The LensCulture Emerging Talent Awards are open to photographers of all ages, from all cultures around the world, and all genres of photography. Making this final selection was no easy task. Our international jury panel—composed of publishers, gallerists, artistic directors, critics and an award-winning photographer—carefully considered the range of submissions, which were sent by photographers in over 160 countries. The bar was set extremely high: as Nazraeli Press founder and juror Chris Pichler told us, “I was deeply impressed with the quality and seriousness of the work.” But after extended deliberation and discussion, these distinctive, remarkable photographic works rose to the top.

This is a selection of the strongest and most memorable work submitted to the competition this year. Here you’ll discover serious documentary and photojournalism projects, as well as pure aesthetic celebrations of the interplay of light, color, form and texture. Some award-winning series are profoundly personal, intimate, or poetic. Others winners have chosen to explore inventive uses of old analog processes, conceptual approaches, or sculptural still-life to express their visions.

Spend time with these winners—their work, and talent, demands it.