Hi folks, the time has come to reveal the winners of the challenge “A World without Smartphones”.
Cameron Scott thought of re-proposing a challenge that we had already faced a few years ago (2019) and it is undoubtedly more difficult now. There will be detractors who grumble because cell phones are an integral part of their lives, but as you know, we are a bit divergent.
Keef Charles explained the challenge: All too often these days, we see people with their eyes glued to their cellphones, so we’re looking for something different. This is not just a case of shots without mobile phones but a greater emphasis on people interacting with each other or at least images that capture emotions other than a response to all the pervasive technology. Bear in mind that we would like to see storytelling in shots that are well composed and meaningful.
Thank you Theodoros Topalis for creating this beautiful PDF!
Special thanks to Cameron Scott, who organised the votes, and the Gang members who offered themselves as judges: Martin Agius, Isabelle Coordes, Batsceba Hardy, Nadia Eekhout, Richard Keshen, Keef Charles, Cassian Edwards, Don Scott, Catia Montagna Betty Manousos. Federico Borobio.
Life Without Smartphones
I know it’s difficult to get shots these days which don’t contain a mobile phone or tablet but a lot of people didn’t really get past the hashtag itself and simply offered shots without phones, as if that was enough.
We wanted images, as we stated in the brief, that invoked the spirit of a world before the smartphone, a time when we interacted with each other in a more personal way and I’m pleased to say that many did manage to capture elements of what we were looking for.
The winning image from Federico Borobio ostensibly takes us back to a time when interactions on the street were face to face and the man gesticulating to the child - causing the dog to react protectively - is a lovely example.
Six images shared the same number of votes in second place: Lola Minister’s photo of a man propping up the wall as he converses with the lady on the balcony implies well the idea that people in a close-knit community still go round and see each other, as does that of Alberto M.Melis, with the two women enjoying a direct connection. Cameron Scott shows that people can still have a good old natter on the streets about more than just the weather. Patrice Go’s was a nice example of people sharing the reading experience and Mikael Carlsson’s strong b/w shows how people don’t always need phones and that there are other forms of recreation on the streets. The final image that shares the runner up position belongs to Bruce Saille: a very witty interpretation of two guys conversing with the aid of megaphones at close proximity.
Keef Charles
The winner is:
Federico Borobio
Second Places
Third Places
