honorable mention
thibault gerbaldi united states
Photo © thibault gerbaldi
title
Abush
This encounter resonated with me, highlighting the stark cultural differences across the world, where possessing striking blue eyes could be perceived negatively in one culture and positively in another.
Abush's eyes, particularly radiant when he smiles, captivate, and while staring at you it felt the world stopped for a second.
This photograph was taken against the backdrop of a house in Jinka, coincidentally adorned with blue-painted bricks that mirror the beauty of Abush's eyes.
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entry description
I encountered Abush in the town of Jinka, Ethiopia, where he faced challenges due to being born with Waardenburg syndrome, a melanin gene mutation affecting eye color development; ostracized by some for his unique blue eyes, he eventually ended up living on the streets.This encounter resonated with me, highlighting the stark cultural differences across the world, where possessing striking blue eyes could be perceived negatively in one culture and positively in another.
Abush's eyes, particularly radiant when he smiles, captivate, and while staring at you it felt the world stopped for a second.
This photograph was taken against the backdrop of a house in Jinka, coincidentally adorned with blue-painted bricks that mirror the beauty of Abush's eyes.
about the photographer
Thibault Gerbaldi is a self-taught Leica photographer and passionate traveler, known for capturing authentic, emotional stories from some of the world’s most remote and diverse regions. His award-winning work spans cultures and landscapes as varied as Greenland to India, blending documentary, travel, and portrait photography. Thibault has self-published seven photography books and earned international recognition, including 1st place at the Siena Awards 2025, the International Photo Awards 2025 and the Rising Talent Award from Travel Photographer of the Year in 2024. His work has been exhibited globally and featured in Leica Fotografie International, LENS Magazine, and more. As a board member of The Forgotten International, he supports humanitarian projects through his art.back to gallery
