Auckland Festival of Photography

Showcase event in Wellington, more details below, Photobook NZ on this weekend.

See new and existing NZ artists works in photobooks, talks and a book market. Presented by Te Papa Museum, Massey University & Photoforum.

Photobook / NZ Photobook/NZ is New Zealand’s national photobook festival, celebrating small press photobooks and connecting photographers, publishers and their book-loving audiences. The next Photobook/NZ is to be held in Wellington, NZ, from March 4-6, 2022.

2024 Higashikawa International Photo Festival, hold their 40th anniversary edition.

Our hats off to this Japanese partner Festival in the Asia Pacific Photoforum network. Possibly the longest running photography Festival in Asia?

Julia Durkin, MNZM, our founder/CEO was able to join them on her trip to Japan, ahead of the next edition of our Kòwhai Residency this month and to research Tokyo's next T3 Photo Festival in October. More information on this soon.

Congratulations to Higashikawa Town of Photography.

Some great NZ sports photography being made at Paris 2024.

Zoe Hobbs is away - and after a blisteringly fast run she's second in her heat and advancing to the next round.

📷 Photosport

Our Festival had a 'Believe' theme this year which explored AI in photography, part of our public programme we held a panel discussion, debate on this with NZME. A edited video of this, is available on our You Tube channel.

Featuring Award winning film maker, Sharron Ward, international photojournalist, Sarah Palmer and local artist, Jon Carapiet who exhibited, presented at the 2024 Festival and Director of Visuals, NZME Janette Dalley.

Watch here -

Believe - Panel Discussion 2024 (courtesy of NZME) Auckland Festival of Photography 2024 gathered a group of lens-based artists, photojournalists and ‘photography-manipulators’ whose oeuvre relies on or quest...

One for NZ photographers, open now are the Head On Landscape Awards. Deadline is 18 August, some fees apply, great exhibition opportunity at Sydney's November Festival. Dont miss this!

Enter the Head On Landscape Awards now!!

One of Head On Photo Awards signature categories, the landscape awards showcase a multitude of ways that we can look at the environment around us.

To find out more, visit.
https://headon.org.au/awards

Dane Beesley's photographs are visual narratives of the skies accompanying us on our terrestrial journey. Dane captures the dynamic interplay between the sky and its surroundings through careful composition and attention to light. He seeks to freeze these fleeting moments, preserving them for contemplation and reflection.

Image: Dane Beesley | Head On Landscape finalist 2023

Paris, Olympics opening ceremony took place with much fanfare...and rain.

Ponchos abound. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Now on at our pop up space on Devonport Wharf, inside, at Queens Parade.

We're delighted to present a conceptual documentary series of black and white portraits, landscapes and mirages - 'Rainforest Sentinels' by James Whitlow Delano as part of the 'Believe' [whakapono] theme.

Perfect for a winters weekend on your walk or travels!

https://photographyfestival.org.nz/programme/detail.cfm?exhibition_id=2810&exhibition_date=1-jun-2024

Call For Applications - Creator Kowhai Residency 2024

The Kōwhai Residency (c) is for New Zealand photographic/visual imaging artists who are keen to take a step internationally and have professional development time in Japan. This is a photography based residency in one of the world's best cities and is an exclusive cultural innovation for NZ - Japan photographic ties.

Creator Residency call for applications by artists opens 6th July to 18th July.

DEADLINE: 5pm Thurs 18th July 2024 - Get your application sorted!

- assessment from end July
- announcement of the Kōwhai Residency in early Sept 2024
- For late Oct to mid Dec 2024 in residence

Full terms & conditions, plus application details: Kowhai Residency How To Apply July 2024 - Copy url - https://photographyfestival.org.nz/awards/kowhai-residency.cfm

With such glorious sunny winter days, dont forget to visit our NASA's James Webb Space Telescope 'Deep Space' exhibition on at Queens Wharf Fence at Quay St, near to the Shed 10. On through July. Free.

This selection of curated images is being presented exclusively by the Auckland Festival of Photography here down on earth, as part of the ‘Believe’ theme. Whilst the images are fully available to view online, we have chosen to reproduce them in print versions to place in an urban environment which is familiar to us, our city waterfront and give passers by an ‘other worldly’ glimpse into this mind-blowing project.

Full details here - https://photographyfestival.org.nz/programme/detail.cfm?exhibition_id=2817&exhibition_date=1-jun-2024

Auckland Festival of Photography A city-wide contemporary art and cultural event which takes place within Auckland's major galleries,

Online voting in the Sony Auckland Photo Day 2024 People’s Choice category decided the winner - Max McKee, Desolate Interiors won with the most valid votes.

The image shows a abandoned classroom at a High School in the region on Saturday 8th June. One of the few black and white interiors entered this year.

Max says he is delighted this image was also supported by the judges in the Top 30 and has won the People's Choice Prize: Total number of votes was 2730 were made during the People's Choice 2024. Thanks to everyone who voted.

Thanks to Sony New Zealand for their support and to Creative Communities Auckland for the funding support.

One of the world's leading photojournalism Festival's shares its new poster. 36th edition, from late August.

FR: L'affiche officielle du 36ème Festival International du Photojournalisme, Visa Pour l'Image-Perpignan !

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ENG: The official poster of 36th International Festival of Photojournalism, Visa Pour l'Image-Perpignan !

📸 Paula Bronstein/ Getty Images

Learn about here: https://www.visapourlimage.com/

Kōwhai trees motivate creative extension of unique Japan/New Zealand residency

Following on from the successful inaugural 2023 Kōwhai Residencies in Yōga, Tokyo we are delighted to announce this year's research placement has been Awarded to Theo Macdonald, based in Auckland. Theo says “The Kōwhai research residency is an incredible opportunity for me to expand and develop my photographic practice through dedicated time and international experience.”

The Festival Trust are delighted Theo has accepted to be the 3rd NZ photographer to undertake the Kōwhai Residency in Tokyo, Japan starting next month. Whilst in residence he will be exploring and researching, he explains his practice base "My lens-based practice involves documenting natural and architectural landscapes, using still and moving photography, to explore how these environments might help us understand the people who inhabit (or have inhabited) them. A methodological touchstone in my artistic practice is a 1960s Japanese filmmaking collective that developed fûkeiron, or "Japanese Landscape Theory". This collective argued that 1960s Japan’s socio-political identities were best represented by imaging urban Japan’s banal cityscapes, rather than its people."

Theo is stated in his pitch to gain selection "The objective of this research trip is to enrich my understanding of fûkeiron in the context of the urban landscape that initiated this movement."

He has exhibited widely in New Zealand and overseas in solo and group exhibitions. In 2023, Macdonald completed a Master of Visual Arts at Auckland’s AUT University.

Kōwhai Residency is a unique dedicated photographic experience for a NZ photographer. It’s the first dedicated NZ photography residency programme in Japan to be established from New Zealand. The partnership is between Auckland Festival of Photography and T3 Photo Festival Tokyo, Japan. With generous support of the Asia New Zealand Foundation - Te Whītau Tūhon.

Kōwhai is a tree that grows in both New Zealand and in Japan, (Sophora japonica – ‘Japanese Kōwhai' same family/group), a symbolic cultural connection crossing over the oceans between two hemispheres to grow creativity.

Image by Theo Macdonald - Nuclear Free Zone Tee, Titirangi, Hiroshima Remembrance Day, 2023

Asia New Zealand Foundation The Japan Times

Happy Matariki 2024 everyone. We hope here in NZ, you have a relaxed and enjoyable public holiday weekend.

This image by Mirjam van Sabben • Te Komoki Ancient Pa Under Ancient Stars. This photo was taken on the 9th of June 2018 at Little Huia. And is online as part of our Auckland Photo Blog archive for our Matariki theme in 2018.

Mānawatia a Matariki — Happy Māori New Year!

Aileen Chen's 'Malia on couch, 2022' is one of this year's entries to the Alex Mao Youth Photo Award 2024.

The Award is open nationally to all emerging photographers and communities across Aotearoa.

If you are under 25 then you can submit up to 9 images until 5pm on Sunday 30th June.

Judging starts next week, on Monday 1st July by Tushar Sharma, founder of ImageN8, a nature focussed charity fostering photography workshops with school students.

1st prize is $1200 cash grant & trophy.
2nd prize is $500 voucher for printing and framing at Print Art Co. (for use on services for shipping outside of Auckland too)

Thanks to our supporters for 2024.

Coming up this week at Auckland Council, is the removal of financial management of our community assets to a proposed limited liaibility company.

The Auckland Future Fund has been sold as a way to keep rates down but reading the agenda notes, its clear that it is predicated on the stock market gamble with public money actually making a return...

This note for example says, a caveat, an out in case it goes badly?

"The planned rates increase for year two of the LTP relies on $40 million per annum of enhanced return from the Fund. If that cannot be achieved, the average rates increase for the average value residential property for that year would need to be 1.7 percent higher, all else being equal."

It seems the elected representatives dont want the hard work of reducing waste, duplication and financial oversight. The proposed limited liability company is supposed to be up and running to save $20 million by Jan 2025.

For the arts and cultural sector, these amounts are eyewatering "buffers" to gamble with, especially in the current recession, and cost of living crisis.

We hope the Council will delay this hasty plan until it has been adequately canvassed to the public at election time in 2025.

You be the judge!

Have your own say and make your vote count in selecting the People's Choice winner for Sony Auckland Photo Day 2024.

107 shortlisted photos, love something a lot then give it 5 stars or not so much just one star or none. REVIEW ALL PAGES.

Highest number of 5 star votes wins at that time. Only one vote per person per photo. No multiple voting will be counted. Now get clicking!

Images shown by: Alex Stammers: Checking Instagram, Derek Teague: Happy Days, Harry Hochmann Trip with the family to the Anwahata beach on cloudy day and Wero te Kino, Streeties.

Voting closes: 5pm Wednesday 26 June 2024.

https://photographyfestival.org.nz/photo-day/peoples-choice/index.cfm

2024 Sony Auckland Photo Day winners are decided!

Auckland Festival of Photography’s annual 24-hour day in the life of Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau competition took place on Saturday 8 June, with the hundreds of entries submitted adding to an archive of more than 15,000 unique images of Auckland - Tāmaki Makaurau taken since the competition began.

The announcement of 2024’s Auckland Photo Day winners marks the end of June’s successful festival, which included more than 60+ online, in venue and outdoor exhibitions across the region, including many exploring the ‘Believe’ theme.

Congratulations to - Clint Schubert; Faces of Freedom - 1st Prize 2024 Sony Auckland Photo Day

Aaron Key, Sony NZ, judge’s comment: “A stunning black and white portrait that beautifully captures the strength and dignity of the subject. By using a shallow depth of field, the photographer has isolated the protester in a chaotic environment, while also giving the image a cinematic quality that elevates it from the mundane. The composition draws the eye to the face, where the attention is held by the details, textures and powerful expression. It’s a very striking image that illustrates the individual’s commitment to a common cause.”

Taken at the recent 'March for Nature' event in central Auckland.

First Prize: Sony Alpha 6700 camera (RRP $2799.95) & E 16-55mm F2.8 G lens (RRP $2399.95). Total value: RRP $5199.90

Judges were - 2024 Judges:
Aaron Key, Digital Imaging Product Specialist, Sony New Zealand
Sylvie Whinray, Photojournalist
Henry Oliver, Editor, Metro Magazine NZ

View 2nd and 3rd prize winners here -

https://photographyfestival.org.nz/news/enews.cfm

Great to see our inaugural Kòwhai Residency research artist in the spotlight for her work resulting in an exhibition of alternative practices & concepts. Well done Hannah!

Hannah Rose Arnold creates conceptual art that elicits an emotional response The talented photographer will try her hand at anything – even blacksmithing – but always returns to the camera.

We're delighted to announce the 6th annual Youth Photo Award in 2024 opens at 9am tomorrow, Saturday 15th June.

This is an annual photography grant for emerging photographers, at the start of their careers or study. We invite photographers and artists under 25 years to enter their NZ photography work/photo essay/project.

Alex Mao Youth Photo Award

Open: 15 - 30 June

Submit: up to 9 images

1st Place: $1200NZD cash grant with the trophy
2nd Place: NZ$500 print / frame voucher grant with a certificate
*Terms and conditions apply.

Supported by the Alex Mao Foundation, and 2nd place by Print Art Co Ltd, presented by Image Auckland [tāmaki makaurau].

To date over $6600 has been Awarded to support Youth photography in NZ through this Award since 2019.

Image: Alex Mao Youth Photo Award 1st place Winner 2023 - Latamai Katoa - A Different Way Of Living.

Good portrait of curator, Allan McDonald at Invitation to The Unsaid, on now as part of the Festival. Full details on our website, programme, in venue section.

NZCPA is honoured to share the work of Mr. Jiang Ting, a Chinese photographer who is currently based in Tokyo, presenting his series of works titled “New Zealand Chinese Photography Association"(NZCPA) - including black and white documentary photography of “grand sumo ceremony” and 30 of “sumo contest”.

Started on 8th June, 4 days only, ends 12th June.

Up 4 sets of stairs, and a buzzer to enter at door on Queen Street.

This is the 100th entry to our 2024 Sony Auckland Photo Day. Fei Yu - Love, taken on 8th June.

Did you take photos anywhere in Auckland region yesterday?

You are able to take part here, deadline is Friday 14th June 5pm -

https://www.photographyfestival.org.nz/submission/index.cfm

More Festival community exhibition openings around the region, various artists, venues many well attended, nice winter events!

Its the last weekend for our amazing 'Believe' theme lightboxes at Karanga Plaza, on 24/7 until 12th June. Dont miss this!

Artists include: NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, Yulia Skogoreva, Jenna Eriksen and Andrea Gardner.

Full details -https://photographyfestival.org.nz/programme/outdoor.cfm

Driving around town, (or cycling) you might catch sight of one of the Festival digital billboards, from Lincoln Rd, Parnell, Kingsland and few in the CBD on rotate!
Thanks to the Lion Foundation.

The Festival runs for one more week, with some exhibitions extending to later in the month or longer.

Photobook Friday 2024 at Ellen Melville Centre yesterday was great! Heard a variety of speakers who shared their work, ideas and a good turnout. Thanks to everyone who made it memorable