Asia express
Sports: Beijing is gearing up to hold the world's biggest sporting event next year, and everybody is getting into the act. Teenage passion for soccer spills into the hutong areas, as locals embrace the spirit of the Games. Liu Yingyi |
More than 4,000 photographs were submitted to the judges in the categories of spot news, general news, economic, scientific and technical news, portraits, daily life and sports news, arts and entertainment news, nature and environmental news.
The eight top-prize winners are Shahadat Parvez, G.M.B. Akash and Abir Abdullah all from Bangladesh, Manisn Swarvp from India, Wang Jie, Liu Yingyi, Zhang Tao and Lang Shuchen all from China. Initiated by Asia News Network and China Daily, and under the theme "Changing Asia", the candidates were asked to display achievements, conflicts and important events and highlight the lives, emotions and determination of the Asian people.
General News: The image (right) tells the story of a Sri Lankan funeral ceremony in a very unique way by using the shadows of mourners. Manisn Swarvp |
According to Wang Wenlan, executive officer of asianewsphoto.com and director of China Daily photography department, the images captured from June 2006 to April 2007 are outstanding. "The photos, covering all moods, are stunning, evocative and photojournalism at its best," Wang said.
He believes the contest will help the world better understand and experience Asia.
Photographs were judged on how well they illustrated different themes, and how they captivated the viewer.
"A picture says 1,000 words," said Reinhard Krause, chief photographer of Reuters China and one of the 10 judges of the contest. "This years' works are better than last year and every picture tells a good story."
Left: Daily Life: Who needs a seat on a train when you can ride for free atop the roof of this Bangladesh locomotive? By blurring the trees and focusing on the passengers, the photographer recreates the movement of the rolling train. G.M.B Akash Right: Economic, Scientific and Technical News: Work never stops in Shanghai, as these window cleaners scrub through the lunch period. The photograph is from an entertaining series, which shows China's economic boom through the eyes of cleaners. Wang Jie |
Left: Nature and Environment: The Qinghai-Tibet railway was a monumental engineering feat, which needed to address environmental concerns. The endangered Tibetan antelope, which has become a mascot for the 2008 Beijing Games, was considered during construction. Special bridges were made to accommodate the animal's seasonal movements. Lang Shuchen Right: Spot News: An angry mob beats a man to death during the October 2006 demonstrations in Bangladesh. The photographer leaves nothing to the imagination. Shahadat Parvez |
Left: Arts and Entertainment: The photographer approaches the subject of blind dancers in a fresh way, using black and white film, and accentuating dark and light contrasts, luring the viewer into the world of the dancers. Zhang Tao Right: Portrait: This Bangladesh woman's face was disfigured after her husband attacked her, but she still retains her dignity, poise and hope. The photographer uses a palate of rich colors to convey her femininity. Abir Abdullah |
(China Daily 06/01/2007 page18)
