Swedish photographer Paul Hansen can now enjoy his 2012 World Press Photography award in peace. The photographer won the prestigious prize in February in both the spot news single photograph category and the overall competition.
The photo, entitled "Gaza Burial", was shot in Gaza and depicts the bodies of two-year-old Suhaib Hijazi and his elder brother Muhammad being carried by their uncles to a mosque for their funeral.
Although both the photographer and the World Press Photo committee had been denying it strongly, the picture was denounced as being a "fake" by image expert Neal Krawetz, who alleged the picture was a composite of three different shots.
After extensive forensic analysis and investigations, the photo was identified on Tuesday as being an original.
"It is clear that the published photo was retouched with respect to both global and local color and tone. Beyond this, however, we find no evidence of significant photo manipulation or compositing," two photo experts said in a World Press Photo statement released Tuesday.
The World Press Photo prize is awarded each year to some of the highest-profile press photographers. Hansen detailed the techniques behind his photo to a panel of judges prior to receiving the prize.
