Grand Prize Title: Cave Of Hope Name: Maung Maung Gyi Country: Myanmar Shooting situations The cave in the photograph is about 40 miles south of the city of Mandalay. I spent 45 minutes climbing a mountain to get to the cave entrance. Since Myanmar is a Buddhist country, the cave is dedicated for meditation of Holy people who practice Buddhism. The little monk in the photograph was one of the holy people. I visited the cave three times to get this shot. The time of the year and the path of the sun played an important role to capture the streams of light pouring through the cave entrance. Feelings towards this work and how it interprets "At the heart of the image" I could sense with my mind what the young monk was praying. He was seeking for the shortest route to Nirvana. This notion streamed down from my mind, then into my heart, which I interpreted through the photographic medium. It seemed that Lord Buddha had sent the rays of light to shine onto the young monk. Further comments My passion for photography began during my teen years. Although I'm a 62 year-old medical doctor, photography is my true passion and I've spent nearly 50 years photographing nature and landscape. I am a Buddhist, and this photograph "Cave Of Hope" depicts my genuine feelings towards Buddhism.