With nearly 1000 entries, it was never going to be easy picking a winner for the VICE and Ctrl.Alt.Shift photography competition, themed around gender, power and poverty.

Each VICE mentor chose three of the best young photographers with the exception of Andy Capper who chose four as he was so impressed by his entries.

The finalists are:

Mentor: Andy Capper
Jonathan Hyams
Ben Speck
Angelica Arbulu
Claire Martin

Mentor: Alex Sturrock
Alberto Lizaralde
Craig Mammono
Mikko Takunen

Mentor: Alexa Chung
Amber Chavez
Matt Freer
Jonangelo Molinari

Mentor: Ben Rayner
Bruno Quintanilha
Daniel Rutter
Richard Daniels

Mentor: Valerie Philips
IIze Vanaga
Sarah Thornley
Gina Lundy

These 16 entries were then submitted to legendary photographer Nan Goldin. She chose her favourite and hey presto the winner Jonathan Hyams was £1000 richer, plus he got a brand new digital SLR.

Unsurprisingly, Hyams is a happy man.

"I was really thrilled to hear Nan Goldin had chosen my entry as the winning image for the Ctrl.Alt.Shift competition. The competition, with so many entries of a high standard, will set a benchmark for excellence in the field of reportage on poverty and exploitation. It is a great honour to have been selected. I am particularly pleased as I have enormous respect for Nan Goldin. Her work has been an inspiration and a strong influence on my development in photography, so it means a great deal to receive her seal of approval.

My work over the last few years has often revolved around issues of gender, power and poverty and this competition takes it a step forward. From it has come the opportunity (which Ctrl.Alt.Shift has provided through their collaboration with VICE Magazine) to visit SANLAAP in India, where I will have the opportunity to document the work of this project, which works for the rights of those women and children who have been tricked, exploited and abused by society and its systems. I am grateful for this and for the involvement in the exhibition the magazine is sponsoring."

The best bit is that everyone's work is being showcased as a major London gallery: VICE and Ctrl.Alt.Shift exhibition runs at The Association of Photographers, 81 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4QS from 19th February to 27th February and will feature work from the 16 finalists and winner of the Peoples Choice vote.

Our mentors are now working closely with their photographers to help them improve and publicise their art. You can also see some of our favourite shots in issue 3 of Ctrl.Alt.Shift, which hits the streets and this here website soon.

See the winning entries HERE.