World Press photography exhibition opening in Edinburgh

AN exhibition of Press photographs from around the world is opening in Edinburgh, from today.

Being hosted at the Scottish Parliament, at Holyrood, in Edinburgh, the exhibition lasts until the 25th of next month.

Part of a global tour – including Tokyo, Sydney, Ghent, Aukland and Buenos Aires – the World Press Photo event includes images from the charity hospital ship, Africa Mercy, staffed by more than 400 volunteers, many from Scotland, who provide free medical care and humanitarian aid to the people of Africa.

Belgian photographer, Stephan Vanfleteren, was named winner of the Staged Portrait (stories) category of the exhibition.

He is quoted in a Mercy Ships media release, as saying: “The recognition is great, of course but the best thing is to take a photo and then see the result at home. I have seen how the people of Mercy Ships do such brilliant and very important volunteer work. They just do their job without imposing themselves. I am always touched when people do something like Mercy Ships. Everyone can do something beautiful. One helps by performing eye operations, the other by removing tumours and a photographer like me can hopefully make photos so other people can see what happens. Nice, honest portraits. This award is great news for me and also for Mercy Ships.”

Pic: Stephan Vanfleteren.