World Press Photo 2005

World Press Photo 2005, recognised worldwide as the principal touring exhibition of photojournalism, presents the winning Works in the annual World Press Photo competition, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Every year, an independent international jury made up of 13 members chooses the winning photographs of those submitted by photojournalists, agencies, newspapers and photographs all over the world. The photos are entered in 11 categories: spot news, general news, people in the news, sports action, sports features, contemporary issues, daily life, portraits, nature, and art and entertainment. This year, 4,266 photographers from 123 countries took part in the competition, presenting images of inescapable current events such as the war in Iraq, the Tsunami or the crisis in Haiti, but also of the beautiful and unexpected moments provided by sport, nature and everyday life anywhere on the planet.

The annual exhibition of winning photos can be seen every year in 80 cities in 40 countries, on the condition that all the Works are shown without censorship. In addition to displaying the best in photography of 2004, it can also be seen as a historical document of the main events of last year. The Fact that thousands of visitors from all over the World see this exhibition highlights the power of photography to cross the borders of language and culture.

World Press Photo contributes images for the collective memory, forceful images that have on many occasions changed the course of history and public opinion.