© William Daniels

A record 3,200 photographers took part in this year’s Leica Oskar Barnack Award, which is organised by Leica Camera AG.

Photographers were tasked to demonstrate powers of observation, and the relationship between man and the environment in a portfolio of up to 12 images.

Eva 002

© Esther Teichmann

Karin Rehn-Kaufmann, chief representative of Leica Camera Galleries and one of the judges, said: ‘The entire jury was impressed by the number of entrants, and the ongoing diversity and quality of the portfolios from 108 countries entered in this year’s competition.’

An officer points his finger as a capture signal of another individual during a night patrol in one of the slums in the city of Merida/Venezuela.

An officer points his finger as a capture signal of another individual during a night patrol in one of the slums in Mérida, Venezuela

© Juan Pablo Bellandi

This year Leica doubled the cash prize for the best newcomer to €10,000.

The overall winners also receive a Leica rangefinder camera system.

-® Scarlett Coten.web

© Scarlett Coten

This year’s awards are the first to offer cash prizes of €2,500 to the 10 finalists who miss out on winning the main categories.

Now in its 36th year, the competition is open to professional photographers and those under the age of 25.

Calais, France - November 4th 2015 - People chatting and drinking tea in a Pakistani Bar. Ph.Giulio Piscitelli

Calais, France – 4 November 2015 – People chatting and drinking tea in a Pakistani Bar

© Guilio Piscitelli

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Berlin, Germany, on 28 September.

For full details visit leica-oskar-barnack-award.com.

The 12 finalists
Juan Pablo Bellandi, Venezuela
Fulvio Bugani, Italy
Scarlett Coten, France 
William Daniels, France
Vincent Delbrouck, Belgium
Guillaume Herbaut, France
Stéphane Lavoué, France
Max Pinckers, Belgium
Guilio Piscitelli, Italy
Clémentine Schneidermann, France
Sadegh Souri, Iran
Esther Teichmann, Germany