The Day congratulated the special winners of its annual photo contest last Thursday. The jury, made up of 1,173 spectators (the exact number of ballots cast during the exhibit at the Ukrainian Home), named Dmytro Havrysh (The Street) winner of the Viewers’ Choice trophy (64 votes); the second prize went to Yuri Vernyhora, creator of “Olenka” (52 votes).
“The viewers’ choice may be explained by the fact that the subject of the photo (and the emotion and particular situation) truly affected them, leaving few indifferent. The picture itself is neither good nor bad; it’s packed with emotion,” said Dmytro Havrysh, commenting on his victory.
Presenting the cash prizes (first prize: UAH 300 and second prize: UAH 200), Oleksandr Susla, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Press Group, Ltd., had this to say: “These works are superb. As a member of the jury, I would like to voice my personal admiration. But my opinion is obviously shared by the viewers.” The Viewers’ Choice winners shared their impressions with The Day.
Dmytro HAVRYSH:
I’m glad that your photo contest project has become so popular and that works are being submitted from various regions of Ukraine. There are some very good, serious works on display. I really hope that The Day’s contest will continue, that more photographers will participate, that its professional level will increase, and that it will become an international event.
The main thing is that this contest is alive and kicking. It is the only way for photographers to hone their skills, and the only way to create prize-winning photos.
Yuri VERNYHOR:
I think The Day’s photo contest is a stage in the development of artistic photography in Ukraine, as evidenced by the works on display. I also think that this project requires advertising on a broader scale, in order to attract more photographers from various regions, and that works should be selected on a more exacting basis.
Other newspapers also stage photo contests, but they are not as popular as yours. I believe that your newspaper is showing good progress along these lines, and that more and more people will be discussing your annual exhibit.
