Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Fiery picture wins World Press Photo
AMSTERDAM: The spectacular image of a man running while engulfed in flames during a protest in Venezuela has been judged the World Press Photo of the Year 2018.
Winner Ronaldo Schemidt was awarded first prize and € 10 000 (R149 000) for his photograph – titled “Venezuela Crisis” – on Thursday evening in Amsterdam.
Photographer Schemidt works for French news agency AFP and is based in Mexico.
He photographed Jose Victor Salazar Balza, 28, during the violent protests against President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas in May 2017.
Balza, who wears a gas mask, was pictured after being caught in the flames of an exploded motorcycle fuel tank.
He survived with first and second degree burns.
The image was described as a “classic photo with energy and dynamism” by jury chairperson 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 4 500 photographers with more than 73 000 photos participated in the competition. All winning photos will be shown in exhibitions in 45 countries. – dpa/ African News Agency (ANA)