Canon brings the latest World Press Photo Exhibition to Australia
The world's most prestigious photojournalism exhibition returns to Australia for the 11th year
Now in its 53rd year, the World Press Photo contest is universally acknowledged as the world’s premier competition for photojournalism and its accolades are coveted by photographers across the globe. This year, the international jury gave prizes in 10 themed categories to 63 photographers of 23 nationalities including three Australian photographers.
International and Australian Accolades
The World Press Photo of the Year was awarded to Italian photographer Pietro Masturzo for his image depicting a woman shouting in protest from a rooftop in Tehran following presidential elections in Iran. Mr Pietro Masturzo will receive a cash prize of 10,000 euro (approx AUD$15,267) and an EOS Digital SLR camera and lens kit donated by Canon.
World Press Photo of the Year 2009
Pietro Masturzo, Italy
From the rooftops of Tehran, June
Three Australian photographers were recognised in the following categories:
Adam Ferguson: 1st prize in the Spot News Singles category (below)
Craig Golding: 2nd prize in the Sports Action Stories category
Justin McManus: 3rd prize in the People in the News Singles category
1st prize Spot News Singles
Adam Ferguson, Australia, VII Mentor Program for The New York Times
Afghan woman rushed from the scene of a suicide bombing, Kabul, 15 December
World Press Photo is sponsored worldwide by Canon and TNT and the exhibition has been brought to Sydney by Canon Australia.
"Canon continues to bring this revered exhibition to Australia in support and respect of photojournalism and the role it plays in sharing important stories including those of survival, world issues and cultural differences," says Mr Kenji Kobayashi, Managing Director, Canon Australia & New Zealand. "The winning 2009 World Press Photos showcase the power of images to transcend words and open our eyes to conflict as well as moments of glory in other countries and cultures - in doing so evoking powerful emotion, support and empathy."
The photo selected by the jury as the World Press Photo of the Year 2009 was taken on 24 June and is part of a story depicting the nights following the contested presidential elections in Iran, when people shouted their dissent from roofs and balconies, after daytime protests in the streets. The story as a whole was awarded first prize in the category People in the News.
"The photo has a powerful sense of atmosphere, tension, fear – but also of quietness and calm, and in this sense was a challenge as a choice. We were looking for an image that drew you in, took you deeper, made you think more, not just about showing what we already know, but something that asks more of us," says juror Kate Edwards.
Single photographs and photo stories were judged in 10 categories: Spot News, General News, People in the News, Portraits, Sports Action, Sports Features, Arts and Entertainment, Contemporary Issues, Daily Life and Nature. The jury comprised picture editors, photographers and representatives of press agencies from across the world. During the two-week judging, the jury viewed a record number of photographs with 101,960 images submitted by 5,847 photographers. The photographers represent 128 different nationalities.
The World Press Photo exhibition will be hosted at the following venues:
State Library of NSW, 3 - 25 July 2010 (entry is free)
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-5pm
General inquiries: (02) 9273 1414 or www.sl.nsw.gov.au
Brisbane Powerhouse, 5 - 27 June 2010
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-4pm
General inquiries: 07 3358 8600
The World Press Photo Foundation is an independent platform for international press photography, founded in 1955. This platform manifests itself in the annual World Press Photo contest and the corresponding yearbook and exhibition. World Press Photo receives support from the Dutch Postcode Lottery and is sponsored worldwide by Canon and TNT.