Winners of the Travel Photographer Of The Year 2023 competition (11 photos)

Check out the results of The Independent Photographer's Travel Photography competition. “This summer we want to see photographs that convey the nature of a location in all its splendor and awaken memories in us. Whatever the subject may be: street, portrait, landscape. We want to take you on a journey!” - these were the demands of the jury. Judging was entrusted to Steve McCurry, the author of the famous photograph "Afghan Girl".





Stefano Lotumolo - 1st place - $1000



"Dance of Goli" - Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast

Goli is a traditional African dance and masquerade of the Baule people. For 24 hours there is music and the dancers wear four different types of masks that represent the social organization of the society.

Emilio Fugliotti - 2nd place - $600

"Football Pier" - Mabul Island, Sabah, Malaysia

Boys from the Bajau Laut tribe, or "sea nomads", play football on the pier of their village. It goes without saying that the ball ended up in the water more often than on the pier...

Shijit Onden Cheriyat - 3rd place - $400



"Tradition" - Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Every winter in Ras Al Khaimah, camel drivers take their camels into the sea to wash them. Salt water helps rid animals of parasites. Bathing camels is an old Arab tradition, but it is becoming less common due to the construction of new hotels and resorts along the coast.

Didier Vanderperre - finalist



"Sunrise in Cox's Bazar" - Bangladesh

On a clear day, the sun rises over the fish market in Cox's Bazar.

Eduardo Ortiz - finalist



"Ghats and Souls" - Varanasi, India

Reflection of pilgrims as if walking along the horizon in Varanasi, India.

Henrik Welle - finalist



"Eternal Stream" - Thailand

Aerial photography of sunrise in southern Thailand.

Ivo Danchev - finalist



"Tradition Kuker" - Rila, Bulgaria

Every winter, masked dancers dressed in goatskins perform pagan rituals. The masks allow the dancer to become a supernatural being and enter the other world, where he drives away the evil spirits of the old year and brings blessings and health to the new year. This is a centuries-old tradition in Bulgaria. There are more than 10,000 kukeras throughout the country.

Lonav Bharali - finalist



"Nice Holiday" - Guwahati, India

Fisherman's afternoon nap.

Lorenzo Perotti - finalist



"Prayer" - Ladakh, India

Two young monks perform puja, or morning prayer, at Hemis Monastery in Ladakh.

Parna Baharali - finalist



"Existence"

“Within the framework of existence, I am at the crossroads of fate, where the very essence of choice unfolds. The roads diverge, each path is a symphony of promises and fairy tales, inviting me to join their narrative.”