Honorable Mention / 2023 / Portraiture / Culture

Swift-foot and Bürkit

For thousand of years, eagles became a valuable hunting companion across the northern steppes from Eurasia to China. It was fundamental for the acquisition of food and furs in the harsh, unforgiving winter months.“Our ancestors had three comrades,” goes the old Kazakh saying,“swift-foot and bürkit” (fine horse and eagle). Here is Eagle Hunter Jenisbek Tserik, a Multi-title champion in Horse Wrestling.

My name is Apostolos Kaloudis, and I'm an adventurer. I consider myself as an adventurer/explorer, rather than a photographer. When I was studying Medieval History, I was amazed by the stories and the details of military campaigns. Something that impassioned me later to go out and explore remote lands, such as the Silk Road or even former Himalayan Kingdoms. In 2015, I joined the National Geographic Photography Community (natgeoyourshot), a great school to learn about photography.

Awards - IPA 22 Top 5 Selection Portrait__Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- Tokyo International Awards 22 Silver Winner Portrait__The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters
- Prix de la Photographie de Paris 22 Bronze Winner + Honorable Mention Portrait__Aymoldr the Eagle Huntress + Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- BIFA 22 Honorable Mention Portrait__Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- Better Photography Magazine 22 Silver + 3 Bronze__Taming a mere Bird + Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds, Aymoldr the Eagle Huntress, The Next Generation of Eagle Hunters.
- Head On Photo Awards 22 Finalist__Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds
- N.Y Photography Awards 22 2xSilver Award People__Shinasl Mana Lord of Birds & Aymoldr the Eagle Huntress
- reFocus Awards 22 Honorable Mention Portrait__Children of the Sun
- Blank Wall Gallery Your Best Shot 22 Bronze__Samanera (The Novice Monk)
- Kolga Tbilisi Photo Award 2023 Finalist__Swift-foot and Bürkit