Pedro José Benlloch wins best photo and collection at Altea’s photography rally

Pedro José Benlloch has won the best individual photograph award and first prize for the best collection at the ninth Ral·li Fotogràfic Vila d’Altea, which brought together 39 entrants over the weekend.

Carles Cortés Pérez, from Altea, took second prize for a collection, with Miguel Castells Femenia finishing third in the same category.

The competition was organised by the council’s Culture Department and coordinated by Vicent Llorenç, known as ‘El Xicon’, with a total of €1,100 awarded in prizes.

Six photographs captured without later digital editing

Registration and the announcement of the photographic challenges took place at 8pm on Friday, with entrants given until 1pm on Saturday to submit their work.

Each competitor had to deliver six photographs meeting the organisers’ thematic challenges, with the requirement that the images be captured directly in camera, without subsequent digital retouching.

The tasks included light and shadow in the old town and a composition at the church square viewpoint bringing together a sculpture by Antonio Miró and the church itself.

Everyday scenes in Plaça del Convent, intentional camera movement effects and high-key images of the streets of Altea la Vella were also among the challenges.

Another task called for a seascape under the motto ‘roqueta, fumet i coloret’, an expression coined by Jaume Vaello.

Awards and a remembrance of Jaume Vaello

The jury announced its decision at noon on Sunday 1 November, during a ceremony featuring an audiovisual presentation and the prize-giving.

Culture councillor Pepa V. Pérez chaired the jury, which also comprised Pepe Zaragozí, Diego Coello, José Llopis, Isa Martínez and Cayetano Solano.

This edition was dedicated to Jaume Vaello, a regular entrant who died recently and whose relatives attended the ceremony, which was also attended by mayor Diego Zaragozí.

Pérez thanked the entrants and jury for their work and highlighted Vicent Llorenç’s commitment to keeping the competition going.

During the closing ceremony, Llorenç guided the audience through a video featuring 180 images from this edition and thanked the council for its support and Vaello’s family for attending.