Authenticity Through the Eyes of 20 Independent Photographers [Week 1 and 2]

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

2. Friendship, @rushay

3.  Street photography, @dmitriy_zhuravlove

4. Moments as they are, @louistakespics

5. Peaceful, @kamil__markiewicz

6. Embracing yourself, @ever.ydaysummer 

7. Daily rituals, @kate.kutsevol

8. Natural beauty, @a.hojamyradov

9. Being yourself, @my_name_i.s

10. Harmony, @olga_murzaeva_

Week 2

11. Dressing up, @drianvm

12. Hanoi, @the_prabster

13. Us, @otwomarninetyfive

14. Pure power, @stepanov.jr

15. Living your own life, @stahiv

16. Sunset watching, @drablenkov_photography

17. Play of shadows, @toch_the_streets

18. Beauty, @blackandwhitefromheart

19. Life, @saurabh_sirohiya_photography

20. Showing your true self, @azimronnie

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.