By Brenton Edwards, Australia
Brenton Edwards from Australia is the Overall Winner of the 2007 Commonwealth Photographic Awards, an annual competition organised by the Commonwealth Press Union. Brenton started as a professional photographer in November 1988 as a cadet at The Advertiser in Adelaide and since then – apart from a short stint at The Times in London – has stayed with the Advertiser, also covering assignments for them in Europe, Papua New Guinea and Malaysia.
The theme of the 2007 Awards is ‘Achievement’ and the photographs were judged on both interpretation of the theme and technical quality. The Commonwealth Photographic Awards are an open competition for all Commonwealth residents, and include both colour and black and white photographs, from professionals and amateurs alike.
The winning photographs were judged in London by Vanley Burke, photographer who has been recording the community of life of Birmingham since 1965; Dan Chung, photographer with The Guardian who has won acclaims for his work in Pakistan, Indonesia and Iraq; Jonathan Eastland, photographer and author of some 38 years standing; and Sarju Kaul, Senior London Correspondent, Asian Age, India.
Of the winning image of a young boy held aloft on the razor sharp points of several swords and spears, the judges unanimously agreed that it deserved the overall prize. “It is a bell ringer of a picture.” (Jonathan Eastland); “The photographer achieved everything we set him.” (Dan Chung); “It fulfils the brief.” (Vanley Burke); and “The kid’s expression is the best bit – it is the ‘achievement’ moment” (Sarju Kaul).
Brenton’s response to learning of his win was “It is quite a surreal feeling to have my entry considered the best of the Commonwealth nations. I have won state and national awards before, but nothing of this calibre. I’m sure the reality of it all won’t be apparent until the reception in London, where I will effectively representing News Limited in Australia. I am proud.”
The regional winners are: Africa – Abel Mwambe Chibu (Zambia); Europe – Caroline Irby (UK); Australasia: Brenton Edwards (Australia); South Asia – Suresh Narayanan (India); and South East Asia – Lee Ee Cheng (Malaysia). (See full list of winners attached to this press release.)
The Canberra Times/CPU Young Photographer Prize
Masi Losi, a young South African photographer with the community newspaper ‘The Daily Dispatch’ has been awarded The Canberra Times/CPU Young Photographer Prize. Masi will be travelling to Australia to take up a 4-week attachment at The Canberra Times. Editor of The Canberra Times, Mark Baker says, “The Awards have a proud history of capturing through the lens the many dimensions of life across the Commonwealth – a literal snapshot. Canberra is truly a global city and as its daily newspaper, we welcome the opportunity to promote such photo-journalism in developing nations.”
Of his win, Masi said: “Winning this award has made me realise that it does not matter where one comes from or how one grew up. What matters is the passion and the determination one has to succeed in their chosen art form. Winning this prize scares me as it will open doors that I never thought I could open. It has also made me realise that by not limiting one’s ability and making sacrifices and also having realistic dreams, one does go far in life.”
The judges said of this prize that it was a closely fought match. Roxanne van Winsen – also a South African photographer – was awarded ‘Highly Commended’ and will be receiving a cash prize of £250.00.
‘Three Pictures – One Story’ Prize
This prize was awarded to Sam Lim Kien Hock of Malaysia. Entrants were invited to submit three photographs in sequence that told a story of ‘Achievement’. Sam’s photos show an old lady with her grandson to whom she is telling the story of independence in Malaysia, at the same time making the finishing touches to the national flag and then planting it.
London Exhibition
An exhibition of all the winners’ photographs will be taking place in London at The Commonwealth Club (25 Northumberland Avenue) from 10 September to 31 October 2007 (visitors should check for opening times beforehand at 020 7930 6733 (07h00 – 23h00). Other venues throughout the Commonwealth are being encouraged to host further exhibitions.
The Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) is an association whose membership includes over 1,500 newspapers and news agencies. The CPU aims to monitor and oppose any measures or proposals likely to affect the freedom of the press; they work to improve facilities for reporting and transmitting news; and to promote the training of all involved in the Commonwealth’s press.
The Awards are sponsored by The Canberra Times Australia, Commonwealth Broadcasting Association, The Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Secretariat, The Globe & Mail Canada, The Guardian Foundation and The Royal Commonwealth Society.
2007 Commonwealth Photographic Awards- List of Winners
Overall Winner Brenton Edwards (Australia)
Regional Winners
Africa: Abel Mwambe Chibu (Zambia)
Australasia: Brenton Edwards (Australia)
Europe: Caroline Irby (UK)
South Asia: Suresh Narayanan (India)
South East Asia: Lee Ee Cheng (Malaysia)
Highly Commended
Africa: Vladimira Bajerovska (South Africa)
Pius Utomi Ekpei (Nigeria)
Pillay Vythilingum Kadrewvel (Mauritius)
Australasia: Lee Griffith (Australia)
Marie Micallef (Australia)
Andrew Sole (Australia)
Caribbean and Canada: Todd VanSickle (British Virgin Islands)
Europe: John Angerson (UK)
Simon Renilson (UK)
Rene Rossignaud (Malta)
South Asia: Debesh Mukhopadhyay (India)
Srinivasa Reddy (India)
Pranabendu Samajpati (India)
Runners Up
Africa: Mkhulisi Magongo (Swaziland)
Michael Nsubuga (Uganda)
Raymond Preston (South Africa)
South Asia: Shafayet Hoosain Apollo (Bangladesh)
D N Baraskar (India)
Arindam Datta (India)
Dheeraj Paul (India)
Sukanta Sinha (India)
Europe: Brian Harris (UK)
Allen Markey (UK)
Louis McCullagh (UK)
SPECIAL PRIZES
'The Canberra Times/CPU Young Photographer’ Prize
Winner: Masi Losi (South Africa)
Highly Commended: Roxanne van Winsen (South Africa)
Runner Up: Amit Madheshiya (India)
'Three Pictures – One Story'
Winner: Sam Lim Kien Hock (Malaysia)
Highly Commended: Chetan Soni (India)
Runners-Up: Richard Human (UK)
Susan MacCleod (UK)
Astrid Volzke (Australia)
Commonwealth Photographic Awards
17 Fleet Street
London EC4Y 1AA
Email: photo@cpu.org.uk
