The World Press Photo jury has selected a photo by British photographer Tim Hetherington as photo of the year 2007, while a photo of a beat up gay couple took second place in the 'Contemporary Issues' category.

Jury chairman Gary Knight said the following about Tim Hetherington's photo, "American soldier resting at bunker, Korengal Valley, Afghanistan, 16 September": "This image shows the exhaustion of a man - and the exhaustion of a nation."

"There's a human quality to this picture. It says that conflict is the basis of this man's life," adds jury member MaryAnne Golon

The winning photo is part of a picture story Hetherington made on assignment in Afghanistan for US magazine Vanity Fair. The soldier in the photo is resting in a bunker known as Restrepo, named after a member of his platoon who was recently killed.

Zsolt Szigetváry of Hungary, took second place in the 'Contemporary Issues' category for his photo "Couple targeted in anti-gay violence wait for medical help, Budapest, Hungary."

The photo was taken during the Gay Pride parade in Budapest last summer.

A record number of 5019 photographers from 125 countries submitted work for the 51st edition of World Press Photo. The jury awarded prizes in ten categories.

Last update: 02-12-2008 15:54