14 Photo Winners Of The IPA 2023 To Celebrate The Spirit Of Summer With

In this collection, we capture the delightful spirit of summer through the stunning images of the 2023 International Photo Awards (IPA) winners. These images evoke feelings of enthusiasm and vibrancy, reminding us of the warmth and joy of summertime. We hope they bring you the same sense of delight!

Don’t forget that the final deadline for IPA 2024 is August 5. Seize this opportunity to be part of this prestigious competition, with chances to win cash prizes, global exhibitions, and more. Submit your entries today!

More info: photoawards.com

14 PHOTOS

#1 "Underwater Portal" By Benjamin Yavar

3rd Place / Special / Travel / Wanderlust.

"A local woman goes for a dive on a single breath into sardines run. Shot on a breath hold. Moalboal, Philippines."

To learn more about the winners of this competition, Bored Panda reached out to Ben Yavar, a photographer who captured a magnificent shot called “Underwater Portal”.

Ben shared what inspired him to take this picture: “As an underwater freediving photographer, my goal is to capture and convey the harmonious coexistence of ocean creatures, their environment, and humans. 'Underwater Portal' was inspired by my deep connection with the sea and the desire to share the beauty and tranquility of the underwater world with others. I aim to evoke a sense of wonder and respect for our oceans, encouraging others to appreciate and protect these delicate ecosystems.”

#2 "A Comfortable Afternoon" By Jiaqi Chen

1st Place / Architecture / Bridges.

"In this warm-toned photograph, a tranquil moment of a man is captured. On a sunny afternoon, the protagonist of the photo, a man dressed in a khaki trench coat, is walking alone along the stone path beside the Yangtze River, leading his bicycle by hand. Behind him stands the majestic Yangsigang Yangtze River Bridge. The colors of the bridge, bicycle, and the boy's attire echo each other. In the distance, the fog-enshrouded high-rises of Wuhan hint at the unknown future and the man's longing for it."

#3 "Flower Shower" By Shivali Chopra

1st Place / Event / Wedding.

"The bride gets a flower shower!"

With the photo taken under the water, we were curious to know what challenges Ben faced while taking this shot, especially since it was done on a single breath-hold.

“For a shot like this, the challenges include precise timing, managing breath-hold duration, maintaining proper equalization, and moving slowly. Quick movements can alarm the school of sardines, causing them to react differently and scatter,” explained Ben.

#4 "Taj Mahal At Sunrise" By Jacques Szymanski

2nd Place / Architecture / Historic.

"Early morning in Agra, Staring at the wonderful Taj Mahal building at this time of the day, with this exceptional sunrise light, can't leave you unmoved. I know this monument has been photographed so many times that it's difficult to find an original way to capture it. And I saw these three Indian guys, at peace in front of the building, so full of peace, fraternity, and wiseness that I thought that was the perfect scene for the Taj."

#5 "Wedge Wedge" By Kevin Kielty

1st Place / Sports / Summer sports.

A surfer drops into a colorfully foamy barrel at Southern California's "The Wedge."

As a photographer and instructor, we asked Ben to advise new photographers who want to capture travel and adventure photos.

Ben wrote: “First and foremost, I recommend taking a freediving course. Safety is the top priority, and proper training can only be acquired through a course in the ocean or a deep pool, not online. Secondly, always take care of our environment and avoid harming it for the sake of a few photos. Respect the ocean and its inhabitants, and strive to capture their beauty without causing any damage.”

#6 "Red Zone" By Marcin Giba

1st Place / Architecture / Cityscapes.

"The photo shows a municipal swimming pool in my hometown of Rybnik (Poland). The photo was taken a few days before the introduction of the red zone there in connection with the coronavirus epidemic."

#7 "Futah - Morocco" By Mendo Dornellas

2nd Place / Advertising / Fashion.

"This image was shot from a campaign in Morocco for a Portuguese beach towel brand called Futah. For this campaign the idea was to find textures shapes and colors that can be only found in the Sahara Desert, creating this unique and captivating mood."

Ben also explained how he prepared for this photoshoot in Moalboal.

“I traveled to Moalboal specifically to shoot with this school of sardines. I booked accommodation for four days near the ocean, dedicating my time to capturing the perfect shot. After days of shooting and patiently waiting for the right conditions, this shot was finally created.”

#8 "Braves Fishermen In The Rough Sea" By Hernani Castro Jr

"Braves Fishermen In The Rough Sea" By Hernani Castro Jr
3rd Place / Nature/ Sunrise / Sunset.

"Fishermen at work on a sunny day, strong wind, and rough sea in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood, at Salvador City, Bahia, Brazil!"

#9 "Family Heirlooms" By Carole Mills Noronha

2nd Place / People / Lifestyle.

"Family Heirlooms is a series of photographs documenting my family home over several decades, from my childhood in the 1970s to 2019. It was born out of a desire to create more memories of my family home as my dad's health began to deteriorate as he entered his late eighties. I used old childhood photos and placed them in the same locations decades later."

Lastly, Ben added: “I love sharing my experiences with others and showing how beautiful the ocean and its creatures can be. By approaching the ocean respectfully, we can witness many incredible scenarios that feel otherworldly. I hope to inspire others to appreciate and protect these magnificent underwater environments.”

#10 "Reflection" By Keiko Kawanami

1st Place / Event / Wedding.

"At Salar de Uyuni during the rainy season."

#11 "Old Father Thames" By Julia Fullerton-Batten

Fine Art Photographer Of the Year.

"London is one of the world's major cities today, but it would not have existed without the River Thames. The river has acted as a source of fresh water, an artery of communication and transportation, and a physical and psychological boundary. Part of the river is tidal and this forms a natural harbour. Since pre-Roman times the river has been the major communication and trade route between Britain and the rest of the world. These stories, countless whimsical, idiosyncratic, and tragic happenings, all make up a history of one of the most important rivers in the world."

#12 "The Dive" By Valerie Jardin

2nd Place / People / Street Photography.

"Saint Malo, Brittany, France I watched for a couple of minutes as several swimmers took turns to brave their fear of heights and the cold water below. A young girl approached the edge to make the jump while another girl (maybe her sister) was cheering her on right in front of me."

#13 "La Station Balnéaire" By Segalen Benoit

2nd Place / People / Street Photography.

"Taken in 2020 after COVID lockdown young people jumping from station to the channel of La Tremblade harbor. I was driving when I saw the scene. Immediately, I parked my car and left running to take the picture."

#14 "Songkran" By Thamarong Wanarithikul

Event Photographer Of the Year.

"Songkran (A.K.A Thai New Year) is a water festival in Thailand and across Southeast Asia. The water festival starts on the 13th of April and lasts for 3 days. This year 2023, it was a bigger celebration nationwide as we had not been able to celebrate for the past two years due to Covid. These pictures represent Thai people celebrating Songkran on pickup trucks, splashing water on the streets in Bangkok, Thailand."