2019 Nikon-Walkley Photography Finalists announced
A look at the finalists’ photographs.
Jason South has been named the winner of the 2019 Nikon-Walkley Photo of the Year Prize for “Running the gauntlet”. The Nikon-Walkley judges thought Jason South’s image of George Pell managed to tell the biggest news story in Australia in a single frame. The judges said “it’s no mean feat to get an image that good out of a court job”.
All finalists detailed below were announced tonight at simultaneous events at the Parliament of New South Wales in Sydney, and 1826 Photography Studios & Gallery in Melbourne.
The Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism recognise the work of photographers across a range of genres, from news and sport to portraiture and photographic essays. This exhibition lets us reflect on the year in news, through the individual worldviews and skilled lenses of Australia’s best photographers.
The finalists’ photographs will be toured around the nation in a series of free public exhibitions and is currently on display at 1826 Photography Studios & Gallery in South Melbourne until October 24. Below you can see the hero image from each entry, but in many cases the entry comprises multiple images. You can see all of them at the exhibition!
Winners will be announced November 28 at the 64th Annual Walkley Awards for Excellence in Journalism.
Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year
To win this highest honour, photographers must use their self-editing skills. In this category they enter up to ten images to show their talent across a range of genres and themes.
Finalist: Scott Barbour, Getty Images and AAP
Scott Barbour plays with colour, light, shapes, speed, reflections and tight angles in this visually varied body of work. The judges praised his technical skill and versatility, which Barbour says is driven by his striving to give viewers new and memorable perspectives on the sports they love.
“A top-class sportsperson is constantly taking risks and pushing the boundaries of their chosen sport. I think it’s only fair that I try and do the same whilst photographing them.”
Finalist: Chris McGrath, Getty Images
The judges found Chris McGrath’s body of work insightful and timely, a powerful reflection on the year that was. Spanning Turkey, Syria, Kosovo and Hong Kong, McGrath immerses himself into the action, and getting so close to his subjects allows him to reveal tension and emotion.
Finalist: Jeremy Piper, National Geographic, Oculi and AAP
Jeremy Piper’s body of work was praised by the judges as a tight edit of strong images, with wonderful use of light and graphic composition with strong lines. In a series that takes the viewer around the world, from travel to sport, news, politics and daily life, Piper creatively shoots a range of subjects and moods.
News Photography
From the planned to the spontaneous, it takes skill to capture a news moment in a split second. Photographers may enter up to five images representing a story or event, not a series on a theme.
Finalist: Chris McGrath, Getty Images, “The Disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi”
The judges declared this a cinematic, breathtaking image, with so much energy it feels alive. It’s also a metaphor for the state of journalism. Despite the dangers, the fourth estate is still fighting to get to the truth. The press are becoming a target, becoming the news, and being held back.
Finalist: Matt Roberts, ABC, “The Second Coming of Senator Lambie”
The judges praised Matt Roberts’ image as “a great example of a single image moment, beautifully symbolising a whole story in one frame”. Roberts was covering the opening of the 46th Parliament, targeting Jacqui Lambie as one of the decisive votes on the newly-returned Morrison government’s tax cut plan. He captures her returning to parliament like a prize fighter walking into the ring for a rematch, her determined stance contrasted with the frantic press corp. It’s an incredibly dynamic shot, with great use of lighting and wonderful expressions on every person in the frame.
Finalist: Jason South, The Age, “Pell”
These images, of probably the biggest Australian news story of the year, are all about timing. While capturing the perfect split-second might seem like a matter of luck, the reality is the best photographers make their own luck with meticulous planning. Knowing what may happen, anticipating the position you need to be in to secure a clear and original angle, and knowing what lens and shutter speed you’ll need are just the beginning.
Sport Photography
From our hallowed grounds to iconic athletes, photographers submit up to five images (representing a single story or a body of work) that capture the action, imagery or drama of sport.
Finalist: Craig Golding, AAP, “Invictus Games 2018”
The Invictus Games were founded by HRH The Duke of Sussex in 2014 as an international adaptive sports event celebrating the healing power of sport. AAP photographer Craig Golding shot the fourth Invictus Games, held in Sydney in October 2018, in what the judges agreed was an excellent body of work.
Finalist: Quinn Rooney, Getty Images, “The Art of Sports Photography”
Quinn Rooney takes advantage of the technique, language and composition of photography, while his understanding of the sports allows him to go beyond the cliche shots to achieve something new. He captures jubilation and drama, from all different angles, and using everything from slow shutter speed to underwater photography. The judges praised his technical skill and ability to capture the decisive moment at the height of sporting action.
Finalist: Cameron Spencer, Getty Images, “H20”
The judges admired the narrative and clever editing of Cameron Spencer’s entry, which uses the theme of water to tie together images of all different sports. Unified in a palette of black and white, showcasing the many ways water and light interact, the entry also features accomplished use of drone photography.
Feature/Photography Essay
If a picture is worth a thousand words, these collections are whole books. Photographers use between five and twelve images to tell a longer story or make a point.
Finalist: Chris McGrath, Getty Images, “The End of the Caliphate”
After months of fighting, the Kurdish-led and American-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) declared on March 23, 2019, the “100 percent territorial defeat” of the so-called Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL. The group once controlled vast areas across Syria and Iraq, a population of up to 12 million, and a “caliphate” that drew tens of thousands of foreign nationals to join its ranks.
The judges praised Chris McGrath’s entry as a mature set of images shot in classic Magnum style, exploring how daily life continues alongside the devastation of the conflict.
Finalist: Ryan Pierse, Getty Images, “The Unlosable Election”
The judges praised the use of iconography and great editing in this series on the 2019 Federal Election. “Election campaigns are so sterile these days, but Ryan Pierse has brought it to life with unstaged moments, humour and emotion.”
Finalist: Jason South, The Age, “Christchurch Massacre”
From early morning to evening, Jason South devoted time and effort to cover the whole story of the attacks in Christchurch. The judges said his work stood out, putting together a variety of images that concentrate on the aftermath with a sensitivity to the subjects. By capturing the emotional reactions, he brings us in as viewers and allows us to connect.
Winners are also announced for four photography prizes.
Nikon-Walkley Portrait Prize
A single image can say so much about a person. Entries for the Portrait Prize show people from all walks of life, revealing aspects of the human condition.
Winner: Justin McManus, The Sunday Age, “Landon and Joey”
The judges praised the softness and fragility of Justin McManus’ portrait of Yindjibarndi man Landon Punch with a joey. The portrait is part of a series, in which McManus has photographed Aboriginal families and community members who have lost loved ones while in police custody.
Nikon-Walkley Community / Regional Prize
Many of the most interesting stories happen outside the centres of our major cities. This prize celebrates community and regional photographers, who may enter up to five images representing their work.
Winner: Max Mason-Hubers, Newcastle Herald and The Sydney Morning Herald, “A year of ups and downs in Newcastle”
Demonstrating the intimacy and trust a regional photographer can build with his community, Max Mason-Hubers’ body of work shows a range of subjects portrayed in different ways. From a news action shot to a stunning portrait, these five images represent highlights from Mason-Hubers’ past twelve months in Newcastle.
The judges praised the skill, storytelling and consistency of editing in this series.
Nikon-Walkley Contemporary Australian Daily Life Prize
Celebrating images of life in Australia, this prize is judged on originality and human interest. Photographers can enter a single picture, or a series of up to five still images.
Winner: Matthew Abbott, The New York Times, “Chinese Tourism Boom”
In 2018–19 Australia hosted 1.3 million Chinese tourists — more than the population of Australia’s fifth biggest city, Adelaide. Pumping $11.5billion into the economy during the same period, Chinese tourists account for more than a quarter of spending by international visitors. They are now the top source of tourists, outnumbering our New Zealand neighbours.
Matthew Abbott set out to visualise this story, deciding to embed himself in the most typical and ordinary Chinese tour he could find: a bus trip from Canberra to Sydney to the Gold Coast. The result is a strong set of human interest images, which the judges agreed were composed and lit beautifully. Capturing spontaneous moments over his four-day journey, Abbott’s light-hearted, fly-on-the-wall documentary journalism helps us see Australia through Chinese eyes.
Nikon-Walkley Photo of the Year Prize
This prize recognises an outstanding “hero” image. This defining image of the year is selected by the judges from photographs submitted across all categories in the awards.
Winner: Jason South, The Age, “Running the gauntlet”
Thanks to this year’s Nikon-Walkley Judges:
- Heather Faulkner, Senior Lecturer, Program Director, Photography, Griffith University
- David Gray, photographer
- Shane Hulbert, Associate Professor, RMIT University School of Art
- Steven Siewert, freelance photographer
- Danie Sprague, Photo Editor, The Age
The finalists’ photographs will be toured around the nation in a series of free public exhibitions and is currently on display at 1826 Photography Studios & Gallery in South Melbourne until October 24.
The Walkleys thank Nikon for its support of the photography awards and prizes.
