Vanessa Winship
Vanessa Winship, Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year, 2008http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/cgi-bin/mtadmin/mt.cgi?__mode=view&_type=entry&id=4499&blog_id=1#
The Sony World Photography Awards were celebrated in Cannes last week with a series of events and photographic exhibitions, culminating in a VIP Gala Evening and Awards Presentation on 24 April. Vanessa Winship was named Sony World Photography Awards Photographer of the Year, winning $25,000. In addition, Saatchi Online exhibited a selection of 100 images chosen from the highly commended amateur entries. World renowned photographers such as Nan Goldin, Martin Parr, Elliott Erwitt, Bruce Davidson, Rankin and Phil Stern attended the awards ceremony.
Vanessa Winship's photograph of Turkish twins was selected by the Honorary Board as the winner for the top prize of the first year of the awards. She said, "Many, many thanks, and these are actually for the little girls of Eastern Turkey." Winship received her award from Honorary Board Member Elliott Erwitt at the Palais des Festivals in front of an audience of 700 VIPs and industry leaders.
The eleven professional category winners spanning eight countries also collected their awards and Arup Ghosh, the overall amateur winner, was applauded by the audience though was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony. To see more of his work on his Saatchi Online profile page click here.
Arup Ghosh, 'Barber'
Arup Ghosh, Sony World Photography Awards Amateur Photographer of the Year, 2008, speaking by video link from India
Phil Stern was awarded the Legacy award for his outstanding contribution to the industry. He said on receiving the award, "It is very flattering to have been chosen to receive this award. May I thank everyone who made this decision, and long may the awards continue."
The Sony World Photography Awards aims to celebrate both the future of photography as well as pay tribute to the visions of the past.
To view the complete list of Professional entries go to www.worldphotographyawards.org/finalists/profinalists.asp
To view the complete list of Amateur entries go to www.worldphotographyawards.org/finalists/amfinalists.asp
Phil Stern receiving the Legacy Award
Nan Goldin
Rankin
Saatchi Online exhibition of top 100 amateur photographers
Saatchi Online exhibition of top 100 amateur photographers
Saatchi Online exhibition of top 100 amateur photographers
Saatchi Online exhibition of top 100 amateur photographers
)
)