Authenticity in photography takes on different forms and meanings for each artist. The participants of the Depositphotos contest were asked to define what authenticity is to them, through the exploration of the medium of photography. Submissions from the first two weeks focused on people, street photography, emotions, sentimentality, and most importantly, candid moments in everyday life.

The captions that complimented the photo submissions elaborated on the details that make captured moments authentic. For some, authenticity was the purity of the captured moment with their loved ones. Some focused on authenticity being fleeting moments that we miss on a daily basis. Photographers captured their close ones, and translated the emotions of their subjects in daily activities. Profound statements included the definition that that authenticity is the courage to be yourself.

Many other interesting thoughts were submitted alongside candid shots as we reviewed the first submissions. Here are the top 20 submissions from the first and the second weeks of the contest and independent photographers looking to define authenticity. You can follow the contest updates on the contest’s Instagram page, and read this article with all the information you’ll need to participate.

 

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is

Week 1

1. Sign of the Times, @dinalf

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

2. Friendship, @rushay

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

3.  Street photography, @dmitriy_zhuravlove

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

4. Moments as they are, @louistakespics

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

5. Peaceful, @kamil__markiewicz

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

6. Embracing yourself, @ever.ydaysummer 

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

7. Daily rituals, @kate.kutsevol

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

8. Natural beauty, @a.hojamyradov

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

9. Being yourself, @my_name_i.s

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

10. Harmony, @olga_murzaeva_

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

Week 2

11. Dressing up, @drianvm

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

12. Hanoi, @the_prabster

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

13. Us, @otwomarninetyfive

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

14. Pure power, @stepanov.jr

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

15. Living your own life, @stahiv

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

16. Sunset watching, @drablenkov_photography

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

17. Play of shadows, @toch_the_streets

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

18. Beauty, @blackandwhitefromheart

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

19. Life, @saurabh_sirohiya_photography

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is-1

20. Showing your true self, @azimronnie

First entries to the Depositphotos contest define what #authenticity_is

All images are submitted on Instagram with the hashtag #authenticity_is and the contest page is updated weekly with runners up for nomination of three mirrorless Canon cameras as prizes. International judges selecting the final winners include Rosa Roth, Daro Sulakauri, Eldar Khamitov, Mikael Theimer, and Kate Kondratieva. Read more details about the contest and how you can participate in this guide.

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