UAlg student claims victory in SEA-EU Photo Contest for the 2nd consecutive year

Clara is currently in the second year of a Communication Sciences degree at the School of Education and Communication, UAlg. Originally from Brazil, she joined UAlg this semester through a mobility programme. In her home country, she studies Journalism at the State University of Londrina.

The winner was selected through a combination of votes: 60% from an international jury comprising one representative from each university, and 40% from the public vote via the official SEA-EU Facebook page.

As the contest winner, Clara will receive an €800 travel voucher to participate in a SEA-EU mobility experience. Her photograph will also be exhibited in Kiel, Germany, during SEA-EU Governing Week (3–5 June 2025).

This year’s theme, “Cultural Traditions”, inspired a rich and diverse range of entries, with a total of 138 submissions from across the SEA-EU Alliance, celebrating Europe’s cultural heritage. The contest, which ran from February 17th to April 17th, saw impressive participation: Algarve (51), Malta (12), Naples (22), Cádiz (2), Gdańsk (12), Western Brittany (3), Split (27) and Kiel (9). 

It is worth noting that UAlg also secured the winning entry in 2024, when student Bruno Xavier was awarded first place with his photograph “The Missing Piece”. These consecutive victories are a source of great pride for the University of Algarve.

Behind the Lens with Clara Chamorro

We spoke to Clara Chamorro, who shared insights into her journey and the story behind her winning photograph. “To me, photography is an art form capable of evoking deep emotions. It captures fleeting moments and makes them eternal,” she reflects.

Her passion for photography began in childhood, when she used to play with an old camera that belonged to her mother. “But it was when I started my Journalism degree in Brazil in 2023 that I really began developing my skills and techniques with the camera,” she recalls.

For Clara, a perfect photograph is “one that conveys its message to the viewer without needing an explanation. It’s beautiful how a photograph can have so many interpretations, depending on how each person experiences it”.

Her winning photo, “O Pioneiro”, was taken during a traditional horseback procession in Londrina, Paraná (Brazil) — one of her very first university assignments. “It was a moment of celebration, prayer and gratitude among those present. The photograph depicts a cowboy, but it also symbolises one of my earliest experiences with photography and photojournalism — a moment that greatly influenced my interest and growth in the field”, highlights.

She explains that she took many shots throughout the event, but ultimately selected the one that felt most symbolic — what she describes as the “perfect click”.

“What makes this photo special is both the spontaneity of the moment and the angle from which it was taken,” she says.

“I shot it from below, using a contre-plongée technique, which helped give a sense of strength and grandeur to the rider and his horse.” The decision to edit the image in black and white was also intentional — to bring out a more dramatic tone.
Looking to the future, Clara hopes to continue developing her photography skills. “Winning the contest gave me the confidence that I’m on the right path — especially thanks to the support I received during the voting period, from both family and friends,” she concludes.