Jurica Galić Juka

My name is Jurica Galić Juka, and I am a Croatian travel writer, documentary photographer, and reporter from Split, Croatia. I discovered photography almost fifteen years ago after a life-changing heart operation that made me rethink my priorities. I bought my first serious camera, packed a backpack, and began traveling. Since then, I have visited nearly eighty countries, documenting disappearing cultures, remote communities, and human stories.

My winning photograph was taken in West Sumatra, Indonesia, during the traditional Pacu Jawi festival. Held after the rice harvest, it is a centuries-old celebration where farmers race pairs of bulls through muddy rice fields. It is an extraordinary event full of speed, energy, and tradition, and I captured the image in the middle of that controlled chaos.

The photograph is about strength, perseverance, and the unique bond between humans and animals. Behind the dramatic action lies years of trust, cooperation, and respect between the farmer and his bulls.

I wanted to show that traditions like Pacu Jawi are much more than colorful spectacles. They preserve the identity and history of entire communities. As many traditional cultures disappear, documentary photography becomes an important way of preserving their legacy for future generations.

To capture the perspective I wanted, I had to stand knee-deep in mud directly in front of charging bulls. Besides the obvious danger, I had to protect my camera while reacting within seconds to fast and unpredictable movement.

I see myself primarily as a reporter who approaches documentary photography with an artistic eye. My goal is to combine authentic storytelling with strong composition, emotion, and atmosphere, creating photographs that are both documentary records and artistic images.

My work focuses on people, especially disappearing indigenous cultures, ethnology, anthropology, and ancient traditions. I try to document communities that may soon change forever, preserving their stories through both photography and writing.

I grew up inspired by National Geographic, which first introduced me to the wider world. Years later, I had the privilege of collaborating with National Geographic Croatia. The photographers and storytellers behind that magazine, together with Sir David Attenborough, greatly influenced my way of seeing and documenting the world.

It is a great honor and an important recognition of my work. Throughout my career I have received more than 450 international photography awards and presented 16 solo exhibitions, but every respected award remains a motivation to continue telling meaningful stories through photography.

Master the technical side of photography, but never forget that emotion and storytelling matter most. Stay authentic, be patient, and keep developing your own visual language instead of following trends. Competitions are subjective, but honest and meaningful photographs always have lasting value.