Startling press photographs of 2012 showcased in London

An exhibition of the winning entries, which went on show at the Southbank Centre in London today showcases the best in photojournalism from across the globe and features startling pictures from the world in 2011, The Daily Mail reports.

This year's top prize was awarded to Spanish photographer Samuel Aranda for his image of a mother cradling her son in her hands after he has been overcome by tear gas during an anti-government demonstration in Yemen.

Among the startling images was a photo of rebel fighters scattering during a battle against the forces of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in Libya in February 2011, a picture of a new recruit to the Afghan police force and guards protecting a rare white rhino in Kenya.

The pictures also captured the colourful side of life on Earth, with a shot of a model resplendent in red being prepared to take part in last year's Dakar Fashion Week, and a singer performing in a Russian resort on the Black Sea coast.

The sporting world was also shown, with a dramatic scene from a rain-lashed rugby match in Ireland to the elegant sight of divers taking part in the World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai, China.

The first World Press Photo award was held in 1955 when members of the Dutch photojournalists’ union turned their national competition into an international one.


The competition has been held almost every year since then with winning pictures being put together into an exhibition.

In 1955, 42 photographers from 11 countries submitted just over 300 photographs for judging. Today the annual contest attracts well over 5,000 participants from around 125 countries, who together send in tens of thousands of images.