His photograph ‘Atardecer en Benijo’ takes first place in a contest celebrating the landscapes, culture and everyday life of the Anaga Massif
There’s something about Anaga that makes people reach for a camera.
The dramatic coastline, winding roads, old villages and slightly ridiculous amount of natural beauty have once again provided the inspiration for the ‘Descubre Anaga’ photography competition, held as part of the Taganana Festival.
This year’s first prize has gone to Aitor Sosa for his photograph ‘Atardecer en Benijo’, earning him €300.
César Afonso Afonso took second place with ‘Luz de Anaga’, receiving €150.
90 photographs of Anaga
The seventh edition attracted 49 photographers, who submitted a total of 90 images showing different sides of the Anaga Massif.
The competition isn’t simply about pretty landscapes. Entries can capture the area’s nature, architecture, culture, communities and everyday life, giving amateur photographers plenty of scope to show Anaga from their own perspective.
Sosa’s winning photograph received 24.8 points from the jury.
Other highly rated entries included ‘Vestigios’ by Juanra Álvarez, ‘Palmeral’ by Carlos Javier Fernández Palacios and ‘Donde habita la magia de las hadas’ by Natalia Rehak Alsó.
Why the results were changed
This year’s final ranking came after the jury reviewed an issue concerning one of the original winning photographs.
The competition rules require submitted photographs to be unpublished. During the review, the jury discovered that one of the images had previously appeared on social media.
The award for that photograph was therefore cancelled and the remaining entries were reassessed.
The revised results confirm Sosa as the winner and replace the previously announced rankings.
The jury consisted of Mary Carnero, journalist and cultural manager, Verónica González, a digital strategy specialist, and journalist Marta Plasencia.
Carnero stressed the importance of keeping the process transparent and fair, particularly for a competition built around amateur photographers and a shared passion for Taganana and the Anaga Biosphere Reserve.
Taganana Festival returns
The photography competition forms part of the wider Taganana Festival, which returns on 21 and 22 August with a programme of music, performing arts and community activities.
It’s another excuse to head into Anaga, which, let’s be honest, doesn’t need much of an excuse.
The festival is supported by various local organisations working to promote cultural activities within the Anaga Biosphere Reserve.