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Gold 2024 Editorial / Photo Essay

Taming Giants

  • Photographer
    João Coelho
  • Prize
    Gold in Editorial / Photo Essay

This series tells the story of a group of young people working in a ship graveyard in Angola. After removing pieces weighing hundreds of pounds using only their hands and the strength of their arms, they have to carry them to the beach, struggling with the waves and the currents of the sea. Every day they tame real giants on this beach. From an early age, they learned to deal with and respect the sea. It's the sea that dictates when and how they can work to earn a measly 120 dollars for each ton of iron.

Human condition has always fascinated me and its study has been a main driver in my work. More than an aesthetic purpose, I intend my photography to arouse feelings, emotions, and convey messages, by telling stories that depict suffering or joy, despair or mutual help, strength or disappointment, or simply resilience in the face of adversity and uncertainty about the future.