Internationaler FotoWettbewerb 2009

Ulrich Wevers and Marius Lohmann, Germany

From the series "Be strong“ (“Sei stark”), photo no. I
Ulrich Wevers studies Architecture at the University of Applied Sciences (FH) of Muenster, Germany, and Marius Lohmann is enrolled at the Technical University of Ilmenau, Germany, for the course Applied Media Sciences. With their initiative, both photographers managed to motivate an entire school, convincing students to participate in a photo project for the prevention of violence. At the same time, they laid the foundation for a peaceful conflict resolution among students.

Kay Ludwig, Germany

Photo "My World", (“Meine Welt”)
This photo shows globality, nature and life, as well as our world’s vulnerability. It points to our responsibility and, simultaneously, to the solution: that, by the way we act - symbolized by the two hands - we do bear responsibility, and we can protect and preserve our world.

Nicola Krabbe, Germany

From the series photo no. 4, "Violence is no Solution", (“Gewalt ist keine Lösung”)
We see a child fascinated by a butterfly, a miracle of nature. The child is looking surprised and curious about discovering the world. It is up to us, whether the child will become a researcher or a criminal.

Gerd Ziffus, Bulgaria

Photo "Fear – Angst"
This photo conveys a strong emotion, expressed by the intensity of the little child’s feelings. In the context of “Glückliche Familie/happy family”, the observer is encouraged to think about how to treat family and children, in particular, and how to help avoid fear and terror having counter-productive effects.

Felix Krüger, Germany

From the series "Boxing instead of Violence" (“Boxen statt Gewalt”), photo I
For his entry, the photographer chose a sports discipline which has proven to help prevent violence, and which helps the people concerned to abandon violence for discipline and mutual respect. He managed to win the support of the members of a boxing club for his work.

Stefanie Grewe, Germany

From the series, photo no. 1 "Too late" (“Zu spät”) and photo no. 2 "Where is Anna" (“Wo ist Anna”)
A broken mirror can’t be repaired, just as people cannot forget deep mental injuries – traumata – which can only be reassessed in psychotherapy. The illustration of the topic “trauma” by means of a mirror and a soft toy, which was left behind, points clearly and unambiguously to the consequences.

Christopher Caldwell, Germany

„Ways of Decision“ (“Wege der Entscheidung”)
is a short film which has turned out well, thematising the difficult situation of many young people when dealing with provocations in an authentic way. In life as well as in conflicts, decisions and their consequences play a “decisive” role, relating decisions to “fate”. This shows clearly the importance of solving conflicts in the right way. The lay actors’ very good performance as well as the young age of the film’s author were taken into consideration when awarding the prize.

Andreas Voglstätter, Austria

Photo "Touch - Berührung"
As if a hand touched a mirror, which is none, as if the photographer – when playing with the  perspective - drew an (invisible) boundary, which is none, as if he looked for physical contact to define a respectful distance from the other person; because mutual respect and mutual esteem prevent violent attacks. The photo displays aesthetics and harmony in the interaction of contour, perspective, distance and colour.

Andreas Genschmar, Deutschland

Video short film „Ghetto Romanticism“ (“Ghetto-Romantik”)
The model of the U.S. Rap subculture and its German adaptation (Sido, Bushido, S§ock Music) are satirized, derided in the video clip “Ghetto Romanticism”. How old attitudes are abandoned is expressed, for example, by Don Quixote, who seems to be tilting against windmills in his fight against violence. This short film is an interesting and good opportunity of providing adolescents with a critical view and, at the same time, with certain values. This short film convincingly shows the influence exerted by the media and others through their everyday depiction of violence.

Daniel Bracher, Switzerland

From the series „Hurt“, photo no. 1
Violence and its prevention begin with parental education. The picture stands for vulnerability. Violence, irrespective of being of a physical or psychological nature, leaves a strong mark. On photo no.1, the use of light, the focus on the essential and the realistic rendering of a reality are striking.

Shan Yang, China

From the series „Shield“, photo no. 2 
Children, who grow up in a loving and caring family, are usually understanding and psychologically healthy. The photos do not depict “violence” directly, but present the subject from a caring point of view. This captured moment of happiness, the canny smile of the child as well as the love and care expressed by the parents – these all serve as a shield against turning violent and should be given to every child.

Bettina Hogendorf , Germany

Video short film „Right to Education“
The short film „Right to Education“ addresses an urgent topic: mobbing in education. Being unable to do anything in the right manner, being exposed to teasing all day long is humiliating, offending and frustrating for a child – it becomes aggressive. The child does not experience a psychological balance and is deprived of important elements needed for its psychological health. This film intends to raise the awareness of parents so that they will observe themselves and change their own behavior. This piece of work points unambiguously to the possible consequences of a failed parental education regarding the development of children and adolescents and their aggressions and violent behaviour towards society.

Oxana Jad, Russia

Series “Ego”, photo “Ego II”
The photo titled “Ego II“ convinces by its philosophical approach. A redheaded boy in monochrome clothes stands in a monochrome landscape, his girl-like long hair in contrast to a masculine short haircut. The image documents the intermediate stages, the transition to coolness. Uniform clothing is compensating for differences, and vice versa. Displaying the development from uniformity towards individuality, living out individual wants based on equality, understanding duality as unity, practising the recognition and tolerance of individuality, understanding individuality as an equal right shared by all individuals – a development step by step, and maturity in order to comprehend.

Wilfried Hinz, Switzerland

From the series photo no. 3 “Help” („Hilfe“)
The pictured scene takes place in a locked room and therefore has a somewhat frightening character. Behind the child´s shadow another shadow is visible, which could be the shadow of an adult. It remains unclear whether the child leans on the door or tries to escape. The child is crying for help. Intuitively, the question arises whether the child is being mistreated, abused, or locked out, excluded from the sheltering community of a family? The child´s growing fear leads to the natural behaviour of struggling against the situation, attracting attention, calling for help - a good photograph that invites observers to reflect.  

Benjamin Schulte-Frohlinde, Germany

From the series photo no. 1 "Aggressive-Marketing" and Image No 2 "Wanted"
Even the advertising industry has come to use aggression and depictions of violence, thus contributing considerably every day to people getting accustomed to violence. Advertising strongly influences children and young people – the adolescent generation. Violence and crime should be banned from any kind of advertising. The real purpose of advertising is to make customers buy. It is not violence and brutality which catches the eye. Instead, it takes extraordinary and thrilling ideas to produce striking effects. But violent and criminal fantasies seem to proliferate in the heads of advertising specialists – outstanding ideas are running out.

Sudipto DAS, India

From the Series photo no. 2 'SIESTA'
The image features a street child in India and a dog, pointing to the miserable conditions in which street children grow up, including neglect, mistreatment, abuse. The huge power of poverty can virtually be felt. Both, dog and child, are allies in a desperate situation. Still, both of them try to respect each other when having siesta on a stair. Street child and street dog form a community of fate, displaying affection and care: The boy sleeps in a very uncomfortable position in order to leave room for the dog to sleep. A very powerful photograph conveying much more than mere sentimentality based on formal aestheticism.

Anne Paq, France

From the series photo no. 2 “Going back from school”,
Children and adolescents, in particular, are traumatised by war and armed conflicts posing a constant threat to their lives. The boy, whose head is lowered, seems to be alone in a barren landscape, no classmates are nearby, a military vehicle and barbed wire are visible in the backdrop. The atmosphere captured by this photograph does not express any “joie de vivre”, the ambiance by no means encourages children to play. The boy in this image appears gloomy, he certainly has experienced attacks and is living in constant fear.  

From the series photo no. 5 “Father mourning the death of his 10 year-old son",
The tragedy in this image only reveals at second glance. For the observer the father´s restrained mourning is deeply touching. The grief of parents, the early death of children and adolescents forcefully brings to mind that we should not allow violence to become part of everyday life.

Anne Paq has also been awarded the prize for her courage to work in a war zone and for choosing an international issue of such importance as her aim in life.

Chris Brandl, Germany

Short video “rebel 1 – you“ ("rebel 1 – ihr")
This sampling of video clips retrieved from the Internet aggressively attacks existing conditions. Politicians talk, make promises, manipulate their audience with words and gestures, in order to intricately express their political intentions. It is impossible for the average citizen to distinguish which statements are true and which are lies. The message of the short video is: Violence is a tried and tested means of conflict resolution. This implies at the same time that the corresponding industries are indispensable.  

We encourage the development of awareness, people’s change of thinking and further development. How much mental energy is being wasted to develop machinery for war and destruction, instead of protecting our world, our Earth, our society and the individual life from destruction.

Due to the high quality of the Rap, convincing word combinations and connotations, Brandl has been awarded a prize.

We call on all people, on children and adolescents in particular,

not to beat, abuse, hurt or even kill each other. Turn your aggressions and frustrations, resentments and anger into music, write texts, shoot photos and videos. Participate in the Contest and get an award for the prevention of violence. Here is your chance to prove your abilities and talents.