A picture tells a thousand words. And across history, art has been used as a way to disseminate information. Aligned with the Sony World Photography Awards 2021, the final project’s goal is to host a photography competition and subsequently create a photobook under the theme of ‘groundwater’. Climate photography turns abstract concepts into visual realities, spreads awareness of issues through accessible means and inspires emotional reactions.
We anticipate that in hosting this competition there will be greater recognition of the role of groundwater for survival. Water Science Policy (WSP) is launching a photostory competition to raise awareness around groundwater. The photo entries will be carefully evaluated by a panel of judges - made by professional photographers and 4 water experts- on the basis of predefined criteria.
Selected photographers will be considered for publication via Water Science Policy’s website as well as included in the photography book. The competition is run in partnership with the International Water Resources Association (IWRA), the UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), and the Global Water Partnership (GWP). Representatives from each organisation will form part of the panel of judges.
Why Groundwater?
However, in many regions around the world, groundwater reserves are depleting as the resource is being pumped faster than it is being renewed by rain infiltrating through the soil. Additionally, in many cases, we are still clueless about how long we can keep drawing down these water reserves before groundwater depletion will have devastating impacts on environmental and socio-economic systems. Indeed, these devastating effects are already being observed.
The photostory competition
If you are up to the challenge of documenting groundwater you can now submit your best photostory to [email protected] until the 20th of February.
The three winners will be announced on World Water Day 2022, receive a financial prize and will be featured in an educational groundwater photography book to be launched in 2022. All other submissions will be considered for publication via Water Science Policy’s website as well as inclusion in the photography book.
- 1st place: 400€ + published via WSPs website + featured in photo-book + free photo-book copy
- 2nd place: 200€ + published via WSPs website + featured in photo-book + free photo-book copy
- 3rd place: 100€ + published via WSPs website + featured in photo-book + free photo-book copy
All others: Consideration for publication via WSPs website and in photo-book + if featured in photo-book, free photo-book copy
Submission details
Submit the following to us at [email protected]:
- 5-15 pictures (.jpg or .png with a resolution of at least 1920x1080)
- A short water story to connect with the audience (about 300 to 500 words).
- Short caption for each of the pictures.
Partners
International Water Resources Association
UNESCO-WWAP program
Global Water Partnership
