The world's best pictures awarded today in Stockholm

The world's best pictures awarded today in Stockholm

- Argentinean press photographer was the big winner - twice!

The winners in the new International photo contest The PGB Photo Award received their awards today at Lydmar Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden. The Picture of the Year award went to Walter Astrada from Argentina. He was also crowned Photographer of the Year.

Walter Astrada from the news agency AFP was today's most celebrated photographer at the awards ceremony held at Lydmar Hotel. The Argentinean took home first prize in the contest's two major categories, Picture of the Year and Photographer of the Year. He also managed to catch second prize in the category News Picture of the Year. The prize amount for the two highest distinctions added up to $20,000, about 180.000 SEK.

It's absolutely fantastic! I'm extremely proud of these prizes and also very happy that my pictures now will reach a totally different public through The PGB Photo Award.  It feels really great! -says Walter Astrada.

The 34 year old photographer is based in Kampala, Uganda. His winning entries included one picture of the violence in Kenya and a picture story on sexual violence against women in Congo. The winning pictures in the contest's twelve categories were chosen among 6,000 entries. All entries were carefully studied by The PGB Photo Award's International jury.

-This was the first year we ran the contest and I'm overwhelmed by the response. We have received entries from over 70 countries all over the world.  Many have applauded us for the idea of giving back to those who so often become the subjects for us photographers; exposed people in the poorest countries, says Jonas Lemberg, founder of The PGB Photo Award.

Which project, or projects will receive this year's donation will be announced in the near future. The money is a portion of sponsor contributions, any surplus from the contest, and voluntary gifts. At least $5,000 will be donated this first year.

An exhibition from March 8 through May 8 at Lydmar Hotel displays the winning pictures in all twelve categories. All of the winning pictures are also published in The PGB Photo Book released in bookstores today.

The winning pictures can be downloaded from www.thepgbphotoaward.com under the heading "press", then "downloads".

 Scanpix, Sweden will also supply winning pictures. Call +46 (8)738 38 10

Other press material and questions:

Contact Jonas Lemberg by phone: +46 (0)70 733 46 00, or by email: jonas@thepgbphotoaward.com; or our website: www.thepgbphotoaward.com

Contact Walter Astrada by phone: Congo: +243 992090338,

Uganda + 256 754356027 or by email: walterastrada@gmail.com or his website www.walterastrada.com

Skype: walter.astrada , AOL Messenger: wastrada

THE WINNERS IN THE PGB PHOTO AWARD CONTEST 2009 

Picture of the year

Walter Astrada/AFP

Photographer of the year

Walter Astrada/AFP

Picture story of the year

1. Oded Balilty/AP

2. Alvaro Ybarra Zavala/Vu

3. Casper Hedberg/Kontinent

Spot News picture of the year

1. George Abdaladze/AP

2. Walter Astrada/AFP

3. Luiz Vasconcelos/A Critica

General news picture of the year

1. Christian Holst/Getty

2. Pieter ten Hoopen/Vu

3. Alvaro Ybarra Zavala/Vu

Feature picture of the year

1. Andy Spyra

2. Espen Rasmussen/VG/Panos Pictures

3. Lars Lindqvist

Humoristic picture of the year

1. Jim Bourg/Reuters

2. Felipe Morales

3. Magnus Laupa/Kontinent

Nature picture of the year

1. Staffan Widstrand

2. Siddhardha Garige

3. Hans Strand

Portrait of the year

1. Christian Vium

2. Lauren Greenfield/VII

3. Jenn Ackerman

Sports picture story of the year

1. Emilio Morenatti/AP

2. Benjamin Lowy/VII network

3. Robert Henriksson/Svenska Dagbladet

Sports action picture of the year

1. Adam Pretty/Getty Images

2. Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

3. Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Sports feature picture of the year

1. Niels Ahlmann Olesen/Berlingske Tidene

2. Annelie Pompe

3. Lars Dareberg/SydSvenskan

Jury 2009

CHAIRMAN AND MODERATOR, GÖRAN SEGEHOLM, PHOTOGRAPHER

CHAIRMAN (OF PRE-JURY), MARKUS MARCETIC, MOMENT AGENCY

COTTON COULSON, PHOTOGRAPHER

ELENA CERATTI, GRAZIA NERI

MARC PRÜST, AGENCY VU

MARGOT KLINGSPORN, FOCUS AGENCY

ANN TÖRNKVIST, GETTY IMAGES

ERIN ELDER, THE GLOBE AND MAIL   

DAVID DOUBILET, PHOTOGRAPHER

SISSE BRIMBERG, PHOTOGRAPHER

KATHY MORAN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

About THE PGB PHOTO AWARD:

The PGB Photo Award is an annual photography contest. The best pictures of the year are chosen from entries coming from all corners of the world. The contest has several categories, such as news, sports and nature. Everyone is welcome to compete. The aim is to increase awareness of the important role a press photographer plays in the continous work of portraying the world. 

The charity project Photographers Giving Back gives back to the people who so often become the subject for the photographer; exposed, vulnerable people all around the world.  The PGB Photo Award is financed through sponsors, entry fees and donations.