Ron Timehin’s Award-Nominated Photograph Captures Elegance and Community in Ghana
Photographer Ron Timehin discusses his shortlisted entry for the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, a striking image taken in Labadi, Accra, Ghana. The photograph features five local boys and an elegant horse against the backdrop of a ruined building adorned with a Ghanaian flag. Timehin aimed to challenge conventional documentary portrayals of Africans by highlighting themes of rest, play, and community pride rather than struggle. The project, commissioned by the charity My Runway Group, involved collaborative portrait sessions across five communities to celebrate local heritage and identity. Timehin emphasized the subjects' dignity and the majestic presence of the horse, which symbolizes freedom and elegance. The initiative also fosters cultural exchange between the UK and Ghana, with proceeds from print sales supporting local infrastructure projects like an art centre. The image is part of a broader exhibition at Somerset House in London, showcasing Timehin’s hybrid approach of environmental and studio portraits. This work marks a significant career milestone for the London-based photographer, who seeks to present authentic, self-determined narratives of West African life.
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Ron Timehin’s Award-Nominated Photograph Captures Elegance and Community in Ghana
Photographer Ron Timehin discusses his shortlisted entry for the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, a striking image taken in Labadi, Accra, Ghana. The photograph features five local boys and an elegant horse against the backdrop of a ruined building adorned with a Ghanaian flag. Timehin aimed to challenge conventional documentary portrayals of Africans by highlighting themes of rest, play, and community pride rather than struggle. The project, commissioned by the charity My Runway Group, involved collaborative portrait sessions across five communities to celebrate local heritage and identity. Timehin emphasized the subjects' dignity and the majestic presence of the horse, which symbolizes freedom and elegance. The initiative also fosters cultural exchange between the UK and Ghana, with proceeds from print sales supporting local infrastructure projects like an art centre. The image is part of a broader exhibition at Somerset House in London, showcasing Timehin’s hybrid approach of environmental and studio portraits. This work marks a significant career milestone for the London-based photographer, who seeks to present authentic, self-determined narratives of West African life.
The Guardian