The winners of World Press Photo, the influential photo contest, have been put on display at Moscow's Vinzavod Art Centre. And some of the award-winning photographers have come to Moscow to present their works in person.

Platon, the American photographer, is someone who knows how to get up close and personal with the world's leaders. He was the only one allowed to take pictures of Vladimir Putin outside the Kremlin. The picture then appeared on the cover of Time's “Man of the Year” issue.

“The actual experience was very nice. I liked him. We talked about the Beatles, about human things, not politics. I found him charismatic,” he remembered.

Platon won first prize in the contest's portrait category. As part of his visit to Moscow, he's going to give some master-classes to some Russian youngsters.

“The big thing is to instill confidence in young Russian photographers. You can go out and take amazing pictures,” he added.
 
Platon's photo grabbed the people’s attention, while the “Picture of the Year” was the snapshot of a U.S. soldier in Iraq taken by British photographer Tim Hetherington. The picture is considered to express the exhaustion of the whole American nation.

Erika Larsen's works won second prize in the sports feature category.

“I'm really interested in people, in spirituality and the relationship to the land. I'd like to take pictures here in Siberia and also in Mongolia,” she said.

The World Press Photo contest was founded in 1955.

Every year thousands of professional and amateur photographers, magazines and news agencies submit their images of war, sporting events, everyday life and nature to the jury.

The exhibition of the best works then visits more than 40 countries attracting more visitors than any regular art event, as these pictures let people see the world's major events via the lenses of eye witnesses.