GR PHOTO FESTIVAL 2023 GR PHOTO FESTIVAL 2023

The GR PHOTO FESTIVAL 2023 is a photo contest open to all customers around the world who enjoy taking pictures with their GR series cameras, and is based on our passion for photography as expressed in the phrase, "Take out your camera. Enjoy daily photographs." This contest began in 2022.

This photo contest is different from conventional contests, where entries are ranked in order of excellence, in that professional photographers from around the world will be commissioned to select works from their own perspectives. No prizes or prize money are offered.

The theme is "Daily Life.”

It is in your ordinary day-to-day life that you find precious moments.
Having a camera reminds you of that every day. Try capturing important moments in your "Daily Life" with your GR!

We hope that the GR PHOTO FESTIVAL will provide you with an opportunity to find new ways to enjoy photography and discover new perspectives. We look forward to submissions from all over the world.

The “GR PHOTO FESTIVAL” invited entries of photographic work from around the world in the hope that everyone who enjoys photos taken with the GR series will have the opportunity to encounter new ways of enjoying photography and new perspectives through this event.

We have received approximately 7,000 entries of photographic work from various regions throughout the world based on the theme of “Daily Life” from everyone’s individual perspective.
We would like to thank everyone for their entries.

We would like to present the three photos selected by each of our 10 judges from all over the world.

For photos selected by more than one judge, this information is presented along with comments from each judge.

Since there were photos that received multiple votes among the 30 photos initially selected by the judges, we decided to present them as “photos selected by more than one judge,” and 32 photos were awarded with a prize due to the additional selections.

*Since there were photos that received multiple votes among the 30 photos initially selected by the judges, we decided to present them as “photos selected by more than one judge,” and 31 photos were awarded with a prize due to the additional selections.
  • MARTYN AUSTRIA

    (Philippines)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    The works reflect the author's inner world, and the author captures interesting pictures of ordinary life with a unique perspective. The body language and expressions of different characters in the picture convey an intriguing sense of story. The author is very skilled in the use of photographic language, light, and shade, the subject of the picture is prominent, the triangular composition is stable, and the perspective is dimensional.

  • 马硕

    (China)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    This photo stimulates people's interest and curiosity to understand the phenomenon in front of us with a unique insight. The image is subtle and low-key, which leaves a deep impression. I guess it was taken in a small section of the Spring Festival travel. This topic may cause many people to resonate. The photo encourages us to try to think about the different experiences they may feel from the perspective of these specific people. This photo provides an interesting and tasteful perspective, from the subtle point of view of the social and cultural phenomenon of the Spring Festival travel. This is different from the mainstream, which is impressive.

  • 王二小

    (China)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    Photography can essentially be understood as recording and interpreting life's moments "out of context" in a short period of time through the "shutter". The works that are easy to impress me are either the theme is attractive, or the photo has a story. There is also a kind of photo like this work, humorous, concise, and pleasant.

  • 周一

    (China)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    This photo brought a smile to my face as soon as I saw it. It’s such an adorable casual photograph. The angle of view, composition, and lighting is just right. It’s not forced in any way. I might have chosen to process this as a black-and-white. But the strong blue reflection off the binocular lenses, the blue stripes of his shirt, and the cool skin tones give it a very natural unforced, unfiltered look. And although I’m not sure what the boy is holding in his mouth (candy cigarette), I’m glad he wasn’t told to take it out for the picture. It would have changed the mood of this image.

  • 陈大琪

    (China)

    GR II

    Judge's comment
    This photo immediately reminded me of Pete Turner, American photographer, 1934-2017. Bold, saturated color and striking graphic compositions were at the core of his breakthrough color photography. Throughout the 70s and 80s, his work was seen in magazines and books, on record jackets, billboards, and posters. Art Critic A.D. Coleman wrote of Turner’s work, "A dramatist’s sense of event and mystery. A master colorist, he broke all the rules in the pre-computer era. And he continually explored abstract color composition with a keen interest in creating surrealistic effects.” I have no way of knowing if this photographer was influenced by Turner, but I’m pretty sure Pete would enjoy the image as much as I do.

  • Tony Chirapong

    (Thailand)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    This photo reminds me why I enjoyed National Geographic so much when I was growing up. I was able to see photos of people in faraway places and learn what their lifestyle was like. This image has a strong photojournalistic point of view. The light has a natural, inviting feel to it, and it respectfully draws me into this man’s world. The framing might be a little tight, as I’d like to see more of his shop on the right side. But obviously this is a portrait focused on the man. And it does a great job of making me truly want to learn more about him and his life.

  • Andrei koval

    (Russian Federation)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    This photograph is a unique depiction of everyday life, capturing a moment that's both ordinary yet fascinating. The man's serious expression stands in sharp contrast with his dog's innocent, keen look. I'm particularly drawn to the interesting play of light on the car window, which adds an unexpected sparkle to the scene, making the dog's collar gleam as if it were adorned with diamonds. This touch of glamour brings a special flair, and I can't help but wonder if perhaps this man is actually the dog's chauffeur. The way the image is framed gives a sense of pause in the midst of urban hustle, and the muted colors and straightforward composition emphasize the simplicity of the moment. What could have been just a simple car ride is transformed into an extraordinary snapshot, rich with unspoken stories.

  • 邓思健

    (China)

    GR II

    Judge's comment
    This photograph captivates me. What impresses me the most is the photographer's ability to create such a dynamic composition. The decision to tilt the frame to the right not only adds a sense of movement, suggesting that the person with the bare feet might soon stand up, but it also cleverly plays with our perception. But what truly stands out for me is the child's head peeking through the seats. It reminds me that this is all a visual illusion, a creative play on perspective. The blue seats add depth and a cool tone to the scene, emphasizing the warmth of the human elements. This isn't just a playful twist on an ordinary train ride; it's a masterful use of angles and color contrast. It's this kind of thoughtful composition and creative perspective that makes the photograph stand out in the realm of daily life photography.

  • 胡思齐

    (China)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    This urban photo speaks to me in a simple yet profound way. It shows people on a bench, absorbed in their phones, a scene that's all too familiar in our adult lives, often monochrome and absorbed in the day-to-day. But there, amidst this routine, is a child, only her feet visible, hidden beneath a smiling flower made of bright balloons. This image takes me back to childhood, when happiness was as simple as a bunch of colorful balloons. It's a striking reminder of how, as we grow older, we often lose sight of these simple joys, getting lost in the grayscale of daily life. This photo isn't just a snapshot of a city scene; it reminds us to find joy in the little things, no matter our age.

  • Abel

    (China)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    Surrounded by greenery, the asphalt promenade evokes a sense of man and nature in coexistence, illustrating the manner in which humanity draws a dividing line between itself and the natural world, all the while remaining a part of it.
    Although at first glance the child riding the bicycle seems to be enjoying him- or herself, the shade at the end of the path seems somehow foreboding, lending an air of unease. Light and shadow, the natural and the man-made, brightness and darkness, cool and cute; the conflicting elements in this photograph are an inspiration to the imagination.

  • 罗凯

    (China)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    The blue plastic sheet in the foreground seems to represent humanity’s invasion of the natural world and its effect on the environment. The discarded sheet provides a visual metaphor for the problem of waste that stems from consumer culture and hints at the negative impact that our lifestyles have on nature. What lies beneath this plastic; what does it conceal? The answer to that question is left to the viewer’s imagination.
    Conversely, the buildings in the distance are a reminder of the environmental damage that is the price we pay for economic development, representing the dilemma of the gap between the progress of modern society and the environmental challenges we face. In that light, this photograph could be said to underscore the dual problems that modern society confronts: ongoing urbanization and the need to protect nature.
    Moreover, the light striking the sheet in the foreground is from a strobe (artificial light), in contrast to the buildings in the background, which are lit by natural light due to their distance from the camera. I think that capturing these two contrasting forms of light in a single photograph is an important point in expressing the juxtaposition between the natural world and that created by humanity.

  • Gianni Wasabi

    (Italy)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    This photograph appears to probe into the ambiguous boundary between religion and modern life.
    The word “Sacerdote”, meaning a priest, and the blurred figures perceived vaguely through the opaque glass invite the viewer to question the role of religion in modern society, and how individual spirituality should be positioned in it.
    Does faith reside within the individual, or should we express it in the public domain?
    The ambiguity of this photograph encourages the viewer to ponder on how they perceive and express their faith and their own identity.
    Although the image through the glass looks at first to be that of a single person, it could also be taken to be two people in an embrace.
    I believe that this kind of “space for the imagination,” arising from ambiguity as it does, is the truly great attraction of photography.

  • 肥陈

    (China)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    I chose this photo because I love the layers, and how it captures the magic of everyday life. It’s a reminder to find the awe in our everyday lives that children find so easily. My eye is drawn to the child, and then follows her arm pointing to the swimmer and the glistening surface and the light above. There’s a way for the eye to move up and out of the photo, and it’s neatly composed in thirds. I like it in black and white, and I like how with a shutter speed of 1/40 we can see the movement of the fish.

  • 朱笑天

    (China)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    A peaceful and beautiful photo which also captured the theme of the contest well. Everyday life is full of simple chores and also simple pleasures. I love the symmetry of the photo. We all have to share spaces with the people we live with and also experience our activities parallel to one another. I love the juxtaposition of the two different activities this couple is doing, but how both subjects are similarly taking such care with their chosen activity. It’s such a relaxed and synchronized moment of everyday life. I can imagine what it sounds like, and I can also wonder deeper about the story of this couple.

  • Keisuke Yamada

    (Japan)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    I liked the surrealism and creativity of this self portrait. It’s a reminder that even in our simple and mundane everyday spaces, we can play with our cameras and imaginations and find shapes and reflections and symbolism, and we can create art that dives deeper than the reality in front of us. The reflection, room, and outdoor space are all layered in a way I found it clever and inspiring.

  • 源不圆

    (China)

    GR II

    Judge's comment
    This photo makes me smile. I think it is quite funny. I love the irony of such opposed expressions in one same scene. Actually life is like this too, we all react so differently to one same situation. In this case the girl on the right seems to be amused about her cat approaching the other one, whilst on the contrary, the other girl seems quite concerned and skeptical about what may happen to hers, so obviously she is keeping it tight and covered to protect it. One of those moments that happen in a split second but when one catches it, you got the photo!

  • Daniel Ridgeway

    (United Kingdom)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    I love the kind of ‘voyeur’ feeling of this photo created, not only by the position of the photographer, but also by the different layers together with the final surprise of a tiny, faded and pensive face reflected on the inside of the train. These layers are also adding interest due to the multiple textures: out of focus, in focus and reflection. I find these unexpected details very fascinating in photography. Also, the fact that the lady’s lipstick is red reinforces the overall dominant color, which I think is very beautiful, aesthetically it somehow completes the whole scene.

  • Joanne Kalinowski

    (Australia)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    I really love how this photo conveys both simplicity and sophistication with just the lower part of an everyday couple walking on the street. The fact that somehow they are dressed in similar tones and style together with the fact that one doesn’t see who they are, what they look like, makes everything even more interesting. I also love how the flash is helping to bring out the lovely tones and softness of the fabrics and makes it even more unique.

  • Victor Djaja

    (Indonesia)

    GR II

    Judge's comment
    This photo shows the lifestyle of people in the city, where they spend quality time and happiness with children by flying kites.

    It might be in the evening after work, a time for families to relax comfortably. The background of the picture depicts a crane at the dock, while the foreground shows kites. Additionally, you can see the silhouette of adults and children looking up at the sky.

    This image tells a complete story about what is happening, describing the time and place.

    Although we cannot see the kites floating in the air, we can see the gaze of those people looking up at the sky. We can infer what they are looking at because of the context: the large kite in the foreground of the image.

    And that's the charm of this photo. It's an interesting and beautiful photograph that not only has well-composed elements but also tells a story well, even without explicitly narrating it entirely. Viewers can imagine and understand the complete meaning.

  • Willie Velazquez

    (United States)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    This is a photograph of a couple in love. The timing captured in the image is excellent, conveying feelings of joy, excitement, and happiness.

    The elements of the photograph are well-composed, using the hands of the people around as a leading line directing the viewer's gaze towards the loving couple, who are the focal point of the image.

    The background also tells a clear story of the location and time, possibly depicting some summer festival.

    The lively timing captured in this photograph effectively communicates the shared emotions to the viewers, allowing them to perceive the mood well.

  • Khalid Khan

    (Bahrain)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    This is a silhouette image that tells a compelling story of people and places.

    The narrative in this image is strong. Although the location might appear abandoned or in ruins, the silhouettes of the people give it life and vitality, contrasting with the apparent state of the place.

    The composition of the image is excellent, capturing the rhythm of the people in the picture effectively.

    The most important aspect of silhouette images is the ability to clearly see the gestures and shapes conveyed by the shadows.

  • Mohd Zaidi Abdullah

    (Malaysia)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    Compiling a moment of interaction between the goldsmith shop seller and a little boy who was armed with a toy rifle. A lovely and humorous "robbing scene" that makes us smile. A sight that we rarely see in everyday life.

  • Jenkin Chim

    (United Kingdom)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    This photo is not something technical however it brings back the good old memory of parenting. What our kids like to do with us when they are young. A good photo that touches our emotions.

  • 鸥洋

    (China)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    What initially catches our eyes by the photo are the striking colors and lighting. It consists of clear fore, mid and background that are nicely composed by the photographer. Not to forget the shadow of the photographer was juxta-ed with the lady in the midground.

  • Kian

    (China)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    This photograph is probably a snapshot of scenery taken in Guilin, which is situated in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
    It is a beautiful shot, different from the more usual travel snapshots taken in this area.
    It really is a moment to treasure. I caught a glimpse of a moment of a graceful world of plenty.
    The red in the chair beside the silhouette of the figure rowing the small boat in the frame is the only primary color.
    Small though it is, this red point gives the photograph a vivid presentness that is the reason for its crucial strength.

  • 陈迪凡

    (China)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    An old woman lies deep in slumber at the center of the frame, surrounded by primary reds and blues that make this a wonderful, striking snapshot.
    The color composition seems almost perfectly calculated, which cannot be true.
    This is a moment to treasure, an instant from daily life in the real world that cannot be reckoned. What a splendidly astonishing photo! I think it is a superb image that inspires joy in the viewer.

  • Harry van Breemen

    (United Kingdom)

    GR III

    Judge's comment
    To me, this photograph depicts a moment shared by a happy family of four in a hotel room in the morning, with the mother at a loss as to where to start packing for their next trip amidst the chaos caused by having two small children.
    I myself have experienced this many times, and while the figure of the father, who is taking the picture, is not shown, his joyous gaze as he looks on at this scene while capturing the moment is evident.
    I think this is a wonderful slice-of-life photograph that will become a part of family history.
    This will surely become a treasured photograph for the whole family.

  • 戈楷

    (China)

    GR IIIx

    Judge's comment
    The bustling city, colorful soap bubbles, eerie reflection on the eyes, the characters of the bottom of life, humble and hard to live......This is a scene with absurd colors in real life. The visual sting he produces cannot help but make people think about many things. Defocus and coarse particles make the photo both concrete and seem not so concrete. It seems to be the scene in life, and it seems to be in the dream. The scene is treated artistically. Someone often says there is nothing to shoot around. In fact, there are many of content worthy of shooting around, which depends on the way you look at life, whether you can notice, and whether you are sensitive enough.

  • tim topple

    (United Kingdom)

    GR II

    Judge's comment
    The compact composition, the lively atmosphere, and the expression of the little girl in the foreground are excellent, especially the smile on her face and the balloon in her hand make the mood very full. The half-face of another child in the foreground is just right, adding to the lively atmosphere. The treatment of not showing the eyes is also very good, not to overshadow the main subject. The inclined composition also helps to increase the dynamic of the picture. The use of a flashlight also plays a role in strengthening the atmosphere of the picture. The photo is more compelling. In a small space with low brightness, it looks like it is in a private car. The 28mm wide-angle lens and the flashlight are very suitable.

  • 别叫大虾

    (China)

    GR II

    Judge's comment
    This is a photo that I hesitated for a long time and finally decided to replace with some other technically very good but common photos. Photography, as a visual art, should first be visually attractive. As a kind of art, it should resonate in people's hearts. I saw anxiety, tension, hesitation, and even confusion in this photo, with strong emotion. I think, isn't daily life just how we feel about life?

Photos selected by more than one judge
  • 孙艾媛

    (China)

    GR IIIx

  • Judges

    Feifei ANN

    Judge's comment
    I think photography should not give the viewer an answer, but ask questions, or cause the person to think. Unforgettable photos will make us stop and think: "Hmm? Is he happy or sad? What does it mean? "The seemingly unstable perspective, unconventional composition, and not concise picture reveal a rare "clumsiness". After seeing too many works full of "craftsmanship", we will be moved by this seemingly disordered but memorable work, which first grabs the eye, and then brings the audience to think and imagine.

  • Judges

    Orietta Gelardin Spinola

    Judge's comment
    I find this a unique and surreal everyday life moment. The bizarre situation where a headless kid in apparent disguise seems to have flied into the room from the window while her father (or whoever) is there lying relaxed and unaware of what is happening, makes me wonder and ask myself, what is going on? The fact that at first sight the viewer doesn’t really know, or even see the man, makes this photo even more interesting. The more questions, the better!

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