Google and Saatchi Gallery announce finalists of prestigious Photography Prize

The 10 finalists of the Google Photography Prize have been announced today following an extensive selection process to whittle down the original 20,000 entries.

Submissions came from students in 148 countries, all hoping to be in with a chance of winning the top prize - an overseas trip with a professional photographer as their mentor.

The finalists are Collin Avery (US), Viktor Johanssen (Sweden), Kyrre Lien (Norway), Claudia Alexandra Manta (Romania), Balazs Mate (Hungary), Adi Sason (Israel), Oliver Seary (UK), Dana Stirling (Israel), Sasha Tamarin (Israel) and Zhao Yi (China).

All ten will exhibit their work at the Saatchi Gallery in London from 25 April, alongside a new international photography display, Out of Focus.

“We received a quite overwhelming array of arresting, beautiful, compelling, diverse and unexpected images,” says Nigel Hurst, the Saatchi Gallery Director.

“The work of the ten finalists highlights all of these strengths, and demonstrates considerable skill and vision.”

The winner will be announced at the gallery on 24 April.
      

• The Google Photography Prize and Out of Focus: Photography will be open to the public from 25 April – 22 July 2012. Entry to all exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery is free.