By Stephen Robb
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HSBC Now Photo – 2017 Winners
Covering the themes of Progress, Green, Thrive, Speed, Network and Future, this year’s HSBC NOW Photo project has brought us some enchanting and breath-taking photos. We were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing the overall winner for 2017, but here are our top three picks.
A huge thank you to all our talented colleagues and congratulations to the winners!
🏆 1st place – Ariel Chavez Valdez
🏆 2nd place – Indra Bhattacharjee
🏆 3rd place – Nicole Yau
Check out our 17 favourites in this gallery:
Ariel Chavez Valdez, HSBC Philippines: “A group of Bajau boys dive after coins or candies thrown by tourists from a passenger boat near the port of Basilan. Dubbed as ‘sea gypsies’, Bajaus are known to inhabit the sea, with sea faring, sea trading and fishing as their main sources of livelihood. Poverty-stricken and out-of-school, many children from this community venture into coin-diving to add to their family’s income.” Jury’s comment: “The top-down point-of-view positioned over the focal point where the boats meet draws attention to the action and leaves the viewer wondering whether the people in the water are trying to get on the boat or have decided to jump into the water for a swim.” 
Indra Bhattacharjee, HSBC India: “This picture portrays a scenario where one can find a man dressed as a Hindu God avatar, giving his blessings to the people around, which then helps them grow. The image also shows that amid destruction, people’s faith in religion helps them move ahead and thrive. Taken on the beach near the Kulasai Mutharamman temple in South Tamilnadu, India.” Jury’s comment: “This is a striking photo that is technically difficult to achieve. The figure obscuring the sun creates a stark silhouette that raises a lot questions and prompts the viewer to consider different scenarios – is the person at a festival? A doomsday event? Partaking in some kind of ritual?” 
Nicole Yau, HSBC Hong Kong: “I took this picture in December 2016 at Mountain Hua Western peak (elevation is 6831 feet). On that day, the temperature was minus 6 degrees and it was snowing. With my camera, I walked carefully to the peak and along the way there were many red ribbons with the word ‘福’, which means ‘blessing.’ Many people make wishes there. The scene was so beautiful that I forgot it was very cold.” Jury’s comment: “The contrast between the vibrant red of the flags tapering off into the blue-gray mist is beautiful and emotive.” 
Breeze Sahani, HSBC India Jury’s comment: “Everything about this photo is stunning. The texture makes it look like it could be taken 50 years ago and the layers of mountains and bushes create real depth. The isolation of the boat is beautifully offset by the bright green foreground contrasted against the muted tones in the background.” 
Arlene Yan, HSBC Wuhan: “Fishing on the west lake” Jury’s comment: “The crisp silhouette of leaves hanging down from the tree distinguish this photo from other stunning landscape shots. The wash of colours in the sky reflected on the water are beautiful” 
Sachiien Dhopade, HSBC India “Green for me is nature. This is Malabar Gliding Frog having nature’s colour and wearing the crown of nature: a Jumping Spider.” Jury’s comment: “What a spectacular sight! This photo reminds me of the simple things in life and how nature just goes about its business while we aren’t looking. The frog is in high definition and with the dark background and what looks like eggs on the ground, it really pops.” 
Igor Danajlovski Photography, HSBC Germany:‘The Circle of Life’ Jury’s comment: “This picture is all about timing – the timing of the sunset, the shooting star, the subject with their hands in the air- it’s almost a miracle it was captured at all! The colours are glorious and the mist surrounding the island is enchanting.” 
Ramit Soni, HSBC Hong Kong: “I got up at 3am and climbed up the hill in a dingy car to reach the summit by 5am. I was surprised to see more than 3,000 people waiting for the sunrise. I had never imagined a sunrise to be this beautiful, where you could see the rays of sun falling on the volcano. The fact that this beautiful scene happens every day is so humbling and inspiring.” Jury’s comment: “Superb composition of foreground and background framing the mountains poking up above the clouds in the middle ground. Everything about this photo makes you want to visit this magical place.” 
Sachiien, HSBC India: “Progress to me is exploring the potential inside me and improving on it day by day. I was shooting at sunset when I came upon this person trying to do free running and exploring all that he could perform on the beach. So I captured this movement with the beautiful sunset to make it more pleasing.” Jury’s comment: “A striking image combining so many elements: the sun’s reflection on the sea and sand and the linear positioning of the acrobat with the horse and carriage.” 
Marc Strettle, HSBC USA “Nature at its best, providing to be the perfect setting for this wedding photo.” Jury’s comment: “An intimate moment captured in magical light. Beautiful combination of colours and strong symbolism in the tree roots.” 
Sriharsha, HSBC USA: “Rising from the ashes… (oops, the ocean) the image of Santa Teresa beach, Costa Rica is perfectly timed at sunset. The perspective of the photo makes it look like the birds are rising from the ocean.” Jury’s comment: “The line of the birds is what makes this picture so strong. It almost looks like it’s one bird that has been shot in a time lapse, flying across the ocean.” 
Sumitabh, HSBC India: ‘Look to the Future’ Jury’s comment: “This photo really captures development – the old style boats in front of a highly engineered bridge.” 
Sally Liu, HSBC Hong Kong “Green mountains with moody clouds.” Jury’s comment: “I love the ombre colouring from green to blue to purple and gray – all in one landscape shot.” 
Lok Ngan, HSBC Hong Kong: “A hut by the lake Alpsee in Fussen, Germany is embraced by green and peaceful bushes. This is absolutely an ideal place to escape from the crowd and take a nice breathe of relieving air.” Jury’s comment: “At first glance it’s hard to tell where the horizon is. Then the viewer discovers a house hidden amidst the foliage. A majestic, lush image.” 
Jitendra Kumar Singh, HSBC India: “I have been observing this bee hunter for a long time. When the bees come closer, to some extent they prepare themselves to attack the bees with a powerful speed. It took around 2 to 3 hours to observe the movement and I clicked around 85 shots which took 2 hours and finally got the best one.” Jury’s comment: “I really like how the bird is the only focus in this photo. The bird looks like it’s in full flight mode, diving down to collect its dinner. It’s exciting and beautiful.” 
Lok Ngan, HSBC Hong Kong: “Stars seem independent to each other. but when everyone move on by time, a splendid shinny network will be formed.” Jury’s comment: “The fixed object of the house set against the swirl of stars shows how time and the earth moves independently of us.” 
David, HSBC Egypt: “Look ahead and aim towards your target then people will start mirroring you as you keep on progressing… Captured in Cape Town, South Africa.” Jury’s comment: “The mirroring of the landscape against the window of the vehicle creates an almost surreal symmetry to this stunning image.”
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