The CBRE Urban Photography of the Year Awards for 2015 have been announced and these are some truly wonderful photographs. First about CBRE, because I think it quite notable. CBRE is a leading global real estate services and investment firm. In creating the CBRE Urban Photographer of the Year competition, their aim is to enhance our understanding of the “built environment” on a global scale by seeing urban areas through different eyes. And for every entry in the Urban Photographer of the Year competition, CBRE makes a donation to leading children’s development charity, Plan International.This I think is significant, because 53 % of the world’s population live in urban environments and this is expected to climb to 70% by 2050. So to seeing people as they live and work in our cities is a defining and uniquely human perspective.

There are several stunning images among this year’s winners. I would particularly note the grand prize winner Oscar Rialubin’s black and white portrait of a watchmaker in Qatar entitled ‘Xyclops.’ Really this is everything that a black and white portrait should be – dramatic lighting, vivid sharpness, and compelling pathos. And second is the winner of the European, Middle Eastern, and African Award, Armen Dolukhanyan’s touching photograph entitled ‘Couple Policemen,’ which catches an intimate moment between a Ukrainian policeman and police woman.  This is truly the decisive moment.