Nikon

Walkley Awards … Nikon Portrait Prize Announcement … Sydney

It’s very short as I was too busy nattering to photographer mates and colleagues I hadn’t seen since before the pandemic, was hampered by a large glass of Shiraz in my hand whilst seated at the Nikon table and missed the start of the announcement. 🙂

However, below is a little vid of part of the announcement of my Nikon Portrait Prize win with the work “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa” (my third win in this category in the last ten years) at the 2021 66th Walkley Awards presentation event at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Darling Harbour, Sydney last Friday eve. Click to play … and the sound is the best bit :-).

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 🙂

Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize #3 … Yes !

… well, that was damn exciting and unexpected !

A few days ago received an email (proceeded by phone calls) with the great news that I’d once again won the ‘Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize’. Really stoked with that …

The Walkley’s usually announce the winners of the ‘Nikon Portrait Prize’, the ‘Nikon Photo of the Year Prize’ and the finalists of the other Nikon photographic categories during state capital evening ‘events’ … but Covid this year meant a much quieter disclosure via an 8am email.

Wasn’t expected anything … so missed the initial email and only learn’t that my pic “The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa” had been selected as the portrait prize winner when colleagues started ringing me !

The pic was made on Mornington Island (Kunhanhaa) in the Gulf of Carpentaria in far northern Australia … an indigenous community that is experiencing multiple ‘social issues’ mostly due to the tyranny of distance and … well …  being ‘forgotten’. Myself and ‘gun’ journalist Michael McKenna travelled to the island in December 2020 to document the story of massive overcrowding in the communities basic homes … and the image and story was published on page one of ‘The Australian’ (below).

Many thanks to Michael … and also to the ‘driven’ Mayor of Mornington, Kyle Yanner, who is single minded in solving the issues that have beset his community.

This portrait was also a part of my pic essay “Mornington Island – The Queenslanders Left behind” that recently won the ‘Photographic Essay’ category of ‘The Clarion Awards’ … Queensland’s media awards.

Also, huge congrats to brilliant Sydney Morning Herald colleague Kate Geraghty who scored the ‘Nikon Photo of the Year Prize’ with an evocative image of a Covid-19 patient that was also published as a page1.

Can’t forget the several of my colleagues that received the news that they are ‘Finalists’ in the remaining Nikon Walkley photographic categories who won’t now learn their fate till the big announcements at The Walkley Awards presentation night of nights in Tamworth in February 2022. I’ll be there ‘with bells on’ !

Below I’ve also posted images and links to my other two previous winning ‘Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize’ photographs in 2016 (here) and 2011 (here). Also just a couple of the links to all the Nikon Walkley winners and category finalists here and here.

STOP PRESS: Was interviewed in the days after the announcement by the Walkley Foundation’s Kate Burgess for an article in The Walkley Magazine. Kate’s work and my words may be found here … https://medium.com/the-walkley-magazine/spotlight-on-brian-cassey-1bfa58b91af8

Images © Brian Cassey

 

2021 Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize - Winner - "The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa' - by Brian Cassey

2021 Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize - Winner - "The Yarrick Family of Kunhanhaa' - by Brian Cassey for The Australian

'Abdullatif - Beaten Asylum Seeker' - Winner 2016 Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize - image by Brian Cassey

'Carol - Burne Survivor' - Winner 2011 'Nikon Walkley Portrait Prize' - image by Brian Cassey

Ten Pages in ‘Australian Photography’ …

Don’t often get this sort of coverage so … many thanks to photography journalist Rob Ditessa and the Australian Photography magazine for the great ten page spread in the current April edition.

Rob managed a nice job putting a cohesive touch to the amazing amount of ‘waffle’ that I supplied at his request on the subject of my many years in the news media photographic industry that dates back to my teens.

In particular Rob was interested in the roles that picture agencies had in my progression from a very raw teen with a manual SLR covering British football to the muck and bullets coalface of the major international news stories such as the Boxing Day Asian Tsunami of 2004. (Sadly the pars mentioning my invaluable pic agency mentors such as AP’s Russ McPhedran were a ‘space’ casualty.)

The pages and images look great … with two double page spread photos and other pics amongst the text … and a ‘The Gear’ box detailing the kit I now use that should keep Kylie and Julie at Nikon Australia a little happy.

Sadly (perhaps not!) the text here will be unreadable … and if you have an inclination to read the story and text you’ll have to either subscribe or shell out for a print copy of the mag at your newsagents … (or send me a message and I’ll see what I can do 🙂 )

Images © Brian Cassey … Pages © Australian Photography

Nikon F2 … Roll of Tri-X … 36 Pics …

Thanks to legendary veteran combat photographer Tim Page (who dobbed me in) … I have this week been wielding on a spare shoulder a pristine circa 1971 manual everything Nikon F2 loaded with a roll of Tri-X film.

The idea … the brainchild of photographer Renato Repetto … is to get the Nikon into the hands of top (and not so top) photographers all around Australia who will each shoot one roll of B&W film … just 36 frames each.

The AFP400TX Project is about seeing life through the eyes of Australian Film Photographers. The Nikon F2 (eye level DE-1 Plain Prism, 1971-1976) no 7587117 with a 55mm 2.8 Micro Nikkor will be used for every exposure of the project, making the only variable the photographer. All rolls of film will be developed by the project sponsor Rewind Photo Lab in NSW to ensure consistency across the project.

My colleagues of note featured in the project include the afore mentioned Tim Page … David Dare Parker, Michael Coyne, Stephen Dupont, Jesse Marlow, Sean Davey, Heather Faulkner, Roger Garwood  … and many maybe not so well known.

A diary accompanying the camera will document the creative thoughts of all the photographers in the project for later  incorporation into a photo book. The book will be launched with gallery exhibitions in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne featuring silver gelatin prints of the best photos of the project.

Now … I cut my teeth shooting ‘manual everything’ film SLR’s way, way back when … but can now confirm that ‘going back’ is somewhat of a sobering and frightening experience !!

Below is a pic I made (on a D4S) of Wik Munkan artist Lex Namponan from Aurukun, wielding the precious Nikon F2 used in the project. Lex was born in 1971 … the same year that the F2 was released. I used two precious frames from the Tri-X roll to make a portrait of Lex. Fingers crossed that Lex and I make the AFP400TX Project exhibitions and book …

Image © Brian Cassey

AFP400TX Project - Australia - 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 finalists … Martine 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

 

Nikon Walkley’s In Brisbane …

Thanks to Nikon Australia and the Walkley Foundation I last week again travelled to Brisbane to help launch the ‘2014 Nikon Walkley Press Photography Exhibition’ at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

Great to catch up with colleagues and mates once again but first I had to do the ‘official bit’ on stage and wax (probably not so) lyrical – to an audience of about 70 guests – about the work of Australia’s press photographers and the wonderful images collected into this years exhibition displayed on the textured and colourful walls of the Powerhouse. I then joined forces on stage with Nikon Walkley News category finalist – Courier Mail staffer and mate – Peter Wallace … and we talked about how he worked to obtain his great image of now convicted murderer Gerard Baden-Clay.

A great evening that I hope everyone enjoyed … and ‘Thanks’ to the Walkley’s, Nikon and all at the Powerhouse.

If you get the chance to see the exhibition – either in Brisbane or in other touring venues – you will not be disappointed. The work is extraordinary (as is usual every year) and a testament to the talent of Australia’s press photographers.

Below a pic – courtesy of Nikon’s Chris Dalton – of yours truly hiding behind the microphone at the Nikon Walkley exhibition launch with the work of Sport finalist Brett Costello on the big screen . Image © Chris Dalton

NikonWalkleyBrisbaneBlog

“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

Two Days With Nikon …

Thanks to Steve Merrin and Andrew King of Nikon Australia I spent a great two days last week in that other northern Queensland city of Townsville.

At Nikons invitation I gave a ‘lecture’ to Townsville’s pro photographers on photojournalism and surviving therein over the decades and in todays media climate … joined the Nikon crew in an extreme low light workshop which highlighted the performance of Nikons FX large sensor cameras including the D4s and the brand new Nikon D810 … and joined the sales crew at Garricks Camera House for a special Nikon promotion and sale day. it was Nikon’s first … and hopefully not the last … event in the far north of Queensland.

A full on and enjoyable couple of entertaining days …

The numbers in attendance at my little chat (which ran well over the time optimistically allotted by Steve at 90 minutes) surprised me … and according to the feedback … was well received by the audience of ‘pros’  – portrait, wedding, commercial and the odd PJ. Accompanying my natter was a visual show of over a hundred of my images from across the decades … and a few pieces of past photographic kit.

Below are just two of the hundred odd images from last Fridays Townsville presentation. The first is an emotion charged image from that most competitive game of lawn bowls which I made in the 80’s … and secondly an image I made in the far west of Queensland in the dysfunctional indigenous community of Urandangi in 2008.

Images © Brian Cassey

Australia - Cairns - 1987

NikonEventBlog3

 

 

“My Nikon Life” …

Nice publication in the very latest just hit the streets edition of Nikon’s “My Nikon Life” magazine.

The mag used six pages to showcase eight of my images and an article about my work entitled “Instant Memory”. Looks great …

Had some nice distinguished company in the magazine too …  gracing the other pages is work by legendary rock (music not stones) photographer Bob King, Nikon Ambassador Rocco Ancora and ‘Nikon Walkley Press Photo of the Year’ winner Barat Ali Batoor … and much more.

A very stylishly produced magazine “My Nikon Life” is well worth a look.

Below are grabs of the six pages featuring my work and story.

20131218_MyNikonLife1sBlog

20131218_MyNikonLife2sBlog

20131218_MyNikonLife3sBlog

Wow … Walkley News … !

Completely stunned and shocked but bloody happy to receive the news last evening that my work has been selected as one of three finalists in the 2013 “Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year Award”.

The news was announced in simultaneous Walkley events in Sydney and Melbourne whilst I was watching the tele back home in Cairns … gawd bless Twitter !

Feel humble to have been chosen alongside the other two finalists – and with With Kate Geraghty and Quinn Rooney the competition I’ll happily leave it at that!!

My portfolio consists of ten images and they can be found here at … http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkleyfoundation/sets/72157636407740096/ … whilst all the Nikon-Walkley photographic finalists work may be found here at … http://www.flickr.com/photos/walkleyfoundation/sets/

Many Thanks to the Walkley Foundation and Nikon – and I’m looking forward to the big night Walkley ‘bash’ in Brisbane town on November 28th.

Below is just one image from my  finalist portfolio of ten. Bim Atkinson allowed me to make this image in his home. As a young schoolboy he was serially raped by the head master of his school – a man who continued to abuse children throughout his high profile career in the church up until his death a few years ago. The photograph was made to accompany a story in “The Australian”.

Image © Brian Cassey 2013

PedophileVictimBlog

 

The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman

This presentation – “The Aak Puul Ngantam Stockman” – was made for the ‘Nikon Walkley Photographers Slide Night’ in Sydney at the State Library of New South Wales on the 28th May 2013. The images were made on Cape York Peninsula northern Australia and show the work of the mustering operation by the indigenous company APN Cape York. The operation is attempting to provide meaningful employment and occupation for the indigenous population of the area around Aurukun – and break the cycle of welfare dependancy, violence, alcohol and drug abuse. The portraits represented in this presentation were exhibited at The Global Gallery, Paddington, Sydney as a featured exhibit of the 2013 “Head On Photo Festival”.
One of the portrait images was selected as a Winner of the “Head On Portrait Prize” – and another as a ‘Finalist’ in the “Kuala Lumpur International Portrait Awards”.
The music accompanying the presentation – “Fire Serpent” from the album “Shaman’s Dance” – is used by kind permission of the artist Dan Pound.

Words and Images © Brian Cassey