American photographer Richard Frishman captures two prizes in 2018 Sony World Photography Awards

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posted Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 12:00 PM EST

 
 

In the 11th edition of the annual Sony World Photography Awards, the competition saw 320,000 submissions -- a new record -- coming in from over 200 different countries and territories. Ahead of the overall winners being unveiled on April 19, Sony and the World Photography Organization have shared the winners of the ten "Open" categories and the winners of the various National Awards.

You can see the full list of winners from among the ten "Open" categories here. We want to highlight the work of American Richard Frishman, who took home the top prize in the "Still Life" category in addition to the USA National Award. Frishman specializes in large-format prints comprised of composite images and turns his camera on the culture of the United States. He works on capturing authentic and raw scenes which he considers future remnants of a lost American civilization.

 
© Richard Frishman, United States, Winner, Open Still Life and Winner, United States National Award, 2018 Sony World Photography Awards

Frishman's winning image, "Sunday Buffet at Jerry Mikeska's Bar-BQ," was constructed of 162 individual images captured at the restaurant in Columbus, Texas. Of the final photograph, Frishman says, "Cross-country car trips have been a part of my life since 1965, when my parents packed my brother, sister and I into the back of a Pontiac and drove from Chicago to Disneyland. What I love the most is finding and documenting bits of our curious American culture that is easily overlooked and ephemeral. As I drove from Houston to Albuquerque on a recent photographic quest, I came upon Jerry Mikeska's BBQ at an opportune time. This simple scene, of a steam table and slaughtered game, amused and amazed me. The juxtaposition seems so ironic and quintessentially American."

As mentioned, Frishman won the USA National Award. There were 63 National Awards handed out and you can see the full list of winners here. Stay tuned to Imaging Resource to see the announcement for the overall winners next month and if you'll be in the London area from April 20 through May 6, you can attend the exhibition for the 2018 Sony World Photography Awards. Additional information is available here.