The results of the All the World Photographic Competition 2011 have been revealed. The winning entry has an appropriately international twist, being a photo of The Salvation Army in Pakistan taken by an American who currently lives in Korea!

Kevin Sims, Editor of 'All the World', reports in the October–December issue of the magazine: 'The number and standard of entries was beyond anything we had hoped for. When the competition closed on 18 August we had received an astonishing 370 images from all over the world.

'We were sent photos of brass bands, songbooks and laughing officers; thrift stores, worship meetings and guitar-strumming musicians; marches, open-air meetings and a bus in the mist; waving flags, shaking tambourines and a dog wearing a bonnet!'

He adds: 'The remarkable thing with this huge variety is that each photo really does represent The Salvation Army in some form or another.'

A panel of judges, including Kevin, Berni Georges (Designer of All the World) and Lieut-Colonel Laurie Robertson (Editor-in-Chief and Communications Secretary, International Headquarters) had the tough job of working through the large number of images to choose the photos that fulfilled the brief – the theme for the competition was 'This is The Salvation Army' – while being engaging, interesting and avoiding cliché.

In first place was a picture of a Salvation Army gathering in Pakistan, taken by Keri Shay, originally from USA Central. Kevin says: 'We loved the dynamism in the picture, along with the aspect of the unexpected. Take the Army flag away and it could appear to be something completely different.'

The judges liked the sheer joy of the second-place photo – 'Salvo Leaves' by Matt Ryan, now in training to be a Salvation Army officer in Australia. His entry shows his brother outside a thrift store in the USA. Matt says: 'To me this photo embodies the hope the Army brings to those who have none ... and that's The Salvation Army I know.'

In joint third were three photos that the judges were unable to separate. Robert Cox, from the USA, sent a great story-telling photo of assistance given to emergency workers in Austin, Texas. A black-and-white photograph by Luke Tearle, from New Zealand, shows a mother and child looking very at home in a Salvation Army hall. Also third is a great action shot from Matumaini School of Hope in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, taken by Morag Cordiner, from the UK.

The five top photos, together with a selection of the many other superb entries, are featured in the October–December issue of All the World and can be seen online at http://sar.my/photocomp2011

They will also form an exhibition in Gallery 101 at International Headquarters in London in November, where Salvationists and members of the public alike will have the opportunity to see The Salvation Army through the eyes of some talented and inspired photographers.

The October–December issue of All the World is out now. Copies can be ordered through Salvation Army trade/supplies departments or from the main distributor: Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd, 66-78 Denington Road, Denington Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northants NN8 2QH, United Kingdom. Email keith.jennings@sp-s.co.uk for more details.

'All the World' subscriptions can be ordered online at http://sar.my/atwsubo (rest of the world).