Head On Exhibition

30 May, 2009

Head On, now in its sixth year, is regarded by the arts community and reviewers as the most critically important photographic portrait prize in the country. It represents a vibrant, diverse cross-section of new and traditional photographic practices, showcasing work by emerging and established practitioners alike. Images selected include diverse two-dimensional photomedia from digital to darkroom and the documentary to the staged.

Head On is really the only opportunity to see the best portraiture work the country has to offer' Good Weekend

Winners of the 2009 Head On Portrait Prize were announced at the Australian Centre for Photography in Paddington to a record crowd of well over 1000 people. The show was officially opened by Dateline Presenter, George Negus who announced the three equal winners, Katerina Mantelos for her image 'Athina, 98 years of life', Vincent Long for his image 'Generation Y' and Janyon Boschoff for his image 'Urban Camouflage'. The 'Critic's Choice' went to Gary Heery for his image of Kate Blanchett. David Kelly received a Special Mention for his Image 'Ursula'.

The winners of the competition receive prizes with a total value of $37000 from Canon, Adobe, SanDisk, ACDSee, Focal Press, Datacolour, LowePro and Dragon Image. This year's judges were Magnum photographer Trent Parke, multi award winning photographer Narelle Autio, Good Weekend picture editor Judith Love and Head On Curator Moshe Rosenzveig. Robert McFarlane was this year's judge of the Critic's Choice Award.

Head On is a non-profit organisation which aims to promote photography through an annual portrait competition and other related activities. 

The show is supported by Canon, Adobe, Sandisk, DataBasics, Focal Press, ACDSee, emailbrain, Studio Migo, Gekko Images, Pixel Perfect Prolab, Frankel Lawyers, Lowepro, Orient Capital, Momento, Dragon Image, Kayell, Le Bukhara, Abercorn Wine, GASAA, Designer & Programmers and the Australian Centre for Photography.

Shot at a wedding,  PADRE E FIGLIO  ( Italian for father and son ) was Graham Monro's photo selected for the prize.
" PADRE E FIGLIO " ( Italian for father and son )

What was the story behind the photo?

Graham Monro says, "after a commercial photography career of advertising, editorial and design I switched to the domestic market of weddings and portraits. I was commisioned to shoot this wedding by Vince Lagana, a handsome young advertising art director when he married the gorgeous graphic designer Angela Manconi of Cammeray.
Vince had met me years before when I was invited to lecture at the advertising AWARD school. This photo was taken at Vince's family home at Auburn in the lounge room. It was a classic Italian Australian loungeroom, ornate with religious icons and immaculate.
Vince was standing with his dad Guiseppe and put his arm around him. Guiseppe lent on Vince and let out a sigh and said "Ah Vince my son" as Vince kissed him.
It was a classic moment, the fourth frame of five shot in that sequence. It epitomizes all that is good about weddings: Love, Family and Friendship."