2005

Press Photographer of the Year 2005:
Matt Kavanagh, The Irish Times

The prestigious AIB Press Photographers Association of Ireland Awards were announced at a Feb. 17 banquet in Jury’s Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin. The AIB PPAI Awards reward and commemorate excellence in the field of Irish press photography and showcase an outstanding illustrative display of the most celebrated and distinguished press photographs from the past year, according to organizers. 

With the number of entries reaching 1,400 from more than 125 photographers North and South this year, the judges were presented with photos of the highest standard and selecting the winners proved a demanding responsibility, judges said. The panel of expert judges included Chairperson Bride Rosney (Director of Communications, RTE), Jonathan Levy (FOTO8, London) and John Chillingworth (JHC Communications). 

Prizes were awarded in the categories of News, Features, Sports Action, Sports Features, People, Individual Study, The Arts, Politics, Picture Story and a special award for Humor. The highest accolade of the evening was the "AIB PPAI Press Photographer of the Year" award, which went to Matt Kavanagh, The Irish Times. 

The judging panel commented that the winning photographer's work displayed such a sense of profundity, depth and talent that they believe the photos will become, over many years, a lasting record of the person or event depicted. 

The strength of Kavanagh’s portfolio was such that he showed an all- round expert ability to capture the essence of a moment with notable flair and precision. With photographs such as ‘Collector’s Corner’ and ‘The Lap of Luxury’ the judges concluded that his portfolio stood out as the strongest body of work among the entries. This was Kavanagh’s third time to receive this title. 

Speaking at the banquet, Donal Forde, AIM managing director, said, "AIB is delighted to be sponsoring the PPAI Awards and Exhibition for the fourth year running. Each year the winners demonstrate the highest standards of professional photojournalism and individual creativity and once again, I must pay tribute to the abundance of skill and talent displayed in this year’s exceptional winning images." 

Billy Higgins, PPAI president, said, "I wish to congratulate my colleague Matt for his achievements and contribution to press photography in Ireland. The overall quality of Matt’s pictures is exemplary, with each topic handled with both sensitivity and creativity. Matt is a well-respected member of our profession and his dedication and commitment to his vocation has been well rewarded." 

The AIB PPAI Exhibition, featuring 108 prints, opened in The Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar after the awards were announced. It is currently on tour, visiting 25 AIB branches in Ireland and overseas venues in Boston, Brussels and France during the remainder of this year. 

Masterclasses for photography students will be held in Dublin and Cork over the coming months. The PPAI partners with AIB for these sessions

Speech by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern 
at the Presentation of the 
AIB PPAI Awards 
in Jury’s Hotel, Ballsbridge on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006: 

"I am delighted to be with you to present the AIB Press Photographers' Association of Ireland Awards. 

"The great 18th century English painter, Sir Joshua Reynolds, once remarked - ‘A room hung with pictures is a room hung with thoughts.’ And while in his day, the art of photography had not yet been born, his remarks certainly hold true of our photographs in the modern age. 

"Everyday, through our media, we have instant access to images of events both countrywide and worldwide. Images, in fact, have become so pervasive, that the flair, creativity and dedication of press photographers is often overlooked. If the printed word were all we had, however, we would be deprived of the sense of triumph, drama or sadness associated with local and world events. 

"Photos enhance the written word in a way that no other medium can. Photos tell the story as it is. They bring our news stories to life, arousing the whole spectrum of human emotions. They are a record of our past but they are also a testament of change in a modern and dynamic world. 

"Through the AIB PPAI Awards, the very best of Irish photography over the last 12 months is acknowledged and rewarded. In celebrating the role of our press photographers, I would like to congratulate everyone who has entered this prestigious competition. Many of you have gone to great lengths to capture the most memorable moments of the past year. 

"I would also like to commend the Press Photographers of Ireland for their ongoing commitment to the awards. This occasion has carved out a niche for itself in Irish life. But its growing popularity means increasingly stiff competition. This year, almost 1,400 photographs by over 125 photographers were entered. The breadth of talent that lies behind these entries has given the Judging Panel an unenviable task. Now with their job truly over, I know everyone here thanks them for their time and commitment to a difficult process. I am sure you will all agree, that those receiving awards tonight are, indeed, very deserving. 

"I am also pleased to see AIB's continued commitment to sponsorship of this event. It is wonderful to see you showcasing the talents of competitors by displaying their works all around the country. In doing so, you ensure that the Irish public get a chance to share in a fitting celebration of top quality photography by Irish press photographers. 2005 was an eventful year. Sadly on the world scene, it was a year marked by many natural disasters, acts of terrorism and the death of Pope John Paul II. 

"Here at home and on a more positive note, Cork rose to even greater prominence as European Capital of Culture. And as if that was not enough, the rebels also completed a county treble in GAA, winning hurling, camogie and ladies’ football titles. The Sam made its way to Tyrone for the second time in three years, providing many spectacles to a sports-loving nation. 

"Indeed, in every one of the nine categories, a whole host of exciting events offered our press photographers countless possibilities and new angles to cover. These included even politics, and myself possibly - but for all the right reasons of course!! Whatever the subject, your skill has ensured that lasting impressions of the year will remain with us always. 
The press photographers' work shows too that in order to appeal, the subject matter does not need to be topical. Very often our emotions are stirred by something that lies in the most mundane and uneventful, images that give a new and different perspective on life and the way we look at things. 

"Such photography requires imagination, sometimes chance, but always creativity and the ability to connect with both subject and viewer. And the visual effects can be magic.

"Of course, the digital age offers photographers so much more scope today. But despite the innovations in technology, I believe that photography will always be an art requiring patience and a sense of adventure to succeed. 

"As Peter Adams once said, "Photography is about photographers. A camera didn't make a great picture any more than a typewriter wrote a great novel." In fact, as if to prove that very point, I am delighted that just last week, the photographer Amelia Stein was appointed to Aosdána. Not alone is this appointment a huge tribute to Amelia and her meticulous attention to detail, it is also a real endorsement of photography and its significance as an art form in our society. 

"Finally, before I finish, I would like to pay tribute to one person in particular whose absence is particularly marked this evening. It is only a few short weeks since the PPAI lost one of its best loved members: Jim O'Kelly. Not only was Jim a great photographer but he was also a marvelous ambassador for the profession.

"Over the years, Jim won 16 individual PPAI awards and, in 1987, he was Photographer of the Year. But I know that the accolades he received on winning were only matched by the pleasure he got when passing on his experience and knowledge to others. Whether he was with college students in a master class or with local schoolchildren in a workshop at PPAI conference weekends, his passion for his profession was evident. With colleagues, Jim was always willing to help but gave his advice only when asked.

"Jim served on the committee of the PPAI for over 10 years and the reason was two fold - he loved being involved and the many presidents he worked with valued his input and experience and wanted him on their team.

"I know that his colleagues and everyone who came in contact with him will miss him while remembering the kind and gentle person that he was.
I have no doubt, however, that all of you here this evening will strive to keep his legacy alive. I wish you all every success both with these Awards and with your work going forward. 

Thank you.