We don’t all have the equipment to capture stunning photos of rare wildlife or the elusive Northern Lights, but something that will feature heavily on pretty much all of our camera rolls is food.
Maybe not quite to this standard, though. The Pink Lady Food Photographer of the Year awards strive to showcase the world’s best food photography and film, and it has just announced the winners for 2024.
Claiming the coveted title is Chinese photographer Zhonghua Yang, with their shot of a woman preparing for the Lunar New Year in the rural area of Xiangshan, Zhejiang, entitled ‘Red Bean Paste Balls’.
‘This wonderful, perfectly balanced image is full of light, shadow, mystery and poignancy’, said competition founder Caroline Kenyon, about the photo, ‘The food is exquisitely made, its circular shapes contrasting with the angularity of the fretwork screens, through which the light pours. Meanwhile, the woman who has made the food, weary, carries in yet another tray. Her role is to labour and to serve, while the guests party and enjoy.’
And it’s quite a mesmerising shot – you can take a look at it below, along with the other stunning snaps that were recognised in 2024’s competition.
‘Red Bean Paste Balls’ by Zhonghua Yang
![‘Red Bean Paste Balls’ by Zhonghua Yang](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146254/image.jpg)
‘Let Them Eat Cake!’ Lynne Kennedy
!['Let Them Eat Cake!' by Lynne Kennedy](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146256/image.jpg)
‘B.L.T. Contemplation’ Delaney McQuown
![‘B.L.T. Contemplation’ Delaney McQuown](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146257/image.jpg)
‘Harvest in Volnay, Burgundy’ Thierry Gaudillère
![‘Harvest in Volnay, Burgundy’ Thierry Gaudillère](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146260/image.jpg)
‘Les Liens du Vin’ Jonathan Thevenet
![‘Les Liens du Vin’ Jonathan Thevenet](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146261/image.jpg)
‘In the Tank During Alcoholic Fermentation’ Guenhaël Kessler
![‘In the Tank During Alcoholic Fermentation’ Guenhaël Kessler](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146264/image.jpg)
‘Pork, Laughter, and Red Wine’ Virginia Morán
![‘Pork, Laughter, and Red Wine’ Virginia Morán](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146265/image.jpg)
‘New Year in Old Cave Dwelling’ Ren Xiuting
![‘New Year in Old Cave Dwelling’ Ren Xiuting](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146266/image.jpg)
‘Mangrove Fisherman’ Teo Chin Leong
![‘Mangrove Fisherman’ Teo Chin Leong](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146267/image.jpg)
‘Hanging Buri (Yellowtail)’ Matteo Alberti
![‘Hanging Buri (Yellowtail)’ Matteo Alberti](https://media.timeout.com/images/106146268/image.jpg)
And you can have a look at last year’s winners right here.
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