Taylor Kurtz, Daifuku (SHOT ON FILM 2026)

A moment of indulgence, held in the palm of a hand, this image captures an ichigo daifuku—a traditional Japanese sweet made of soft mochi wrapped around a whole strawberry and sweet red bean paste; daifuku itself is a classic wagashi sweet, known for its delicate, chewy texture and subtle sweetness, and among the many traditional foods one might try in Japan, it stands out for its quiet elegance. This photograph was made at Tsukiji Market, renowned for its vibrant street food stalls where visitors can explore and sample a wide array of traditional Japanese culinary delights. Shot on 35mm film in natural light, the image embraces a striking use of chiaroscuro, with deep shadow isolating the subject as the hand emerges from darkness to cradle the pale mochi and luminous strawberries, creating a near-tenebrist effect that transforms a simple street food moment into something sculptural. Tokyo, Japan 2025

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.