"
We exist to inspire the understanding of the world through quality photojournalism" - these are the words on the home page of the
World Press Photo foundation.
For more than 50 years the foundation has been holding an annual worldwide press photography competition, which is the biggest and most prominent competition in its field.
After the winners have been announced each year, a selection of the best shots are exhibited in more than 50 countries, and enjoyed by more than two million visitors.
The Royal Festival Hall in London will be hosting the free
World Press Photo exhibition from 11th November until 29th November. The work of photographers hailing from 23 different countries will be on display, with outstanding photographs -- covering all news genres -- showing the world through the lens of a camera.
The display will feature the work of the winner of the latest competition, an extraordinary portrait picture by South African photographer Jodi Bieber. The powerful image, of a young woman who was disfigured in Afghanistan by the Taliban, made the cover of Time magazine in August.
If past exhibitions by World Press Photo competition winners are anything to go by, some images will shock you, some will amuse, some will make you sad and others will fill you with hope. Many of the images stand alone as works of art, while others come alive once you discover its back-story.
The World Press Photo exhibition provides a wonderful chance for anyone interested in photography and/or news to view some exceptional pictures taken by professional photographers working in what are often, though not always, extremely difficult and dangerous conditions.
