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

News … January is Good … 17th Pollux & More …

… a nice start to ’22 … good news on a several fronts … (but inexplicably somewhat spoilt by Facebook).

Firstly, announced in the 17th International ‘Pollux Awards’ mid January …  two ‘Honorable (sic) Mentions’. A first recognition for the image “Veronica – Where Home Brew Kills” in the ‘Portrait’ category  … and also a ‘HM’ for “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa” in the ‘People’ category, adding to it’s lengthening ‘list’ (think you’ve seen that one a few times before on previous posts). Both were made on Mornington Island.

(Astonishingly Facebook immediately REMOVED (twice) the Pollux International award image of the five year old indigenous girl Veronica (below) because it “goes against our Community Standards” … I’m enraged ! Would be interested to hear your take on this.)

Also, selected as a Finalist this month in the ‘soon to be announced’ (can’t tell you more) Maldon Photographic Portrait Prize and exhibition ‘I Be Human’ at Edge Galleries, Maldon, Victoria in February … whilst there’s also an exciting ‘first’ for another image in a big International Prize that I’m not allowed to tell you about yet on pain of death ! 😉

January is good … (despite Facebook/Meta)

Image © Brian Cassey

17th Pollux International Photography Awards - 'Honourable Mention' - People - "Veronica - Where Home Brew Kills" by Brian Casse

Q&A & Radio … APL2 Exhibition Launch and Nikon Walkley Win …

Last couple of months have been eventful with the launch and five week run of my latest exhibition ‘A Photographer’s Life – Part Two’ at the Court House Gallery Cairns and a timely corresponding announcement of a win in this years Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize.

Grateful that the combined events seemed to attract a far bit of media attention … and struggled through radio interviews about the work and win with Kier Shorey at ABC Far North, Sarah Speller at Cairns FM 89.1, John MacKenzie at 4CA … (and another that won’t air till next month).

All touched on the work in the exhibition … a little on the Walkley … and the background stories to the images.

First up was Kia Shorey on drive time ABC … (not really at my best in a studio at 7am) … play here (below) if you have seven minutes of the will and patience 😉

The 4CA chat with veteran talk show host John MacKenzie was fairly short … but very useful and straight to the point as is John’s way.

Cairns FM 89.1 host Sarah Speller‘s little natter went a little longer at just on five minutes … and it can be played here …

However, by far the longest interview wasn’t for airing on the radio but was an integral part of the opening eve event of the ‘A Photographer’s Life – Part Two’ exhibition at the heritage listed Court House Gallery. Over a hundred folks witnessed ABC Radio’s talented senior presenter Fiona Sewell host an over forty minute Q&A ‘grilling’ (read interview) in the spacious Court Room of the gallery, where we talked in detail about eight projected images chosen from the thirty seven works that made up the exhibition. Here is all forty three minutes worth …

Thanks all in radio land for supplying the audio files … and Thank You for listening 🙂

Bi ’16, Hi ’17 …

Thanks to Murray Young for pointing this out (I was across the other side of the planet so initially missed it) … great showing in the first publication of 2017 in the Sunday Mail, January 1.

The S Mail used my image of beaten asylum seeker Abdullatif Almoftaji across the entire front page cover of their photographic retrospective special … ‘2016 Pictures of the Year’ … which also included some mind blowing and soon to be, if not already, ‘iconic’ (for want of a better term) images … including Cameron Spencer’s Getty image of Usain BoltBurhan Ozbilici’s startling AP image of Mevlut Mert Altintas after murdering Russian Ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov, Jonathan Bachman’s ‘Black Lives Matter’ Baton Rouge protest pic of leshia Evans … and Mahmoud Raslan’s haunting image of 5 year old Syrian child Omran Daqneesh in Aleppo. All images that will go down in history.

Real Chuffed to have my image part of such an amazing collection.

My pic of beaten 20 year old Iraqi asylum seeker Abdullatif was made at the Manus Island Papua New Guinea police watch house during a visit to document the island’s detainees. In December it was recognised as the winner of the Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize for 2016.

Below is a grab of the January 1st three page Sunday Mail special ‘In the Frame – Pictures of the Year’ (Abdullatif image © Brian Cassey)

Pictures of the Year 2016 - Abdulaftif Almoftaji - Manus Island by Brian Cassey

Pictures of the Year 2016 - Abdulaftif Almoftaji - Manus Island by Brian Cassey

 

Sydney … Moran & Walkley …

A massive and memorable fifty hours in Sydney this week …

Arrived Sydney Tuesday to be met by former Cairns Post staffer from way way back … Terri Bradley … and we were soon joined by Margaret River WA based photographer colleague Martine Perret at the ‘Wine Library‘ in Paddington for an evening of  ‘work catch up’.

Wednesday was 2016 Moran Prize day at Juniper Hall, Paddington. The deserving winners – Johannes Rienhart in the ‘Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize’ and Megan Seres in the ‘Moran National Portrait Prize’ – were announced at a news event in the morning, whilst the evening saw more merriment and much partying at the Moran family stately home and gallery.

Excellent to catch up with a host of Moran photographic finalistsMartine Perret (again) of course, winner Johannes, Michael Amendolia, Matt Abbott, Raphaela Rosella, Damien Pleming, Cameron Neville, Brad Smith, Todd Kennedy, Paul McIver … (also but very briefly Zoe Mongey and Reza Ghasemi).  Also attending for the evenings (ahem) ‘networking’ were Head On Photo Festival director Moshe Rosenzveig and photographer Brendan Beirne (former Nikon-Walkley winner with the Packer/Gyngell ‘Bondi Biffo’ news pics).

(The ‘Moran National Portrait Prize’ winner Megan Seres received $150,000 for her portrait of her daughter ‘Scarlett as Colonial Girl’ … Johannes Reinhart coined $50,000 for his ‘Mermaid Show’ image in the ‘Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize’.)

Between the morning and evening Moran events I took in the 2016 ‘Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition’ at the State Library of New South Wales … and was very happy to see my Portrait Prize winning image ‘Beaten Refugee’ very prominently displayed (see image below). Great to share the exhibition (and lunch) with my old mate and former Fleet Street ‘Blunt’ Frank Thorne, as well as Terri and Martine.

Also just had time to fit in a quick coffee with AAP photographer and ‘fotostrada’ colleague Dean Lewins … !

A pretty hectic but rewarding trip to the ‘Big Smoke’ … and a big ‘Thank You’ to Terri for her time and care.

The ‘Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize Exhibition’ (including my finalist image ‘Number 55’) runs at Juniper Hall, Paddington till 5th February 2017 … and the ‘Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition’ (including my ‘Beaten Refugee’) runs at the State Library of NSW till November 27th. Both exhibitions are well worth some time …

Images below © Brian Cassey … top – my Portrait Prize winner  ‘Beaten Refugee’ at the ‘Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Exhibition‘, Sydney … middle and bottom – my ‘Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize’ finalist image ‘Number 55‘ displayed inside and outside Juniper Hall, Paddington.

 

2016 Nikon-Walkley Portrait Prize - Winner - 'Beaten Refugee' by Brian Cassey
2016 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize - 'Number 55' - Finalist by Brian Cassey

2016 Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize - 'Number 55' - Finalist by Brian Cassey

 

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

StoryologyBlog

 

“Eyes” Image Presentation …

Prepared a presentation for inclusion in tonights Nikon Walkley ‘Storyology’ slide night event at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

The Nikon Walkley events in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney are a great window for photographers to present their work to a excellent audience of their peers and others.

My presentation explores the axiom that the eyes are the ‘soul’ of many a photograph.

If you are lucky enough to be present this evening at the Powerhouse and enjoy “Eyes” please consider a vote for ‘best in show’.

“Eyes … the Soul of a Photograph” is also presented below … and on my web site in the ‘Play’ section at https://www.briancasseyphotographer.com/play/

UPDATE:  “Eyes … the Soul of a Photograph” was awarded a close count ‘runner up’ by the audience on the evening – full news on the Walkley web site at http://walkleys.com/winners-photo-highlights-brisbane-slide-night/

 

“Eyes … the Soul of a Photograph”

Compiled from images selected from my archives specifically for presentation at the ‘Nikon Walkley Brisbane Slide Night’, the Powerhouse Brisbane on 3rd September 2014  – “Eyes” reinforces the axiom that, in photography as in life, the eyes are the gateway to the soul … and the still image.

In voting by the audience on the evening at the Powerhouse, “Eyes … the Soul of a Photograph”, was awarded close count ‘runner up’. News of the event can be found on the Walkley web site at … http://walkleys.com/winners-photo-highlights-brisbane-slide-night/

Images and Presentation © Brian Cassey

Sunshine Coast … & Nikon-Walkley …

Just returned from three days ‘down south ‘at Mooloolaba southern Queensland, courtesy of  the Walkley Foundation and the University of the Sunshine Coast.

My (rather pleasant) tasks over the three days were to ‘talk my head of’ on the subject of photojournalism at the ‘Ord Minnett Art & Architecture Lecture’ series, host five classes of University journalism students … and perform as ‘guest speaker’ at the Sunshine Coast opening of the ‘Nikon Walkley Press Photography Exhibition’.

Despite torrential rain and flash flooding (Sunshine Coast ?) all the events were extremely well attended. The ‘Nikon Walkley Press Photography Exhibition’ was hung by the charming USC Gallery curator Dawn Oelrich and the prints were very well presented and lit in the campus Gallery ‘space’. Well over a hundred braved the lousy weather on Thursday eve to attend, view the work selected as Australia’s best press pics of 2013 and listen to myself rabbit on about photojournalism and my and the other finalists work. CEO of the Walkley Foundation and MEAA Federal Secretary – Chris Warren – was also in attendance to address the throng.

On the previous night over thirty five souls were brave enough to withstand over an hour of my ‘Ord Minnett’ lecture. To support my words on the subject of photojournalism I also projected over a hundred images and demonstrated some obscure pieces of camera kit. Some of the pics and some of the kit dated back … well … a few decades.

I also spoke to five classes of journalism students … almost a hundred in total … on the press photography in the gallery (including mine of course) and the fragile  future of photojournalism. Several young students were, however, determined to continue along the PJ path.

Still, it made a pleasant change to spend my time talking about pictures rather than making them.

In case you missed it you can find my selected ‘Nikon Walkley Press Photographer of the Year’ portfolio here … http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkleyfoundation/sets/72157636407740096/

Below are two quick pics from the exhibition opening eve of guests checking out the wall with my selected ‘Nikon Walkley Press Photographer of the Year’ print portfolio.

All images © Brian Cassey

WalkleyExhSunshineCoastBlog1

WalkleyExhSunshineCoastBlog2

 

 

He’s Everywhere … Name is Dominic … !

Dominic Ngakyunkwokka …

Hot of the heels of Dominic’s starring role as the ‘hero’ image on the poster for my “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” Exhibition now showing at The Tanks Arts Centre Cairns (see previous post below) … he’s now also the headline act in two further publications.

Dominic’s image graces the whole front page of the 160th and current edition of the glossy Brisbane magazine “MAP”  (Motivated Australian People) – a great mag published by “purveyors of pop culture”. The same pic also graces the top half of page 15 above an article “A Series of Immortalised Moments” on the subject of the Brisbane Powerhouse exhibition of the “Nikon Walkley Press Photography Exhibition”.

The “Head On Photo Festival’ crew are also using the same Dominic image – once again full page – to promote the just announced “2014 Head On Photographic Prizes”.

The image has really been good for me … and I’m extremely grateful for the patience and understanding shown by Dominic – and,  indeed, the rest of the APN mustering crew – when I rocked up out of nowhere and chose to take their individual portraits as well as the pics of the guys and gals working out bush. I thank them all …

Would dearly like to take the exhibition up ‘home’ to Aurukun where Dominic and all the rest of the crew can take it in … but freely admit that this does present some logistical problems.

My photo of Dominic was also judged a winner in the “2013 Head On Portrait Prize”, a winner in the “2013 Queensland Multi Media Awards” in the “Best Editorial Image/Photograph” category, a finalist in the “2013 Fremantle International Portrait Prize“… and was part of my portfolio that made one of three finalists in the “2013 Nikon Walkley Press Photographer of the Year”.

Below are ‘grabs’ of the MAP mag cover and the Head On ‘Call for Entries’ … (Sincerely hope you’re not that bored with the image yet!!)

Image of  Dominic Ngakyunkwokka  © Brian Cassey

DominicMAPBlog

DominicHeadOnBlog

 

 

Walkley Award …

Last week I was enjoying a nice evening after a hard day flying across the Torres Strait to photograph old George Mye on Darnley Island, when I started to receive messages from friends and colleagues in Sydney that my image of Cairns burns survivor Carol Mayer had been selected as the Winner of the “2011 Nikon Walkey Best Portrait Award”. The announcement was made that evening at the Australian Centre for Photography in Paddington.

That’s a great way to start an evening. Fantastic news …

This Thursday I have to take the little flight from Cairns to Melbourne for the presentation dinner hosted by the lovely people at Nikon and the Walkley Foundation.

I’ve since visited the subject of the image … the brave and lovely Carol … and showed her the image, the judges comments and the hundreds of comments I have received on various social media.

The image is shown below with the comments of the judges … and clicking on the pic will also take you to the My Nikon Life site where you can view all the photographic works of the 2011 Nikon Walkley winners and finalists.

Image © Brian Cassey 2011