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The Winners

Winners of Gomma Photography Grant 2023
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Gomma Photography Grant 2023 Winners

First Prize: Marylise Vigneau

Second Prize: Celine Croze

Third Prize: Valery Poshtarov

Honorable Mention: Mariusz Smiejek , Balaji Maheshwar

Best Documentary Award: Lisa Murray

Best Black and White Award: Elie Monferier

Gomma New Flavour: Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

First Prize

Marylise Vigneau with "AARZO"

Second Prize

Work

Celine Croze

Mala Madre

Third Prize

Work

Valery Poshtarov

Father and Son

Honorable Mentions

Work

Mariusz Smiejek

Not Surrendering

Work

Balaji Maheshwar

Dear Cinema,

Gomma Grant Category Winners

Best Documentary Award

Work

Lisa Murray

Through My Child's Eyes

Best Black & White Award

Work

Elie Monferier

Sanctuaire

Gomma New Flavour

WINNER

Work

Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom

Proof of existence

The Finalists

Marylise Vigneau, Celine Croze, Valery Poshtarov, Mariusz Smiejek, Rona Bar and Ofek Avshalom, Wizard Tang, Ingeborg Everaerd, Riel and Bianca Sturchio, Maria Oliveira, Balaji Maheshwar, Sergei Stroitelev, Laura Silleras, Elie Monferier, Nadia Ettwein, Marinos Tsagkarakis, Ioanna Sakellaraki, Jesse Egner, Ruta Kalmuka, ludovica de santis, Emile Kees, Caroline Seymour, Constanze Han, Giulia Thinnes, Scott Houston, Diambra Mariani, Giuseppe Cardoni, Nicola Okin Frioli, Haoyu Wang, Valeria Scrilatti, Lisa Murray, Roban Wang, Rebecca Conway, Arne Piepke, Jansen van Staden, Karolina Wojtasik, Uruk Jozef, Christina Simons, Umberto Verdoliva, Mark McEvoy, MAXIM DONDYUK, Mickaël André, Andrea Bettancini, Chloe Milos Azzopardi, Kamil Sleszynski, Toby Binder, Anatoly Suzdaltsev, Ciro Battiloro, Victor Cobo, Danielle Fejer, Giorgia De Bortoli, Lifu Hu, Mihai Barabancea, Silvia Alessi, Ai Huang, David Walter Banks, Sara Aue Sobol, Ivory Day Marfil Diaz, Jonathan Moore

See Finalists Page

About The Gomma Grant Photography Grant

The distinguished grant contest awarding astonishing photography. This year in its 10th edition, the Gomma Grant can look back on a decade of spotting and awarding photographers, who have gone on to grow their careers internationally as well as getting published and exhibited in various countries. 

Gomma, even though being an established name within the photography community, has stayed true to its intention of awarding unconventional and daring works of artists, that show their unique take on photography and penetrate the viewer emotionally on a profound level.
Working with artists across the genres of black and white, colour, portrait, documentary, photojournalism and many more, Gomma is known for selecting works of exceptional quality.
Keeping the international reputation of being ethical and inclusive, Gomma welcomes photographers of all nationalities, religions, sexual orientation and gender identity as well as all skill levels and mediums (analogue, digital).
Gomma funds and supports emerging talents as well as established photographers. The consistent, superior quality of the shortlisted and finalists of the Grant is recognised by publishers as well as curators and regularly gains press attention, worldwide.
The artists shortlisted and awarded have successfully grown their careers and their reach internationally.
Always on the lookout for bold, unusual and striking photography, since 2014, Gomma has helped many photographers to advance in their field.
The Gomma Grant jury continuously includes a variety of high ranking professionals and a selection of up-and-coming personalities of the industry; offering photographers the opportunity to have their work seen by the best.
To support photographers on their creative journey and help them to refine their work, Gomma offers reviews to every photographer taking part in the contest. The Gomma Photography Grant will be open for submissions on September 1st 2023.

A bit of history... Gomma has come a long way since the first Gomma Magazine came out in 2004. Throughout the years, Gomma has been actively promoting photographers and their work. Gomma worked with internationally renowned artists, such as Roger Ballen, Anders Petersen, Michael Ackerman, Momo Okabe, Keizo Kitajima, Araki and Daido Moriyama. And helped kick-start the career of emerging talents such as Marco Marzocchi, Theo Elias, Harit Srikhao, Igor Pisuk, Marie Tomanova and Isik Kaya to name just a few.    

Gomma Magazine Issue 3

from Gomma®

Gomma Magazine
Issue 3

MONO

Volume Two

MONO
Volume Two

Gomma Grant 2022

Press Release

Gomma Grant 2022
Press Release


Guidelines

The 2023 Gomma Grant contest comes with a few novelties...

We listened to the submitters' feedback and have implemented the following: the possibility to add Titles and Captions to the images
and without rising the submission fees (now for the last consecutive six editions), we have added the possibility to submit additional images.
  • 8 to 24 images at 72 dpi (JPGs - sRGB/ RGB)
  • minimum 1500 pixels on the longest size.
  • Please name your images as follow: Name-Surname-imageNumber.jpg - example: Eugene-Smith-01.Jpg, Eugene-Smith-02.Jpg ...

  • All technical guidelines are published in the submission form.
  • Early Bird Deadline: Saturday 30 September (€ 19,99 for 24 pictures).
  • Final Deadline: Wednesday 08 November (€ 35.00 for 24 pictures).

  • Winners result announcement in February 2024.


We like to reward photographers who do not follow the trends and establish their own, unique aesthetic.

We seek photographers with uncommon ideas, courage, and a distinct personality, artists, showing us their innermost thoughts, and their souls through their work.
The capability, to investigate your surroundings and your everyday routines and unveil the underlying poetry, drama, and beauty of it, is what we are looking for. We also strive to award Photographers who capture the awe-inducing rituals, routines and actions, people celebrate on this planet, as well as the harm and destruction they may cause.

Gomma constantly donate to charities battling global crisis.

Gomma does donate regularly to charities and organization around the world battling with current international and ongoing issues.


Gomma Grant past winners

For the complete list of past winners please choose from the upper menu

Gomma Grant 2023 Prizes

· International exposure through Gomma social network and media partners.
· Proposition to esteemed international galleries and curators.
· Own personalized post on Gomma Facebook page and Instagram.
· € 1000 cash prize. 
· Potential publishing deal with Gomma Publishing Ltd and its network
· International exposure through Gomma social network and media partners.
· Proposition to esteemed international galleries and curators.
· Own personalized post on Gomma Facebook page and Instagram.
· € 300 cash prize. 
· International exposure through Gomma social network and media partners.
· Proposition to esteemed international galleries and curators.
· Own personalized post on Gomma Facebook page and Instagram.
· € 200 cash prize. 
· International exposure through Gomma social network and media partners.
· Proposition to esteemed international galleries and curators.
· Own personalized post on Gomma Facebook page and Instagram.
· International exposure through Gomma social network and media partners.
· Proposition to esteemed international galleries and curators.
· Own personalized post on Gomma Facebook page and Instagram.
· International exposure through Gomma social network and media partners.
· Proposition to esteemed international galleries and curators.
· Own personalized post on Gomma Facebook page and Instagram.
· € 500 cash prize. 
· Potential publishing deal with Gomma Publishing Ltd and its network.
· International exposure through Gomma social network and media partners.
· Proposition to esteemed international galleries and curators.
· Own personalized post on Gomma Facebook page and Instagram.

Image by © Daniele Vita


Deadline & Fees

2023 Launch : Friday 01 September.

• Deadlines and fees to be announced in due time.

• Deadlines and fees to be announced in due time.

• Deadlines and fees to be announced in due time.

Winners result announcement in February 2024


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add captions to my images?
Yes, with the latest edition you can add Titles and Captions.
Why should I submit to photo contests?
In photography, like in many other creative industries, exposure means jobs. It can open doors to a new collaboration, publishing, and commissions. Photo contests are still a very useful and successful way to get your work known across a wide international audience.

Many photographers probably feel sick and tired of photo competitions, there are simply way too many. Every day we see new photo contests springing up, and it is difficult to decide whether one is more ethical and reliable than another.
Who are the jurors for this year's grant?
The Gomma Grant 2023 Jury will be announced during the month of September 2023.
How should I choose a photo contest?
We have compiled a brief set of points below. We suggest you follow these points as you question yourself about the photo contest you are thinking of applying to:

a) The year it was established. Find out when the contest started. The older the better. If it's a new contest, investigate the company/organization behind it.

c) The submission fees. Are the fees reasonable? If not, ask yourself why the fees are so high. Are those high fees justifiable?

d) The dimension. If the contest is huge and receives thousands of entries your chances of winning or being shortlisted is, obviously, less than if you take part in a smaller photo competition.

So be very critical about the work you are submitting and about the contest itself.
Why should I submit to Gomma Grant?
If photo contests were shops, imagine the Gomma Grant like a bijou, quality-focused, collectables shop compared to the Walmart kind of supermarket of the major photo competitions. It depends on what you are looking for and how you would like your work to be judged.
Your first Gomma Grant was free, why do you charge now?
Please remember that running a contest for a grant like this one comes with substantial costs - from the submittable.com platform fees, to web hosting/web developing & graphic design costs, to the time-consuming selection process (which can take months), marketing and advertising expenses, etc.
How long does the selection process take?
The jury begins their assessment on 11th November 2023 and it ends on February 2024.
Copyrights and Rights Usage information?
For Copyrights and Rights Usage information: https://www.gommagrant.com/copyright2022.html
Are multiple entries allowed?
Yes, you are allowed to submit more than one entry, as long as the images are from different bodies of work.
I started this 'ongoing' project a long time ago, can I still submit it?
Yes, it does not matter when you started this work.
Is it possible to edit submissions?
Editing submissions will be possible upon request.
Do you accept submission from two photographers?
Yes, if you create a work with another photographer you can submit jointly.
Do you accept AI generated images?
No, fully generated AI images are not allowed.
WHY SHOULD I SUBMIT TO GOMMA GRANT?
We represent the uncommon, the exquisite, and the bizarre. If photo contests were shops, imagine the Gomma Grant like a bijou, quality-focused, collectibles shop, of specialties and oddities, compared to the Walmart kind of supermarkets, selling value items, representing the major photo competitions. You decide, what you are looking for and how you would like your work to be judged and presented.

Latest News Recent achievements by Gomma Grant shortlisted and winners.

PARADISE book published by Gian Marco Sanna.
PARADISE book published by Gian Marco Sanna.
Saturday 04, November 2023

Twice Gomma Grant shortlisted Gian Marco Sanna has published a stunnning photobook titled: Paradise.

Published by Artphilein.

"Earth is Heaven and Hell is not noticing it" Jorge Luis Borges

Uta Genilke signed for her first photo book.
Uta Genilke signed for her first photo book.
Saturday 30, September 2023

Uta Genilke, Second Prize Winner at the 2022 Gomma Grant, has signed with Witty Books and published an outstanding book. Titled: Replikant. She described as followed: 'the book shows my nocturnal adventures. When I went out one winter evening and met a new man, my dreams disappeared, and I never saw my lover again'.

GPG Shortlisted Oliver Raschka publishes TWEEN.
GPG Shortlisted Oliver Raschka publishes TWEEN.
Sunday 06, August 2023
Having been shortlisted twice at the Gomma Photography Grant before, Oliver Raschka, has successfully published his series TWEEN as a hard-cover book. Congratulations to Oliver! The book depicts his sons' journey through the labyrinth of the "Tween" years. In sixty black and white photographs, the transition to adulthood is eloquently captured as sometimes loud, sometimes quiet - and full of nuances.
Sarah Mei Herman shortlisted at Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography.
Sarah Mei Herman shortlisted at Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photography.
Monday 07, August 2023

Sarah Mei Herman, Honorable Mention at GPG 2021, has been shortlisted for the renowned Parasol Foundation Prize for Women in Photograph. The prize celebrates the outstanding talent of women photographers and provides a powerful platform to showcase their work.

The Winner of the 2022 GPG wins a publishing contract.
The Winner of the 2022 GPG wins a publishing contract.
Tuesday 08, August 2023

Simon Murphy, the winner of the Gomma Photography Grant 2022, in addition to the cash prize won an exclusive publishing contract with Gomma Publishing Ltd and his first publication will be launched in October 2023. The photographer as per contract will be also enjoying a 10% on net sales proceedings.

David Cossini wins the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize
David Cossini wins the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize
Tuesday 18, October 2022
David Cossini, the receiver of the 2021 Gomma Grant GNF Award, is the winner of the Percival Photographic Portrait Prize - Acquisitive Prize, $10,000. Congratulations to this very talented and daring photographer:
Hyunmin Ryu receives two Critics’ Choice Awards.
Hyunmin Ryu receives two Critics’ Choice Awards.
Thursday 30, June 2022

Hyunmin Ryu, the winner of the 2021 Gomma Grant, has received two LENSCULTURE Critics’ Choice Awards, respectively from Elizabeth Renstrom The New Yorker

and Claartje Van Dijk FOAM.

Işık Kaya new book with Kehrer Verlag.
Işık Kaya new book with Kehrer Verlag.
Friday 10, June 2022
Gomma Grant 2020 Işık Kaya publishes together with  Thomas Georg Blank her first book: Second Nature. Published the renowned Kehrer Verlag. Softcover with open spine in slipcase 24 x 33 cm 112 pages and texts by: Amy Clarke and Ziad Mahayni.
Isik Kaya receives the Audience Award at Prix Levallois.
Prix Levallois, France | 10 April 2021
Isik Kaya, the First Prize winner of the 2020 Gomma Grant, won the Audience Award at the renowned Prix Levallois.
New book out soon by Salah Benacer.
New Book | Out soon
Salah Benacer, whom received the Third Prize at the 2020 Gomma Grant, is about to publish his new photobook: "I am a Berika".
Aaron Yeandle, first place at Fine Art Photography Awards..
Firs Prize award | 2021
Aaaron Yeandle, shortlisted Gomma Grant 2020, received first place, in the open theme category, for the Fine Art Photography Awards.
Simone Sapienza exhibits at Foam.
Foam Talent, Berlin | 20 October 2020
Simone Sapienza, Best Rising Talent at Gomma Grant 2018, selected to exhibit at FOAM Talent 2020 ✨ In collaboration with the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation and C/O Berlin.
Read More
Camillo Pasquarelli featured in "il Reportage".
New article | Out now
Camillo Pasquarelli, Best Rising talent at Gomma Photography Grant 2019, is featured in the renowned "il Reportage" magazine.
Read More
Margaret Lansink, published her new book.
New Book | Out Now
SELECTED AS ONE OF THE BEST DUTCH BOOK DESIGNS 2019, Margaret Lansink new book ' The Kindness of One' is now available for purchase.
Read More
Igor Pisuk, Third PLace winner at Gomma Grant in 2016 published his first book.
New Book | Out Now
Awarded at PHOTO-EYE BEST BOOKS 2019 – Favorite Book of the Year chosen by Dewi Lewis BOOK PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR ...
Read More
Marie Tomanova published with Paradigm.
New book | Out now
Marie Tomanova, Best Rising talent at Gomma Photography Grant 2018, has signed with Paradigm Publishing.
Read More
Rafael Heygster interviewed by the British Journal of Photography.
Marigold Warner | 14 April 2020
The winner of the Gomma Grant 2019, Rafael Heygster, is interviewed and featured in the renowned British Journal of Photography...
Read More

Why submitting to Gomma Grant?

We represent the uncommon, the exquisite, and the bizarre. If photo contests were shops, imagine the Gomma Grant like a bijou, quality-focused, collectibles shop, of specialties and oddities, compared to the Walmart kind of supermarkets, selling value items, representing the major photo competitions. You decide, what you are looking for and how you would like your work to be judged and presented.

We're Ethical

Gomma Grant rewards the work, not the name, and not the curriculum vitae. We award photographers regardless of their past success or network. We look at the works with fresh minds and eyes freed from any dogma or modus operandi.

We're Longstanding

Gomma started almost 20 years ago, in 2004 from a south London basement-flat. We are established but still young because we don't want our many years of experience to steal our freshness and our beginners' minds.

We have Magic

There is something magical and awkward and stylish at the same time about Gomma. We are pretty unique with a constant out-of-the-box attitude. We don't believe the hype and don't follow any trends. We are the trend makers.

We love Simplicity

We don't like articulated slogans and sophisticated vocabulary. We believe that the arts should be for everyone. And this is why from this year we have made it simpler to submit your work for the grant.

We're not money-driven

Gomma is run by a few artists that have their own means of economic nourishment from other jobs. So we don't know too much about profits and business. That is why from this year, due to the recent dramatic circumstances we have decided to donate all our net profits to charities.

We're Supportive

We do not just award cash prizes because we also push both the winning and shortlisted works. Photographers that are recognized through the Gomma Grant are known to have grown their career to a higher level, both professionally and artistically.

What people say?

The Gomma Grant has been going since 2014, and has picked up a reputation for finding cutting-edge and emerging work.

The British Journal of Photography.

What people say?

Gomma Grant does award undetected photographers from around the world that work in various genres.

All About Photo.

What people say?

Since its foundation in 2004, Gomma has gained a reputation for promoting emerging photographers, oftentimes completely unknown within the industry, applying a strict meritocratic approach to judging.

Photographic Museum of Humanity/ Ph Museum.

What people say?

I always looked at the Gomma Grant as something very special; a kind of graduation in a specific kind of authorial and uncommonly amazing photography.

Marco Marzocchi - Gomma Grant Winner
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