Behind the Lens in 2018
The Year in Pictures
Global Press Journal photographers captured more than 80,000 images in 2018, to showcase life in their communities and beyond. Here, they remember the moments when they found the best pictures of the year.
Published December 30, 2018
Prudence Phiri, GPJ Zambia
“I was photographing crowds, and I was stuck. I did not know where to start. Having taken numerous pictures of crowds that were unimpressive, I decided to relax my mind by watching some dances at the Agriculture and Commercial Show Grounds. My camera still tight in my hands, I noticed that I could actually take a picture of the performances because because there was a crowd. The colorful blue clothes of the group and their beautiful faces captured my sight, and I convinced myself that a picture would look just as good, and there I captured the picture. Obstruction from fellow photographers was the biggest challenge I had encountered, but I fought my way through to get the picture.”
Linda Mujuru, GPJ Zimbabwe
“I came across the photograph after moving around for hours in a mining area in Bindura. I remember that Oliz Matope was waiting for his colleagues, who were mining underground, [so he could] process the gold ore. He says he used to be a vendor, and it was not profitable for him, so he decided to be a miner.”
Lucila Pellettieri, GPJ Argentina
“This photo is part of a story I did on the situation of mental health institutions in my country and how the lives of the people living there could be improved and their humanity could be restored, with [a] few resources. That restored humanity is what I believe is reflected in that simple, basic, intimate, yet – for a long time – forbidden act of looking in the mirror, recognizing oneself and putting lipstick on. This series of photos was very hard from an emotional standpoint. Seeing the contrasts between models and talking to someone who managed to regain their freedom changed the way I see things.”
Kalpana Khanal, GPJ Nepal
“This photo was … taken during [the] seven-day-long Indra Jatra festival. When a crowd came suddenly, I followed the crowd. In that crowd, Lakhe were dancing while wearing masks on their faces. I had to run with them, but I was having [a] hard time catching up with them and getting them photographed, as I was pregnant. I had to take photographs but also protect myself from the crowd. I was trying to keep up with the pace of their movement, but, when they reached [the] middle of Basantapur premises, they stopped and started their dance. Then it was easier for me to photograph their performance.”
Marissa Revilla, GPJ Mexico
“Getting closer to the displaced population was very shocking. You rarely know about the particular situation of each person. The situation they are in is very complicated, but they really hope that the people who approach them will help them. Catarina was there with her family and was very kind to let me photograph her and talk to her. Being sympathetic and becoming close with their stories to create trust is very important.”
Patricia Lindrio, GPJ Uganda
“What drove me to do this shoot was the Afri-Cans Street Festival 2018 that was set to celebrate women. What drew me more towards this photo and many photos I took was the stories behind the art. Most artists that participated in the festival had talked with the women and girls in this community prior to drawing and put their hopes and dreams in color for them to see each day, to remind them of their potential.”
Vetrichelvi Chandrakala, GPJ Sri Lanka
“I captured this photo after Chandra expressed her great sorrow with regard to her son and was lost for words. I was sad that I was taking this picture instead of comforting her at a distressed moment. On that day, no one at home had their lunch. They were dwelling in the memories of their loved one who was missing. They could not eat. After showing all the documents about her son, she placed [them] in the bag and kept it on her lap. She did not even keep the bag on the ground. She was stroking the bag like a child. After that, she was hanging it on her fingers. She was immersed in the thoughts about her son and did not speak anything for a long time. Tears were rolling down her cheeks. It was a challenge for me to even think of taking a photograph. I had to prepare my mind and dared to take this photograph.”
Marie Michelle Felicien, GPJ Haiti
“Pinge, a wrestling competition, is a traditional game which has been present in Haiti since colonial times. Once seen as a way for slaves to have fun, this game has changed over the past decades, with several stakes being involved during the event. Taking photos of people in constant motion, running here and there, was no mean feat. To take better photos, I had to run around, kneel down and lie down on the lawn to find the best angle and get close to my subjects. Quite simply, it was an incredible experience for me, because I was able to achieve my goal of sharing such moments with my readers.”
Brenda Leticia Saloj Chiyal, GPJ Guatemala
“While I took the picture, these people talked in their native Ixil language. They were smiling and blushing, because they are not used to being photographed. They had lunch with them that they would eat at noon. They stand up for a whole day, and they were prepared for any mishap.”
Kudzai Mazvarirwofa, GPJ Zimbabwe
“What struck me most was how content these women were, so at ease in the wild. They had just lost three team members, but they were so brave [and] determined to continue on doing their dangerous work. This image was taken when ranger Margaret had to put on a ghillie suit, and ranger Primrose stepped up immediately and began assisting her, as girls are wont to do when playing dress up, giggling and chatting. But instead of handing her a purse, ranger Margaret was handed a rifle. Before I met them, they were like soldiers to me. After spending time with them, I saw their deep respect and affection that blossomed in the face of danger, and that is what I strove to capture.”
Kalpana Khanal, GPJ Nepal
“I went sightseeing at Swayambhunath with my family. I had taken my camera with me, with a plan to take photographs if I found good shots. When we were touring the temple, I saw a monkey suddenly snatch a packet of Frooti, a mango-flavored drink, from the hands of a child … and run away. Then, the monkey sat atop a stupa in Swayambhunath complex and started tearing the Frooti packet. I hurriedly took out the camera and went close to the monkey. I started photographing the monkey’s activities. The monkey tried to attack other people who were too close to it. There was also possibility of the monkey running away due to the fear of the crowd, but I was already done with capturing shots of [the] monkey’s activities in my camera. If the monkey had sensed that I was taking the photos, I think I would have been unsuccessful.”
Pascaline Kavuo Mwasi Saambili, GPJ DRC
“At first, rumors circulated around my city about a discovery of gold in Basili, a village near mine. Men and women started to move to that village, and I decided to follow them, to see if what is being said is the truth. I took my camera and my recorder – the two important things I would need if I found something interesting. After some 40 minutes on a moto, I reach the destination, but I had difficulties entering where miners were trying to find gold. The main reason of not allowing me the access was that I am a woman! For these men, if a woman enters in their working place, their chance to find gold will disappear. It was after a long discussion with their chief that they ended up letting me in. I told them that what they are doing needs to be known by the world, because they are hardworking men who aim to bring development to their village and help their families have a better life. As a woman working from this rural village Komanda in Ituri, it’s not easy to make people understand that my job of taking photos should be done by a woman, and sometimes that becomes an obstacle.”
Raihana Maqbool, GPJ Indian-administered Kashmir
“I loved taking all the pictures for this story, particularly this shot. The picture is powerful, with so many emotions in it. I remember I was standing on the hill and had to carefully balance myself [to keep] from falling down. I took many shots there, out of which a few were blurred, as well. The protesters were walking, and the path was rough, dusty, uphill and very narrow. I had to run before the protesters to catch the shots, as they walked fast.”
Marissa Revilla, GPJ Mexico
“This photograph was a challenge for me. I didn’t want to be invasive, nor did I want them to feel that I was interested only in it. After interviewing Hilda, I asked her permission to photograph her, and, in that moment, we connected somehow in the middle of the crowd surrounding her. It helped me to get closer to her story and the things she has been through, to get a closer look at her situation. Taking these photos was very important to me, because I felt clearly how my job consists of showing the world the stories we can’t approach from our places of origin.”
Kalpana Khanal, GPJ Nepal
“In Basantapur, I encountered a cultural procession as part of Indrajatra festival and was surprised when I saw small girls and boys in the festival playing [the] drum. I was able to capture that shot on my camera. When I saw this girl, the only thing that came in my mind was to capture her in my camera.”
Amanda Hill, GPJ Tribal Nations
“I remember, during this photo session Alyssa was concerned about her horse arriving for the parade, and I could sense the tension in the air as her family rushed to get her ready in time. Then her grandfather arrived to place the headdress on her, and the energy changed from one of stress to one of reverence. As I stepped closer to photograph the scene, I could hear him giving her words of encouragement as he adjusted the eagle feathers and tied the leather strings under her chin. It was a solemn moment that I felt privileged to be witnessing.”
Lucila Pellettieri, GPJ Argentina
“When I saw this scene, I knew immediately that I wanted to photograph it. The young woman in the photograph was protesting against a new ruling limiting street art, but even in her protest she transmitted and generated so much joy. I snapped a million shots, and I got one that looked nice in relation to the protagonist. When I told her what I was doing, she began to include me as part of her game. I had a lot of fun taking this photo, not just because it transported me to my childhood – I loved bubbles as a kid – but also because I got to play, as a photographer, with them.”
Raihana Maqbool, GPJ Indian-administered Kashmir
“I captured this shot on the banks of Dal Lake during the evening time. While walking towards home, I saw this bunch of men fishing. The sun was setting, the view was spellbound, the light was beautiful, and I thought this would make a great photograph. My mind just painted this picture. I just changed my camera settings and took some shots from different angles. This is a daily life photo. If I hadn’t been carrying my camera, I would have missed capturing this moment.”