Canadian photographer Finbarr O’Reilly has won the 49th World Press Photo of the Year 2005 competition.
Over 4,448 photographers from 122 countries submitted 83,044 pictures into the competition, which is the most prestigious annual press photo competition in the world.
O’Reilly’s winning photograph was taken in Tahoua, North west Niger, and shows the emaciated fingers of a young child, pressed against the lips of his mother.
James Colton, chair of the jury, commented: ‘This picture has haunted me ever since I first saw it two weeks ago. It has stayed in my head, even after seeing all the thousands of others during the competition. This image has everything – beauty, horror and despair. It is simple, elegant and moving.’
O’Reilly will receive his award, along with a 10,000 euro cash prize, at a ceremony in Amsterdam on April 23rd. He will also receive a Canon EOS 1D Mark N from Canon.
Prizes were awarded in 10 categories, with winners coming from 25 countries including the UK. Among the jury were Paula Bronstein from Getty Images, Asia, UK photographer Gary Knight and Gary Marinovich, Sunday Times picture editor.
An exhibition featuring the winning pictures will tour 85 countries, including the UK; arriving at the Royal Albert Hall between 4-28th May.
To view the winning photographs log onto www.worldpressphoto.nl

Picture credit: Finbarr O’Reilly, Canada, Reuters