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Desert of Stones

Denys Kutsevalov

Singapore

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Mystery unveils right in front of my eyes when I enter Soatanana village. It feels like I am an unwelcomed outsider, who will ruin the solemn moment by the sound of a camera shutter. Is it even possible to capture this divine light, this overwhelming feeling of being inside this sacral celebration?

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Bronze

Silver

People’s Vote Award

Soatanana

This story is about the light that seeps through the thickest walls made of solid stone, radiates through the fine cotton scarves of parishioners, the light that fills up every corner, making it a magical space. The light that certainly gives you the feeling of something divine is present right here

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Nominee

Lalibela

Local tribes can easily guess the directions and know every Namibian dune, but an occasional visitor sees only an endless amount of winding curves. Whether you zoom in or zoom out, take a macro photo, or fly a drone - it doesn’t change anything in particular. You always see perfectly shaped lines

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Honorable Mention

Twisted perspective

The light seeps through the thickest walls made of solid stone, and radiates through the fine cotton scarves of parishioners, the light fills up every corner, making it a magical, glowy space. The light that certainly gives you the feeling of something divine is present right here, next to you.

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Kolmanskop. It’s not only an abandoned diamond site, where opportunists used to party and play bowling. Nor it is a surrealistic fashion backdrop. Kolmanskop is a gallery. The gallery that hosts both temporary and permanent exposition: sand art made by nature itself, moving and changing over time.

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(Con)Temporary art

In bustling aisles of a zoo souvenir shop, a plastic orangutan sits, largely unnoticed among the plush toys. Its lifeless form, a poor representation of a magnificent creature, captures none of the essence of a real orangutan - a stark reminder of the commodification of nature in the modern world

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The Toy

In the verdant embrace of Borneo’s rainforest, the Dayak Indigenous people maintain a profound connection to their land — a harmonious existence within the ecosystem, where every element — be it the towering trees, flowing rivers, or the vibrant wildlife — plays a vital role in their daily lives.

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Dayak: Spirits of Rainforest

Culture bridges the gap between humanity and nature, as seen in the Dayak communities of Borneo. Their rituals and art are acts of preservation, resisting displacement and binding people to the land in modern times. It is a resilient force that strengthens the human-nature connection

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Dayak Cultural Renaissance

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Himba Traditions

This baby orangutan seems to feel cosy and well-protected in the hands of his mum. Thanks to the tireless and dedicated work of Tanjung Puting National Park rangers this family as well as other orangutans are thriving in their natural habitat.

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Bornean Orangutan

This natural-born climber has all lianas in his hands to master his swaying, swinging, and jumping skills. Thanks to the tireless and dedicated work of Tanjung Puting National Park staff this orangutan as well as many others are thriving in their natural habitat.

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While many indigenous cultures are fading, the Dayak people of Borneo are holding on. The younger generation is finding ways to keep their identity alive in a changing world, blending old wisdom with new realities. Their culture is not about nostalgia; it’s about survival, pride, and continuity.

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Borneo Cultural Renaissance

Madagascar is believed to supply around 40% of the world’s sapphires — a staggering figure for a country where most mining is done by hand. This photo takes you into the heart of Ilakaka, capturing the quiet intensity of the hunt for these coveted gems

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Dayak Connection with Nature