A shocking and terrifying photo, which was taken moments after the assassination of Russia’s Ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, in December, 2016, was named the 2017 World Press Photo of the Year.
The incident occurred on December 19, 2016. Karlov was shot by 22-year-old gunman Mevlut Mert Altintas, an off-duty police officer, while speaking at the opening ceremony of an art gallery.
Despite the courage and professional spirit of Burhan Ozbilici, who took the photo at the risk of his own life, the photo’s winning spot has sparked controversial opinions among the jury members.
An Assassination in Turkey, by Burhan Ozbilici from Turkey. /WPP Photo
Stuart Franklin, chairperson of the 2017 World Press Photo Award, wrote in an article in the Guardian that he “strongly opposed” it being selected as the photo of the year. He argued that the picture is of “a murder, the killer and the slain, both seen in the same picture.” By “placing the photograph on this high pedestal is an invitation to those contemplating such staged spectacles.”
Mary Calvert, another jury member, countered that it is “an explosive image that really spoke to the hatred of our times.”
Another jury member, Joao Silva, said the picture has captured his feelings that the world was marching towards the edge of an abyss.
Taking a Stand in Baton Rouge, by Jonathan Bachman from USA./ WPP Photo
Many other photos winning the WPP awards also reflected the chaotic and divided society of 2016. A photo capturing activist Ieshia Evans, who offered her hands to be arrested in a stand against riot police in Louisiana, US,was given the first prize singles in the category of Contemporary Issues. Evans was protesting against the shooting of Alton Sterling, a Black man who was shot at close range by two White police officers.
Left Alone, by Santi Palacios from Spain. /WPP Photo
A photo of an 11-year-old girl from Nigeria crying next to her 10-year-old brother on board a rescue boat was awarded the second prize singles in the General News category. According to the UN Refugee Agency, the death toll of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean sea reached 3,771 as of October 2016.
Sweat Makes Champions, by Wang Tiejun from China. /WPP Photo
Meanwhile, works of the Chinese photographers were also seen in the prize-winning gallery. A photo of four girls in a gymnastics training class by photographer Wang Tiejun was given the second prize singles in the category of Daily Life.
Pandas Gone Wild by Ami Vitale from USA. /WPP Photo
China’s adorable giant pandas have also seen their faces in several photos taken by US photographer Ami Vitale in the category of Nature.
