Seven Australian photographers recognised in Portrait of Humanity 2020 shortlist

11 June 2020

The shortlist for the 2020 Portrait of Humanity competition has been announced, with seven Australian photographers recognised in the 200-strong shortlist.

Brian Cassey, Australia. Carol Anne Mayer - Burns Survivor. Carol Mayer was extensively burnt in a house fire as a young mum over a decade ago. Her family were told she would not survive. Carol allowed me to make a set of images showing the consequences of that fire.

Portrait of Humanity is a global competition seeking to celebrate the best portraits taken by photographers around the world. The competition is a global initiative run by 1854 Media, a digital media organisation which is also the publisher of the British Journal of Photography.

Biljana Jurukovski, Australia. Young bouys from Surma tribe, living on the border between Ethiopia and Soudh Sudan. They are example of how far the human imagination and art can go only in very isolated and remote areas. — Biljana Jurukovski, Australia. Young boys from Surma tribe, living on the border between Ethiopia and Soudh Sudan. They are example of how far the human imagination and art can go only in very isolated and remote areas.

The competition seeks to uncover the lives of people from around the world and to capture expressions like courage and sorrow, as well as interactions, such as the moment people are reunited or the moment they part ways.

Cathy Ronalds, Australia. My daughter is in this image. She is typically shy and does not enjoy the focus of the camera pointed in her direction. Sometimes she allows me to take her picture and I am pleased she allowed me in this moment.

Photographers Brian Cassey, Antoine Veling, Kathryn MacPhee, Biljana Jurukovski, Ingetje Tadros, Cathy Ronalds and Anne Moffat made up the Australian shortlist.

The shortlisted images include the work of photographers from over 35 different countries, with 100 winning images to be announced this September, when they will be sent on global tour and will be showcased internationally on Clear Channel digital screens.

Anne Moffat, Australia. My grandmother, Kong Fung Tsze. At 90 years of age she is mother to eight, grandmother to eighteen, great-grandmother to eleven and counting – and a sufferer of late-stage Alzheimer's disease. She passed away in August 2019.

All the shortlisted images, however, will be included in the Portrait of Humanity 2020 book to be published by Hoxton Mini Press. The photo book will go on sale this month.

Iggy Pop by Antoine Veling
Sydney, Australia - Punk icon Iggy Pop performs at the Sydney Opera House amid adoring fans who gladly accepted his invitation to dance with him on stage. — Iggy Pop by Antoine Veling Sydney, Australia - Punk icon Iggy Pop performs at the Sydney Opera House amid adoring fans who gladly accepted his invitation to dance with him on stage.

This year the judging panel is comprised of six talented individuals from the world of photography: Mallory Benedict, István Virágvögyi, Caroline Hunter, Joe Sidek, Elizabeth Krist and Carol Allen-Story.

To find out more about the competition, visit the website here. You can see a selection of the shortlisted images below.

A Moment Shared by Udayan Sankar Pal, Chennai, India

Closer to Heaven by Mauro De Bettio
Tigray, Ethiopia - Keshi Assefa Hagos is a priest at Abuna Yemata Guh church, arguably the most inaccessible place of worship on earth. The monolithic church, perched high atop a vertical rock with steep drops on all sides, is only accessible by foot. — Closer to Heaven by Mauro De Bettio Tigray, Ethiopia - Keshi Assefa Hagos is a priest at Abuna Yemata Guh church, arguably the most inaccessible place of worship on earth. The monolithic church, perched high atop a vertical rock with steep drops on all sides, is only accessible by foot.

Greta Thunberg on Stage by Eric Demers
Montreal, Canada - When Greta Thunberg announced she was going to be in Montreal for a march, everyone knew it was going to be huge. With 500,000 protesters, it was the biggest demonstration in Canadian history. She turned towards the sun and cracked a little smile. I did too. — Greta Thunberg on Stage by Eric Demers Montreal, Canada - When Greta Thunberg announced she was going to be in Montreal for a march, everyone knew it was going to be huge. With 500,000 protesters, it was the biggest demonstration in Canadian history. She turned towards the sun and cracked a little smile. I did too.

Swimmers by Attilio Fiumarella
Birmingham, UK - More than 100 swimmers gather in the empty gala pool to stand against the closure of local icon Moseley Road Baths, which first opened its doors in 1907. Birmingham City Council intended to close the swimming pool permanently in 2015 but the World Monuments Fund recently included the historic site on its watch list, giving new hope. — Swimmers by Attilio Fiumarella Birmingham, UK - More than 100 swimmers gather in the empty gala pool to stand against the closure of local icon Moseley Road Baths, which first opened its doors in 1907. Birmingham City Council intended to close the swimming pool permanently in 2015 but the World Monuments Fund recently included the historic site on its watch list, giving new hope.

Amber by Justine Tjallinks
Diepenbeek, Belgium - This is 13-year-old Amber Vanderweert. She has progeria, an extremely rare condition that causes the body to age very rapidly. Amber is 1.15m tall and weighs just 15kg. She is wise beyond her years and remarkably bright. Shortly after my mum died at a relatively young age, I watched a documentary that featured Amber. Her situation got under my skin, so I contacted the family and asked if I could make a portrait. — Amber by Justine Tjallinks Diepenbeek, Belgium - This is 13-year-old Amber Vanderweert. She has progeria, an extremely rare condition that causes the body to age very rapidly. Amber is 1.15m tall and weighs just 15kg. She is wise beyond her years and remarkably bright. Shortly after my mum died at a relatively young age, I watched a documentary that featured Amber. Her situation got under my skin, so I contacted the family and asked if I could make a portrait.

Jason (They/Them) by Ross Landenberger
New York City, New York, USA - I met Jason in an internet skateboarding forum in 2006. We were both closeted and had gone online because we felt isolated by sexism and homophobia in the sport. We’re working to make skateboarding more welcoming to queer people. — Jason (They/Them) by Ross Landenberger New York City, New York, USA - I met Jason in an internet skateboarding forum in 2006. We were both closeted and had gone online because we felt isolated by sexism and homophobia in the sport. We’re working to make skateboarding more welcoming to queer people.

My Grandmother On Her Bed by Lidewij Mulder
Haren, The Netherlands - My 82-year-old grandmother feels more like a friend to me. She is very youthful and mischievous and has taught me how to be an independent woman. My grandmother has been fighting for equality since she was a kid. — My Grandmother On Her Bed by Lidewij Mulder Haren, The Netherlands - My 82-year-old grandmother feels more like a friend to me. She is very youthful and mischievous and has taught me how to be an independent woman. My grandmother has been fighting for equality since she was a kid.

Homeless in North America by Jan van Dasler
New York City, New York, USA - Ronnie lost his job, his wife and his house and has since become homeless. He told me I was the first person to talk to him in about three months. He has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and is trying to make the best of things. — Homeless in North America by Jan van Dasler New York City, New York, USA - Ronnie lost his job, his wife and his house and has since become homeless. He told me I was the first person to talk to him in about three months. He has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and is trying to make the best of things.

Maxim by Vivek Vadoliya
London, UK - Sixteen-year-old Maxim joined Ebony Horse Club in Brixton five-and-a-half years ago. He had no prior experience with horses. The club provides invaluable opportunities for disadvantaged young people. You could tell how dedicated Maxim is to the place; he comes several times a week to help out. There is a beautiful family vibe at the club. Everyone is so lovely and patient with the kids. They teach them about discipline and structure. The horses seem to help with the kids’ mental health. — Maxim by Vivek Vadoliya London, UK - Sixteen-year-old Maxim joined Ebony Horse Club in Brixton five-and-a-half years ago. He had no prior experience with horses. The club provides invaluable opportunities for disadvantaged young people. You could tell how dedicated Maxim is to the place; he comes several times a week to help out. There is a beautiful family vibe at the club. Everyone is so lovely and patient with the kids. They teach them about discipline and structure. The horses seem to help with the kids’ mental health.

After the Medicine by Daniel Fernández
Bogotá, Colombia - I was invited to a private ayahuasca or ‘yagé’ ceremony conducted by the well-known indigenous Taita Eustorgio Payaguaje from Putumayo, the Amazon region of Colombia. After the ceremony I spoke with Eustorgio about humility. I remember his words clearly: ‘I am not a master. I am an imperfect human being like all of us.’ — After the Medicine by Daniel Fernández Bogotá, Colombia - I was invited to a private ayahuasca or ‘yagé’ ceremony conducted by the well-known indigenous Taita Eustorgio Payaguaje from Putumayo, the Amazon region of Colombia. After the ceremony I spoke with Eustorgio about humility. I remember his words clearly: ‘I am not a master. I am an imperfect human being like all of us.’

Dancing Halmonis by An Rong Xu
New York City, New York, USA - These women belong to a senior dance troupe that performs for the Korean American community in Queens, New York City. In their 60s, 70s and 80s these Halmonis (‘grandmothers’) dance, jive and are having the time of their lives. — Dancing Halmonis by An Rong Xu New York City, New York, USA - These women belong to a senior dance troupe that performs for the Korean American community in Queens, New York City. In their 60s, 70s and 80s these Halmonis (‘grandmothers’) dance, jive and are having the time of their lives.

Carnival by Tiberio Sorvillo
Napoli, Italy - A group of kids dressed up for carnival poses on the promenade. I have fond memories of carnival from when I was a child. We carry childhood memories with us our entire life. To me this photograph looks like a memory because of its grainy, washed-out look and the unique costumes. — Carnival by Tiberio Sorvillo Napoli, Italy - A group of kids dressed up for carnival poses on the promenade. I have fond memories of carnival from when I was a child. We carry childhood memories with us our entire life. To me this photograph looks like a memory because of its grainy, washed-out look and the unique costumes.

Abdullah by Marko Risovic
Bihac ́, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Abdullah, who is from Afghanistan, poses for a portrait in an abandoned factory where thousands of refugees have settled in a makeshift refugee camp. He lost two sons in a tribal clash in his home country after which he left for the sake of his family. Abdullah dreams about having his family gathered together again in a safe country and lives for the day when he will be able to hug his three daughters and remaining son. — Abdullah by Marko Risovic Bihac ́, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Abdullah, who is from Afghanistan, poses for a portrait in an abandoned factory where thousands of refugees have settled in a makeshift refugee camp. He lost two sons in a tribal clash in his home country after which he left for the sake of his family. Abdullah dreams about having his family gathered together again in a safe country and lives for the day when he will be able to hug his three daughters and remaining son.

Otis and Blue by Aniya Emtage Legnaro
St. John, Barbados - My one-year-old son Otis and his sisters, who are 14 and 15, are extremely close. He is always looking around for them. The girls are playing volleyball outside of the frame. — Abdullah by Marko Risovic Bihac ́, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Abdullah, who is from Afghanistan, poses for a portrait in an abandoned factory where thousands of refugees have settled in a makeshift refugee camp. He lost two sons in a tribal clash in his home country after which he left for the sake of his family. Abdullah dreams about having his family gathered together again in a safe country and lives for the day when he will be able to hug his three daughters and remaining son.

Mother and Daughter by Lena Bushart
Berlin, Germany — Mother and Daughter by Lena Bushart Berlin, Germany

Manny and Courtney by Maria Sturm
Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA - Manny is a young Native American man who identifies as a member of the Lumbee Tribe. Courtney doesn’t identify as Native American but is a strong supporter of Manny’s dancing and drumming. She accompanies him to as many events as she can. — Manny and Courtney by Maria Sturm Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA - Manny is a young Native American man who identifies as a member of the Lumbee Tribe. Courtney doesn’t identify as Native American but is a strong supporter of Manny’s dancing and drumming. She accompanies him to as many events as she can.

Pattern of Grassland by Shinya Itahana
Ganzi, Tibet - Tibetan Buddhist nuns and monks walk on grassland in an isolated valley 4,000m above sea level. As the red dots spread across the earth I sensed the emergence of life. — Pattern of Grassland by Shinya Itahana Ganzi, Tibet - Tibetan Buddhist nuns and monks walk on grassland in an isolated valley 4,000m above sea level. As the red dots spread across the earth I sensed the emergence of life.

Brian Cassey, Australia. Maherttar Ram Tandon is one of the last surviving Ramnami with his entire body tattooed with the name of their God - 'Ram Ram'.

Beau by Brock Elbank
London, UK - ‘On 15 April 2016 my life changed forever. I slept at a friend’s, expecting to go to work in the morning, but I woke up from a coma three months later. I’d received third degree burns to 65 percent of my body and fourth degree burns to my left hand. I’ve been told I wrapped my friend in blankets and helped her out the third storey window and I went back into the fire to get my friend’s roommate. I’ve been told I’m a hero, but I wrestle with that idea because I don’t remember anything of the accident.’ – Beau — Beau by Brock Elbank London, UK - ‘On 15 April 2016 my life changed forever. I slept at a friend’s, expecting to go to work in the morning, but I woke up from a coma three months later. I’d received third degree burns to 65 percent of my body and fourth degree burns to my left hand. I’ve been told I wrapped my friend in blankets and helped her out the third storey window and I went back into the fire to get my friend’s roommate. I’ve been told I’m a hero, but I wrestle with that idea because I don’t remember anything of the accident.’ – Beau

Woman of Steel by Kathryn MacPhee, Australia.
Dhaka, Bangladesh - This woman is among the millions of people who have been forced to leave their rural surroundings and move to Bangladesh’s capital in search of work. Her home is next to the railway track. — Woman of Steel by Kathryn MacPhee, Australia. Dhaka, Bangladesh - This woman is among the millions of people who have been forced to leave their rural surroundings and move to Bangladesh’s capital in search of work. Her home is next to the railway track.

Ingetje Tadros, Australia, Son of a King, Benin