With nearly 89,000 submissions from 164 countries and regions around the world, the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 proudly announces winners for the year

MIDDLE EAST – The list of winners for the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 were announced by Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd today. The Grand Prize award for the photography category was picked up by Japan’s Katsuhiro Noguchi with the themed work "Fukushima Flowers", while the video category’s Grand Prize award went to Chris Rudz of Poland with his submission, "One".

Judges’ Comment on Grand Prize winner for photography category

Speaking so quietly about one of the colossal events of the last decade, the winning images might be easily overlooked. But their intricate beauty pulls the viewer closer, demanding deeper study. Using the descriptive detail of the photographic process, the images describe nothing, but instead offer a meditation, first visually and then intellectually and finally emotionally as their significance emerges. And the lasting emotion is of hope plucked from the very earth that betrayed its inhabitants in 2011 – Stephen Mayes

Judges’ Comment on Grand Prize winner for video category

The art of storytelling has never been so important or relevant. Giving ideas context, creating emotions based on personal insight and raising the consciousness of our imagination in surprising ways is a necessity in our age of information overload and when popularity has become substance. The narrative style of Chris Rudz is non-linear, challenging the viewer to think about his identity. There is beauty in his video that borders on the ugly, which only makes it more seductive. His video was in the minority of entries, one with a voice, both written and spoken. The power of the female voice was inviting and visually expressive, “I see what others cannot see.” The 2015 Nikon competition brought out an extraordinary group of visual storytellers but Chris Rudz clearly was the “One” – John C. Jay

The Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 saw a total of 88,737 entries received for four photography categories and two video categories during the period of September 15 to December 15, 2014. The categories were as follows:

Entry categories

• Photography
- Category A: Theme “HOME”, Single photo (Single image representing the theme “Home”)
- Category B: Theme “HOME”, Photo story (2 to 5 images representing the theme “Home”)
- Category C: Open theme, Single photo (Single image representing any theme)
- Category D: Open theme, Photo story (2 to 5 images representing any theme)

•    Video (videos 6 to 180 seconds in length)
- Category E: Theme “HOME”, 6 to 180 seconds in length 
- Category F: Open theme, 6 to 180 seconds in length

All winning images will be unveiled on the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 official website (www.nikon-photocontest.com/en/) at the Judging Results page.

The year’s contest marks the first time submissions in the video categories were judged separately. Both photography and video categories also allowed entries by other digital imaging devices, another first for the international photo contest. Recognising the enthusiasm and skills of the youths, the Generation N award was also introduced this year as a new award for participants of age 19 and under.

Of all the works submitted from 21,100 participants, a total of 109 were chosen as winners. Judges selected two Grand Prize winners, one each in the photography and video categories respectively, 96 participants for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from each category, and 10 winners of the new Generation N. In addition, one winner was also selected for the Participants Award for Most Popular Entry based on the contest participants’ votes.

The final judging took place over five days from April 23 to 27, 2015 in Shanghai, China by a global panel of 14 judges of varying age, gender, social and cultural background, in their respective expertise for the photography and videography categories. Winners were selected based on their ability to tell a universal story, diversity, message, creativity, and the techniques that best expressed these concepts.

An awards ceremony, to be attended by selected winners including the Grand Prize winners, is scheduled for July 14, 2015 in Shanghai.

Award-winning works from the Nikon Photo Contest 2014-2015 will also be exhibited at the Nikon Salon (www.nikon-image.com/activity/salon/) as follows:

• Tokyo, Ginza Nikon Salon: October 7 (Wednesday) to October 20 (Tuesday), 2015
• Osaka, Osaka Nikon Salon: October 29 (Thursday) to November 4 (Wednesday), 2015

About Nikon

Nikon. At the Heart of the Image. Nikon is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognised for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX compact digital cameras; Nikon sports optics as well as the Nikon 1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lens system in over 50 countries. For more information, visit http://nikon-me.com. Connect with Nikon and other photographers on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NikonMEA and get the latest news and information from Twitter by following @Nikonmea.