A hanging black-and-white {photograph} of a shepherd guiding lots of of sheep by way of swirling mud has been honored on the 2026 World Food Photography Awards, sponsored by Tenderstem Bimi Broccolini.
Captured by photographer Serkan Dogus, en route again towards the pastures of Mount Nemrut in southeastern Turkey, the picture transforms an on a regular basis farming ritual right into a scene that feels nearly cinematic.
The 2,150m mountain is known for its colossal stone heads and historic Greco-Persian statues, which have earned the positioning UNESCO World Heritage standing.
Framed by way of clouds and dirt, illuminated by dramatic pure gentle, the viewer feels alongside the shepherd. The monochrome therapy strips away distractions, drawing consideration to the motion, ambiance and scale of a journey that’s repeated on daily basis by native shepherds and their flocks.
Food within the Field Category Winner
Dusty Journey by Serkan Dogus
Gear: Sony A7R III + FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens
Exposure: 1/400sec, f/8, ISO 100
“Every morning, hundreds of sheep arrive in the village from the high pastures of Mount Nemrut for milking,” Dogus explains.
“After the milking is completed, at sunset, the sheep set out once again toward Mount Nemrut, and their dusty journey begins.”
The image demonstrates exceptional compositional control in a scene that is constantly moving and impossible to direct. However, Dogus managed to position the shepherd at the center of the frame as the flock spreads outward through the dust.
Natural light plays an equally important role. The low sun cuts through the airborne dust, creating layers of contrast that separate the subjects from the background and gives the scene remarkable depth and dimension.
Converting the image to black-and-white further strengthens its impact. Without color competing for attention, the viewer is drawn to the textures, silhouettes and patterns created by the animals, dust, and landscape.
Dogus created an image that feels timeless, cinematic and immersive while documenting an everyday moment of rural life.
See the World Food Photography Award winners
Dogus’ award-winning image and all over 200 winners of this year’s competition are on display from June 03-07 at the Mall Galleries in London, England. A choice of the photographs hand-picked by Fortnum & Mason shall be displayed at its iconic retailer in London Piccadilly from June 09.
For extra data and to see all profitable photographs, go to the World’s Food Photography Awards website.
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