Shortlist unveiled in global ‘Concrete in Life’ photography competition

(London, 1^st February 2023) – The official shortlist has been unveiled in the ‘Concrete in Life’ global photography competition, celebrating the beauty and essential role that concrete plays in communities and the built environment across the world.

More than 14,000 entries were submitted from every major continent, by both amateur and professional photographers for this year’s competition, run by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA).

A shortlist of 80 of the best pictures has now been drawn-up, from more than thirty countries, all now with a chance of claiming the $10,000 prize for the overall winner and $2,500 for each of the category winners.

Concrete is the second most-used substance on earth after water and plays a vital part in modern infrastructure and society. The GCCA is helping the industry reduce its environmental impact through the implementation of its 2050 Net Zero Roadmap – the first heavy industry to set out such plans.  

People from all across the world were invited to enter photos in eight categories – concrete infrastructure, concrete beauty and design, urban concrete, and concrete in daily life, with each section divided between amateur snappers and professional photographers.

The breadth and variety of the shortlisted photos illustrate the way concrete supports life around the world, from the giant to the small form, and highlight the material’s grace and beauty as well as its structural integrity. They include shots of dramatic infrastructure: a lighthouse in Argentina, a bridge in Nigeria and a dam in Iran, as well as sea barriers, piers and urban landscapes. Other stunning images include concrete being used creatively for skateboard tracks, flowerpots and both internal and external designs.

The winning photo in each category will receive $2,500 (US dollars) and will be announced in a live Instagram broadcast on 15^th February. The overall “Concrete in Life” Photo of the Year winner will be unveiled at the same event and will win a $10,000 top prize.

Thomas Guillot, GCCA Chief Executive said: “We know just how important concrete is to infrastructure, modern life and communities across the globe. We were amazed by the number and standard of this year’s photos, with so many capturing the majesty and beauty of such a versatile material. Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit entries and good luck to all those shortlisted.”

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Notes to editors:

Link to the shortlist on the GCCA website: https://gccassociation.org/concreteinlife2022/concreteinlifeshortlist/

Images available from the shortlist for media to use are here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KX14-yo1Jz6-KK9-F0QRdrKriFbv-yY1?usp=sharing  

Link to award ceremony on 15^th February: concreteinlife Instagram

For further details, or to request interviews, please contact:

Katherine Burch
GCCA Content Lead at katherine.burch@gccassociation.org

List of where shortlisted photos were taken: