World Press Photo 2018 winner ‘classic’
AMSTERDAM: The spinetingling image of a man running while engulfed in flames during a protest in Venezuela has been awarded the World Press Photo of the Year 2018.
Winner Ronaldo Schemidt was awarded first prize and ¤10,000 ($NZ16,678) for his photograph — titled ‘‘Venezuela Crisis’’ — yesterday in Amsterdam.
Schemidt works for French news agency AFP and is based in Mexico.
Schemidt photographed Jose Victor Salazar Balza during the violent protests against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in May 2017.
Balza, who wears a gas mask in the image, was pictured after being caught in the flames of an exploded motorcycle fuel tank. He survived the incident with first and seconddegree burns.
The image, which was chosen ahead of five other nominees, was described as a ‘‘classic photo with energy and dynamism’’ by jury chairman Magdalena Herrera.
‘‘He not only represents himself and his own burning, but also the idea of a burning Venezuela,’’ said jury member Whitney C. Johnson.
Irish Photographer Ivor Prickett was nominated twice in this year’s main category for his work in Mosul.
Overall, 42 photographers were awarded in eight separate categories while more than 4,00 photographers with more than 73,000 photos participated in the competition.
All winning photos will be shown in exhibitions held in 45 countries. — DPA