The year 2017 was a transformative period for photography. It was a year where the line between digital perfection and raw, film-inspired authenticity began to blur, and social media platforms evolved from simple galleries into powerful engines for visual storytelling.
Aerial photography transitioned from an expensive luxury to an accessible art form. Photographers like Johnny Miller used drones to highlight economic segregation from above (the Unequal Scenes project), proving that new technology could serve a profound journalistic purpose.
In the realm of photojournalism, the award went to Associated Press photographer Burhan Ozbilici . His image captured the shocking assassination of Russia’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, by an off-duty policeman in Ankara. The jury chair praised Ozbilici for his "incredibly courageous" composure amidst the affray, turning a moment of terror into a historically significant photograph.
Beyond hard news, 2017 highlighted photographers who used their cameras to process grief and legacy. One of the most acclaimed stories of the year came from Mayumi Suzuki the photographer 2017 best
This film offers a darker, more visceral take on the photographer archetype. Directed by Kevin Mendiboure, this 6-minute French horror short is a male-driven and intense story. While sharing the core theme of voyeurism, this version is framed explicitly as a horror film, focusing on the terror of being watched by someone with malicious intent. It is a more experimental and gritty entry, designed to unnerve the viewer. There is also a French fantasy short from the same year, directed by Bertrand Normand, in which a photographer in the gardens of Versailles perceives statues coming to life.
: Captured his second for "They're Slaughtering Us Like Animals," a haunting series for The New York Times documenting the brutal drug war in the Philippines. Burhan Ozbilici
Whether it was Addario’s courage, Webb’s geometry, or Weir’s intimacy, the photographers of 2017 proved that in a world saturated with images, the ability to see is still the rarest talent of all. The year 2017 was a transformative period for photography
However, 2017 will be remembered less for one individual and more for a plurality of voices. The "best" photography of 2017 was diverse, un-retouched, politically engaged, and visually complex.
Here is a look at the photographers who dominated the conversation in 2017, broken down by the genres they revolutionized.
Nature photography reached a stunning peak when won the grand prize for the 2017 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest . His masterpiece captured Mexico's Colima Volcano at the exact moment of a powerful eruption, illuminated perfectly by a brilliant bolt of lightning. Photographers like Johnny Miller used drones to highlight
Michelle Daiana Gentile from Argentina, with the series "Only Hope".
In 2017, the "best" photographers were those who used their lenses to humanize complex global headlines. took one of the most haunting images of the decade, capturing the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Turkey. His ability to remain composed under fire earned him the World Press Photo of the Year, reminding the world of the sheer bravery inherent in photojournalism.
Depending on what you are looking for, here are the most prominent works and recognitions associated with that specific phrasing: 🎬 Film and Media Because several indie projects share this title, " The Photographer
: Released a collection of the best photos from its photographers , covering events like Hurricane Maria and the preparation for the McGregor vs. Mayweather fight. The New York Times