Environment Minister's Award/Environmental Photo Grand Prize

[mostakimvip04]

This photo was taken on August 6th. It is a day that Hiroshima's atomic bomb survivors do not want to remember. On this day, a memorial ceremony is held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park to console the souls of those who lost their lives in the atomic bomb and pray for peace. Every year, it is often hot on the anniversary of the atomic bombing, but August 6th in 2010 was particularly hot, like an abnormal weather.

Under Aioi Bridge, where oleanders are in full bloom and dusk is approaching, I set up my camera on the opposite bank of the Atomic Bomb Dome to take a picture of the floating lanterns. At one point, the lanterns started to gather in front of me. I was so engrossed in pressing the shutter that about five or ten minutes passed. Suddenly, the lanterns floated away in remove background image front of me. It was as if the people who died in this river were telling me something... I wonder if I think this because I am an atomic bomb survivor and know the horror of the radiation of the atomic bomb. What will happen to nuclear weapons from now on? The current situation makes me feel this way more and more.
Judges' evaluation
Every year on the night of August 6th, a lantern float is held at the Atomic Bomb Dome, a World Heritage site that represents the negative legacy of humanity. I (note: Vice-chairman of the judging panel, Nakatani) am also from Hiroshima and have photographed the lantern float many times, but it is extremely difficult to put together a solid composition like this one, due to factors such as the wind direction and the strength of the tide flowing from the mouth of the Motoyasu River. The contrast in color between the lantern with the candle in the center of the picture and the extinguished lantern in the foreground creates an excellent effect, and the Atomic Bomb Dome in the background is also captured with a strong presence, making this a work that excels in both composition and technique. And above all, I feel that this is a wonderful piece that embodies the artist Akita's own desire to convey the horror of the atomic bomb.