Sony World Photography Awards 2013 announce shortlist of finalists

I'm afraid that the only outrageous thing here is your comment.
Who are you exactly to judge what cultures should be promoted or changed?
Just stick to judging photos, though I doubt you're qualified to do that too...

I find the act of people wearing the skins of an intelligent, beautiful creature that has no doubt been shot mercilessly is disgusting. I agree that by highlighting this it may bring attention to the plight of these poor creatures but that said I would feel very uncomfortable should such an image win a competition, unless of course that by doing so highlights this obscenity and brings an end to it.

Photo quality, and subject "composition" are the primary aspects of a competition. Whether you approve of the Culture is "absurd"!! Are you a photographer and photo fan, or a sociologist wanna-be. ?? Just shut up!! RJM

Oh, well done, nicely contructed argument, you are right so everyone else must just shut up...I would imagine you would be much too much of a coward to say that to my face?
Next time I look at a photograph I shall ignore any emotions it causes.....

I most happily stay away from -urds who want to Fight. You have too many hormones goin, for you to think coherently. And consequently You don't get listened to by many. Anon..!! RJM

In looking back over your comment "History" it's quite apparent that you certainly aren't short on opinions, but the content of your opinions is always SHORT on insight.. You most likely come up short in many areas!! Rjm

Mike, before judging that cultural ritual and everything that goes beyond you should do a little research and get to know the facts. Those bear skins were not from bears shot/killed as part of the "ritual" nor were those bears killed especially for it. Those bear skin costumes are sometimes passed on from father to son, it is a tradition that is thousands of years old. I am pretty sure the bear population si doing fine in Romania (unlike others we didn't hunt them till they got extinct). In some areas they overpopulate it so they have to be moved to other regions or shot.

wow, glad there was no "war" category or this would be a serious tear fest! the fact that this image brought out such emotions says to the photographer that, YOU DID YOU'RE JOB WELL. photography is a way of communication, for people to share the emotions and thoughts they felt at the time of the photo. regardless of whether the content of the photo is right or wrong, it did it's job!