Global photography highlights: Food, environment and culture

We’ve had our fill of mouth-watering images thanks to the World Food Photography Awards. As ever, this competition serves up the most deliciously captured moments in global food culture. From steaming street snacks to perfectly plated masterpieces, this year’s stunning entries are a true feast for the eyes and a masterclass in creative storytelling.

But it’s not just food that’s caught our attention. We’ve also rounded up some of the greatest photos from across the world. And, they’re all served with a generous side of skill, timing and visual flair. Whether you’re in the mood for something beautifully lit or brilliantly spontaneous, loosen your belt, polish your lenses and get ready to indulge in some great images.

This incredible image, The Elderly Having Delicious Food, by Chinese photographer Xiaoling Li, is the overall winner of the World Food Photography Awards. It was taken in Shuangliu Ancient Town in the Sichuan Province of China. Li said: “Food makes these people happy, and they enjoy a joyful and beautiful life.”

From nearly 10,000 entries submitted from 70 countries, 48 UK photographers created finalist images, including the winners of six of the competition’s 25 categories.

Notably, Susan Lang won the food in the field category with her capture of a litter of free-range Large Black piglets, Britain’s only all-black pig, titled Hogging the Limelight.

worldfoodphotographyawards.com

A bold new exhibition in London this summer – Poisoned Futures? – tackles global environmental issues through the lens of three women photographers. And our favourite shot comes from Gulshan Khan. Her project, Life in Plastic, is about the social cost of waste in South Africa. Meanwhile, the photo itself is a dramatic reportage image of bird scavenging on a deep landfill site in Johannesburg.

Running until 28 September, the free exhibition is presented by Hundred Heroines, the UK’s only museum and charity dedicated to women in photography. It is spread across three sites in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire.

hundredheroines.org

Turkish photographer Erhan Coral took an award and a share of the $5000 prize in the tenth annual All About Photo – The Mind’s Eye competition. His shot shows the hot springs of Budaklı. Here, men and water buffaloes share the warmth of thermal springs in Eastern Turkey’s frozen landscape. It’s an image which masterfully blends tradition, survival and coexistence.

We also loved the classic monochrome of Chester Ng’s image Hands of Time, Net of Light. It’s a wonderfully observed and evocative image. Photographed in January 2025 near the tranquil waters of Inle Lake in Myanmar, this beautiful image captures a traditional fishing practice that’s steeped in generations of knowledge and resilience.

all-about-photo.com

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