Walkley Foundation

6th Time Lucky … Sydney & The Walkley Awards …

Sydney … got there … and so stoked I did !!

On five occasions since the Covid virus reared it’s ugly head two years ago, I’ve booked to travel to Sydney for photography (and social) events … each time to be thwarted by new outbreaks, lockdowns or border closures. Seemed like it would never happen …

Then, in November last year, I received the fabulous news that my “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa” image was selected as the Winner of the Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize. Epic. Not only that … but the Walkley Foundation contacted me and asked if I would present a Walkley Masterclass on photojournalism and portraiture as a prelude to the awards presentation eve, by then delayed and re-scheduled for Tamworth NSW in the first weeks of February. Of course … what’s not to like 🙂

With flights booked to Tamworth nervously waited and monitored the news of the latest Covid Omicron march across Australia. In January the Tamworth Country Music Festival was cancelled and the Walkley’s had no choice but to move their awards away from Tamworth and reschedule in Sydney later in February.

So … last week I actually flew to Sydney … presented my “The Portrait & Photojournalism” Walkley Masterclass at Macleay College to the assembled enthusiastic twenty plus audience throng … AND … had an absolute belter of an evening (and somewhat later) at the Walkley Awards.

Thanks to the Walkley Foundation, the International Convention Centre Darling Harbour and the Nikon Australia crew, it really was a fabulous evening … with an amazing’ collection of Aus based photographers … umm … ‘celebrating’ … and a recognition of my win in the Nikon Portrait Prize.

Hope I don’t miss anyone … but here goes with the Aus based media photographers who were also there and why …

Alex Coppel won the ‘Sport Photography’ category and ‘Press Photographer of the Year’, Andrew Quilty won ‘Long Form Feature Writing’, Dean Sewell won ‘Feature/Photographic Essay’, Brooke Mitchell won ‘News Photography’ … Finalists Jake Nowakowski, Justin McManus, Scott Barbour, Jason Edwards, Chris Hopkins, Michael Dodge joined other prominent photo media figures Mark ‘Crusty’ Baker (AP), Dean Lewins (AAP), Jeremy Piper, Tracey Nearmy, Matt Abbott and James Brickwood. Many of us were graciously hosted on the two Nikon Australia tables (and at the ‘after parties’ – plural) by Nikon Marketing Manager Kylie Dredge and Professional Marketing Manager Julie Kimpton. (Huge Thanks Kylie and Julie ! … and couldn’t ask for a better bunch of colleagues to celebrate with.)

Below is a little vid of the announcement of my Nikon Portrait Prize win (my third win in this category in the last ten years) at the awards last Friday eve. It’s very short as I was too busy nattering to photographer mates, hampered by a large glass of Shiraz in my hand and missed the start of the announcement. Oh well … (the sound is the best bit).

Clip © Brian Cassey (iPhone)

 

 

Walkley ‘Masterclass’ (and Walkley Presentation Eve) This Week … Hi Sydney !

Over the last couple of years since that damn virus reared it’s ugly knobbly profile, I’ve been trying to get back down to Sydney … each journey (five booked in all) very carefully planned to coincide with the ‘latest’ outbreak or lockdown. Missed out on several great events including two Head On Photo Festivals, a couple of exhibitions of my work … and the launch and exhibition of the ‘Paper Tigers’ Australian photojournalism project that I worked on with Moshe Rosenvzeig. It’s been a ‘bugger’ … (but, of course, a very minor inconvenience compared with those many more adversely effected by the pandemic.)

Don’t want to speak too soon … but Thanks to the Walkley Foundation (and Nikon Australia), in just a few days I’ll be winging my way to Sydney town to host a ‘Masterclass’ … ‘The Portrait & Photojournalism’ … and also attend the ‘delayed’ ’66th Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism’ presentation night.

The invitation to my little talk about portraiture and photojournalism in Sydney came in the wake of my win in the Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize a couple of months back (see post here) with the image “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa” … my third win in the prize in the last ten years and the reason for attending this years awards eve. The promo describes the event thus … “What makes a great portrait and when is a portrait photojournalism? Award-winning photojournalist Brian Cassey will discuss this question and the power of lighting, composition and how to achieve the best results. Plus the importance of building trust and rapport with your subject”.

So … it kicks off Thursday at high noon at Macleay College, Chippendale and will run for approximately two hours (no one will be allowed to fall asleep 🙂 ).

Next day … the Friday … the Walkley presentation eve event gets underway in Darling Harbour … really looking forward to that !

If  you are are in Sydney and fancy listening to me for a couple of hours you may book and find all the details of ‘The Portrait and Photojournalism’ event here … https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/masterclass-the-portrait-photojournalism-tickets-216702070727  … and in the image below.

Portrait here by Marc Steiner ©

 

 

The Portrait & Photojournalism - Walkley Masterclass by photographer Brian Cassey - Sydney Australia February 2022

Storyology Thanks and Farce …

The annual Walkley Storyology Photography Slide event morphed into something different this year … with very mixed results.

2015 saw the prize for photography based short videos expand to a Nation wide event rather that ‘State’ based with two awards presented – one judged by a panel of photojournalists (in Sydney) and the other by ‘peoples choice’ via the Walkley Foundation Facebook page.

The excellent judges selected a great entry by the Age photographer Justin McManus entitled “Bonnie Doon: How’s the Serenity” as Winner.

However, the ‘peoples choice’ award turned into a farce when one entry – declared the ‘Peoples Choice Winner’ by the Walkley Foundation – amassed almost as many votes as the the other 22 entries combined – the majority of which were from obviously fake and/or bogus Facebook accounts.

I would like to sincerely say ‘Thank You’ to the two hundred and eighty two of my friends and colleagues who took the time and trouble to place a ‘peoples choice’ vote for my entry “Lifestyle Choices” (below). Your votes contributed to a total tally which was by far the highest from ‘real’ people! Very much appreciated indeed …

 

Walkley Storyology …

The first week of December saw the Walkley Foundation’s biggest week of the year – the ‘Storyology’ four day media event and – showcasing the pinnacle of Australian journalism’s in 2014 – the annual ‘Walkley Awards‘ presentation night. I was very pleased to travel to Sydney to be a involved in both – as a speaker (twice) at ‘Storyology’ and as a guest of Nikon at the ‘Walkley’s’.

The ‘Storyology’ event at the Chauvel Cinema Paddington attracted a host of respected and exciting speakers from around the planet and Australia … and I was very humbled to see my name amongst the long list which included such stellar media luminaries as (to name just a few) Laurie Oakes, Quentin Dempster, Wendy Hamer et al.

My involvement at ‘Storyology’ was two fold. On the Wednesday I was tasked with giving a ‘powertalk’ in the ‘Listen Up: Getting Back To The Story’ segment where, at the Walkley Foundation request, I told the story and showed the images from the photographers involved in the ‘Genesis Project’ exhibition that I co-curated with Moshe Rosenzveig for the Head On Photo Festival earlier in 2014.

The real honour for me, however, was being a part of Thursday’s ‘Show and Tell’ panel talk on photojournalism alongside three fellow photographers that each have my utmost respect … John Donegan, David Dare Parker and Andrew Quilty. For an hour in front of a very interested and inquisitive audience we talked about our careers, our lives and our images … and answered some very well put questions from the floor.

Thursday evening saw this years ‘Walkley Awards’ unfold on the water at Darling Harbour. The Nikon crew were once again fine hosts and it was excellent to catch up with many many photographers and journalist friends whilst this years award winners were recognised. My colleague from the ‘Storyology’ panel talk – Andrew Quilty – deservedly added the “Nikon Walkley Press Photographer of the Year” prize (presented to him by our fellow panelist David Dare Parker) to his earlier announced “Press Photo of the Year” award. Nice to see … and I certainly enjoyed the evening more than last years (for me) stress filled event. (The ‘after party’ became a bit of a blur and I do believe I did get to bed before sun rise.)  Congratulations to all this years winners … and a big ‘Thanks’ to the Walkley Foundation and Nikon for the invitations.

Below is a pic made (by Jenny from the Walkleys) during the ‘Storyology’ ‘Show and Tell’ panel talk with – left to right – John Donegan, myself, David Dare Parker and Andrew Quilty – whilst one of my Hong Kong cage home images is the subject of discussion (above). © Image

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