Eggert Jóhannesson wins News Photo of the Year 2024

Eggert Jóhannesson, a photographer for Morgunblaðið and mbl.is , has been awarded the News Photo of the Year 2024 by the Icelandic Press Photographers Association. The prestigious award was presented for his striking photograph taken in January 2024 during the search efforts in Grindavík for Lúðvík Pétursson, who went missing while working to fill cracks for the Icelandic Natural Disaster Insurance Agency.

The exhibition is on display at the Reykjavík Photo Museum

Kjartan Þorbjörnsson, also known as Golli, photographer for Heimildin , was honored with the Photo of the Year award for his powerful image, which was selected from a range of categories. The awards were presented at the Reykjavík Museum of Photography, with the jury consisting of Árni Torfason, Unga Sighvatsdóttir, and Patrick Brown—a two-time World Press Photo winner who chaired the panel.

The Pictures of the Year 2024 exhibition showcases 101 images from 14 press photographers, selected from hundreds of submissions. Sixteen photographers submitted a total of 66 images each, which were carefully reviewed by the jury. The exhibition highlights images across six categories: news photography, everyday life, sports photography, portraits, environmental photography, and photo series. In addition to the News Photo of the Year award, one image from each category was selected as the best in its field. The exhibition will be on display at the Reykjavík Photo Museum until April 27, 2025.

Jury's Comments on Jóhannesson's Winning Photo

The jury praised Jóhannesson's image for capturing a pivotal moment in Iceland’s history—the moment when the nation fully grasped the gravity of the situation in Grindavík. "The photo captures the poignancy of the moment, highlighting the vast scope and difficulty of the rescue operations," the jury said. "It conveys the immense challenges faced by rescuers and photographers alike in extremely hazardous conditions. The photographer’s ability to frame the moment so powerfully speaks to the tension and danger present at the scene. The image is also a stark reminder that the crack was not in an open field, but next to a house, one that seems to be teetering on the edge of nothingness."

The jury further commended the photographer for using the adverse conditions to enhance the image’s depth, noting the wetness on the lens that added a tangible sense of the perilous environment. "Though the scene may seem calm from above, there is an underlying heaviness. The red flags add a symbolic touch, reminding us of the gravity of the situation."

Jury's Comments on Golli's Photo of the Year

Kjartan Þorbjörnsson's photo, which won Photo of the Year 2024, was described by the jury as "striking and multifaceted." The image is part of a series focusing on Palestinian refugees and protests against the authorities' treatment of them. "In many ways, the photo encapsulates one of the world’s most pressing issues—the plight of refugees," the jury remarked. "It depicts a child, seemingly in a safe space, yet still in search of refuge. The presence of Jón Sigurðsson’s statue watching over the scene and the plane in the background adds layers of meaning, symbolizing both the connection to the outside world and the constant threat of deportation."

The jury commended the photographer for his patience in capturing the perfect moment. "The photo is beautifully composed, rich in meaning, and profoundly impactful, embodying a deep sense of both hope and ongoing struggle."

Both awards highlight the power of photojournalism to tell complex, emotional stories that resonate deeply with viewers and shed light on the most important issues of our time.