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The award winners of Australia’s most prestigious photography prize were announced in front of 800 guests at the official opening of the Head On Photo Festival at Sydney’s Lower Town Hall on Friday 1st May 2015.
Perennial crowd favourite category, the Head On Portrait prize, was taken out by Molly Harris with her emotive image of transgender air force pilot Sandra, born as John, shaving as she gets ready for the Anzac day parade.
First prize in the Mobile category was won by Laki Sideris, for a sedate, high-contrast black and white image from his mother‘s funeral: an image he cannot remember taking. Winner in the Landscape division was Alfonso Perez, with his depiction of Indonesian disparity: Jakarta’s largest cemetery, lush with grass, provides a banquet for a shepherd’s flock of sheep, whilst the city’s tallest ultra-modern building stands monolithic in the background.
Head On is Australia’s largest photo festival, and the world’s second largest, and boasts a bustling satellite program of talks, hands-on workshops and exhibitions. Photographers submitted works covering every known field of photography, from photojournalism to fine art to reportage to commercial.
More than 4,000 entrants vied for over $50,000 worth of prizes across the five categories: Portrait, Landscape, Mobile, Student and Moving Image.
PORTRAIT PRIZE
First place: Being Sandra by Molly Harris
“Sandra was born as John but started living as Sandra 6 years ago. When she became Sandra she left behind a career that spanned 37 years in the Air force. In this photo Sandra is getting ready for Anzac Day.”
Second place: JOHN by Glynn Patrick
“Recovering from facial surgery, he turns his back on the sun he loves…”
Third place: Sawat by Samantha Everton
“Sawat from the series Sang Tong, translates as ‘the golden shell’ and comes from a beautiful old Thai folk tale about a boy who emerges triumphant and ‘golden’ from disquieting circumstances beyond his control.”
LANDSCAPE PRIZE
First place: Urban landscape. Central Jakarta, Indonesia by Alfonso Perez
Second place: Salt 400 by Murray Fredericks
Third place: Bruce Ridge by Andrew Lance
Landscape NSW Award: Construction by Catherine Cloran
MOBILE PRIZE
First place: Life by Laki Sideris
Second place: Kobani by Andrew Quilty
Third place: Dive Dayclub, Southern California by Justin Vague
STUDENT PRIZE
First place: Shattered Euphoria by Paul Philpott
Second place: Suffocating thoughts by Ella Rynehart
Third place: Alex by Hannah Kelly
MOVING IMAGE PRIZE
First place: Stereotypes – What are you listening to? By Dan Gray
Second place: Realm of Forms by Yoong Wah Wong
Third place: Jack by Paul Mosig
For more information visit:
Website www.headon.com.au
Twitter @HeadOnPhotoFest
Facebook www.facebook.com/HeadOnPhotoFest
Hashtag #headonphotofest
