Winners of Nikon Group Sustainability Photo Contest 2024 announced
Entries collected from group employees
January 17, 2025
The Nikon Group has held "Nikon Group Sustainability Photo Contest" since 2023, with the aim of raising awareness for sustainability and encouraging employees to actively engage in activities related to sustainability inside and outside the company.
Photo contest in 2024 was held with the tagline "Beyond awareness, sustainability comes into your focus," and submissions were accepted from Nikon Group employees between June and the end of September 2024. As a result, a total of 118 entries were received.
Mr. Noriyasu Kunori, who has experience in visiting many countries and regions as an explorer and photographer, is currently a university professor specializing in sustainability and environmental management. He selected the winner of each prize below.
Nikon Group will continue to promote voluntary employee activities and actions through photo contests etc., to help create a sustainable society.
Grand Prize Award
- Work title: Strangers Like Me
- Winner: Julian Harvie
- Company: Nikon UK, Branch of Nikon Europe BV (UK)
Reasons for the award
This monochrome photograph captures Julian Harvie's family observing a family of African elephants. African elephants are critically endangered, and it seems that through witnessing their intelligence and familial bonds, Harvie's family also felt a strengthened connection among themselves. The photograph, taken from behind, invites viewers to imagine the expressions, while a telephoto lens is used to create a sense of closeness among the family. The work aligns with SDG Goal 15, "Life on Land," and was selected for the grand prize as an outstanding piece that reaffirms the importance of family.
Excellence Award
- Work title: Diversity on a Sandy Beach
- Winner: Akiko Furuta
- Company: Nikon Corporation (Japan)
Reasons for the award
This work captures the footprints of crabs and birds, human shoe prints, and tire tracks on the sandy beach, illustrating the relationship between nature and humans. It evokes the movements of birds and crabs while making viewers aware of the impact of human activities on nature, expressing SDG Goal 14: "Life Below Water." The simple monochrome tones stimulate the viewer's imagination, making it an excellent piece that emphasizes the importance of utilizing natural environments while maintaining them.
Excellence Award
- Work title: Let the sun shines for them
- Winner: Arun Kumar Bose
- Company: Nikon India Private Limited (India)
Reasons for the award
This is a work depicting women carrying tea in the rugged mountainous regions of India, where they work in harsh conditions. The photographer skillfully captures the environment they are placed in by including mountains and clouds in their background. The title "Let the sun shines for them" signifies the need for social support for these women. This work expresses SDG Goal 1, "No Poverty," and Goal 5, "Achieve Gender Equality."
Special Jury Award
- Work title: Tactile Paving and Shinjuku Streetscape
- Winner: Susumu Takahashi
- Company: Nikon Corporation (Japan)
Reasons for the award
This work captures tactile paving for the visually impaired from a low angle, using a slow shutter speed to visualize the movement of feet stepping on it. This approach emphasizes the often-overlooked importance of these features and advocates creating safe and comfortable urban environments. The piece also reflects SDG Goal 11: "Sustainable Cities and Communities," showcasing the power of photography.
