Two Argentine photographers, awarded at the Sony World Photography Awards

London. At the recent Sony World Photography Awards 2024, Argentina stood out by having two of its photographers among the winners in the competition. Marcos Azulay and Nico Muñoz have been recognized for their exceptional works, which will now be part of the event's exhibition and its yearbook. Azulay won first place in the Regional Awards for Latin America with his work “Fidel”, while Muñoz took third place with his series “Ecos del lago: Pescadores del Desierto”. This year, the contest received more than 395,000 images from photographers from more than 220 countries.

The awards, known for being some of the most prestigious in the global photography field, highlighted Latin American talent through its Regional Awards category. In this edition, Ernesto Benavides, a Peruvian photojournalist, won the highest honor in the professional category in Latin America for his moving series “Cautivos.” There he explores and captures the dramatic image of religious rituals among participants of the Ayabaca pilgrimage, which is at the heart of the deeply rooted Catholic traditions in the South American region. In this pilgrimage they look for the Captive Lord, represented with a crown of spikes, being led to his crucifixion.

On the other hand, Iván Valencia from Colombia placed second with his series about the sighting of humpback whales in Bahía Solano, thus highlighting the natural and cultural wealth of the region. In this photographic series, Iván documents the sighting of humpback whales in Bahía Solano, as they migrate from the icy waters of the South Pacific to the warm waters of Colombia. This bay has become one of the most famous places in Colombia for this activity, and every summer it receives thousands of visitors.

The Argentinean Nico Muñoz achieved third place in Latin America with his series Ecos del lago: Pescadores del desert, which portrays the small community of the Uru ethnic group, an ancestral culture that remains resilient in the face of climate change, on the shores of Lake Poopó in Bolivia.

The first place winner is the Argentine Marcos Azulay with the image of Fidel, who portrays his son a few days after turning 20. Azulay expressed his gratitude for the recognition obtained, emphasizing the honor that this award represents for his career. His winning image, “Fidel,” captures his son intimately, reflecting deep and universal emotions. In Muñoz's case, his work provides a unique insight into the life of the Uru community in Bolivia, demonstrating how photography can serve as a bridge to understanding ancestral cultures and their fight against climate change. Second place went to Jair Fernando from Colombia, with his photograph Estrella de Belén; while third place went to the Chilean Marco Chacana, for his work Tango.

On the other hand, Benavides shared his joy and the importance of this achievement in his career, mentioning how it is an impulse to continue exploring and sharing his work with the world. Valencia's words were not specifically cited, but his series evidences the growing interest in ecotourism and nature conservation in Colombia.

It is worth noting that these awards not only grant international recognition to the winning photographers, but also include prizes in photographic equipment, thus providing valuable tools for artists to continue developing their passion and talent. Argentina's presence on this global stage underlines the richness and diversity of photographic art in Latin America.

These awards, which are in their seventeenth edition, are internationally recognized and represent a significant platform for photographers of various categories. The award ceremony is part of an exhibition that will be held at Somerset House in London, from April 19 to May 6, 2024, where the works of the winners will be presented to the public.