Walk on the mallow side by Jacki Gordon (United Kingdom).
The recently revealed shortlist of the 2024 competition highlights a plethora of food-related imagery from around the world.
The contest’s 17 categories offer ample scope for creative food photographers.
“Walk on the mallow side” by Jacki Gordon (United Kingdom). Production Paradise Previously Published, a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“During the COVID pandemic lockdown, I started photographing tiny railway model figures (just three quarters of an inch high) positioned with everyday items – usually food – in order to entertain my family and friends on social media. By the time the pandemic passed, I had developed an insatiable appetite for creating these little scenes.The idea for this image came from me taking a bite out of a tea cake and being presented with its inner snow-like mallow – the perfect terrain for my tiny Nordic walkers to feel at home.”
All of the finalists will see their work on display atThe Malls Galleryin London as part of thePlate!
St. Jamesfestival celebrating food, drink, and photography.
The Pirates Catch The Last Few by Sarah Louise Ramsay (United Kingdom).
“The Pirates Catch – The Last Few” by Sarah Louise Ramsay (United Kingdom). Shortlist, Production Paradise Previously Published,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“The Pirates Catch is from a series called, ‘The Last Few’ created in Havana, Cuba in 2023. By law, the bulk of fish caught in Cuban waters must be handed to the state for distribution amongst the people. However, some of the poorest in Havana are brave enough to provide for their families by venturing out to sea using nothing more than inner tubes from trucks and tractors as makeshift fishing rafts. As darkness falls, the Pirate heads home, to feed his waiting family and friends. There used to be many. Now there are just a few.”
As darkness falls, the Pirate heads home, to feed his waiting family and friends.
There used to be many.
Now there are just a few.
“Love” by Mohammad Fayzul Mowla (Bangladesh). Shortlist, World Food Programme Food for Life,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“I took this photograph in Chittagong, Bangladesh. A woman is feeding her pet cats. She is called Minnie’s mother by all the locals, as she calls all her pets ‘Minnie'. This woman has many pets. She spends half of the money she earns daily to feed these animals. She earns money by working in other people’s homes.”
Love by Mohammad Fayzul Mowla (Bangladesh).
A woman is feeding her pet cats.
She is called Minnie’s mother by all the locals, as she calls all her pets Minnie'.
“Peter enjoying his Scotch Broth by the fire with his dog, Seoras” by Susie Lowe (United Kingdom). Food for the Family, a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“The image of Peter MacQueen enjoying his Scotch broth by the fire with his West Highland Terrier, Seòras at his feet, was shot at Guardswell Farm in Perthshire, Scotland. It was photographed while shooting the Hebridean Baker at Home cookbook by Coinneach MacLeod. Peter is Coinneach’s partner and official recipe tester! Scotch broth is a traditional Scottish recipe that has been handed down through many generations. It’s warming on a cold day, comforting, nourishing and makes use of locally produced ingredients.”
This woman has many pets.
She spends half of the money she earns daily to feed these animals.
She earns money by working in other people’s homes.
“Side Street Hanoi” by David Cotsworth (United Kingdom). Shortlist, unearthed® Food for Sale,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“This photo was taken in Hanoi, Vietnam. I was on a family holiday, and we were just wandering through the many narrow side streets in the city, and I came across this old bicycle full of fruit; the colors against the dark background and rusty old bike made it really stand out.”
It was photographed while shooting the Hebridean Baker at Home cookbook by Coinneach MacLeod.
Peter is Coinneachs partner and official recipe tester!
Scotch broth is a traditional Scottish recipe that has been handed down through many generations.
“Italian Oyster Mushroom” by Lynn Karlin (United States). Shortlist, Hotel Art Group Cream of the Crop,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“This Italian Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus pulmonarius) was locally grown indoors on straw at Bramble Hill Farm in Unity, Maine. It has an earthy, mild flavor. The texture of the large fluted light brown cap and white gills is accentuated by the soft natural side light.”
Its warming on a cold day, comforting, nourishing and makes use of locally produced ingredients.
Side Street Hanoi by David Cotsworth (United Kingdom).
Italian Oyster Mushroom by Lynn Karlin (United States).
“A rice cracker eclipse” by Julien Mazille (France). Shortlist, MPB Award for Innovation, a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“I always strive to create visuals that say a little more than what they appear to say. I’m sure you have already read books and taken great pleasure in the intertextuality, seen movies where the implicit elevated certain scenes, admired a painting for its multiple layers of meaning. There’s a lot of that in photography too. We can try to give the viewer a spectacle that isn’t just aesthetic. Even in food photography.”
It has an earthy, mild flavor.
A rice cracker eclipse by Julien Mazille (France).
There’s a lot of that in photography too.
“Hot & Spicy Honey Bacon” by Jackie Alpers (United States). Shortlist, Marks & Spencer Food Portraiture,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“Hot Honey Bacon is a recipe illustration from the culinary arts book, The Unofficial Yellowstone Cookbook, which was written and photographed by food photographer Jackie Alpers. The cookbook illustrates Western Americana recipes inspired by the Dutton family’s Montana ranch and the relationship the ranchers have with food and the land on the dramatic and sometimes violent Yellowstone television series. The images reflect regional culinary influences while exploring food history, symbolism, and cultural significance.”
We can make a run at give the viewer a spectacle that isn’t just aesthetic.
Even in food photography.
Hot & Spicy Honey Bacon by Jackie Alpers (United States).
“Figgy Sweet Cake Temptation” by Seersa Abaza (Jordan). Shortlist, Tiptree Cake Award,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“‘Figgy Sweet Cake Temptation’ captures the irresistible allure of a delicious cake topped with fresh figs and drizzled with syrup, all set against a clean white background. The image invites viewers to indulge in the rich flavors and textures of this mouthwatering dessert, showcasing the artistry of culinary delights.”
The images reflect regional culinary influences while exploring food history, symbolism, and cultural significance.
Figgy Sweet Cake Temptation by Seersa Abaza (Jordan).
The winners will be announced in early June at an awards ceremony in London.
“Back to front (of house) in one shot” by John Carey (United Kingdom). Shortlist, Philip Harben Award for Food in Action,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“I have always been fascinated by the two contrasting worlds of the dining room and the kitchen, the front and back of house. When photographing at Adam Byatt’s Michelin-starred Trinity Restaurant in Clapham, I noticed there was just a thin wall separating the two contrasting environments. This was shot just before evening service. I wanted to portray the calm, warm, welcoming ambience in the dining room, juxtaposed with the busy, buzzy, chefs in the kitchen. The differences are what makes this shot for me.”
First date in Vienna by Guido Caltabiano (Italy).
It was a gloomy and freezing day.
Stopping in the Cafe Museum for a quick coffee, I noticed this couple sharing an apple strudel.
“First date in Vienna” by Guido Caltabiano (Italy). Shortlist, Food at the Table,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“I took this image during a trip to Vienna. It was a gloomy and freezing day. Stopping in the Café Museum for a quick coffee, I noticed this couple sharing an apple strudel. The café was packed with people, but they didn’t care. Coincidentally, a void had been created around them. The lines converged on them. With those pastel colors and the shelves full of books it seemed as if the scene was suspended in time. I liked the idea of it being their first date. I turned on the camera and shot.”
The cafe was packed with people, but they didn’t care.
Coincidentally, a void had been created around them.
The lines converged on them.
“Lunchtime at the Ashram” by Sue O’Connell (United Kingdom). Shortlist, Food for the Family,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“These gentlemen are pilgrims attending the mighty Kumbh Mela Hindu festival, reputed to be the largest gathering of humanity on earth. The venue is the northern Indian city of Haridwar on the banks of the Ganges. All pilgrims are offered food, usually dhal and rice, by local ashrams, and I was struck by the patience and discipline involved. Once the gates opened, a hundred or more men walked calmly and silently into the building and took up their places, waiting to be served. The meal over, they rose as one man and left as silently as they had entered.”
I liked the idea of it being their first date.
I turned on the camera and shot.
Lunchtime at the Ashram by Sue O’Connell (United Kingdom).
“Tomato Cans” by Alana Dimou (Australia). Shortlist, Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“My Egyptian mother once told me, ” My mum used to say you’ll never go hungry if you have a tin of tomatoes in the pantry.” The beauty of tinned foods is often revered for its package and label design. In this case, I wanted to give prominence to the textures and abundance of tomatoes in a familiar setting, lauding this essential ingredient in Egyptian cooking.
The venue is the northern Indian city of Haridwar on the banks of the Ganges.
The meal over, they rose as one man and left as silently as they had entered.
Tomato Cans by Alana Dimou (Australia).
“Biker Stop 2” by Harry Williams (United Kingdom). Shortlist, On the Phone,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“This image was shot on my iPhone at a roadside meeting place popular with bikers in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales. I had arranged to meet a good friend, who is an avid biker, for a catch-up in the fresh air amongst the hills. I treated him to a burger on the condition that I could use it, and his bike, for the shot (no expense spared!).”
The beauty of tinned foods is often revered for its package and label design.
Biker Stop 2 by Harry Williams (United Kingdom).
Cave Fishing by Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn (Thailand).
“Cave Fishing” by Natnattcha Chaturapitamorn (Thailand). Shortlist, Tenderstem® Bring Home the Harvest,a category of Pink Lady® Food Photographer of the Year 2024.“A father and son catching fish by using bamboo basket trap inside a karst cave in South Vietnam during the monsoon season. Cave fishing can only be done in the monsoon season when the cave chamber is flooded by rainwater.”
Cave fishing can only be done in the monsoon season when the cave chamber is flooded by rainwater.
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