Local photographer takes out inaugural photography prize

Local Geelong photographer Darren Clark has been awarded the inaugural Geelong Photographic Portrait Prize (GPPP) for his work “Young and Wild”.

Shot on infra-red, the portrait was taken in the Kimberley, the northernmost region of Western Australia, and features a young Aboriginal child holding a rescued joey.

Clark said the image was taken during an important time in his life and he was “totally overwhelmed” by the win, for which he received a $3,000 cash prize.

The prize, hosted by the Hue and Cry Collective and Analogue Academy, was judged by an expert panel of three judges: Barry Feldman, Craig Watson and Ellen Eustance.

Submissions were received from both emerging and professional photographers across Australia and were judged across four criteria including evidence of technical skill, aesthetics, innovation and clarity of content. Watson said the collection of submissions received for the inaugural GPPP made for a varied and “eclectic” range of works.

“The thing that we found the most difficult was just choosing one outstanding portrait because there are a lot,” he said.

He said that while the judging panel were impressed with the high standard of work submitted, they were “100 per cent unanimous on the winner”.

“What we were looking for, more than anything, was emotion…Something that spoke to us that had that emotion in it.”

Watson said Clark’s portrait was “an incredibly good photograph” and the judges were drawn to the “raw emotion” in the subject’s face who conveys a strength and determination, while at the same time, care and empathy.

“The lighting in it is superb and enhanced even more by the fact it appears to have been shot on infra-red,” he said.

The Analogue Academy Prize and a $500 development and scan package was also awarded to Barwon Heads-based photographer, Kalynda Schuliga for a portrait of her daughter, entitled “Anoushka, 3pm”.

The exhibition, including the winning photographs, will be on display at the Hue and Cry Collective in Ryrie Street, Geelong until April 27.

Visitors are encouraged to cast a vote for their favourite work to help decide the Peoples’ Choice Prize, the winner of which will be announced on April 27 and will receive a three-week solo exhibition at the gallery.