OPPO has announced the winners of its second annual imagine IF Photography Awards, a global competition that celebrates creativity and innovation in mobile photography. Launched in January 2024, the competition received an overwhelming response, with over 1 million entries from 81 countries and regions. The submissions came from a wide range of participants, with China, India, Mexico, Colombia, and Egypt being the top five countries for entries. The winning works will be showcased at the upcoming Paris Photo in November, the world’s largest international art fair.
“Exceptional photographs have the power to preserve cherished emotions, even in the most seemingly mundane of moments, transforming them into timeless memories,” said Pete Lau, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of OPPO. Alec Soth, a member of Magnum Photos and a competition judge, highlighted the significance of photography, saying, “Photography is esteemed as an art form that blends a multitude of techniques, not merely capturing stunning sights but also evoking profound emotions and resonating with power.”
Master, silver, and bronze winners: capturing life’s emotions
This year, 15 photographers were honoured with Master, Silver, and Bronze Awards, recognising their exceptional skills in mobile photography. The Master Award went to Chinese photographer Liang Xibing for his work titled Summer by Hutuo River. Liang’s photograph captures the fleeting joys of childhood, demonstrating a masterful use of light and movement. As the OPPO imagine IF Master, Liang will receive a grand prize of US$24,000 and will be appointed as an official OPPO Photographer, giving him exclusive access to OPPO events.
Another remarkable piece was the Silver Award-winning Wandou and Her Teddy Bear by He Huapei, which depicts the touching bond between a child and her toy. This image serves as a testament to OPPO’s advancements in mobile imaging technology, with judges praising how tools like the OPPO Find N3 Flip can produce professional-quality images with vivid details and atmosphere. The Bronze Award went to Shailendra Singh from India for his work The Peaceful Bond, which the judges described as a captivating piece that sparks the imagination. The image was likened to both a movie poster and a drawing, with one judge commenting, “Looking at this photograph makes me want to watch the movie.”
Honouring diverse creativity
In addition to the top winners, the competition recognised 36 Honourable Mentions across nine categories: Landscape, Portrait, Colours, Unfading Moment, Fashion, Snapshot, Light, Travel, and Collection. These works pushed the boundaries of mobile photography, with vivid landscapes and intimate moments that transcended traditional artistic limits. For the first time, the competition introduced five Youth Special Awards, celebrating the creativity and talents of the younger generation.
Some of the highlights from the Honourable Mentions include La Morena by Juan Antonio López García from Mexico, which won in the Colours category, and Unspoken Bond by Hana Galal Gad from Egypt, a standout in the Portrait category. The Youth Special Award went to Chinese photographer Huan Ahei for Free and Easy in the Open, showcasing the immense potential of youth in mobile photography.
Celebrating the power of mobile photography
The theme of this year’s competition, “Beyond the Image, Beyond Imagination,” reinforces OPPO’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity in mobile photography. OPPO continues to make photography accessible to everyone, allowing even amateur photographers to capture professional-grade images. Mobile photography offers ease and spontaneity, turning everyday moments into lasting works of art with just a click.
As a global partner of Paris Photo, OPPO will exhibit the winning entries from the 2024 imagine IF Photography Awards at the renowned art fair in November, bringing this impressive showcase of mobile photography to an international audience.
