Greek photographer Athanasios Maloukos has been honored as the Travel Photographer of the Year 2025, marking a significant achievement in his career. His award-winning portfolios, 'Night of Sorrows: The Yacente Procession of Zamora' and 'Whirling Devotion: Rituals of Sufism in Anatolia,' showcase his exceptional ability to capture the essence of spiritual ceremonies through masterful use of low-light photography.
Maloukos's work delves into the profound rituals of Spain and Turkey, highlighting the depth of human devotion and cultural traditions. In his 'Night of Sorrows' series, he documents the solemn Holy Week processions in Zamora, Spain, capturing the haunting atmosphere of the 'Yacente' procession on Holy Thursday. The 'Whirling Devotion' series focuses on the mesmerizing Sema ceremony of whirling dervishes in Konya, Turkey, portraying the hypnotic movements and spiritual fervor of the participants.
The judges were particularly impressed by Maloukos's technical prowess in shooting under challenging low-light conditions. TPOTY founder Chris Coe commented, "Shot in low light, these images require immense skill to get right. Shooting on the edge like this requires very careful use of shutter speed to selectively freeze and blur the movements in these two ceremonies." He further noted that the images convey "the depth and intensity of each moment" without over-processing. (amateurphotographer.com)
Judge Jeremy Hoare described Maloukos's work as "one of the best over the last 23 years of these awards," underscoring the exceptional quality and impact of his photography. (ekathimerini.com)
Maloukos, an amateur photographer with a passion for documenting cultural and spiritual traditions, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. He stated, "Winning the prestigious Travel Photographer of the Year award is both an immense honour and a deeply humbling experience." He emphasized the importance of thoughtful and enduring photography in a world of fast images. (amateurphotographer.com)
The Travel Photographer of the Year 2025 competition received over 20,000 submissions from photographers across 160 countries. Maloukos's work stood out for its emotional depth, technical excellence, and cultural sensitivity, earning him the top honor in this prestigious competition. (ekathimerini.com)
For a closer look at Maloukos's award-winning portfolios and to explore more about his photographic journey, you can visit his official website or follow his work on social media platforms.
Athanasios Maloukos Wins Travel Photographer of the Year 2025:
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- Travel Photographer of the Year Announced—Plus, Winning Photos | TravelAwaits, Published on Monday, January 26