Striking images of human life on display in city exhibition

The World Press Photo exhibition opens to the public at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow.

Edinburgh is the first UK venue for the travelling exhibition which showcases the winning entries in what is the world’s leading international contest for photojournalists.

This year’s competition drew entries from 5247 photographers from 124 countries. The jury gave prizes in nine themed categories to 57 photographers of 24 nationalities.

Scottish Parliament presiding officer Tricia Marwick said: “The World Press Photo exhibition shines a light on people and events across the globe capturing, through striking images, how headline news has affected the lives of ordinary people.

“Many of the images deal with war and conflict and are a powerful reminder of how fortunate we are in Scotland where debate relies on words not weapons.

“The exhibition also reminds us of the risks taken by photojournalists to capture these images. The exhibition features the work of French photographer Rémi Ochlik, whose series on the conflict in Libya won the General News category. He was killed earlier this year when a shell hit the building where he and other journalists were working in Homs, Syria.”

The exhibition runs from tomorrow until Saturday, July 28, with late opening on Thursdays. Entry is free.