World Press Photo 2008

The World Press Photo is an independent non-profit organization, founded in the Netherlands in 1955. Its main aim is to internationally support and promote the work of professional press photographers. Over the years, World Press Photo has evolved into an independent platform for photojournalism and the free exchange of information

Each year, World Press Photo invites press photographers throughout the world to participate in the World Press Photo Contest, the premier annual international competition in press photography. In 2008 5,019 photographers from 125 countries entered a total number of 80,536 images. All photographs were judged in February 2008 in Amsterdam by an independent international jury composed of thirteen professionals recognized in the field of press photography. The exhibition is the presentation of 185 prizewinning pictures from the contest. It is shown in some 100 cities worldwide and seen by over two million people.

(Taken from the exhibit leaflet)

At present the WPP exhibit is at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) and it will be displayed there from August 8 to 13, 2008. Abhie and I went to MOA last Saturday to view the exhibit, it was her first time to see the exhibit, where as I first saw the exhibit last year during their 2007 show at the Podium.

Exhibit area

How to scare a fly (According to Abhie)

Journalism students


Abhie's past life

Among professional photographers I have the highest regard to photojournalists because most are constantly exposed to danger, they are very capable in adapting to situational changes, their profession is almost like a 24/7 job and yet they have minimal compensation; well that is for Filipino photojournalists. I actually considered being a photojournalist when I attended a talked facilitated by Mr. Gil Nartea and Luis Liwanag, who are two respected names in Philippine photojournalism. My wildest dream job was actually to become a National Geographic photographer. The constant travels, the different sights I would see, the different people I would meet and the different culture I would be exposed to excites me. But honestly, I hesitated to pursue the profession when Sir Gil and Luis mentioned that there are minimal financial rewards in photojournalism and that what drives photojournalists in their profession is their passion for it.

I believe that I have some passion for photojournalism but the dreams that I have and the lifestyle that I want to have and provide to the family I would have in the future would not be easily sustained by this profession. I know I can be wrong with this assumption but perhaps my hesitation suggests that I am still undecided on what I want there are too many things that I want to achieve. There is nothing wrong with that but I definitely need to develop focus. More importantly, I should realize these ambitions one-by-one and one step at a time. Otherwise, it would just make me confused making me accomplish nothing.