photo: © Piper Mackay - Angola, Travel Photographer of the Year 2024, winner/TPOTY.com
American photographer Piper Mackay has won the title International Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 (TPOTY). More than 20,000 photos from photographers from more than 150 countries have been submitted to the annual competition.
For the second year in a row, a female photographer has received this honor. Piper Mackay takes the unusual approach of photographing in infrared (IR). Her portraits of African women are simply beautiful and refined in their detail, and her photographs of giraffes in Kenya's Masaai Mara are atmospheric.
“My philosophy has always been 'Never let the photo dictate your experience, always let the experience dictate the photo.' " ~ Piper Mackay
Photo above: A stunning Macubal tribe woman, dressed in traditional clothing of beautiful African fabric, gently places her hands on her pregnant belly as she stands in the barren landscape of southern Angola. The infrared image bathes the scene in an ethereal glow, with the deep contrast between the woman's bright, glowing skin and the dark sky. The harsh environment seems to fade into shadows, emphasizing her calmness and strength. (Nikon Z7 converted to Infrared, 24-70mm lens, f 4, 1/2500s, ISO 200)
American-born Piper Mackay lives in Kenya and has been exploring the wilds of Africa since 2004. She started her photography with vibrant colors, but as technology evolved she moved to an advanced monochromatic style.
Piper Mackay's award includes a £2,000 scholarship from TPOTY, Radiant Photo imaging software and a portfolio review by top New York agent Frank Meo.
The 14-year-old Chinese Raymond Zhang became Young Travel Photographer of the Year 2024 for his portfolio of an old steam train and its drivers, photographed in the middle of the action.
The price of Raymond Zhang includes a £500 cash grant from TPOTY, plus Radiant Photo imaging software.
Raymond Zhan - Sandaoling Coal Mine, Hami city, Xinjiang province, China:
From the black smoke in the background we can see that the environment inside the coal mine was really rough. But the workers endured working here every day, which must have affected their health. I was moved by their perseverance and their silent presence. (Canon EOS 77D, Tamron 18-400mm lens, f6.3, 1/800s, ISO 400)
New in 2024 was the Rising Talent category for amateur photographers, semi-pros and professionals who have turned pro in the last two years. The ten winners, from eight different countries, will receive guidance from TPOTY judges and Eye for the Light.
Jo Martindale - Battersea Power Station, Battersea, London, UK:
As soon as I saw the light streaming through the majestic windows of the old turbine hall of Battersea Power Station I knew I had to capture it and that it would look perfect in black and white. Creating this image was an exercise in patience and I waited for a special moment with no other passersby and only my daughter in the shot, to inject a sense of scale. (Canon R6, 24-70mm lens, 1/2000s, ISO 100)
All submitted photos were judged by an international panel of highly experienced photographers and experts in the field. All judging was done 'blind' - the judges do not know the identity or nationality of the participants - and the finalist must provide the RAW/original image files for the final judging stage.
The winning photos - all of which can be viewed in the online Winners' Gallery at tpoty.com - were first shown at The Banbury Museum and Galleries, Banbury, UK from March 29 to July 7 and were also exhibited at Xposure in the UAE.
