When photos speak

It's a good thing I went out this weekend to unwind. If I didn't, I probably would have missed the opportunity of seeing the World Photo Press 2009 Exhibit at SM Mall of Asia. It wasn't my intention to visit the said exhibit. I was there for the sole purpose of meeting up with my org buddies, who were about to perform an intermission number at SMX Convention Center.

Prior to my scheduled engagement, me and Bon decided to pass-by inside the mall just to kill time. If it wasn't for that decision, I should have not been able to take a look at some of the world's best photos. As a photography enthusiast (not that I am good at taking pics, I just appreciate them), real life stills from this event managed to capture my attention, not because they are life size for that matter, but they tell significant and timely stories that even writing cannot
express. To prove such point, I managed to recapture some of the photos that
stood out for me along with their corresponding captions:

1.) Photo by: Walter Astrada
Argentina, Agence France-Presse
1st Prize Spot News Stories
-- A man accused of looting is tackled by private guards in Nakuru.



2.) Photo by: Anthony Suau
USA, for Time
World Press Photo of the year 2008
-- Detective Robert Kole of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's office enters a home in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 26 following mortgage foreclosure and eviction. He needs to check that the owners have vacated the premises, and that no weapons have been left lying around. Officers go in at gunpoint as a precaution, as many houses have been vandalized or occupied by squatters or drug addicts. Debt foreclosure and and repossession of homes were early signs of the growing US economic crisis.



3.) Photo by: Steven Winter
USA, National Geographic Magazine
1st Prize Nature Stories
-- Snow leopards are among the most elusive creature on eart. Secretive, solitary and well-camouflaged among the snow-covered rocks of their mountainous habitats, the cats hunt mainly at night, or at dusk and dawn. Snow leopards in the Indian Himalayan area of Ladakh were photgraphed using remotely operated camera traps. One of the cameras recorded just a single image in five months. The worldwide population of snow leopards is estimated at between 3,500 and 7,000. Threats to their survival include the popularity of pelts, use of body parts in traditional medicine, and revenge killings by farmers already struggling in a hostile environment plunged further into poverty when an animal kills valuable livestock. A scheme whereby trekkers stay with villagers who have agreed to protect local wildlife, and pay around 10 pounds to a night for food and board, offers a financial incentive to conservation. The income generated is more than enough to replace lost stock.






4.) Photo by: Lissette Lemus
El Salvador, El Diario De Hoy
1st Prize Daily Life Singles
-- Children from El Mantazano School in Ilopango, El Salvador looked at the body of Petrona Rivas, the mother of one of their classmates, who was killed 200 meters from the school gate. The police said the murder was committed by members of a gang. Around ten people a day are murdered in El Salvador. Authorities believe street gangs to be behind the crime wave.



5.) Photo by: Franck Robichon
France, EPA
3rd Prize Sports Action Singles
-- Alex Copello of Cuba competes during a qualification round for the men's triple jump, at the Beijing Olympics on August 18. Copello missed qualifying for the final by just two centimeters.