Nick Hannes wins 2018 ZEISS Photography Award

Garden of Delight, a stunning photography series by Belgian photographer Nick Hannes, is today revealed as the winner of the 2018 ZEISS Photography Award “Seeing Beyond – Untold Stories”, alongside nine shortlisted photographers.

Shot over five trips in 2016 and 2017, Hannes’ winning series examines leisure and consumerism in Dubai. Each photograph was meticulously planned, with locations ranging from a prototype underwater holiday villa to a subzero bar in a Dubai shopping mall. In the work, the photographer explores ideas around globalization and capitalism and raises questions about authenticity and sustainability.

Chosen from nearly 90,000 entries by photographers from more than 140 countries, Hannes’ work is praised by the jury for its unique character and narrative. They applauded its ability to address a current subject through a captivating and lighthearted visual story.

Jury member Chris Hudson, Art Director, National Geographic Traveller (UK), comments: “The winning series stood out because each image captures a real moment and tells a story of its own. And yet they knit together so well to give an overall sense of what life might be like for locals in the metropolis that is Dubai.”

Talking about his success, Hannes says: “I am very honored and grateful to receive this award. ‘Garden of Delight’ is a self-initiated and self-funded project. I am glad I persevered. This recognition proves that it was worth to keep going and dig deep into my subject.”

As the winner of the ZEISS Photography Award, Hannes receives €12,000 worth of ZEISS lenses and €3,000 to cover travel costs for a photography project. The photographer also has the opportunity to personally work with ZEISS and the World Photography Organisation.

The 2018 ZEISS Photography Award judges also recognized nine further series of works and shortlisted the following photographers:

Toby Binder, German, for the series “Themmuns – Youth in Northern Ireland”
Sarah Blesener, American, for the series “Beckon Us From Home”
Snezhana von Büdingen, Russian, for the series “Permer Frost”
Stephanie Gengotti, Italian, for the series “Circus love, Les Pêcheurs de Rêves”
Tadas Kazakevicius, Lithuanian, for the series “Soon to be Gone”
Mark Leaver, British, for the series “TIGHT”
Gowun Lee, South Korean, for the series “I’m Here with You”
Stefano Morelli, Italian, for the series “Suspension”
Kicia Randagia, Polish, for the series “Scelte”

The work of Nick Hannes and all shortlisted photographers will be exhibited at Somerset House, London as part of the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards Exhibition from April 20 - May 6, 2018.

Now in its third year, the ZEISS Photography Award is a collaboration between ZEISS and the World Photography Organisation. The award challenges photographers worldwide to submit a body of work addressing a selected theme.

The 2018 judges were: Chris Hudson, Art Director, National Geographic Traveller (UK), Peter Bas Mensink, Chief-Editor and Publisher, GUP Magazine (Holland), and Patricia Morvan, Cultural Projects & Exhibitions, Agence VU’, (France).

You can have a look at the winning photos from Nick Hannes here, please find an overview of the shortlisted photo series here.

Downloads

Pressekit winner Nick Hannes (two winning photos, short biography and portrait)
Press photos shortlist (two photos from each series)

We would be happy to arrange interviews with the winner and the shortlisted photographers for you. Please contact us if you are interested in more photographs.