Australians win accolades at 2010 World Press Photo contest

Image details (© Jodi Bieber, South Africa, Institute for Artist Management/Goodman Gallery for Time magazine)
 
Australians will get the chance to see the best press photography from around the world when Canon Australia showcases the winners of the 2010 World Press Photo contest. The exhibition tour which takes in approximately 100 cities in 45 countries, will open in Australia on 4 June 2011.

Now in its 54th year, the World Press Photo contest is universally acknowledged as the world’s premier competition for photojournalism and its accolades are coveted by photographers across the globe.

“This year's World Press Photo exhibition will stun and captivate audiences with some of the most powerful images of world events from 2010,” says Chris Macleod, Brand Manager – EOS, Canon Australia. “Canon is proud to sponsor this important celebration of photojournalism worldwide as well as locally in Australia.”

“The exhibition honours the extraordinary talent of press photographers from around the world, and the fact that there are three Australians among the winners is testament to the level of talent in this country,” continued Macleod. “Their work is thought-provoking for the broader public and a real inspiration for photographers of all levels.”

The international jury awarded prizes in nine themed categories to 55 photographers of 23 nationalities, including three Australians: Daniel Berehulak won First prize in the People in the News category for his moving images of the floods in Pakistan; Adam Pretty won First prize in the Sport category for his portfolio of sporting images; and Steve Christo won Third prize in the Sport category for his photo of this year’s Cole Classic ocean racing competition at Manly Beach.

Sometimes confronting in its content, World Press Photo brings to broader public attention some of the harsh realities of our world. Winning this year’s contest is the shocking image of a young girl left disfigured after being punished for attempting to leave her husband in Kabul, Afganistan. The portrait, taken by Jodi Bieber from South Africa was selected as the World Press Photo of the Year 2010, and was also awarded First prize in the category Portraits Singles. Jodi Bieber will receive her award during a ceremony in Amsterdam, 7 May 2011. Her prize includes a Canon EOS DSLR Camera and Lens Kit.

The judges also gave special mention to a 12-picture series of photographs taken by the miners trapped for 69 days inside the San Jose mine in Chile, 700 metres underground, before they were rescued.

World Press Photo is sponsored worldwide by Canon and TNT. Canon has been bringing the World Press Photo Exhibition to Australian audiences for the past 12 years. This event is part of the Australian Canon EOS Festival of Photography – a series of sponsored photography events that runs from April to July each year.1

Exhibition details:

Brisbane Powerhouse, 4 - 26 June 2010 (entry is free)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-4pm
General inquiries: (07) 3358 8600 or www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

State Library of NSW, Sydney, 1 - 24 July 2010 (entry is free)
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-5pm
General inquiries: (02) 9273 1414 or www.sl.nsw.gov.au