“2024 reFocus Awards Spotlight the Ability of Photography to Inspire Empathy, Display Vulnerability, and Honor Artistry”

# A Tribute to Photography: Highlights from the 2024 reFocus Awards

Since its inception in 2022, the **reFocus Awards** has emerged as an international stage honoring photographers who challenge creative limits while capturing the core of human experience and nature. This year’s **2024 reFocus Awards** once again showcased the remarkable adaptability of photography, featuring a remarkable array of winning images across various genres and themes.

Drawing submissions from **77 countries**, the 2024 event represented a significant milestone in the awards’ brief history, uniting some of the most imaginative and thought-provoking artists in both professional and amateur categories. Participants depicted scenes that ranged from breathtaking landscapes and ephemeral moments of beauty to conceptual inquiries into mental health and societal issues.

Below, we explore some of the remarkable winners and their intriguing narratives, highlighting photography’s lasting ability to inspire, provoke thought, and foster connection.

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## **The Leading Winners: International Photographer and Discovery of the Year**

This year, the highly sought-after title, **International Photographer of the Year**, was presented to **Pepe Manzanilla** for his whimsical and expertly crafted photograph titled **“Bath Time.”** The image captures a tree frog perched in tranquil waters, its small head breaking the surface while fish swim below. The thoughtful contrast of the frog’s peaceful presence against the complex backdrop of intertwined trees results in a timeless and lyrical composition, showcasing Pepe’s extraordinary talent for elevating ordinary moments into visual art.

The accolade for **International Discovery of the Year** was bestowed upon **Tania Barrenetxea** for her reflective piece, **“Swallow.”** This poignant work mirrors Tania’s personal battles with anxiety, depicting a woman peering through four water glasses, her distorted reflection symbolizing the fragmented essence of mental health. The placement of pills on the table emphasizes the worldwide mental health crisis, infusing the portrait with a sense of vulnerability and contemporary significance. Tania’s creation is not only visually striking but also exemplifies photography’s capability to confront societal issues.

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## **Category Highlights**

The reFocus Awards feature an impressive array of categories, each highlighting distinct photographic styles and themes. Here are some of the remarkable winners from this year’s contest:

### **Aerial Photography**
– **Winner: Henry Do** – **“Barcelona’s Timeless Heart”**
Henry’s aerial perspective captures the vibrant geometric patterns of Barcelona, inviting onlookers to appreciate the architectural harmony and dynamism of the city.

– **Discovery of the Year: Yevhen Kostiuk** – **“P-opular & I-gnored”**
Yevhen’s picture urges viewers to rethink the spaces we frequently neglect, illustrating the relationship between urban environments and human activity from above.

### **Animals and Wildlife**
– **Winner: Bernard Sim** – **“Double Chin”**
A delightful and whimsical portrait of a pet, “Double Chin” celebrates the often-ignored idiosyncrasies of domestic animals. This piece exemplifies Bernard’s talent for capturing personality through photography.

– **Winner: George Dian Balan** – **“Nose to Nosehorn”**
George photographed an intimate moment with a rhinoceros, emphasizing the raw power and elegance of wildlife while reminding us of the pressing need for conservation efforts.

### **Conceptual Photography**
– **Winner: Elisa Miller** – **“What’s Love Got to Do With It?”**
Elisa’s conceptual work explores the intricacies of human relationships, employing visual metaphors to delve into themes of love, identity, and decision-making.

### **Travel and Culture**
– **Discovery of the Year: Ngar Shun Victor Wong** – **“One Morning in Varanasi”**
This stunning image captures the lively atmosphere along the Ganges River at daybreak, immersing viewers in the spiritual and cultural richness of Varanasi, India.

### **Architecture**
– **Winner: Ann Nguyen** – **“Peaceful Mind”**
In this architectural shot, Ann skillfully blends design with tranquility, depicting a space that feels both expansive and cozy simultaneously.

### **Minimalism**
– **Winner: Thomas de Franzoni** – **“Deliverance”**
A celebration of simplicity, “Deliverance” utilizes stark lines and textures to create an image that is both contemplative and visually impactful.

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## **The Importance of Photography Today**

The works featured in the 2024 reFocus Awards highlight the multifaceted role of photography as both an artistic expression and a societal instrument. With images that range from personal portraits to vast landscapes, this year’s honorees demonstrate photography’s ability to engage with universal themes like love, mental health, environmental awareness, and cultural identity.

Moreover, the global scope of this competition—evidence of the medium’s inclusivity and accessibility—reflects the diverse perspectives prevalent in today’s photography.