Australia's Professional Photographer of the Year 2011 announced
Last night the photographic industry’s most anticipated accolade was awarded to Melbourne photographer Gerard O’Connor by the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) at a special gala dinner in Sydney.
“To win the Canon AIPP APPAs is the highest accolade in Australian professional photography,” says Taz Nakamasu, Managing Director, Canon Australia. “Creative photography is growing strongly in Australia, with 65% more images taken in the past four years alone. It is the professionals who lead the way through their inspiration, passion and dedication to pushing the boundaries of their craft.”
Gerard walks away with $20,000 in prizes sponsored by Canon Australia and the prestigious title of 2011 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year for his stunning fine art images (featured above). In addition to the Canon AIPP Professional Photography award, Gerard’s portfolio has won the Fine Art category. One of Gerard’s four winning images, ‘Beach’, was also highly commended at this year’s Moran Prize in the contemporary photography category.
“The interest in the Canon AIPP APPAs continues to grow each year,” says AIPP Executive Officer, Mr Peter Myers. “Again, the awards have received a record number of entries from photographers from around the country. This year more than 850 photographers submitted over 3,000 images in the competitive awards.”
"To win the Canon AIPP APPAs is the highest accolade in Australian professional photography..."
Conducted by some of Australia’s most recognised photographers, judging for the awards took place over the past three days at the industry’s annual PMA Australia Expo. Each of the thousands of images entered is critiqued in detail by the esteemed judging panel. 2011 sees the addition of four new categories to the awards: advertising, fashion, architectural and fusion.
“As the photographic landscape changes, we need to modify the categories to accommodate the volumes of work we are seeing in other areas,” says Canon AIPP APPAs Chairman and Judge, Peter Eastway. “The fact that photographers are embracing the video capabilities of their equipment saw the introduction of the new fusion photography category.”
In their 35th year, the Canon AIPP APPAs attract a prize pool of more than $60,000 in cash and prizes including the grand prize – $20,000 worth of Canon EOS professional digital camera equipment.
The Canon AIPP APPAs are a celebration of photographic excellence and represent the pinnacle of Australian professional photography – also some of the best in the world.
Winners for the 2011 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards are:
- 2011 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year – Gerard O’Connor, Prahran (Vic)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Advertising Photographer of the Year – Adrian Brown, Alexandria (NSW)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Fashion Photographer of the Year – Peter Coulson, Kilsyth South (Vic)
- 2011 AIPP Architectural Photographer of the Year – Tim Griffith, Castlemaine (Vic)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Sport Photographer of the Year – Adam Pretty (Getty Images)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Travel Photographer of the Year – Michael Langford, Queenstown (NZ)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year – Christian Fletcher, Dunsborough (WA)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Science Environment & Nature Photographer of the Year – Chris Barry, Sorrento (WA)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Documentary Photographer of the Year – Lesley Downie, Noosa Waters (Qld)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Illustrative Photographer of the Year – James Simmons, Fremantle (WA)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Fine Art Photographer of the Year – Gerard O’Connor, Prahran (Vic)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Portrait Photographer of the Year – Sue Bryce, Leichhardt (NSW)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Family Photographer of the Year – Michael Chetham, Willoughby (NSW)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year – Jerry Ghionis, Docklands (Vic)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Creative Photographer of the Year – Dan O’Day, Campbell (ACT)
- 2011 AIPP Fusion Award – Christian Fletcher, Dunsborough (WA)
- 2011 AIPP Student Photographer Of The Year – David Glazebrook, Springwood (NSW)
- 2011 AIPP Tertiary Photography Institution Of The Year – Photographic Studies College, Southbank (Vic)
- 2011 Highest Scoring Print Award – James Simmons, Fremantle (WA)
- 2011 Athol Shmith Award – James Simmons, Fremantle (WA)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Wedding Album of the Year Award – Rocco Ancora, Fairfield (Vic)
- 2011 AIPP Australian Photography Book Award – Eugene Tan, Bondi Beach (NSW)
Background to the Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards
The Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards are open to all Australian and overseas professional photographers. In addition to the coveted 2011 Canon AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Award, entries are also judged in sub-categories covering specialised forms of professional photography including: Advertising, Fashion, Architectural, Illustrative, Documentary, Fine Art, Sport, Travel, Portrait, Family, Wedding, Science, Environment & Nature, Landscape and a Creative Award. As the winning entries are judged by their peers in professional photography, the awards represent the best of the best professional photography in Australia.
2011 marks the 35th year of the AIPP’s Australian Professional Photography Awards and the 10th year of Canon’s major sponsorship. Award-winning images will be showcased in the AIPP’s Canon APPA book.
About the Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP)
Founded in 1963, the AIPP is a not-for-profit organisation run voluntarily for and by professional photographers and industry representatives who seek to set a standard of excellence within the photographic industry. The AIPP strives to promote and maintain the highest standards of professional competence and business ethics in the industry. By maintaining rigorous entry criteria, ongoing assessment and a binding Code of Ethics for members, as well as providing ongoing education via seminars, workshops and events, the AIPP is a brand of trust in the photographic industry. AIPP Committees represent members on important issues such as copyright; taxation, legal and business matters; insurance; digital imaging and work practices.
Sponsored by Canon Australia
Canon Australia is a market leader in digital imaging technology for consumers and businesses. Canon EOS digital SLR cameras are the No.1 choice for DSLR buyers in Australia*1. For working professional photographers, Canon Professional Services offers a support network designed to provide you with the best professional support service - bar none. As part of the Canon family, Canon Finance Australia makes finance for professional photographers simple. In addition to the best products and services, Canon is dedicated to contributing to the growth and popularity of photography at all levels in Australia. It does this in many ways, including the popular World of EOS online portal and the key sponsorship of the Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards.
*1 Canon EOS continues to lead the Australian market, with 59% value share. Source: GfK Retail and Technology Australia, Digital Still Cameras - DSLR, Retail Sales Value, Jan 2010-Dec 2010 (excludes MMC, Internet and online channels)