The fourth edition of the Camera Jagellonica photo competition is already behind us! Due to circumstances around us, this edition was a special one: the authors were able to present their photos in a new category ‘World during a pandemic’, and the announcement of the results took place remotely.

What remains unchanged, however, is the dedication and creaitivity of the participants in our competition, who - as in previous years - submitted many truly interesting photographs, providing quite a challenge for the four-person jury composed of: Dr Małgorzata Kistryn - author of the photographic exhibitions ‘The Colourful Heart of Italy’ and ‘Reflections of Italy’, Wojciech Matusik - photographer and photo editor of ‘Dziennik Polski’ and ‘Gazeta Krakowska’ newspapers, Anna Wojnar - photojournalist at Jagiellonian University and ‘Alma Mater’ monthly magazine, and Tomasz Markowski - sports photography specialist, for two decades associated with ‘Dziennik Polski’ and ‘Przegląd Sportowy’ newspapers.

Jury members selected the best photographs and distinctions in the four categories: ‘Architecture’ - old and new buildings of Jagiellonian University; ‘Student life’, i.e. studying and having fun; ‘Impressions’ about the university and academic community; and ‘The world during the pandemic’. Special awards were also granted by Jagiellonian University Rector, Professor Jacek Popiel, and the editors of the portal nauka.uj.edu.pl. Another novelty in this year's edition of the competition is that the editors of 'Alma Mater' have honoured the photos, allowing three submitted works to appear on the cover of this magazine! The winning photographs are presented below.

‘As always, the works submitted in the competition presented a high level of artistry. We saw many interesting photographs, and the jury's decisions were anything but easy or unanimous. In the category ‘World during a pandemic’, we honoured two photographs. In my personal opinion, these are some of the most creative shots. The authors demonstrated an imaginative and, above all, creative approach to an unusual subject’ says Wojciech Matusik.

‘Being different doesn't mean being against each other - it's a brilliant reporter's impression. A timely topic: a place on the Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz Monument always associated with student meetings. The result was very eye-pleasing - unfavourable atmospheric conditions, heavy rain and darkness counterpointed by a luminous, multicoloured and highly meaningful element. Well done!‘ - judged the best photograph in the ‘Impression’ category by Dr Małgorzata Kistryn.

The competition was held under the media patronage of ‘Dziennik Polski‘. Congratulations to all the laureates and distinction winners and see you next year!