Captivating $24,000-Winning Photo from Oppo’s Imagine IF Contest

Imagine IF 2024: Celebrating Creativity and Innovation in Mobile Photography

The results are in, and the winner of the 2024 Imagine IF photography contest by Oppo has been announced! This year’s competition has been a global phenomenon, with over 1 million entries from 81 countries and regions. The top five countries for submissions were China, India, Mexico, Colombia, and Egypt.

As Pete Lau, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer of Oppo, so eloquently put it, "Exceptional photographs have the power to preserve cherished emotions, even in the most seemingly mundane of moments, transforming them into timeless memories."

The winning entry, "Summer by Hutuo River" by Liang Xibing (China), grabbed the top prize of $24,000 and the title of Master. Liang’s photograph masterfully captures the fleeting joy of childhood through his expert use of light and movement. His winning image will be showcased at Paris Photo, the largest international art fair, in November.

In addition to the Master Award, 14 other photographers received Silver and Bronze Awards for their outstanding work. The Silver Award went to He Huapei for his image "Wandou and Her Teddy Bear," which showcases the tender bond between a child and her toy. The Bronze Award was awarded to Shailendra Singh for his image "The Peaceful Bond," which impressed judges with its imaginative space and visual style.

This year’s competition also introduced five Youth Special Awards to recognize the emerging talent of the next generation. The competition is a testament to the growing power of mobile photography, as Alec Soth, a Magnum Photos member and competition judge, noted, "Photography is esteemed as an art form that blends a multitude of techniques, not merely capturing stunning sights but also evoking profound emotions and resonating with power."

The Imagine IF 2024 contest has not only celebrated innovation in mobile photography but has also pushed the boundaries of what is possible with smartphone cameras. As Pete Lau remarked, "Personally, I find the winner’s photo to be exceptional both in composition and overall feeling. Less than ten years ago, I wouldn’t believe such a shot would be possible from a phone’s camera."

Winning Entries

• Master Award: "Summer by Hutuo River" by Liang Xibing (China), shot on OPPO Find X7 Ultra
• Silver Award: "Wandou and Her Teddy Bear" by He Huapei (China), shot on OPPO Find N3 Flip
• Bronze Award: "The Peaceful Bond" by Shailendra Singh (India), shot on OPPO Find N3 Flip

Honorable Mentions

• 36 entries across nine categories, including Landscape, Portrait, Colors, Unfading Moment, Fashion, Snapshot, Light, Travel, and Collection.