, I visited an Arbore village where I met Gido. She was a very self-assured young lady and boldly looked into my camera lens as I took her portrait.”

Title: Songket Weaver
Photographer: Hafiz Ismail
Location: Indonesia
Description:
“An elderly woman working at her traditional songket weaving apparatus in Pandai Sikek, West Sumatra. Pandai Sikek is a region situated in Tanah Datar, West Sumatra Province, Indonesia, renowned for its “Pandai Sikek Songket Weaving” craft.

For the Minangkabau community, songket holds a high cultural value and is deeply cherished. Its use is typically reserved for special occasions and ceremonies, such as weddings, Batagak Gala (the coronation of a prince), and welcoming esteemed guests.”

Title: The Bird and the Boy
Photographer: Peter Martin
Location: Mongolia
Description:
“I was staying with an eagle hunter and his family in Mongolia’s Atali Mountains. The picture is of the hunter’s grandchild, sitting on a mountain top at dusk with the eagle, wearing his coat to keep warm.”

Title: Karo Herdsman
Photographer: Lynn Fraser
Location: Ethiopia
Description:
“Visiting a Karo village on the banks of the Omo River, I took images of many of the villagers. This young man was happy to pose with his rifle that he uses to protect his livestock, and his head rest.”

Title: Puca Jawi
Photographer: Hafiz Ismail
Location: Indonesia
Description:
“A jockey rides his bull during the Pacu Jawi festival, a unique and exhilarating traditional bull-racing event held in the Tanah Datar region of West Sumatra, Indonesia. This cultural celebration is deeply rooted in Minangkabau heritage and serves as both a post-harvest festival and a showcase of local tradition.”

Title: Sea Gypsy
Photographer: Hafiz Ismail
Location: Indonesia
Description:
“A sea gypsy boy was photographed wearing his handmade goggles while relaxing on a small sampan, a type of traditional wooden boat commonly used by the Bajau people. The Bajau, often referred to as sea gypsies, are a nomadic maritime community found in the waters of Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Known for their deep connection to the ocean, the Bajau live much of their lives on boats or in stilted houses over the water.”

Title: Baobab Alley
Photographer: Kirsty Dolphin
Location:
Description:
“We had arranged a sunrise trip to Baobab alley during our trip to Madagascar. It was a beautiful clear morning with amazing light at about 4am. As we were setting up our tripods a group of ladies were on their way to the local market. We asked if they would mind waiting a few moments so that we could photograph them. Thankfully they didn’t mind and this was the result. As it was still very low light and I wanted a full depth of field, the shutter speed and ISO had to be managed quite carefully.”

Title: Suri Beauty
Photographer: Lynn Fraser
Location: Ethiopia
Description:
“Arriving at a camp near a Suri village, we were surrounded by children and young women hastily painting their faces for photographs. This young woman, however, opted to remain paint free showing off her traditional scarification.”

Title: Double Trouble
Photographer: Lynn Fraser
Location: Ethiopia
Description:
“The Suri are known for their innovative face-painting. These young lads opted for a similar geometric look which was particularly effective when they posed together.”

Title: Morning Chores
Photographer: Lynn Fraser
Location: Ethiopia
Description:
“A Mundari cattle camp is run by young adults and older children. Everyone has a role to play. The women were responsible for cleaning the camp, cooking, fetching water and firewood, and helping with the cattle. This image was taken early one morning as the camp came to life.”