Instant photography is a tool for building human connection.
As our world becomes increasingly hyper-digitized, it’s critical that we preserve a core pillar of photography: human connection. The ability to see things from someone else’s perspective. Empathy. And seeing life not as only black and white, but all shades of gray. We are looking for stories of subcultures, topics, professions, beliefs or movements that are often overlooked, misunderstood or could be simply benefitted by viewership through an empathetic lens.
To join the Polaroid X Magnum Open Call, photographers had to submit two separate photo stories, with up to 15 images per story and a 50-word write-up of an empathy-building, perspective-changing story they believe will help people see life in all shades of gray.
The 10 winners earned a Polaroid I-2 camera, 12 packs of Polaroid Film and the chance to participate in online critiques with Newsha Tavakolian, Jim Goldberg and Enri Canaj. Their stories will also be shared on Magnum and Polaroid’s platforms.
Open Call Winners
Jed Bacason | @jedxb
Mengwen Cao | @mengwencao
Jaír F. Coll | @jaircoll
Natela Grigalashvili | @natela_grigalashvili
Mohamed Hassan | @mohamedhassanphoto_
Aleruchi Kinika | @aleruchi.Kinika
Stefan Pavić | @pavic.stefan
Jakub Stanek | @stanekjakub
D. M. Terblanche | @d.m.terblanche
Maria Beatriz de Vilhena | @mariabeatriz.vilhena
