12 international photographers were chosen as shortlist finalists for the 2015 Prix Pictet, with this year’s theme of “Disorder”.

Stephen Barber, Chairman, Prix Pictet, commenting on the choice of the theme of Disorder, said: “The eternal struggle between order and chaos is the central tension of our times. Throughout the world there are examples of attempts to impose order without a clear understanding of the long-term consequences of so doing. With each passing day the illusion of order is shattered in a thousand different ways.”

We are showing small samples of each project here, and we will share more in-depth features about a number of the finalists in the coming weeks. The finalists are:

Ilit Azoulay
Israel
Series: Imaginary Order

Valérie Belin
France
Series: Still Life

Matthew Brandt
United States
Series: Honeybees

Maxim Dondyuk
Ukraine
Series: Culture of the Confrontation

Alixandra Fazzina
United Kingdom
Series: A Million Shillings – Escape from Somalia

Ori Gersht
Israel
Series: Blow Up

John Gossage
United States
Series: Should Nature Change

Pieter Hugo
South Africa
Series: Permanent Error

Gideon Mendel
South Africa
Series: Drowning World

Sophie Ristelhueber
France
Series: Eleven Blowups

Brent Stirton
South Africa
Series: A Violation of Eden

Yang Yongliang
China
Series: Artificial Wonderland

The work of the finalists selected for the sixth cycle will be showcased in an exhibition at the Musée d’Art Moderne da la Ville de Paris in November 2015, at which time the winner of the CHF 100,000 Prix Pictet will be announced.

About Prix Pictet

Founded by the Pictet Group in 2008, the Prix Pictet has rapidly established itself as one of the world’s leading prize in photography and sustainability. The award aims to uncover outstanding photography applied to confront the most pressing social and environmental challenges of today.

The Prix Pictet has two elements: the prize of CHF 100,000 awarded to the photographer who, in the opinion of the independent jury, has produced a series of work that speaks most powerfully to the theme of the award; and the Commission, awarded by the Partners of the Pictet Group, in which a nominated photographer is invited to undertake a field trip to a region where Pictet is supporting a sustainability project.

—LensCulture

Editors’ Note: Be sure to check back for more in-depth looks at each of these interesting photographers.