When we decided to include a category titled "The Visual Memory of Protest" in this year’s ProgresFestival, I felt genuinely excited. This sub-genre resonates deeply with me, as it has the potential to educate, captivate, and inspire when executed well. We had already launched a dedicated Protest Awards gallery on our Facebook page, highlighting exciting opportunities to create a dynamic and impactful collection. And possibly an exhibition. The talent within our group, the contributors to our social media platforms, and the different photographers have led to the sharing of outstanding protest photography. It was a privilege to see the entries as they were submitted, and I can honestly say that the quality of the work has exceeded all expectations. I believe the resulting exhibition is a meaningful celebration of the strengths of protest photography, showcasing its emotional depth and vibrant complexity. Congratulations are due not only to the top photographers but also to everyone featured in this contest. Your contributions have helped create something truly special, and for that, we extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks. – Cameron Scott

“The Visual Memory of Protest”

Singles winners

Winner – Adar Eyal

Adar Eyal is a distinguished Israeli street and documentary photographer renowned for capturing significant societal transformations and emotional narratives, particularly in relation to the Israeli hostage crisis. His candid, documentary-style photographs illustrate human emotions, resilience, and socio-political issues. Following October 7, 2023, he devoted his efforts to documenting the emotional repercussions on the nation by covering demonstrations, memorials, and Hostages Square. His work has been featured on the Social Documentary Network and on 1xcom.

Within days of October 7, 2023, families of at least 341 missing Israelis demanded their return. As a street and documentary photographer for over 25 years, I've captured these events—it's more than a project; it's documenting a pivotal, transformative moment for the nation. I resigned from my job, set aside my normal life, and now spend most of my time on the streets, seeking the next frame. There are no “good” stories; I shot thousands of photos over 11 months, none with smiles—only sadness, frustration, fear, anger, and helplessness. Despite the tragedy, it’s rich in its portrayal of these emotions. I plan to continue until every hostage is home.

Second Place - Patty DeJuneas

Patty DeJuneas is an experienced criminal defence, appellate, and trial attorney representing clients in criminal and civil cases in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and federal courts, including the First Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Judicial Court. Known for her tenacity, truth-telling, and litigation skills, she actively pursues misconduct claims and advocates through media, legislators, and other channels. Her strong writing, strategic thinking, and work ethic make her effective in civil rights litigation, criminal defence, and appeals.

For the first 50 years of my life, I never saw myself as creative until I discovered street photography. As a criminal defence and civil rights attorney, I witness the darker sides of humanity, but through my lens, I find beauty amid ugliness. I bought my first real camera in 2019, dreaming of capturing mountain gorillas in eastern Africa. During the pandemic, I explored street photography, documenting the empty streets of Boston and solitary figures I encountered. As an introvert, I aim to convey the loneliness of solitary confinement through a project documenting those re-entering society after incarceration. I carry my camera everywhere, capturing moments during my commute and on weekends, especially at social justice protests. My goal is to reveal and share the stories of the people I photograph.

Third Place – B.D.Colen

B.D. Colen is an American journalist and medical writer, as well as a renowned documentary and street photographer. Since 2016 he has been living in London, Ontario. He is best known for winning the Pulitzer Prize and for his groundbreaking coverage of bioethics in mainstream media. Colen has also taught documentary photography at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He spent 27 years working at The Washington Post and Newsday, where he shared a Pulitzer Prize in 1984 for Newsday's "Baby Jane Doe" series.

The week after I turned 17, I covered the historic March on Washington for a weekly newspaper in Connecticut, and I haven't stopped shooting since. My photography has appeared in, among other publications, The Boston Globe, The St. Louis Post Dispatch, The Baltimore Sun, Newsday, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Christian Science Monitor, and Time Magazine. Some 30 images from my ongoing subway project are included in the permanent collection of the Boston Public Library. My work also has been featured in Huffington Post, on Social Documentary Network, on WGBH and WBUR, and in Boston Magazine.

Fourth Place - Gerd Bonse

Gerd Bonse is an acclaimed street photographer based in Cologne, known for his compelling candid images of urban life. He focuses on capturing the everyday moments of local residents, the charm of city streets, and the intriguing interactions among people in his neighbourhood.

Jay Nabbe Tied for Fifth

Jay Nabbe is a digital creator and street photographer based in Malta. He is best known for his atmospheric monochrome and black-and-white photography, candid street portraits, and documentary features such as the "Strangers Project, Malta."

In January 2026, following the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti during the United States’ “Operation Metro Surge” in Minneapolis, a peaceful vigil was held outside the U.S. Embassy in Malta. This series observes that gathering—not as a single narrative, but as fragments: gestures, faces, language, and moments of stillness. Between speech and silence, the images trace how collective grief, resistance, and uncertainty take form, leaving space for interpretation rather than resolution.

Never Edit Tied for Fifth

Never Edit, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, is a street photographer focused on capturing the authenticity of everyday life. Working in a candid and unobtrusive manner, she reveals the truth of unposed and genuine moments—fleeting glances, quiet pauses, and shared laughter. Her passion for travel drives her to explore urban environments, where she integrates seamlessly into the rhythm of the world. Each photograph captures real-life experiences that are unscripted and spontaneous, characterised by simplicity and sincerity, allowing subjects to convey their own stories authentically.

Never Edit – Tied for Fifth

Jay Nabbe – Tied for Fifth