Travel

Dodho ‘Fine Art’ … Again …

… really cool to once again be selected as a ’Top 25’ Finalist’ in the International Dodho Photography ‘Fine Art’ Awards … and soon to be published in their wonderful hard cover beautifully produced volume “Fine Art – The Best Photographs”. The work selected in the collection is one I am fond of … “Rain Over Black Mountain” … which I was lucky enough to make a few years back from an aircraft just before landing in Cooktown.

The pic (top) has a little bit of history  too …

It was selected as a ‘Finalist’ in the highly prestigious (but now sadly no more) ‘Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize’. It was also a feature of my latest little exhibition “Achromatic” at ‘The Hound’ bar in Edge Hill late last year.

I’m a bit of a fan of Dodho’s support of photographers’ work in their awards and their great books … they seem to attract a really high level of imagery and do a great job of featuring beautiful images from some of the best photographers from around the planet on their website and in their publications. It’s the third time in a row I’ve been fortunate to feature in these ‘Fine Art’ awards and book. The 2024 and 2023 selected images are also here and very different in subject and concept to this years … “Mother Africa – Aurora” (below left) and “Bonn – Asking the Question” (below right).

Currently have nine Dodho volumes containing my images across the variety of Portraiture, Color, Fine Art and Monochrome … and this latest will make it a nice round ‘ten’ 🙂 … Thanks Dodho !

You can see the all new Dodho ‘Fine Art’ finalists here … https://www.dodho.com/winners-fine-art-awards/ 

Image © Brian Cassey

NEW … Perth Head On Photo Festival … and “Paper Tigers” …

… two pieces of exciting Head On news !!

Firstly … the Head On Photo Festival soon arrives in PERTH for the first time. Secondly … one of the featured exhibitions in the new Perth Festival is “Paper Tigers” … the significant exhibition (and book) of the work of Australian based photojournalists co-curated/collected by Head On’s Moshe Rosenvzeig OAM and myself !

The new festival launches on 31st January and runs through till the 1st of March … and showcases world class photography exhibitions in venues around the city … amongst them “Paper Tigers”, the “Head On Portrait Prize” and the new WA specific “WA Life Photo Awards”.

This will be the fifth showing of the “Paper Tigers” work of 60 photojournalists … a collection of recent historic and memorable journalistic imagery by Australia’s best.It was first exhibited at the 2020 Head On Photo Festival (during Covid) at the Twenty Twenty Six Gallery in Bondi. Subsequently, it has graced the Delmar Gallery in Ashfield Sydney (2022), The Muse Gallery in Ultimo Sydney (2023) and the Court House Gallery in Cairns (2025).

In Perth “Paper Tigers” will prominently hang in The Foyer, Palace Tower on Saint Georges Terrace. Definitely worth a first, second or fifth look !

Below … (if really needed) … is a teaser image of seven of the sixty images that comprise “Paper Tigers” … clockwise from twelve o’clock … my image of beaten asylum seeker Abdullahtif on Manus Island (©Brian Cassey), ©Ashley Crowther, ©David Dare Parker, ©Eddie Safarik, ©Stephen Dupont, ©Nick Moir and ©Dean Sewell.

Thanks to all our contributing “Paper Tigers” photojournalists … Alex Coppel, Andrew Chapman, Angela Wylie, Ashley Crowther, Barbara McGrady, Ben Bohane, Brendan Beirne, Brian Cassey, Chris Hopkins, Craig Golding, Craig Greenhill, Darrian Traynor, Dave Tacon, David Dare Parker, David Gray, Dean Lewins, Dean Sewell, Delly Carr, Eddie Safarik, Edwina Pickles, Gerrit Fokkema, Glenn Campbell, Glenn Lockitch, Grant Wells, Helga Salwe, Ilana Rose, Jaime Murcia, Jake Nowakowski, Janie Barrett, Jessica Hromas, John Donegan, John French, Justin McManus, Louise Kennerley, Luis Ascui, Mark Crusty Baker, Martine Perret, Max Mason Hubers, Meredith O’Shea, Merv Bishop, Michael Amendolia, Michael Coyne, Moshe Rosenzveig OAM, Nic Walker, Nick Moir, Nicola Bailey, Noel Butcher, Paul Blackmore, Penny Stephens, Peter Solness, Richard Wainwright, Rick Stevens, Rob Maccoll, Robert McFarlane, Simon O’Dwyer, Stephen Dupont, Sylvia Liber, Tim Page, Tobias Titz, Tracey Nearmy.

Then there’s the sad bit 🙁 … I won’t be there !  Have had a trip back to Blighty and Europe planned for some time for the entire month of February !

Damn … 

Images ©

Atlas of Humanity … Paris 2026 …

… lovely to have a couple of images … one new and one old … selected by “Atlas of Humanity” and to be exhibited in Paris later this new year.

“Atlas of Humanity” is an international imaging project based around the UNESCO Declaration on Cultural Diversity and uses quality photographs to document cultural and ethnic diversity around the planet.

My two selected images  … “Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman – Dominic” – & – “Gama Warrior Woman – Tsumeriyah” … will feature in the event “ImageNation Paris 2026” at the Galerie Joseph Le Palais, one of the most beautiful galleries in the very heart of the Marais quarter central Paris just a few steps from the iconic Centre Pompidou. The exhibition … scheduled during Paris Photo Week in November … will feature my Dominic portrait framed large on the walls … whilst the Tsumeriyah work will be projected and online.

My portrait of Dominic Ngakyunkwokka as he returned to camp from an Aak Puul Ngantam mustering operation out from Aurukun, Cape York Peninsula, was made some years back and won a Head On Portrait Prize. 

My second portrait of Tsumeriyah Zuwi’e was made fairly recently at the the Papua New Guinea fiftieth anniversary of independence celebrations at Munro Martin Park in Cairns. Tsumeriyah is a member of the tiny Gama (Kama) tribe of Gahuku near Goroka in the PNG Highlands. Her people, who speak the Alekano language, are struggling to survive in the 21st century environment.

Many Thanks to Tsumeriyah and Dominic … and to Martin Vegas of Atlas of Humanity.

Images © Brian Cassey

What A Lot of Croc …

… meet “Bronto” … the NEW ‘Big Boy’ at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island, Great Barrier Reef … 4.7 metres of croc attitude !

I made this image … very carefully … of “Bronto”, during a recent days work documenting the family owned croc park and reef tourism venture on Green Island, Great Barrier Reef.
“Bronto”, raised by the late croc icon George Craig from a hatchling 55 years ago, has long lived in the shadow of infamous record holding “Cassius”, who lived at the park until his sad death just over a year ago at age estimated over 110. “Cassius” had for many years held the title of the World’s largest captive crocodile at 5 48metres.
“Bronto” now steps into the starring role and snappy attraction …

This week also marks the return of “Cassius” (in an inanimate form) to the island park, following a magnificent job of taxidermy. “Cassius” now shares his own brand new room at Marineland Melanesia with memorabilia of his life and achievements … and details of the wonderful relationship that he shared with George over several decades.
In a poignant twist both “Cassius” and George passed away within a just a couple of weeks of each other in November 2024. The new exhibit at Marineland pays tribute to both the wonderful characters who shared an incredible connection. Well worth a visit …

I’ve been fortunate over the decades to have often photographed “Cassius” and George at Marineland. George was always a fascinating gentleman and “Cassius” a willing partner. I was there in 2011 when the ‘Guinness Book of Records’ acknowledged the World record for “Cassius” … and I was there to document the last time that George hand fed his massive mate back in 2023. On that last visit I also made a portrait of George, sitting quietly in his favourite chair amongst his amazing massive collection of Papua New Guinea art works … one of my favourite images.

 Now is the time for “Bronto” and his saurian mates at the park to take over the mantle …  

Image © Brian Cassey

Head On … Remarkable Photo Fest …

... just returned from a fabulous (and full on) few days in Sydney at the 2025 Head On Photo Festival.

A truly brilliant launch eve at the Bondi Pavilion to open this years festival … great large crowd of attendees and some lovely photography, awards and prizes, fat hot dogs and wine … perfect.

Was in Sydney for the festival in my capacity of featured exhibition exhibitor, award finalist, panelist … and more. This year the festival hosted well over a hundred exhibitions of photography … and I was thrilled and fortunate that one of them was my exhibition of work “Up North – Tropical People”. My featured collection … shown in prime position in the tranquil contemplative beautiful surrounds of the Paddington Reservoir Gardens … consisted of images of many of the characters that make Cairns and the tropical north home. Thanks Head On … 

Also in the Reservoir Gardens complex was the collected works selected as ‘Finalists’ in the Head On Exposure Awards … and I was again delighted to be selected  amongst their number with my image “Crush of Humanity – Dahi Handi – Mumbai”, made on an Indian adventure some years back.

The quality of the work in all this years Head On Awards … Portrait, Landscape and Exposure … was truly very special. Honoured to be amongst the list.

The winner of the Exposure Award was a remarkable, powerful, tragic and thought provoking image entitled “Faith Amidst Genocide”, made in war torn Gaza by Turkish photographer Abdelrahman Alkahlout.   

Bondi Pavilion and the Bondi Promenade hosted many awards and exhibition collections for thousands of beach goers and tourists to take in … including a great exhibition of sport images (by many of my friends and colleagues) to celebrate the Walkley Awards 70th year … “Sporting Moments Through the Lens”. Pretty classic, that one …

One of the less obvious highlights was somewhat of a festival coup … the screening (first in the southern hemisphere) of the film “The Stringer”. Somewhat controversial, the film documents the authorship disputation of the iconic Vietnam war photograph “The Terror of War” (more commonly referred to as “Napalm Girl”). The screening also saw a live appearance by one of the films main characters and ‘witness’ … former Associated Press Vietnam pic editor Carl Robinson … who verbalised his account of the proceeding fifty years ago. Fascinating stuff … but far too complicated to go further into it all here. (“The Stringer” launches on Netflix later this month … ).

Now for a shameless bit of name dropping … just some of the co-panelists, photographers, award nominees, festival attendees and thoroughly nice people that I engaged with over my five days at the festival in Sydney … Dave Gray, John Swainston, Kate Geraghty, Glenn Lockitch, Judith Nangala Crispin, Paul Blackmore, Tegan Sadlier, Michele Aboud, Sebastian Giunta, Tim Levy, Jess Prescott, Bronek Kozka, Pia Jessen, Guy Templeton, Fiona Bowring, Grace Costa, Birgit Neiser, Anastasia Trahanas, Dianne Brooks … and many many more … AND …  of course … the Head On crew that made it all happen …  Moshe, Anita, Stephen, Paula and all the others involved in keeping the wheels turning. Thank You !

When travelling I do make a point to research any photographic exhibitions showing … and outside of Head On in Sydney I found a couple worth visiting at the State Library of New South Wales … “Merv Bishop: Close Up” (Merv made that iconic image of Vincent Lingiari and Gough Whitlam with red dirt running through his fingers) and “PIX: The Magazine that Changed Everything” (brilliant nostalgic exhibition exploring the fantastic photography in the publication that spanned thirty four years of the twentieth century). Both shows an added bonus to the Sydney visit … 

Images … from top … “Up North – Tropical People” in the Reservoir Gardens (top two), Exposure Award finalist “Crush of Humanity – Dahi Handi – Mumbai” in Reservoir Gardens, Walkley 70th Anniversary Sport imagery exhibit on Bondi Beach, “The Stringer” and former AP pic editor Carl Robinson. All images © Brian Cassey except “The Stringer” imagery  © Associated Press.

2025 Head On Photo Festival - exhibition "Up North - Tropical People" by Brian Cassey at Paddington Reservoir Gardens Sydney 8th to the 30th November 2025
2025 Head On Photo Festival - "Crush of Humanity - Dahi Handi - Mumbai" - finalist in the Head On Exposure Awards exhibited at Paddington Reservoir Gardens - finalist image by © Brian Cassey. Exhibition open 8th to the 30th November 2025
2025 Head On Photo Festival - Head On exhibition '𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘦𝘯𝘴', an exhibition celebrating seven decades of the Walkley Awards for excellence in Australian journalism - - at Bondi Beach Sydney 7th November 2025 Image © by Brian Cassey
2025 Head On Photo Festival - screening of the film "The Stringer" - first in the southern hemisphere - at the festival, Bondi Pavilion Sydney 9th November 2025
“Terror of War” image (top) ©Associated Press
2025 Head On Photo Festival -screening of the film "The Stringer" - first in the southern hemisphere - at the festival . Main character and witness in the film former AP picture editor Carl Robinson is hugged by a member of photographer Nguyen Thành Nghe's family.Image © by Brian Cassey - at Bondi Pavilion Sydney 9th November 2025

Pic in Paris … Exhibition “Sex and Politics” …

… not my every day work … but very pleased to have a photographic piece on the wall in the important “Sex and Politics” exhibition in Paris France … opening this evening 13th November !

A couple of months ago I was invited to exhibit in the exhibition “Sex and Politics” by the folks at Art-Icon .. the amazing European crew that organised the giant epic “Faces/Visages” exhibition in Arles France, which included my piece “100 Years and 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM”, back in July.

The exhibition description supplied … “Sex and Politics” is a contemporary photography exhibition taking place in Paris from November 13–16, 2025, which coincides with Paris Photo. The show, located at the Bastille Design Center, explores how sexuality, desire, and power intersect in photography. It features artists whose work addresses themes like the political nature of sexuality, the body in culture, and digital intimacy. “Sex and Politics” explores the intersections of sexuality, representation, and power in contemporary photography. The exhibition features artists whose work engages the body, desire, and the cultural ideologies that shape them.

Fortunately I had one image that I felt fitted the bill … and Danila at Art-Icon agreed.

I made the photograph of delightful Cairns girl Bonn Marie a couple of years ago. The rationale was to revisit the impact that the “Red Velvet” images of infamous actress Marilyn Monroe back in 1949 made in a building a sexual revolution in the 50’s.

2022 marked the 60th anniversary of the death at 36 of Marilyn … the planet’s greatest ever sex symbol . There were countless photographs made of her during a far too short career as an actress and centre of massive unrelenting attention. What I aimed to portray was an image of ‘Marilyn’ in the vintage style of the mid last century when she infamously captivated audiences around the World. The image mirrors the work of US photographer Tom Kelley, who originally shot those infamous “Red Velvet” photographs before her acting career took off. Tom’s image didn’t receive much attention until Hugh Hefner selected it as the first centrefold in the very first edition of Playboy Magazine in 1953.

Marilyn Monroe’s Playboy centrefold was historically significant, influencing the portrayal and public acceptance of the female form in a ground breaking way, shattering norms and redefining the place of women in society. The image was a pivotal element in Playboy’s goal to define sex as a socially acceptable subject and provide a new outlet for female sexuality. . Kelley’s image played a key role in shaping 20th century history, spawning a new reality of female sexuality and a sexual revolution, whilst catapulting the subject of feminism into the political arena.  Female empowerment was on the march … 

Will be eternally grateful to Bonn for her stunning portrayal and interpretation of an historic photograph that changed so much … Massive Thanks, Bonn.

Also like to sincerely thanks Danila and Slavica from Art-Icon for inviting me to exhibit.

Vogue Magazine published a fascinating article on “Sex and Politics” and it may be found here … https://vogueadria.com/sex-and-politics-pariz/

Bottom image © Brian Cassey

Image "Marilyn Monroe - 60 Years on - by Bonn" - image by © Brian Cassey - part of the Art-Icon exhibition "Sex and Politics" at the Bastille Design Centre in Paris France November 2025
Image "Marilyn Monroe - 60 Years on - by Bonn" - image by © Brian Cassey - part of the Art-Icon exhibition "Sex and Politics" at the Bastille Design Centre in Paris France November 2025

Rowing the Pacific … Miriam & Jess …

… this time last week (Saturday 18th) two young British women were battling gusting twenty knot winds as they rowed their nine metre vessel ‘Velocity’ towards terra firma in Cairns.

The previous day I had taken a little voyage myself … a fifty nautical jaunt on the 12.5 metre Reef Adventures boat ‘Lethal Weapon’ … in the opposite direction. The rationale was to journey out past the edge of the Great Barrier Reef into the Coral Sea to meet Miriam Payne (25) and Jess Rowe (28) on the last stage of their epic 8213 nautical mile row across the Pacific Ocean.

The girls left Lima Peru on the 5th of May. 165 days later they stepped ashore at the Marlin Marina in Cairns after battling storms, massive waves, technical issues that nullified all their electronics … and a lack of chocolate … setting a new record as the first all-female pair to row across the Pacific Ocean nonstop and unsupported.

Following a rather bumpy trip on ‘Lethal Weapon’ through choppy waters last Friday, we found Miriam and Jess rowing steadfastly towards the edge of the Great Barrier Reef … and I made many images (just five of them here below). An hour or so later we shot back to Cairns. The pics were syndicated by Agence France-Presse/Getty around the planet. Very nice to see my work in The Times, The Telegraph, the Daily Mail, the Guardian (all UK) … and many more around the World.

Far North Queenland is developing as a mecca for ocean rowers. In late August I covered the arrival of the three Scottish MacLean brothers in Cairns at the culmination of their Pacific Ocean row.  Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan smashed the world record for the fastest human-powered Pacific Ocean crossing completing the journey in 139 days. In April 2023 I documented the arrival in Port Douglas of solo Australia rower Michelle Lee who spent a whopping 237 days rowing across the Pacific from Mexico unassisted and all on her little lonesome, to become the first woman ever to do so.

( Arguably Miriam and Jess’s feat was more impressive than their Scottish male counterparts when taking into consideration ‘manpower’ or ‘womanpower’. Although the three Maclean brothers were quicker at 139 days … just the two of Miriam and Jess managed the journey only 26 days longer .. do the figures and go girls ! )

I had the pleasure of meeting Jess and Miriam (again) on dry land at a Salt House reception on Wednesday eve. A nicer couple of young ladies you could not imagine … vibrant, down to earth and full of humility. Many Thanks for the opportunity to meet you and your families properly … and thanks also to Cairns PR Pip Miller and Dave Gray from Agence France-Presse for your support.

Good (great) news stories are so good to cover …

You may see more of my images of these two amazing young ladies and their huge adventure on my Instagram here … and my Facebook here .

Images © Brian Cassey

British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey
British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey
British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey
British rowers Miriam Payne (25 - in black) and Jess Rowe (28 - in blue) approach the outer Great Barrier Reef in the Coral Sea Friday, 17th October 2025. The pair left Peru on the 5th May in their vessel ‘Velocity’ to row the approximately 8000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to Australia. When they set foot on dry land in Cairns this weekend they will become the first women’s team and the first pair to row the Pacific non-stop and unsupported. Image © Brian Cassey

IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono … Awards and Exhibitions …

… some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).

Firstly … … can now reveal the image that was selected as a ‘Finalist’ in the prestigious Perth Centre of Photography portrait “IRIS Award” (see top below). My selected work “Unsculpted – Australian Artist Tony Clark” was kept confidential until last Friday eves exhibition opening event.

It’s the fourth time in a row that I have had works selected and exhibited as a prize finalist in this bi-annual award ( see my earlier ‘finalists’ from 2023, 2021 and 2019 ).

PCP describes the portrait prize thus … “Embracing unrestrained approaches to portraiture, the Award celebrates works of nuance, raw emotion, and personal connection — revealing the essence of human relationships and lived experience, whether in love, joy, desire, distance, or disconnection. We are invited into the shifting constellations of human sentiment, a space for reflection and dialogue on intimacy and identity in contemporary life.” 

The overall winner announced on Friday was ‘Sisterhood’ by Su Cassiano. Congrats Su !

The PCP “IRIS” exhibition of the thirty finalist portraits runs from the 4th to the 18th October at Cheap Tongue Gallery, Walyalup (Fremantle) Tuesday–Friday 10am–3pm. If you are in ‘The West’ I hope you can take it in … 🙂 .

On to November and the Head On Photo Festival for two pieces of nice news …

My latest exhibition in Australia’s premier photography festival … “Up North – Tropical People” … has now been confirmed. The work, pictorially portraying the wonderful inhabitants of the northern tropics of Australia, will grace the tranquil rustic walls of the Paddington Reservoir Gardens, Sydney from the 8th to the 30th November … and is free for everyone who wanders into the unique venue (second from top).

The judges at Head On have also selected one of my works … (that has to remain anonymous for now) … as a ‘Finalist’ in the festivals “Exposure Awards”. My selected photo will be in the ‘Exposure’ exhibition also displayed at Paddington Reservoir Gardens from the 8th to the 30th November and also free. All the award winners will be announced at a gala awards presentation at the Bondi Beach Pavilion on the eve of Friday the 7th. It’s always a really great event … !

Huge thanks to Moshe Rosenzveig OAM and the Head On Photo Festival team.

On to overseas now … and the news that TWO of my photographs were awarded ‘Bronze’ awards in the prestigious Paris based 2025 “Prix de la Photographie” (PX3). The awarded works are … “Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen” (Press/People) and “Kids of Ali Curung” (Portrait) … (both below).

Exciting … but arguably more exciting was the recent announcement that an image I made several decades ago was selected as a ‘Silver’ award winner in the 2025 “Analog Sparks International Film Photography Awards” (fifth image down). The black and white film photograph of slalom water skier Steve Hook “On the Edge” last won me an award … the “Kodak Adidas Australian Sports Photograph of the Year” … exactly forty years ago in 1985 when I was almost a baby ! 🙂 . Pretty happy with that 🙂 .

Lastly … this post is getting a bit long … very happy to receive a ‘finalist’ recognition for a black and white version of my “Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen” image in the ‘People’ category of Australia’s 2025 “Mono Awards” (bottom image below).

You may find more details of these on my website at … www.briancasseyphotographer.com/awards .

Images © Brian Cassey

IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono … Awards and Exhibitions … … some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-). Images © by Brian Cassey
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.
IRIS, Head On, Prix de la Photographie, Analog Sparks & Mono ... Awards and Exhibitions ... ... some unabashed self indulgent promotions and, well, recent updates regarding my work :-).All images by Brian Cassey.

Three Men in a Boat … a World Record …

Last Saturday 30th August, three Scottish brothers rowed into Cairns in a tiny row boat at the culmination of an incredible 14500 kilometre unsupported voyage from Lima, Peru.

Brothers Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan comprehensively smashed the world record for the fastest human-powered Pacific Ocean crossing, completing the journey in 139 days.

I covered the arrival of the brothers in Cairns at Marlin Marina … where a crowd of family, friends, onlookers and media gathered … for AFP (Agence France-Presse).

The images are being widely published around the planet … and these are just a few of the pages they have ended up gracing … ‘The Scottish Sun’, The Scotsman’, ‘The Edinburgh News’, ‘The Taipei Times’ (Taiwan), France24, ‘The Malay Mail’ (Malaysia), ‘The Omak Chronicle’ (USA), ‘Digital Journal’ (Global), ‘Non Stop Local KHQ’ (Idaho USA), ‘ETV Bharat’ (India), ‘Barron’s’ (USA), AS Sports (Spain) … and arguably the three most prestigious … the UK publications ‘The Times’, The Independent’ and ‘The Daily Mail’.

A nice and positive story to cover … the brothers feat is really incredible as was the support that Ewan, Jamie and Lachlan received from a large and vociferous gathering of family and friends. Here are just four of the many images made on the day and syndicated by AFP.

From top … the brothers arrive at the Cairns Marlin Marina and celebrate with flares and bagpipes … Lachlan, Jamie and Ewan prepare for dry land … Lachlan and Jamie hug their girlfriends Heide and Emily after stepping ashore … Lachlan, Jamie and Ewan celebrate their remarkable success with the Scottish flag.

images © Brian Cassey for AFP (Agence France-Presse)

Massive ‘Alf’ at Arles, France … Next … Valencia, Spain …

… fabulous to be part of a major portrait photography exhibition in Arles, France  … with my work “100 Years & 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM” exhibited over two and a half metres high overlooking the majestic Rhone River bank.

‘Alf’ wasn’t on his own … the river side walls were covered with scores of large images by the best portrait photographers from around the planet which made up the Art-Icon exhibit “Faces” (“Visages”) …. a major draw card in the just concluded 2025 Arles International Photo Festival (Rencontres d’Arles).

Sadly unable to travel to France for the show, It has been my real pleasure to vicariously enjoy it via the many photographers, both “Faces” participants and festival guests, who were lucky enough to ‘be there’ and nice enough to post images of the works very literally ‘on the walls’.

Good friends, Head On Photo Festival director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM and Pulitzer winner Michael Robinson Chávez, were attending the festival in Arles and took time out to make and send me pics of the exhibition and my ‘Alf’ work … whilst many of the “Faces” artists in attendance also splashed images around social media for those unable to get there ( See images below 🙂 ).

The good news continues … the fantastic exhibition  of photographic portraiture now moves on to the French town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer in the Camargue National Park later in August before travelling to Spain for the Valencia Photo Festival for September and October. 

‘Alf’ sure does get around … 

There is also a physical pictorial book of the “Faces” portrait exhibition in the works.

Once again I’d like to thank Danila Tkachenko and Slavica Veselinovic (@shavi_veselinovic) from Art-Icon for their tireless work creating this massive exhibition of poraiture and taking it to the World.

Images (from top) ©Brian Cassey, ©Michael Robinson Chávez, ©Moshe Rosenvzeig OAM (all featuring my ‘Alf’ image) … and ©Costa Corbas (the “Faces” exhibition on the banks of the Rhone River.) … Thanks Guys!

“Kennedy’s” … Australian Media’s Night of Nights …

… Yay ! Great News … selected as one of three Finalists in the “Kennedy Awards” … “Outstanding Portrait Photography” category. The prestigious awards describe themselves as “a truly independent, national celebration of the best Australian journalism … the Australian media’s night of nights”.

The black tie awards presentation dinner is in the very plush surrounds of the Ballroom, Royal Randwick, Sydney on August 15th.

Sounds very flash … and yeah … will be packing the ‘whistle ’n’ flute’ and winging it down to Sydney for a couple of (likely dangerous) days meeting up with many photographer and journalist friends and colleagues.

You’ve likely seen my selected finalist image before in earlier posts ( here, here and here ) … and it’s described below so I won’t bombard you with it again.

Big Congrats also to the other photography finalists … good friends and colleagues all … David Gray, Nicholas Moir, Mick Tsikas, Carly Earl, Elise Derwin, Flavio Brancaleone, Darrien Traynor and Bronwen Healy.

Will let you know how it all goes … will be a BLAST …

Nicolas, Alison … and The Australian Weekend Magazine …

… great to have a cover photo (and more pics inside) in the the current edition of The Australian Weekend Magazine … running with a story on former journalist colleague, Walkley Award and Prime Minister’s Prize for Literature winner now author, Nicolas Rothwell and his talented co-author wife Alison Nampitjinpa Anderson.

It’s long been a pleasure to work alongside Nicolas whenever we crossed paths … a supreme journalist when at The Australian for decades covering International news stories, indigenous affairs, arts … and more.

Nicholas and Alison have now co-authored the book “Yilkari – A Desert Suite” … launching July 29th by Text Publishing … a fictional tale centred on Alison’s Western Desert Luritja-Pintupi country in the Northern Territory.

So … it was a great thrill for me to be re-acquainted with Nicolas … and meet Alison … in their remote Great Dividing Range hideaway … and take a few images.

The Australian Weekend Magazine piece … entitled “The Talented Mr Rothwell” written by Caroline Overington … runs over six pages documenting Nicolas and Alison’s life, work and authorship.

A distinct pleasure and a nice pic run too 🙂 … below is the magazine cover, a portrait of Nicolas which runs over the entirety of page 14 … and a cosy pic of the two of them on page 17.

Images © Brian Cassey … publication © The Weekend Australian Magazine

Vale ‘Resto Dave’ … Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen …

In February I posted an ‘update’ on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I’m so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.

So … I make no apologies for once again running this ‘last image’ portrait (top) that I made of David in the Red Cross accomodation following his discharge from Cairns Hospital back in February. That portrait was the catalyst for an another lengthy story on David’s island life in the Courier Mail newspaper.

David’s story … of losing a business fortune in the 1987 economic crash and dropping out to live a solitary life for decades on a remote tiny island off the coast of northern Australia … resonated around the planet. His book “Millionaire Castaway” (illustrated on the cover with another of my ‘David’ portraits) was a best seller around the World.

I had the pleasure of visiting David (and his mannequin friend) on remote Restoration Island three times over the years. He was always a gentleman, a fascinating wonderful host … and a great subject. (His island brewed beer was pretty good too.) Below I’ve also posted a few more pics of David when on his island home in healthier times, with his dog Quassi and his ‘friend’ Miranda.

Restoration Island (and the World) has lost a unique resident … they don’t make ’em like ‘Resto Dave’ anymore …

Images © Brian Cassey

Vale 'Resto Dave' ... Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen ... In February I posted an 'update' on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I'm so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.
Vale 'Resto Dave' ... Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen ... In February I posted an 'update' on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I'm so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.
Vale 'Resto Dave' ... Millionaire Castaway David Glasheen ... In February I posted an 'update' on World renowned island castaway David Glasheen and his then health issues. I'm so sad to advise that the former millionaire and later decades long island recluse passed away last weekend. His family have told me that he never really recovered over the five months since that hospitalisation for a heart attack.

Pollux Awards … Another Nice Win …

… SO nice ! … very happy to be announced a winner in the 22nd International Pollux Awards with my image “Millionaire Castaway – David Glasheen”. Fifth year in a row I’ve had the honour of winning the major Pollux gong in People … and each time also awarded extra Honourable Mentions as well :-).

My portrait of 82 year old Restoration Island castaway and former business tycoon David Glasheen will be exhibited on the walls of the new Mediterranean House of Photography (formerly the FotoNostrum Gallery) in Barcelona, Spain in the first quarter 2026. 

I made the portrait of David following his discharge from hospital after earlier suffering a heart attack. He plans to return to life on isolated Restoration Island when fully recovered.

The Hon Mentions selected are “Unsculpted – Artist Tony Clark” … and … “The Kids of Ali Curung”.

It’s also first time ‘recognitions’ for both the Millionaire Castaway and Tony Clark’s Unsculpted works … very gratifying … 

My previous ‘People’ winners in the past four Pollux award seasons were … “The Last Image of Alf” (Alf Neal OAM – 21st Pollux) … “George at the Bus Stop” (George Skeene OAM – 20th Pollux) … both “100 Years & 3 Weeks – Alf Neal OAM” and “Do Not Resuscitate – Peter ‘Potter’ Thompson” (19th Pollux) … and “Covid Vax & Ice Cream – Leanne Bulmer” (18th Pollux) .

All three newly selected works are here below … Thanks to David, Tony and the kids of Ali Curung.

Images © Brian Cassey

22nd Pollux International Awards - People - Winner "Millionaire Castaway - David Gasheen" - & Honourable Mentions X 2 - "Unsculpted - Artist Tony Clark" & "The Kids of Ali Curung" - images by Brian Cassey

“The Dogs of Sai Kung” in ‘Dodho’ Magazine …

Very nice to see my pic essay “The Dogs of Sai Kung” make an another long overdue re-appearance … this time in the prestigious photographic magazine ‘Dodho’. 

I made this pic essay some years back whilst in Hong Kong documenting a far more serious photo story on the former UK colonies cage and coffin homes. The ‘Dogs’ essay was made when on a ‘day off’ at the HK seaside playing with lots of colourful canines.

The essay does however illustrate a more serious issue … and the rationale is explained in my caption …

“ The Chinese have long been accused of devouring “anything that moves,” including meals made from our beloved canines. However, the fishing village of Sai Kung in the New Territories of Hong Kong has embraced dogs as members of the family with a passion bordering on obsession. In the 1970s, the Hong Kong government actively discouraged the population from having too many children. The policy worked, and today, Hong Kong has one of the world’s lowest birth rates of 0.7 per woman of childbearing age (2022) … far below the replacement rate of 2.1. To compensate, locals have taken to spoiling their pet woofers as an integral and substitute part of the family. On Sundays, locals parade their pooches in prams along the picturesque waterfront, where they join their human “parents” for exercise and even lunch at the tables of seafood restaurants. The town is awash with dog boutiques where you can buy your precious pooch the latest fashions, and even a doggy bakery offering individual doggy pies and other freshly baked treats.
Lavish attention is paid to grooming, and competition is fierce just like with human babies.”

Here below are just a few of the images from the twenty published in my ‘Dodho Magazine’ essay. To see the entire essay go to my website at … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/…/dogs-of-sai…/ … or just go to the publication in ‘Dodho’ at … https://www.dodho.com/sai-kungs-dog-obsession-through…/

The essay first appeared in the UK Daily Telegraph Weekend Magazine with the headline ‘Barking Mad’. You may find it here … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/2012/09/. 

I also made a light hearted short film using these doggy images (2 minutes 33 seconds) which may be found here …  https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/play/2013/02/the-dogs-of-sai-kung-2/ 

Images © Brian Cassey

"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine
"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine
"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine
"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine
"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine
"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine
"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine
"The Dogs of Sai Kung" - photo essay by © Brian Cassey Photographer - made in the village of Sai Kung in Hong Kong - pub listed in Dodho Magazine

Millionaire Castaway … David Glasheen Update …

… very nice run in last weekends edition of the Courier Mail that featured my images … old and brand new … of old friend ‘Ex Millionaire to island Castaway’ David Glasheen. David lost a literal fortune during the 1987 economic crash and then chose to ‘drop out’ and live a solitary secluded life on historic Restoration Island off the coast of far north Queensland. 

His story and my photographs of David spread World wide after I visited him three times on his island … (named Restoration Island by Captain Bligh when he landed there during his epic 4000 mile open boat journey following the HMS Bounty mutiny) … back in 2010 and 2011 for News Ltd, the New York Times and Fairfax.

David later published a book about his life entitled “The Millionaire Castaway” which sold a quarter of a million copies around the planet.

Recently I learnt that David (now 81) had suffered a heart attack and had left the island for a bed in Cairns Hospital. At the hospital I was told he had just been discharged and I found him at the nearby Red Cross accomodation.  We chatted about old times and I asked if I could make yet another newer portrait … which he readily agreed to. 

This portrait (top image) is the result. David has always had a story to tell so I passed on details of his current trauma and story to Courier Mail gun journalist Michael Madigan (who I have worked with on many stories previously) … and passed on David’s new portrait and the earlier 2010/2011 pics of David on his remote inland retreat to the Courier picture desk.

The result … a front page pointer, Davids portrait on page 15 and a spread across pages 36 and 61. Happy with that … huge thanks to Michael for his brilliant words … and, of course, David who is now recovering with his family ‘down south’ (but really hoping to soon get back to his island home.)

Read David’s story in the Courier Mail here … https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/millionaire-castaway-david-glasheen-seeks-a-companion-for-qld-tropical-island/news-story/2c4f77dd13fe0a8388b533e3a53e460

Images © Brian Cassey

Duncan Miller Gallery … Los Angeles …

… pretty stoked that my image “Aurukun – Generations” has been selected and listed for sale by the prestigious Duncan Miller Gallery in the United States.

The gallery and their web portal Your Daily Photograph (https://www.yourdailyphotograph.com) specialises in the sale of “important classic and contemporary photographic works of art” … and are the owner of the largest collection of vintage photographs on the West Coast of America. They have subscribers and potential purchasers in 75 countries.

You may see the work on their YDP site here … http://eepurl.com/i829Xw
My work is apparently in very good company … in the recent past images by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Andreas Gursky, Richard Misrach, Andre Kertesz, Edward Burtynsky and other photography legends have been offered for sale on YourDailyPhotograph.

The portrait of Aurukun Wik elders Silas and Rebecca Wolmby with their great grand children Shalona and Keola was made outside their house in the Cape York Peninsula indigenous community. It has featured numerous times in awards across the last few years … arguably the most stella being ‘sent into space’ and projected above the planet courtesy of the British Journal of Photography “Portrait of Humanity” awards … and published in the book collection of the same name.

My first sale at Duncan Miller Gallery was back in 2012 with my “Rajasthan Dancers” photograph, made in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India in 2011 (image below).

Images © Brian Cassey

Nice Chrissie Presents from … Budapest (BIFA), The Capture Awards and Dodho Color Awards …

… nice early Xmas pressies from the ‘Budapest International Foto Awards’ (BIFA), ‘The Capture Awards’ (hosted by Capture Magazine) and the ‘Dodho Color Awards’ 2024 (hosted by Dodho Magazine.)

The first two featured great results for my image “Alive – Bill & Michell’s Miraculous Escape From Cyclone Jasper”, which only a few weeks ago also took out the Clarion Awards (Queensland Media awards) ‘Best News Photograph’ honours.

Bill & Michell’s emotional image post Cyclone Jasper flooding was selected for the Bronze Award in the Editorial category of the Budapest International Foto Awards … and also in the top images list of the Documentary category of the Capture Awards and featuring in the new Summer edition of the print magazine.

Also in the Budapest awards, it was really gratifying to also see “Little Tuna” get a mention (an Honourable one – spelt here with a ‘u’ 😉 ) … the first time my portrait of “Little Tuna” proprietor Kate Lamason with one of her ‘family’, has been recognised in awards. The portrait was made in the office of Kate’s highly successful Australian caught tuna business in Cairns and producing the pic left her work place more than a little damp.

Accompanying Bill & Michelle in the Capture Awards were two of my images “George at the Bus Stop” (George Skeene OAM) and “Bubblegum & Voices” (Kythie Yunkaporta discovering bubbles in Aurukun) in the People & Portrait category. Both have been mentioned in previous awards.

Then … on Christmas eve the beautiful new Dodho book “Color” arrived in my post office box. The hard cover, large format, nicely printed volume showcases the winners and top works from the 2024 “Color Awards” … and included my portrait “Generations- Aurukun” of Aurukun Elders Silas and Rebecca Wolmby with their great grand children Shalona and Keola. Dodho do do lovely books 😉 .

Images © Brian Cassey … from top … Budapest International Foto Awards 2024 (BIFA), The Capture Awards 2024, the book “Colors” by Dodho Magazine – hard cover collection of the best photographs from the 2024 Dodho Color Awards.

20 Years Ago on Boxing Day … the Asian Tsunami …

… 20 Years Ago … this Boxing Day marks the twentieth anniversary of the largest tsunami disaster of modern history … the Asian tsunami that took the lives of near a quarter of a million around the Indian Ocean in 2004. 

I photographed the aftermath in Thailand, Myanmar and the epicentre of Banda Aceh Indonesia for the UK Sunday Mirror alongside gun Brit journalist Susie Boniface. Yes … it was harrowing work that greatly impacted the media contingent covering the disaster.

In Khao Lak, Thailand we told the story of Patrice Fayet and his fruitless search for his wife Samantha and six month old baby Ruby Rose amongst the many thousands of bodies. It was heart breaking watching Patrice search the tiny body bags rising on dry ice in a Khao Lak temple morgue. Samantha’s remains were discovered months later … Ruby Rose was never found … 

The story and my images of Ruby Rose and Patrice’s fruitless search also featured in the tenth anniversary documentary “After the Wave” in 2014.

In Banda Aceh … amongst total destruction … we covered the stories of now parentless children amongst the survivors. Getting there  was a twelve hour overnight drive with a well rewarded local, much of it through civil war rebel held territory. We arrived in the decimated city centre at dawn. The only building we could see still standing in the early light was the Grand Mosque, floodlit by a bank of generators. As we settled down to try and get an hours sleep in the car the call to prayer peeled out from the mosque. Nobody came … 

The worst affected countries were India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Thailand and Somalia.

Certainly, it was an assignment that one would never forget.

Here are just some of the images from my coverage … and a warning some are indeed graphic. (and Yes … some were far too graphic to be shown anywhere)

Fom top – 1, Banda Aceh orphan – 2. Banda Aceh – 3. Khao Lak – 4. A Banda Aceh child victim – 5. Patrice Fayet searches for his wife and baby in Khao Lak – 6. scenes from Phuket, Khao Lak and Banda Aceh

More of my images from the Asian tsunami and the earlier tsunami in Sissano Papua New Guinea may be found on my web site here … https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/photographs/tsunami/ .

Images © Brian Cassey

TWO at the Clarion Awards …

… utterly chuffed to win the two major photography prizes at last eves “The Clarion Awards” (Queenslands Media Awards) in Brisbane … Best News Photo for “Alive – Bill & Michell’s Miraculous Escape From Jasper” … & … Best Photographic Essay for “Jasper Brings Once in a Century Flooding”.
A terrific evening amongst many media colleagues and friends old and some new. Well worth the trip from the tropics to the big city ;-).

The night really was a reminder that the media industry is still alive and kicking …. the work of the category winners was a real credit to all … and I was extremely gratified to be just a part of it.

Thank You to the MEAA (especially the Queensland branch) for continuing to organise such a great media event.

First image below is my winning Best News Photo … a work that is very close to my heart. Thank You Bill and Michelle from Degarra who put up with me at an extremely fragile time of their lives … to The Australian pic editors Michael Bilbe-Taylor and Milan Scepanovic who entrusted me with a very difficult and complicated assignment … and to gun journo Michael McKenna who did a great job of crafting the story via a very crackly phone line.

The following twelve images is my winning photo essay … made from when Jasper first reared it’s destructive head, through the record breaking rain falls and on to the start of ‘recovery’. 

Oh yeah … the judges comments are there too at the bottom. 

(Must also mention my medical mate Dr Richard Jackman who managed to get me back out working during the cyclone event after a busted vertebrae incurred during a rain sodden stair fall 🙂 )

Images © Brian Cassey  @brian_cassey

The Artist Gallery … Portraits from around the Globe …

Nice email with news overnight … a new one for me and the first time I’ve entered … “The Artist Gallery Portrait Awards”. 

Twenty one portraits from around the world were awarded … four winners and seventeen ‘Honorable Mentions’, including an HM for my work  “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa”, made on Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The Artist Gallery suggests that their awards “Showcase the photographers ability to turn fleeting moments into timeless works of art. The winners and honourable mentions who have masterfully turned their lenses toward the soul, creating images that inspire, move, and remind us of the stories behind every face.”

The overall winning work was from Turkey … a brilliant and emotional image “The Bitter Face of War” by Erçin Ertürk. 

The 21 selected winners and honourable mention portraits originated from Australia, Italy, UK, Malta, Spain, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Norway, Germany, Israel, United Arab Emirates, USA, Austria, Mexico and The Netherlands. 

Australia was represented three times … congrats to the other Aussie based artist Andrea Francolini who had two in the selection, with my image “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa” being the third.

My Yarrick family image has been good to me, previously winning the “Nikon-Walkley Portrait Prize”, second in the “International Portrait Photographer of the Year” and a dozen other accolades.

Image © Brian Cassey

The Artist Gallery ... Portraits from around the Globe ... The Artist Gallery - Portrait Awards - Honorable Mention - "The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa" - image © Brian Cassey

Tuesday … 69th Walkley Awards …

So … what does one do on a Tuesday night in November ? Last Tuesday I made a flying 30 hour visit back to Sydney to attend the media industries ‘night of nights’ … The Walkley Awards … at the International Convention Centre (ICC).

The catalyst for the lightening short visit was the inclusion of my work (stills, video and drone) in the Courier/Sunday Mail team documentary production “Prayed Upon: A Real Life Hand Maid’s Tale” which was selected as a Finalist in the ‘News – Current Affairs – Short Film’ category of the awards.

Our team … comprising Kate Kyriacou, Greg Stolz, Rhylea Millar, Natalie Gregg, Melanie Pilling, Anna Caldwell and myself … were up against works in the category by co-finalists 60 Minutes and the ABC. Our teams work told the story of a frightening ‘cult’ based on the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland.

Was the first time I’ve had the privilege to be a finalist in the Walkley Awards outside of the pure ‘photojournalism’ Nikon-Walkley categories side of things … so that was a little different.

Very kindly, Nikon Australia’s marketing manager Kylie Dredge arranged a seat at the Nikon tables for myself alongside my photography friends and colleagues and the Nikon crew. That was a blast !

Good mates all … AFP’s David Gray took out the ‘News Photography Award’ with his remarkable 20,000 ASA image of freed Julian Assange “Walk to Freedom”, SMH’s Nick Moir won ‘Press Photographer of the Year’, Getty’s Quinn Rooney claimed the ‘Sports Photography’ gong for “Australian’s in the Pool”, whilst Kate Geraghty (SMH) was awarded ‘Nikon Photo of the Year’ for her image, “Funeral at Al-Aqsa”. Getty’s Diego Fedele won ‘Feature/photographic Essay’ and Chris Hopkins image for ‘Good Weekend’ won the ‘Portrait Prize’.

Obviously there was much ‘celebrating’ to do. The Nikon team led by Kylie duly obliged and made sure we did so well into the next morning. Congrats to all my mates and colleagues … winners and finalists … the Walkley’s and the MEAA … and thanks to all at Nikon. (It’s been a pleasure to use Nikon’s fabulous products for many decades … they really do so much to support the photojournalists in the industry.)

Oh Yes !! Back to our ‘Current Affairs’ finalist selection. Sadly we were beaten to the pen nib winners trophy by the ’60 Minutes’ entry, but that didn’t stop our Queensland team celebrating just being in Sydney for a fabulous eve amongst the very best of Australia’s media.

(NB … it’s not often my dinner suit gets an airing 😉 )

Main image © News Ltd … below … still, drone images and video by © Brian Cassey

Wonderful Weekend at ‘Head On’, Sydney …

Without doubt, the biggest drawcard in Australia for the photographic community is the ‘Head On Photo Festival’ in Sydney.

The annual festival features numerous exhibitions selected from around Australia and the planet … and I’ve been fortunate enough for the last few years to be part of the selection panel that ploughs through several hundred collections of fabulous photographic works to decide what actually ends up on the exhibition walls (or fences!) of Bondi Pavilion and the beach front, Paddington Reservoir Gardens and other venues around Sydney.

The festival also hosts the Head On Photo Awards (Portrait, Landscape and a new one – Exposure), which attracted entries this year from as far afield as Bulgaria, Malta, Greece and Slovenia, to name just four of many.

(NB … I must confess to a little bit of bias … have been a Head On Award winner in the past, a finalist lots of times and an exhibitor on numerous occasions.)

This years collection of exhibition works on display was one of the best I’ve seen. It was excellent to see the work that we agonised to select on a computer screen way back in March, exhibited in the best locations at Bondi, Paddington and more. The same can be said for this years awards … the finalists in Head On Portrait Prize in particular were absolutely brilliant this year.

Head On, however, is not just about awards and exhibitions … it’s the coming together of talented (and newby) photographers from around the world to engage, discuss, swap ideas, learn, celebrate the photographic image and perhaps share a drink or three. Was excellent to catch up with imaging colleagues and friends at a splendid Bondi Pavilion opening eve and across the five days that I could afford to stay … amongst them Mark “Crusty” Baker (who kindly provided luxurious accomodation), Stephen Dupont and the delightful Martina Reys (great Rwanda show you two!), Michael Coyne, Peter Solness, Max Pam, Barbara McGrady, Diana Lui, Marta Soul, Donna Squire, Mike Magee, Simon Harnest, Katherine Griffiths, John Swainston, Max Mason-Hubers, Glenn Porter, Diane Brooks (thanks for the rides !) … and two ‘first time’ Cairns based photographers … the lovely talented Emese Gyalog and new to our city landscape photographer Danielle Jayde. (My apologies to those I may have missed mentioning !)

Of course, all this would not be possible without the amazing tiny Head On team who move mountains to put the festival together … Festival Director Moshe Rosenzveig OAM, Anita Schwartz, Stephen Godfrey, Callum Boland, Charles Mackean and volunteers. Brilliant …

Cairns photographers recognised for their work in the festival this year were the afore mentioned Emese Gyalog and Danielle Jayde, Marc Steiner … and … a certain Brian Cassey 🙂 (no great big deal … this time it was just a semi-finalist in the ‘Exposure’ category with ‘Marilyn Monroe 60 Years On – Bonn‘ 😉 … shown at the festival bottom below.)

Images from top … © John Swainston (promoting Stephen Dupont’s ‘Rwanda 30+ Bearing Witness to Genocide’ exhibition on festival opening eve), © Brian Cassey (Stephen Dupont at the opening eve of ‘Rwanda 30+ Bearing Witness to Genocide’), © Brian Cassey (Martina Reys talks to Rwanda genocide survivors at ‘Rwanda 30+ Bearing Witness to Genocide’), © John Swainston (Head On work displayed on the Bondi Beach waterfront), © Brian Cassey ( my selected work in ‘Exposure’ – ‘Marilyn Monroe 60 Years On – Bonn’)

Artist Tony Clark … Unsculpted …

… a great pleasure to meet and photograph Australia’s highly acclaimed artist painter, Tony Clark, at his Mission Beach tin shack home studio for a five page feature story in last weeks The Australian Weekend Magazine.

Tony is one of Australia’s most respected artists. For over four decades his uniquely styled paintings have been testing the boundaries between genres and disciplines and borrowing from the histories of art, architecture and theatre design along the way. He has lived and worked in Sicily in Italy and Essen in Germany and is now back in Australia at Mission Beach working on a new exhibition “Unsculpted”.

The exhibition, which opens at the University of Melbourne Buxton Contemporary on November 1st for a massive seven month run, will consist of around 100 paintings spanning over forty years of Tony’s work.

I spent two days with Tony making portraits and pics of him working on pieces in his ramshackle studio whilst gun journalist Ariela Bard got her material for her brilliant story with the intriguing title “Art, Crocs & Rock ’n’ Roll”.

I’m fondest of this first horizontal portrait of Tony (top) , whilst the magazine used a similar vertical version filling the whole second page of the article … so pretty happy with that. Also fond of the second image (bottom) of Tony amongst his mountains of art books that he collects and devours for inspiration. More of my pics were used on the other pages in the magazine.

Not only is Tony a highly regarded, brilliant and innovative artist but also a damn fine bloke. Thanks for the hospitality, Tony … great to work with you Ariela !

Image © Brian Cassey

Australian artist Tony Clark opens his new exhibition "Unsculpted" at Buxton Contemporary in Melbourne on November 1st. Images for story in The Weekend Australian by Brian Cassey
Australian artist Tony Clark opens his new exhibition "Unsculpted" at Buxton Contemporary in Melbourne on November 1st. Images for story in The Weekend Australian by Brian Cassey