Media Release 20 Mar 2009
Friday March 20, 2009
Freelance photographer Tony McDonough wins the 2009 WA Press Photographer of the Year
Freelance photographer Tony McDonough was tonight named the WA Press Photographer of the Year for an impressive portfolio featuring images of a jubilant sports star, the enduring spirit of a small child, a triumphant mining magnate and stoicism in the face of tragedy.
McDonough, who has previously worked for The Sunday Times, was awarded the honour tonight at the opening of the 55th exhibition of entries at the State Library of Western Australia.
McDonough’s winning portfolio included four striking images:
- Leanna, a sick child, holding a gift at the annual McDonald’s House Christmas Party
- A portrait of victims of crime advocate Ann O’Neill, facing life without her two murdered children
- Adam Gilchrist jumping for joy as he brings up a century during his final international match in Perth. This picture also won the Best Sport Photograph for McDonough.
- Mining magnate Andrew Forrest waving the Australian flag on board a moving train carrying the first iron shipment from his new mine to Port Hedland
The West Australian’s Guy Magowan won in the Spot News category with the powerful picture of a distraught man being consoled by police; only moments after learning his wife had drowned trying to save the family dog at Yanchep beach.
The Best News Feature Photograph was taken out by Kerris Berrington, from The Sunday Times, for his picture of a homeless family living in their car, highlighting the forgotten victims of the economic boom.
The Sunday Times’ Richard Hatherly took out two categories – Best Portrait and Best Feature Photograph – with the one moving image, that of Australian soldier Private Liam Haven, from Perth’s western suburbs, back home after being blinded by shrapnel while serving in southern Iraq.
Other winners included:
-Mal Fairclough, from The West Australian, for Picture Story of the Year, detailing the euphoric gold medal journey of Perth pole vaulter Steve Hooker at the Beijing Olympics
- Justin Benson-Cooper, from the Community Newspaper Group, who took out Best Suburban Photographer
- Busselton-Margaret River Times photographer Derek Pool who was named Best Country Photographer
Organisers of WA’s top press photography awards were inundated with 739 images from 505 entrants. This year’s judges were retired freelance photojournalist Ritchie Hann, Duncan Dodd from Maxwell Optical Industries and photojournalist and lecturer David Dare-Parker.
Hann congratulated the award winners for their integrity and sympathy in capturing the distress of hard news as it happened and the humanity displayed in the feature sections.
“In today’s publishing world, those who work producing the printed news and the electronic media have to keep pace with the modernisation of electronic systems and the compatible equipment that serves them,” he said.
“Despite these advancements in technology, all assignments for both the editorial and the photographic staff are still governed by the age-old rules of deadlines and the four W questions – The Who, The What, The Where and The Why?
“Every person has the ability to ask the four W questions, but few can relate to the difference between LOOKING at and accepting the answers or SEEING what human interest lies beneath those questions.
“Good news gatherers should see beyond what they are looking at and in doing so usually find the substance of their assignment.
“Today’s advanced technology used correctly can release the photographers from the worry of focus, shutter speed, film rating and aperture settings and allowed them to concentrate on the Look and See factor in covering their assignment.
“The photographer’s ability to SEE was one of the important parameters used by the judges when selecting the finalists and the winners.”
Award sponsors include the State Library of Western Australia, Canon, Team Digital, The West Australian, The Sunday Times and The Community Newspaper Group.
The 500 best entries will be displayed at the State Library of Western Australia from Saturday March 21, 2009 until Thursday April 30, 2009.
The exhibition will then move to Belmont Forum for two weeks in mid-May and then to Lakeside Joondalup in mid-July.
The awards are divided into nine categories: Portfolio, Spot News, News Feature, Portrait, Sport, Feature, Picture Story, Suburban and Country. The overall and suburban prizes are judged from a portfolio of the entrants best four images for the year.
For further information please contact Bill Hatto at The West Australian on (08) 9482 3644 or email bill.hatto@wanews.com.au
