World Press Awards: 2013’s Best Pictures (Photos)
From the wrath of Syria’s civil war to the cruel reality of American domestic abuse, a look at the winning entries in the worldwide photo contest.
John Stanmeyer, USA, VII for National Geographic
The power of mobile technology harnessed by African migrants on the moonlit shores of Djibouti captured the coveted World Press Photo of the Year award for 2013. Here is a selection of the other World Press Photo Contest winners.
26 February 2013
Djibouti City, Djibouti
African migrants on the shore of Djibouti City at night, raising their phones in an attempt to capture an inexpensive signal from neighboring Somalia—a tenuous link to relatives abroad. Djibouti is a common stop-off point for migrants—in transit from such countries as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea—seeking a better life in Europe and the Middle East.
John Stanmeyer, USA, VII for National Geographic
21 November 2013
Sofia, Bulgaria
Military Ramp, an emergency refugee center, was opened in September in an abandoned school. The center provides housing for about 800 Syrian refugees, including 390 children. Bulgaria, already hard-hit by Europe's economic problems and heightened political instability, is confronting a refugee influx that appears to coincide with increased efforts by Greece to close off its border with Turkey. Bulgaria, however, is totally unprepared to face the crisis.
Alessandro Penso, Italy, OnOff Picture
17 November 2013
Bangui, Central African Republic
Demonstrators gather on a street to call for the resignation of interim President Michel Djotodia following the murder of Judge Modeste Martineau Bria by members of the Seleka rebel group. The Central African Republic has seen more than its fair share of coups and unrest over the five and a half decades since its independence from France. The current crisis, however, triggered by yet another coup, is starting to set in position a well-armed, mainly Muslim militia that is refusing to disarm against Anti-Balaka, vigilante groups defending the country's majority Christian population. The UN has warned of a potential slide into genocide and France has sent 1,600 troops to protect civilians and disarm militias. Bordering on other highly volatile regions in central Africa, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Chad, the conflict is ringing alarm bells across the continent and beyond.
Wlliam Daniels, France, Panos Pictures for Time
18 November 2013
Tolosa, the Philippines
Survivors of typhoon Haiyan march during a religious procession on the eastern island of Leyte. Cyclone Haiyan, one of the strongest storms ever recorded, left 8,000 people dead and missing and more than four million homeless after it hit the central Philippines.
Phillipe Lopez, France, Agence France-Presse
30 January 2013
Damascus, Syria
Syrian rebel fighters take cover amid flying debris and shrapnel after being hit by a tank shell fired toward them by the Syrian Army in Damascus's Ain Tarma neighborhood.
Goran Tomasevic, Serbia, Reuters
21 September 2013
Nairobi, Kenya
A woman and children hiding in the Westgate Mall. They escaped unharmed after gunmen opened fire at the upscale Nairobi shopping spot. At least 39 people were killed in one of the worst terrorist attacks in Kenya’s history.
Tyler Hicks, USA, The New York Times
08 March 2013
Saltillo, Mexico
Police arrive at a crime scene where two bodies hang from a bridge; another three are on the ground. They had been killed by an organized-crime gang in retaliation against other criminal groups.
Christopher Vanegas, Mexico, La Vanguardia / El GuardÃÂan
17 November 2012
USA
As the fight continued to rage, Shane told Maggie that she could choose between getting beaten in the kitchen, or going with him to the basement so they could talk privately.
Sara Naomi Lewkowicz, USA, for Time
15 March 2013
Burma
Kachin Independence Army fighters drink and celebrate at a funeral of one of their commanders who died the day before. The city is under siege by the Burmese army.
Julius Schrank, Germany, De Volkskrant
10 August 2013
San Salvador, El Salvador
Date found: 1 February 2013. Time 3:45 P.M. Location: a sugar plantation in Apopa, San Salvador, El Salvador. Sex: Female. Age: Between 17 and 18 years old. Time of disappearance: not available. The North Central American Triangle (Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador) is one of the most violent regions in the world. In many cases, clothes that are found become the only means to identify victims.
Fred Ramos, El Salvador, El Faro
27 April 2013
Adelaide, Australia
Daniel Arnamnart of Australia competes in the men's 100-meter backstroke during day two of the Australian Swimming Championships at SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
Quinn Rooney, Australia, Getty Images
13 December 2013
Pretoria, South Africa
A woman reacts in disappointment after access to see former South Africa President Nelson Mandela was closed on the third and final day of his casket lying in state.
Markus Schreiber, Germany, The Associated Press
19 July 2012
Merkenbrechts, Austria
Hannah and Alena, two sisters living in the rural village.
Carla Kogelman, the Netherlands
25 September 2013
West Bengal, India
A group of blind albino boys photographed in their boarding room at the Vivekananda mission school for the blind. This is one of the very few schools for the blind in India today.
Brent Stirton, South Africa, Reportage by Getty Images
03 February 2011
Cairo, Egypt
Ali, a young Egyptian bodybuilder, poses with his mother.
Denis Dailleux, France, Agence Vu
25 January 2011
Democratic Republic of Congo
A five-year-old bonobo turns out to be the most curious individual of a wild group of bonobos near the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve. Despite being humans’ closest living relatives, little is known about bonobos and their behavior in the wild in remote parts of the Congo basin. Bonobos are threatened by habitat loss and the bush meat trade.
Christian Ziegler, Germany, for National Geographic Magazine
02 March 2013
Los Angeles
A cougar walking a trail in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park is captured by a camera trap. To reach the park, which has been the cougar’s home for the last two years, it had to cross two of the busiest highways in the U.S. Cougars are among the most adaptable and widespread terrestrial mammals in the Western Hemisphere, with a range that extends from the tip of Chile to the Canadian Yukon. They are increasingly being seen in and around towns and cities, including Los Angeles and in the Hollywood Hills. Fear of these secretive cats, combined with a lack of adequate public knowledge, tends to justify the thousands of cougars killed every year. Scientists in Wyoming’s Teton National Forest are outfitting them with GPS collars and camera trapping to learn more about basic behaviors and to lift the veil of mystery surrounding them.
Steve Winter, USA, for National Geographic
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
- Account (completed)
- Payment (completed)
- Confirmation (completed)
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
- 1Account
- 2Payment
- 3Confirmation