A quiet yet powerful moment captured in northern Sri Lanka has won the People’s Choice Award, standing out among hundreds of entries after drawing more than 4,000 public votes.
The winning photograph, taken by Mark Julian Edwards at a bus station in Jaffna, resonated strongly with viewers for its emotional simplicity and storytelling depth. While most categories were decided by a panel of judges, this award was left in the hands of the public and their verdict was clear.
The image is a close-up shot of a young boy seated inside a departing bus, his face framed by the window as he looks outward. The bus, visibly aged with chipped paint and dented metal, bears the marks of time and countless journeys. Against this worn backdrop, the boy’s gaze becomes the focal point calm, curious, and quietly full of anticipation.
Speaking about the moment, Edwards reflected on the contrast that drew him to press the shutter. He described the bus as a vehicle “worn by time,” its surface telling stories of the past, while the child’s expression suggested something entirely different. “There was a quiet energy in his face,” Edwards said, noting that it felt as though the boy was already imagining what lay ahead on the road.
The photograph struck a chord with the public for its universality. Many viewers saw in it a reflection of hope, transition, and the small but meaningful moments that often go unnoticed in everyday life. Set in a bus station a place of constant movement and change the image captures a fleeting second that feels both deeply personal and widely relatable.
By winning the People’s Choice Award, Edwards’ photograph has proven that powerful storytelling does not always require grand scenes or dramatic events. Sometimes, a single look through a bus window is enough to capture the imagination of thousands
Leave your comments
Login to post a comment
Post comment as a guest