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The world's most prestigious photojournalism exhibition returns to Australia for the ninth year
Sydney, 11 February 2008 - Canon Australia is delighted to announce the winners of the esteemed World Press Photo contest. Australians will get to see this international exhibition celebrating professional press photography when it arrives on their shores in May.
The exhibition, brought to Sydney by World Press Foundation global sponsor, Canon, showcases the very best of photojournalism from around the world. Featuring a montage of stunningly beautiful yet often haunting images, this thought-provoking exhibition communicates emotions that words fail to convey. Through images, the public are invited to explore the reality of press photography and a world that most people only read about.
"Canon has been a major partner to World Press Foundation for more than a decade, and we are honoured to be associated with this organisation," said Canon Australia Managing Director Shuichi Tsukahara. "Press photography continues to evolve and Canon is thrilled to be part of its evolution by providing high-level support to the photographic excellence of the international press."
"This valuable exhibition honours the heroism and vision of press photographers around the world and will continue to educate, support and encourage photojournalists to bring to life the realities of our world that go unseen by the general public," said Mr Tsukahara.
The photo selected by the jury as the World Press Photo of the Year 2007 shows an American soldier resting at "Restrepo" bunker, named after a soldier from his platoon who was recently killed by insurgents. The 2nd Battalion Airborne of the 503rd US infantry is undergoing a deployment in the Korengal Valley in the Eastern province of Afghanistan. The valley is infamous as the site of a US helicopter downing and has seen some of the most intense fighting in the country. Hetherington's photograph is part of a picture story that was also awarded 2nd Prize in General News Stories. He had traveled to Afghanistan on assignment for Vanity Fair.
"This image shows the exhaustion of a man - and the exhaustion of a nation," says jury chairman Gary Knight, and adds "We're all connected to this. It's a picture of a man at the end of a line."
Mr Tim Hetherington will receive a cash prize of 10,000 euro (A$16,190) and a professional EOS-1Ds Mark III Digital SLR camera donated by Canon.
This year's contest received a record 80,536 images submitted by 5,019 professional photographers from 125 different countries. Single photographs and photo stories were judged in 10 categories: Spot News, General News, People in the News, Portraits, Sports Action, Sports Features, Arts and Entertainment, Contemporary Issues, Daily Life and Nature. The jury comprised picture editors, photographers and representatives of press agencies from across the world.
Australian photographers always feature in the league of award winners and this year is no exception. The Australian winners for 2007 are:
Tim Clayton, Sydney Morning Herald, 1st prize, Sports Action
Andrew Quilty, Australian Financial Review, 1st prize, Singles Sports Features
Daniel Berehulak, Getty Images, 3rd prize, People in the News
The State Library of NSW will again host the exhibition in Sydney. The exhibition will then make its way to the Brisbane Powerhouse, in June.
The FREE exhibition will be held at the State Library of NSW, from 8 May to 5 June 2008.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-5pm.
General inquiries: (02) 9273 1414.
The exhibition will be held at the Brisbane Powerhouse, from 12 June - 30 June 2008.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-4pm.
General inquiries: 07 3358 8600.
The World Press Photo Foundation is an independent platform for international press photography, founded in 1955. This platform manifests itself in the annual World Press Photo contest and the corresponding yearbook and exhibition.
Canon is a worldwide sponsor of World Press Photo. The exhibition has been brought to Sydney by Canon Australia and supported by Getty Images, JC Decaux and TNT.
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 | Photo credit: World Press Photo of the Year 2007, Tim Hetherington, UK, for Vanity Fair |
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