The Mobile Photography Awards (MPA) showcases and celebrates the artistry of smartphone and tablet photography from around the world. The 13th annual MPA’s grand prize winner, Yajun Hu from Shanghai, China, captured the judges’ attention with his exceptional skills. Hu’s work stood out among thousands of entries from 85 countries, earning him a $3000 cash prize and the Photographer of the Year award.
MPA also awards a $500 prize in the photo essay category, won by Victor Tan KH of Thailand. In addition, photographers in 12 photo categories receive cash prizes of $250 each.
Founded in 2011 by Daniel Berman, Mobile Photography Awards has evolved into the largest and longest-running global competition for smartphone photography. High-resolution sensors, multiple lenses, and sophisticated image-processing algorithms revolutionized mobile phone photography. And it pushes the boundaries of traditional photography, a trend recognized by MPA.
In this article, we’ll highlight the winners in each of the categories and the photographs shot in this worldwide competition.
MPA Grand Prize Winner: Yajun Hu
A systems test engineer, Yajun Hu specializes in street photography and finds a mobile phone camera less intrusive. He’s been capturing moments of urban storytelling since 2015.
“Now, street photography has become a major part of my life and a deeper way for me to observe my city,” Yajun told MPA. “What attracts me to street photography is the uncertainty of what I will find.”
MPA Photo Essay 1st Place Winner: Victor Tan KH
Victor Tan KH’s photo essay, Firecracker Symphony, captured the Nine Emperor celebration in the province of Shang-Nga in southern Thailand. Participants parade through the town carrying sedans.
“Throughout the procession, they face a relentless barrage of firecrackers, creating a powerful and smoky spectacle,” Victor explained.
Photo Essay 2nd Place Winner: Ren Shi
Merging the ideas of flowers and dancers from an overhead perspective, Ren Shi juxtaposed the life of a flower with the rise and fall of a ballet dancer’s career.
“Flowers bloom every year, symbolizing the iteration and renewal of life in nature,” Ren said. “Although ballet dancers may eventually retire from their dancing career at a certain stage due to physical injuries, their artistic spirit continues.”
Photo Essay 3rd Place Winner: Julian Lisek
Photographing scenes and workers in the construction industry and public works sector, Julian Lisek captured dynamic black-and-white images of the builders of society.
“If you do badly at school, they say ‘…You’ll end up as a bricklayer or a welder’ as though it was a threat,” Julian told MPA. “In my opinion, intelligence is no guarantee of success at school.”
Architecture, Design, and Still Life: Wei Wei
The first place winner in Architecture, Design, and Still Life was Wei Wei for his image The Void.
Black and White: Yajun Hu
Grand prize winner and MPA photographer of the year Yajun Hu also took first place in the black and white category with his stunning image Broken Portrait.
Landscapes and Wildlife: Di Lu
Macro and Details: Hollyn Johnson
People Photography Awards: Elliot Ferguson
Portraits and Self-Portraits: Queenie Cheen
Silhouettes: Roy Pan
Street Photography: Chang Nianzu
The Darkness/Noir: Wai Ying Kwok
Travel/Adventure and Transportation: Yuepeng Bao
Visual FX and Digital Art: Melissa Johnston
Water/Snow/Ice: Ryan Cardone
Kudos to MPA founder Daniel Berman for recognizing this emerging art form. The MPA also produces themed exhibits of the category winners in Los Angeles, Toronto, Melbourne, and other cities. If you’re interested in entering the Mobile Photography Awards, the deadline is December 17, 2024.
And if you wish to develop your skills as a mobile photographer, we offer an exciting 52-week photography challenge on Smartphone Photography.
I hope you enjoyed this article and found some inspiration. If you have any questions or comments, please submit them in the space below.
Take Away
- With advancements in smartphone camera technology, people now have fingertip access to high-quality cameras. And mobile photography has risen to an art form. The recognition awarded to mobile device photography by the Mobile Photography Awards is well deserved.
