Photography

Photography is an important medium through which people can explore and communicate their ideas about the world. The RAI promotes the use of photography, film and other visual mediums to engage with anthropology and inspire greater understanding of local and international communities.  Occassionally the Education Department will run international photography contests based on a particular theme. During 2010-2011, the RAI ran two very successful photo contests: The Meaning of Water  and The Anthropology of Sport. If you have any suggestions of themes for the next photographic competition, please get in touch with Nafisa Fera, the RAI’s Education Officer.

The Meaning of Water Photo Contest

The Meaning of Water Photo Contest was held in March 2010. The competition sought to explore human relationships with water in the context of four categories: livelihoods and sustainability; trade and transport; managment and access; religion and spirituality.

The aims of the contest were to:
• promote public engagement with the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme
• provide a platform for young people to share their work and actively get involved with anthropology
• to raise awareness of topical debates around water and sustainability

The competition was free to enter and open to anyone interested in anthropology and photography, excluding professional photographers. Contestants were asked to submit photographs along with a description incorporating anthropological themes and ideas.

The competition was very well received with over 200 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders from 20 countries around the world, including: England, Canada, Brazil, USA, India, Nigeria, Senegal and Norway amongst others.

The competition was organised by Nafisa Fera, the RAI’s Education Officer. A panel of judges which included Amanda Vinson (RAI), Elizabeth Edwards (LCC), Chris Wright (Goldsmiths), Guven Witteveen (AAA) and Nafisa Fera (RAI) assessed the submissions.

Contest Winners included:  Klaus Eiberle (Trade and Transport), Carlos Sautchuk (Livelihoods and Sustainability), Joseph Lanning (Management and Access) and Barbara Arisi (Religion and Spirituality).

Take a look at our Meaning of Water Photo Contest gallery!

Exhibits: The finalist and semi-finalists’ photos were exhibited at the London Anthropology Day 2010

 Photos from our finalists and semi-finalists can be seen on our Flickr page

For further information, take a look at our Publicity Postcard and Contest Guidelines.

The Anthropology of Sport Photo Contest

The Anthropology of Sport Photo Contest was held in December 2010. The competition sought to explore the cross-cultural and human elemens of sport in relation to globalisation, identity and the body.

The aims of the contest were to:
• promote public engagement with the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme
• provide a platform for young people to share their work and actively get involved with anthropology
• initiate activities and events in relation to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics
• develop awareness of the anthropology of sport and facilitate communication between practitioners working in media, arts, sports and social sciences

The competition was free to enter and open to anyone interested in anthropology and photography. Contestants were asked to submit photographs along with a description incorporating anthropological themes and ideas.

The competition was very well received with 220 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders from 25 countries around the world, including: France, Portugal, USA, England, Germany, Spain, India amongst others.

The competition was organised by Nafisa Fera, the RAI’s Education Officer. A panel of judges which included Susanne Hammacher (RAI), Amanda Vinson (RAI), Chris Wright (Goldsmiths), Guven Witteveen (AAA) and Nafisa Fera (RAI) assessed the submissions.

Contest Winners included: Andy Day (Globalisation), Kabir Orlowski (Identity), and Joseph Lanning (The Body).

Take a look at our Anthropology of Sport Photo Contest Gallery!

Exhibits: The finalist and semi-finalists’ photos were exhibited at the London Anthropology Day 2011, the RAI's ESRC Sport Cultures event and at the RAI itself.

Photos from our finalists and semi-finalists can be seen on our Flickr page

For further information about the contest take a look at our Publicity Postcard and Contest Guidelines.