Every year the international independent jury gives ten different prizes to the photographers of pictures published in media. They also take into consideration news-photos. It is the second time already that “World Press Photo” organizes exhibitions of its best photos of the year. Yesterday they organized an exhibition of the best and most impressive photos in the hall of Moscow cinema. Claudia Hinterser, who was representing “World Press Photo” in Armenia, said that they were able to organize this exhibition due to their cooperation with the Caucasian Institution of Mass Media. The same exhibition is going to be shown in 80 countries of the world. The purpose of this exhibition is to give a chance for photo journalists to make contact with each other and exchange their experiences, as well as to draw the attention of the public to these photos. The jury has considered about 70.000 pictures. There are no Armenian winners this year, however, 7 Armenian photographers have sent their works to “World Press Photo”.
In order for a photo to be impressive, it must have new approaches as well as the photographer’s own approach and creation. The photos shown in Armenia mainly concern war situations, social conditions and Acts of God. “What can we do? These themes are in the center of the world attention”,- said Mrs. Hinterser. Beautiful and impressive photos tell about situations more than words can do. “One picture can be published in several editions of different newspapers and magazines, because it can be very unique”,-said Claudia Hinterser. Almost all the pictures are concentrated on people, on their feelings, fright and confusion. Besides fixing facts, photojournalism also reminds us that humans are in the center of everything. “There is no best photo, there are photos which have collected more votes”,- this is the main principle of “World Press Photo”. The best photographer in 2004 was from India, who took the photo of a lady crying near her family killed by the Tsunami. “A photo witnesses facts, which draw the attention of the world”,-said the photographer from France (the head of the photo agency) Mark Grossan, who used to be the head of “World Press Photo” jury several years ago.
“World Press Photo” appreciates the role that photos play in independent Mass Media formation. We asked him how independent journalists and photojournalists were. Mr. Grossan answered: “All countries want to emphasize on the independence of Mass Media. Freedom is always undermined. Journalists and authorities always contradict each other. There is no winner here”. He also noted that it was prohibited in the US to publish the photos of September 11 victims, and that Russian authorities just don’t let anyone take photos in Chechnya. Mr. Grossan noted that there were a lot of young Armenians who wanted to study this field but they couldn’t do that because they didn’t have good contacts. Besides the exhibition, “World Press Photo” is also planning to organize teaching programs for young people: “All journalists in the world must be informed about each other’s accomplishments”,-said Mark Grossan.