John Ansell named professional photographer of the year

Portrait series by John Ansell, 2015 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year.

At the awards ceremony held in Melbourne last night, John Ansell’s four images (above) won the Portrait category and the top prize of $10,000 as he was announced 2015 Canon AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year.

John describes his portrait images as ‘designed to communicate a visual timeline of Australian history, chronicling: Australia’s Indigenous community as the original land owners; a Queens scout signifying 200 years as a British colony; an Italian immigrant representing Australia’s rich multicultural society; and a young Sudanese refugee breaking free of chains depicting the new direction of Australian society.’

For the AIPP APPA’s 39th year, 648 entrants submitted 2434 images. At a transparent judging process open to visitors of The Digital Show held 16-19 October, a rotating judging panel of experienced professional photographers awarded points out of 100 for each image. Every image entered was critiqued.

‘Each year we are amazed at the standard of entries and reminded of the ability of the best professional photographers to continually reveal new ways of seeing the world through their images,’ said Canon’s manager of Professional Photography, Chris Macleod. ‘This year was no exception and we will see this flow on and inspire the next generation of photographers.’

‘In today’s digital world, everybody wants to be able to capture images and remember great moments, but for professional photographers it is more than that. It is about using photography to tell brave, emotive stories that create powerful impressions and have an impact on the viewer,’ said awards judge and Canon Master, Jackie Ranken. ‘These awards are an incredible celebration of those who do it best.’

The 2015 Canon AIPP APPA’s also honoured two of Australia’s leading and most respected photographers who were named AIPP APPA ‘Grand Masters’: Andrew Campbell, 2015 AIPP Australian Science, Wildlife & Wild Places Photographer of the Year winner, and Canon Master Mike Langford.

Winners of the 2015 Canon AIPP APPA’s are:
Professional Photographer of the Year: John Ansell APP.L AAIPP, John Ansell Photography, Victoria
Advertising Photographer of the Year: Easton Chang APP, Easton Chang Photography, New South Wales
Alternate Process of the Year: Trevor Foon APP.L M.Photog II, Foons Photographics, Victoria
Birth Photographer of the Year: Selena Rollason APP, Brisbane Birth Photography, Queensland
Fashion Photographer of the Year: Vicky Papas APP AAIPP, Vergara, Victoria
Commercial Photographer of the Year: Lisa Saad APP M.Photog II, Lisa Saad, Victoria
Sport Photographer of the Year: Krystle Wright, Canon Master, Queensland
Travel Photographer of the Year: Steve Scalone APP AAIPP, Steve Scalone Photography, Victoria (see below)
Landscape Photographer of the Year: David Evans APP M.Photog, David Evans Photography, South Australia
Science, Wildlife and Wild Places Photographer of the Year: Andrew Campbell AAP.L M.Photog V, Generations Photography, Victoria
Documentary Photographer of the Year: Johannes Reinhart APP AAIPP, JR Photography, Western Australia
Illustrative Photographer of the Year: Gee Greenslade APP AAIPP, Gee Greenslade Photography, South Australia
Portrait Photographer of the Year: John Ansell APP.L AAIPP, John Ansell Photography, Victoria
Pet / Animal Photographer of the Year: Kerry Martin APP AAIPP, Akemi Photography, Victoria
Family Photographer of the Year: Katie Kolenberg APP M.Photog, Heartsong Photography, Australian Capital Territory
Wedding Photographer of the Year: Kelly Tunney APP M.Photog I, Kelly Tunney Photographer, Australian Capital Territory
Creative Photographer of the Year: Peter Rossi APP.L GM.Photog, Highlights Photography, Queensland
Student Photographer Of The Year: Ricky Gestro, Western Australia
Emerging Photographer Of The Year: Jennifere Thompson, Jennifere Thompson Photographer, Victoria
International Photographer Of The Year: David Edmonson, Edmonson Weddings, United States
Tertiary Photography Institution Of The Year: Photography Studies College ““ Melbourne, Victoria
Highest Scoring Image Award: David Evans APP M.Photog, David Evans Photography, South Australia
Album of the Year Award: Jerry Ghionis APP.L M.Photog IV, Jerry Ghionis Photography, Victoria
Photography Book Award: Robert van Koesveld, Robert van Koesveld Photography, Western Australia

Steve Scalone photography, Canon AIPP APPA 2015 Travel Photographer of the Year

For further information, visit www.canon.com.au/appa  or www.aippappa.com.au