Polaroid and Magnum Photos have unveiled the 10 emerging artists selected from their recent open call for a special showcase at the Paris Photo Fair this November. This marks the first partnership between the iconic photography brands, which received over 2,000 submissions from more than 100 countries. The competition focused on visual storytelling that reflects human experience, with winners creating works that explore themes of identity, connection and the world’s unpredictability.
The artists received mentorship from Magnum photographers Enri Canaj, Jim Goldberg, and Newsha Tavakolian to refine their concepts. Highlights include Jakub Stanek’s exploration of fatherhood and masculinity, Aleruchi Kinika’s portraits on the complexities of womanhood, and Mengwen Cao’s tribute to their connections in New York through a series of collaborative portraits.
The final showcase, titled “Real Life is Not Black and White,” underscores the impact of instant photography as a medium for storytelling. It highlights Polaroid’s upgraded black-and-white film and the capabilities of the new Polaroid I-2 camera, designed for more precise manual control.
