Photography is an important medium through which people can explore and communicate their ideas about the world. The RAI promotes the use of photography, film and other visual mediums to engage with anthropology and inspire greater understanding of local and international communities. 

The Body Canvas Photo Competition

The Body Canvas photography contest ran in 2012. The contest's aims were to:
• promote public engagement with the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme
• provide a platform for people to share their work and become actively involved in anthropology
• develop an understanding of the personal, social and political reasons why people undergo permanent body modification
• explore the many ways in which communities around the world develop and express relationships with their bodies 
• explore the industry of body modification, the artists, doctors and craftsmen who practice their trade

The competition was free to enter and open to anyone interested in anthropology and photography. Contestants were asked to submit photographs along with a description incorporating anthropological themes and ideas.

The competition was very well received with 240 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders from 27 countries around the world, including: Australia, Papua New Guinea, Phillipines, Spain, USA amongst others.

The competition was organised by Emma Ford, the RAI’s Education and Communications Officer. A panel of judges which included Susanne Hammacher (RAI), Dr. Cyril Siorat, Dr. Udi Butler (Oxford), Dr. Chris Morton(Oxford), Dr. Haidy Geismar (UCL) Nafisa Fera (RAI) assessed the submissions.

Contest winners included: Kazimuddin (Kazu) Ahmed (Piercings and Body Reshaping Category); and Analyn Salvador-Amores (Tattoos and Scarification Category)

Take a look at our Body Canvas Photo Competition Gallery!

Exhibits: The finalist and semi-finalists’ photos were exhibited at the London Anthropology Day, Anthropology in the World event, and at the RAI itself.

Photos from our finalists and semi-finalists can be seen on our Flickr page  

 

For further information about the contest take a look at our Publicity Postcard and Competition guidelines.

  

  

The Anthropology of Sport Photo Competition

The Anthropology of Sport Photo Contest ran in 2011. The competition sought to explore the cross-cultural and human elemens of sport in relation to globalisation, identity and the body.

The aims of the contest were to:
• promote public engagement with the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme
• provide a platform for young people to share their work and actively get involved with anthropology
• initiate activities and events in relation to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics
• develop awareness of the anthropology of sport and facilitate communication between practitioners working in media, arts, sports and social sciences

The competition was free to enter and open to anyone interested in anthropology and photography. Contestants were asked to submit photographs along with a description incorporating anthropological themes and ideas.

The competition was very well received with 220 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders from 25 countries around the world, including: France, Portugal, USA, England, Germany, Spain, India amongst others.

The competition was organised by Nafisa Fera, the RAI’s Education and Communications Officer. A panel of judges which included Susanne Hammacher (RAI), Amanda Vinson (RAI), Chris Wright (Goldsmiths), Guven Witteveen (AAA) and Nafisa Fera (RAI) assessed the submissions.

Contest winners included: Andy Day (Globalisation), Kabir Orlowski (Identity), and Joseph Lanning (The Body).

Take a look at our Anthropology of Sport Photo Competition Gallery!

Exhibits: The finalist and semi-finalists’ photos were exhibited at the London Anthropology Day, the RAI's ESRC Sport Cultures event, Anthropology in the World event, and the RAI itself. 

Photos from our finalists and semi-finalists can be seen on our Flickr page

 

For further information about the contest take a look at our Publicity Postcard and Contest Guidelines.

The Meaning of Water Photo Competition

The Meaning of Water Photo Competition ran in 2010. The competition sought to explore human relationships with water in the context of four categories: livelihoods and sustainability; trade and transport; managment and access; religion and spirituality.

The aims of the contest were to:
• promote public engagement with the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme
• provide a platform for young people to share their work and actively get involved with anthropology
• to raise awareness of topical debates around water and sustainability

The competition was free to enter and open to anyone interested in anthropology and photography, excluding professional photographers. Contestants were asked to submit photographs along with a description incorporating anthropological themes and ideas.

The competition was very well received with over 200 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders from 20 countries around the world, including: England, Canada, Brazil, USA, India, Nigeria, Senegal and Norway amongst others.

The competition was organised by Nafisa Fera, the RAI’s Education and Communications Officer. A panel of judges which included Amanda Vinson (RAI), Elizabeth Edwards (LCC), Chris Wright (Goldsmiths), Guven Witteveen (AAA) and Nafisa Fera (RAI) assessed the submissions.

Contest winners included:  Klaus Eiberle (Trade and Transport), Carlos Sautchuk (Livelihoods and Sustainability), Joseph Lanning (Management and Access) and Barbara Arisi (Religion and Spirituality).

Take a look at our Meaning of Water Photo Competition gallery!

Exhibits: The finalist and semi-finalists’ photos were exhibited at the London Anthropology Day

 Photos from our finalists and semi-finalists can be seen on our Flickr page

 

For further information, take a look at our Publicity Postcard and Contest Guidelines.