GALLERY: Czech Press Photo nominees capture moments great and small

A field of 236 photographers and nearly 1,500 student photographers are in the running for the prestigious Czech Press Photo and Czech Photo Junior awards after nominations were announced this week. An international panel of experts selected 21 singles or series across eight categories from the over 4,000 works submitted to the 29th edition of Czech Press Photo, according to jury chairman Petr Mlch.

Key issues like January's presidential election and the ongoing war in Ukraine dominated submissions. "Our discussions were long and deliberative, but we agreed on the final nominees," said Mlch of the jury process.

Nominations ranged from EPA photographer Martin Divisek's image of earthquake aftermath in Turkey to Lenka Klicperova's portrait honoring dissident writer Ivan Pohorský.

Special awards also went to creators documenting refugees and wheelchair boxers. Winners will be named on Jan. 31 at the unveiling of the Czech Press Photo exhibition at Prague's National Museum.

An online reader's choice poll invites the public to vote for the Lidé a Země prize. The 29th edition of Czech Press Photo spotlights the profession's commitment to veracity during times of great challenge.