The 'compelling and uncompromising' gallery of winners from this year's One Shot reFocus Awards

Convicted prisoners sitting in a holding cell at a police station in Maicao, Colombia (

Picture:

Mediadrumimages/Jan Garup)

Exclusive:

The winning image, taken by Danish photojournalist Jan Grarup, is a haunting photo of a crowded detention center in Colombia, proving that every image tells a story as it was battling amateurs and pros from over 68 nations who entered their captivating images

By

Abigail Marlow

This incredible photo gallery of the winners includes entries from around the world for this year's One Shot reFocus Awards.

Each photograph aims to capture a story in one compelling image.

Photographers, professional and amateur, from over 68 countries entered the competition by submitting individual images, each telling a different story.

A haunting photo by Danish photojournalist Jan Grarup depicts a crowded holding cell at Columbia, hammocks hanging from the ceiling and inmates staring into the lens, winning first prize in the professional category.

First place in the non-professional category was the image by Belgian Eddy Velores entitled "Losing Our Minds".

The image shows a group of men dressed in traditional Jewish clothing running on sand dunes.

"The One Shot Photo Contest is dedicated to recognizing the power of a single photographic image," said a contest spokesperson.

"Winners and recipients must embody talent and creativity that pushes the boundaries of photography while expanding the viewer's view of the world, exploring the unexpected, and reframing subjects in new ways."

Other standout shots include a pair of cuddly lions by Marketa Zvelebil, Giovanni Tarantini's 'The Stitcher of Nets' and Christiaan Van Heijst's 'Vertigo Living'.