Bronze / 2024 / Press / Nature/Environmental

The Salt of the Earth

In the Maras Salt Mines,Peru, this photograph depicts the daily work of a local worker descending into the depths of the mine and carrying a heavy salt bag, navigating the intricate veins of this vast salt network. Amidst the vibrant orange hues of the terraced salt pools, this image encapsulates the toil and shadows that weave through this expansive open-air anthill—a mosaic of salt pans etched into the mountainside, each unique pool a testament to the geological marvel of Maras. It illustrates the silent dedication of those who extract nature's precious crystals from the heart of the Earth.

Self-taught photographer and traveler, Thibault Gerbaldi has self-published seven books across five continents. His work earned top honors at PX3, TPOTY, Monovision, and more. In 2025, three of his images were selected for Leica’s centennial exhibit in Wetzlar, chosen from over one million submissions. Featured in LFI, All About Photo, and LENS Magazine, his photography captures emotion, resilience, and the quiet strength of everyday life. A board member of The Forgotten International, he donates part of his proceeds to support grassroots humanitarian projects around the world.

Awards 2024 Rising Talent Travel Photographer of the Year
1st Prize B&W LifeFramer 2023
Winner of the 2025 FMoPA International Competition
2nd Prize Winner PX3 Photo Awards 2024
2nd Place Winner Fine Art Photography Award 2025
2nd Place Winner ND Awards 2024
Gold Winner Budapest Foto Awards 2024
Grand Winner Travel Photography B&W Awards 2024
Grand Finalist AAP Awards 2025 “The Mind’s Eye”
HIPA Winner 2025 environment
1st Prize Tokyo Foto Awards 2024 and Jury Top5 Selection
1st Prize Portrait and Travel Refocus Award 2024
Curatorial Selection PX3 « State of the World »
2x Silver Medal Landscape & Documentary B&W awards 2024
2x Gold Winner PX3 Photo Awards 2024 Travel & Portrait
2nd Prize Street Photography Monovision Awards 2024
3rd Place Winner Fine Art Photography Award 2024
5x Bronze Medal Portrait Masters Awards 2024
Finalist Independent Photographer People 2023


Exhibit Leica HQ Wetzlar 2025
Exhibit Leica Miami in 2023
Exhibit @ The Icon LA 2024
Exhibit Collettivo Veneziano 2025
Exhibit Venice PhotoLab 2024
Exhibit Art-Icon Paris 2024

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