ANKARA
Anadolu Images, the international photograph platform of The Anadolu Agency provides the most striking images from the ongoing demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri.
The violent protests broke out in Ferguson following a controversial grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer for killing an unarmed black teenager.
The AA platform, the biggest online editorial photographic portal for the Middle East and the Balkans, has become a source for thousands of newspapers, journals, websites and media across Turkey and the world.
Visual News Editor Ahmet Sel said the agency's offices in New York and Washington had already prepared for the story at Ferguson several weeks ago.
"Samuel Corum, our photojournalist in Washington, accompanied by another photojournalist Cem Ozdan, went to Ferguson and the two were prepared to take photos even as Ferguson was waiting for the decision of the grand jury," Sel said.
"The coverage of the aftermath of the Ferguson grand jury decision has shown AA's ability to react quickly. It is part of our determination to become one of the world's five leading news agencies, as our centennial vision sets out," said Sel.
"The agency's photographs from the first moments of the protests have already begun to hit world media," Sel added.
Hundreds of protesters poured into the streets of Ferguson after a St. Louis County grand jury failed to bring charges against police officer Darren Wilson for fatally shooting an unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown. Area businesses were looted, cars and buildings were set on fire and dozens of arrests were made.
Police in riot gear used tear gas to disperse the protesters, according to reports.
Firat Yurdakul, AA photo editor, said three photojournalists had been following the Ferguson protests from the very beginning. "The world has received hundreds of photographs so far from our agency. As the protests intensified, our photo stream increased as well. We showed shops being looted and fires breaking out. All the details are being given to the whole world."
Yurdakul pointed out that the agency's photos on Ferguson are published in internationally-renowned media.
Anadolu Images provide the latest and the best news photos and videos from the four corners of the world. The agency also boasts a 94-year old editorial archive, as it is the oldest established news agency in Turkey and its region.
Thousands of newspapers, journals, websites and media around the world can reach this archive, accessing content at its best without needing any other sources.
The Anadolu Agency published about 500 photos per day in 2010, and has increased this number to 1,700 in 2014. It also continues to scan its older photos into its computer network.
Applications for AA's "International Photo Awards", which will be one of the most prestigious photo contests in the world, are now being submitted.
The applications may be submitted via "http://istanbulphotoawards.com" which will be available until Jan. 31. The award ceremony will be held in Istanbul in April 2015.
The total amount awarded will be $58,000, divided into four categories, and a jury award. First prize winners in each category will receive $8,000, second prize winners, $3,000 and third place prize winners, $1,500.
www.aa.com.tr/en
