honorable mention
thibault gerbaldi united states
Photo © thibault gerbaldi
title
A Desert Mirage
Observed from a distance, the Himba people appear like mirages in the desert landscape. Their skin, adorned with ochre, radiates a copper hue—a protective measure against the harsh sun. On the Namibian side of the river, I captured a striking photo of this community. The strong winds swept sand across the dunes, creating an illusion of the Himba seemingly floating above the sandy terrain.
The sand dunes, with their distinct contrasts and shapes, bestowed an almost surreal quality upon the scene. Amidst the gusts of wind, the question lingered: was this a dream or a tangible reality?
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entry description
In the heart of Kaokoland, on both banks of the Kunene River, resides the Himba, the nation's last surviving nomadic pastoral tribe. This resilient tribe thrives amidst the challenges of war and drought, uniquely sustaining themselves on a diet solely consisting of meat, as they refrain from cultivating any crops.Observed from a distance, the Himba people appear like mirages in the desert landscape. Their skin, adorned with ochre, radiates a copper hue—a protective measure against the harsh sun. On the Namibian side of the river, I captured a striking photo of this community. The strong winds swept sand across the dunes, creating an illusion of the Himba seemingly floating above the sandy terrain.
The sand dunes, with their distinct contrasts and shapes, bestowed an almost surreal quality upon the scene. Amidst the gusts of wind, the question lingered: was this a dream or a tangible reality?
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
