The 57th edition of the National Competition and Exhibition of Photography, which is organised annually by the Malta Photographic Society, opens on Friday 2nd December at Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta, the seat of the Malta Society of Arts (MSA).

This yearly appointment, the only one of its kind on the islands, attracts a large number of local photographers who submit their best works to compete for the honours awarded by the Malta Photographic Society.

Renata Apanaviciene

As part of the competition, which was concluded in October, the works with the highest artistic qualities were chosen to be displayed.

Through this event, the Malta Photographic Society offers the opportunity to its members and others who practice this form of art to have their works exhibited, an opportunity not always available to many individual photographers.

Earl Mallia

The MSA expressed how great of an importance they give to such exhibition spaces for photographers, putting them on par with artists in other art forms, giving photography the prominence it deserves.

This year a total of 74 photographers submitted around 700 photos for the competition. From these, the jury chose more than 100 works that will be exhibited as printed and framed photographs, as well as over 110 digital photos to be displayed on a monitor.

Mark Scicluna

The jury was made up of eight experts in the field of photography, who had the arduous task of picking the winners in each category and choosing the photos that will form part of the exhibition at Palazzo de La Salle.

The competition honoured photographs in the four categories including colour prints, monochrome prints, colour projected images and monochrome projected images.

Duncan Cauchi

Each of these categories was awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. Honourable mentions were given for quality works that did not make the top three places.

Special awards were also given for the best portrait, best landscape, best still life, best nature, best architecture, best creative and best street photography works.

Duncan Cauchi

The stunning winning images all but highlight the selected photographers’ eye for details, their creativity, originality and technique.

The Malta Photographic Society is also proud that this 57th edition of the competition saw an increased interest from young and female photographers. This diversification of the participants augurs well for the competition’s future.

Stephen Buhagiar 

The exhibition is set to be open between the 2nd December and the 22nd December from Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturdays 9am to 1pm, and closed and Sundays and Public Holidays.