Sony World Photography Festival, gala awards dinner

So, the SWPAs have come and gone. What a whirlwind. I flew from Hanoi to Cannes, spent 2 nights at the very cool little 3.14 hotel, and flew right back to Hanoi. That’s about 48hrs worth of flying for roughly 48hrs on the ground. Worth it? Most definitely, even just for the baguettes.

Although a little fazed by the jet lag, I was able to catch an Elliott Erwitt presentation the first night, and then met a whole bunch of great photographers from around the world. I had the particular good fortune to spend some time with winners Roderik Henderson, Amit Madheshiya, Rainforest Trust winner Daniel Beltrá (who won a grant to photograph disappearing rainforests in Brazil, Congo and Indonesia), caught a few glimpses of Mary Ellen Mark  and Tom Stoddart and talked with too many people who’s names I can’t recall due to exhaustion, jetlag, and a few too many glasses of champagne.

Here are a few snaps from the evening, including a view of the luxury yachts parked outside the reception hall, and some images of the winners on stage as well as presenting their work.

Iris D’Or and landscape winner David Zimmerman:

Portrait winner Roderik Henderson:

Advertising winner Dustin Humphrey:

Music winner Amiran White:

Elliott Erwitt presents the lifetime achievement award to Marc Riboud.

Mary Ellen Mark presents the portrait award to Roderik Henderson.

Amit presents his work.

Conceptual and Constructed winner Tamany Baker.

Architecture winner Michael van den Bogaard.

Natural History winner Lisa Maree Williams.

Fashion winner Piotr Fajfer:

Contemporary issues winner Giulio Di Sturco.

And finally, Current affairs winner Wojciech Grzedzinski. I have a strong suspicion we’re going to see a lot more from this guy in the future. Very strong work, and very committed.

~ by Julian Abram Wainwright on April 22, 2009.