Poles among World Press Photo winners

Deatail of "Kayla" by Ilona Szwarc: EPA/PAP

Ilona Schwarc won 3rd prize in the Observed Portraits category for her portrayal of an American teenager,“Kayla” (detail pictured above).

Meanwhile, Anna Bedynska took third place in the Staged Portraits section for “Zuzia”, a portrait of a young albino girl (see below).

Overall, the prize encompassed nine categories, with 54 photographers from 32 countries recognised.

The winner of the crowning 2012 World Press Photo Award was Swedish photographer Paul Hansen for an image published in the Dagens Nyheter daily.

The photograph showed two Palestinian children that were killed in an Israeli missile strike being carried to their funeral.

It was taken on Novemeber 20 last year, and Hansen will receive a prize of 10,000 euros.

The 2012 World Press Photo Exhibition will open to the general public on April 25 in Amsterdam. (di/nh)

"Zusia" by Anna Bedynska: PAP/Agencja Gazeta