6 Cops & Robbers
The results of the
EUROPEAN PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
Named "Winner of the Year 2022"
Cops & Robbers won in the People category.
Nacho and Álvaro have deserved it.
"Some of my fondest childhood memories include playing “cops & robbers” with my friends. That’s when one of us, chosen to be the Robber, flee. Once “caught”, the Robber might have to sit in jail for some time. At 6 or 7 years old, we had already absorbed these roles into our own way of interpreting the world. Just like puppies learning important life lessons from their adorable wrestling sessions, we shape the way we see the world through our play as children."
Sean at April 14, 2023
The photographer reminds its audience of simpler times in a memorable photograph of two children playing Cops & Robbers.
In this innocent and nostalgic photograph, Santiago Martinéz de Septein, a Spanish photographer reminisces and recounts one of his fondest memories as a child, playing ‘cops and robbers’ with his friends. This masterpiece was awarded Category Winner of the Year from the 2022 European Photography Award under the category of People Photography – Children.
Out of a circle of players, only one is chosen to be the robber and said robber has to flee until is caught by the other players, the cops and will have to sit in a make-believe jail for a considerate time. This game is commonly played around the world and is enjoyed to this very day by the youth.
The photograph evokes a sense of deep nostalgia that moves the soul as the viewer is taken back to a time where life was simpler with full of laughs and passion. Especially at the ripe age of 6 or 7 years old, the role becomes you and might even mould someone. Santiago Martinéz explains that just like puppies, humans learn important life lessons from these games and it shapes how we see the world even as a child.
The masterpiece of these two young boys playing in a warm light highlights its innocence, passion, nostalgia and happiness that is expired as viewers are unable to go back to such times which quickly forms a bond between the viewer and the photograph itself.
