Iranian photographers win awards at 2nd Zyne International Photography Awards

Iranian photographers win awards at 2nd Zyne International Photography Awards

TEHRAN – Several Iranians are among the winners of various categories of the second Zyne International Photography Awards (ZIPA) in India.

ZIPA 2026 received more than 10,000 submissions from 65 countries, even before completing its first anniversary.

The 2nd Edition of ZIPA brought together an exceptional showcase of photographic talent across 18 diverse categories, evaluated by an esteemed international jury of 16 distinguished masters of photography. From emerging voices to established visionaries, ZIPA 2026 celebrates the power of the photographic image — and the remarkable community of artists who continue to shape the visual language of our world.

Amin Roshan Afshar was named the photographer of the year and also won the gold award in the Conceptual category, Mehr reported on Friday.

In the Architecture category, Amir Ali Navadeh Shahla won the gold award and Hadi Dehghanpour received the silver award.

Amir Ali Navadeh Shahla is an architect and photographer with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in architecture. He holds Iran’s Third-Degree National Artistic Certificate in Photography and the EFIAP/B distinction from the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), and works primarily in architectural, nature, and fine art photography.

His works have been accepted in numerous prestigious national and international exhibitions and salons, receiving several international medals and awards, including the Asahi Shimbun Gold Medal in Japan. His photographs have been exhibited in more than 40 international exhibitions and events. His architectural perspective on structure, space, light, and detail forms an important part of his visual language.

In the Wildlife and Macro category, Erfan Samanfar won the bronze medal. Commenting on his work, the jury member Caesar Sengupta wrote: “I like this image because it captures an intense natural history moment where competition for food unfolds in real time. The struggle between the two birds over a single catch highlights the constant challenge of survival, reminding us that every meal in the wild is earned, and often fiercely contested.”

In the Abstract Photography category, Ghadir Vaghari and Artin Darvishi won the silver and bronze awards, respectively. Vaghari also won a silver award in the Street Portraits category, where Seyed Mahdi Vaghari was the gold winner.

In the Landscape Photography category, Mehdi Parsaeian received the silver award.

The silver and bronze awards in the Urbanscape category were presented to Darvishi and Parsaeian, respectively, as well.

Commenting on Darvishi’s work, a jury member wrote: “A very strong and memorable photograph. The repetition of the arches, the deep shadows, and the small human figure create a powerful atmosphere and emphasize the scale of the space. The image feels almost graphic, yet there is still a strong relationship between the person and the architecture. Its visual impact and ability to attract attention immediately were the main reasons for awarding it the Silver Award”.

Also commenting on Parsaeian’s photo, the jury member wrote: “What interested me most in this photograph is the simple but very effective relationship between the people and the architecture. The figures in the foreground and the towers in the background create an interesting rhythm, while the image also carries a clear sense of place. The photograph is not complicated, but that is exactly why it is easy to read and remember”.

In the Book/Zine Publication, Pouria Ghelichkhani won the bronze award for the book “The Hour al-Azim Wetland: Nature, Human, Industry,” published by Gouya House of Art and Culture in 2025.

The Hour al-Azim Wetland is more than a landscape; it is a living intersection of nature, culture, and industry. “Through this book, I sought to reveal the fragile relationship between an ancient ecosystem and the people whose lives are deeply intertwined with it. Over a year and a half of fieldwork on both the Iranian and Iraqi sides of the wetland, I photographed its biodiversity, communities, and changing landscapes—not simply to document what is being lost, but to preserve a sense of what is still alive. Ultimately, this book is an invitation to listen to what the Hour al-Azim Wetland is still telling us,” Ghelichkhani wrote about his work.

Mojtaba Gitinezhad won two awards too, a golden award in the Minimal Photography category and a bronze medal in the Sports & Adventure category.

In the Decisive Moment category, the gold and silver awards went to Mitra Hosseini and Farid Azadi, respectively.

ZIPA 2026 presents a compelling opportunity for creators worldwide. Powered by Lumix and presented by Creative Zyne magazine, this event has rapidly expanded its scope to encompass 18 thoughtfully curated categories. For visual artists mapping out their submission strategies, finding online photography competitions that offer genuine industry visibility without financial barriers is a rare advantage.

Fortunately, this initiative operates as a completely free photography contests platform, ensuring that talent and vision are the sole metrics for success. The competition honors work that evokes genuine emotion and contributes meaningfully to contemporary visual culture, providing a legitimate pathway to international recognition.

By maintaining a rigorous evaluation process led by a diverse panel of celebrated professionals, the organizers guarantee that every submitted portfolio is reviewed with the utmost respect. It stands as a straightforward, highly curated platform for photographers eager to expand their physical footprint and secure premium editorial features.

The prize structure is designed to provide lasting recognition and tangible career growth. Instead of fleeting accolades, the organizers focus on physical gallery representation and premium editorial exposure.

Creative Zyne is a biannual photography magazine that also touches upon fine arts and travel. The magazine has started as a worldwide platform uniting photographers and visual artists. It nurtures creativity through exhibitions, publications, and juried awards—empowering members to grow, connect, and contribute to the evolving landscape of global visual arts.

The internationally acclaimed art photographer Ali Zolghadri, known for his minimalist, conceptual, and deeply poetic approach to contemporary photography, is a jury member and chief strategist for Zyne Awards. The award-winning photographer explores silence, solitude, and the poetic tension between form and emptiness in his works.

Photo: Winning works by Artin Darvishi (L), Amin Roshan Afshar (C), and Amir Ali Navadeh Shahla

SS/SAB

source: tehrantimes.com