An image by Danish photographer Mads Nissen has been adjudged as the World Press Photo of the Year 2014. Nissen is a staff photographer for the Danish daily newspaper Politiken and is represented by Panos Pictures. The picture shows Jon and Alex, a gay couple, during an intimate moment in St Petersburg, Russia. Life for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people is becoming increasingly difficult in Russia. Sexual minorities face legal and social discrimination, harassment, and even violent hatecrime attacks from conservative religious and nationalistic groups. The winning picture is part of a project by Nissen called “Homophobia in Russia” which was shot for Scanpix. The photo also won 1st Prize in the Contemporary Issues category.
The premier award, the World Press Photo of the Year, carries a cash prize of 10,000 euros. In addition, Canon will donate a professional DSLR camera and lens kit to the winning photographer of the World Press Photo of the Year 2014. The jury gives first, second and third prizes in all categories. First-prize winners in each category receive a cash prize of 1,500 euros. Winners of second and third prizes, and those receiving honourable mention, receive a Golden Eye Award and a diploma. The annual Awards Days, a two-day celebration of the prizewinners, takes place in Amsterdam on 24 and 25 April 2015. For the full list of winners in all categories, please visit www.worldpressphoto.org
