Leica Oskar Barnack Award

Last year, JH Engström received the Leica Oskar Barnack Award for the series Tout Va Bien, where the Swede playfully lined up visually poetic fragments of his life. As last year’s winner, Engström is entitled to a position on this year’s jury.


What did the Leica Oskar Barnack Award mean for your work?

It meant I got confirmation of my work and specially my new book Tout Va Bien, which is published by Aperture. This was a good feeling.


What expectations do you have concerning this year’s award?

I choose not to go with any expectations; but I guess and hope I will be very surprised by really good work.


What advice do you have for younger photographers?

Work, work, work, and don’t try to be trendy or modern. Follow your own necessity.


Is your choice more intuitive or more analytic?

Both, of course. You have to be both. Always.


Photographers can submit their series for the 36th competition for the Leica Oskar Barnack Award, up until April 15, 2016. The theme should reflect an interplay between people and the environment. With this very open approach, there is room for creative work and for developing individual ideas.

You will find further information at: www.leica-oskar-barnack-preis.de.