Mark come up trumps once again at PPAI awards
Castletownroche native, Mark Condren, has once again been recognised for his creativity and skillset at the AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2024, being amongst the category winners
at an awards ceremony in the RDS, Dublin on Friday last, 2nd February.
Broadcaster, Miriam O’Callaghan, introduced the ceremony, with the award-winning and highly commended images encompassing some of the past year’s many highs and lows through the lenses of Irish press photographers from right across the island of Ireland. An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin TD, was guest of honour at the event, the 46th annual awards of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI).
The judges had the challenging task of selecting the winning and highly commended images and video from over 1,200 entries entered by members of the PPAI.
Awards were presented across 10 distinct categories, with Mr Condren - a six time overall winner - of Mediahuis Ireland Irish Independent/ Sunday Independent, the winner of two categories.
With his short film ‘Mooving’, he took the Multimedia award. Described by the judges as “beautifully filmed”, the film shows a Galway farmer moving his dry stock herd across a 100 metre wide stretch of the River Shannon. ‘ Ambitious’, with ‘breathtaking shots’ made it a ‘worthy winner’ in the judges’ eyes.
‘Our winning entry is a beautifully filmed slice of life from rural Ireland. It tells the story of a farmer moving his cows across the River Shannon for pastures new. We follow him as he carries out this evidently risky manoeuvre, the photographer capturing footage on land, on water and in the air. This was an ambitious shoot, but the commitment pays off, with several breathtaking shots in the final edit. While this film perhaps lacked the polish of a couple of other entries in this category - it would benefit from closer attention to audio, for example - we felt it was the most memorable story and a worthy winner.’
Mark also placed first in the Portrait category, with his work titled ‘Taking a Break’, of which the judges commented: ‘A highly atmospheric and emotionally engaging image of 97-year-old sculptor Imogen Stuart, who nodded off while getting her portrait taken at her studio in Dublin’.
While he also placed as runner-up in the ‘Politics’ category with ‘Mayo for Joe!’. This judges described as: ‘A highlight of US President Biden’s visit is perfectly captured in this scene outside the cathedral in Ballina. The framing, timing and lighting of this scene are all perfect.'
Other categories included News, Daily Life & People, Sports Action, Sports Feature, Nature & the Environment, Arts & Entertainment, Reportage and Multimedia.
Alan Betson of The Irish Times was named the overall AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2024. Meath native Betson, won praise for his ability to find the unusual in everyday life and outstanding news photography - his portfolio 'showcased outstanding news photography as well as a strong eye for quirky daily life images'.
MIDLETON FLOODS CAPTURED
This was in addition to the AIB Sustainability Award, which was presented to Dan Linehan of Irish Examiner for his image, ‘Hair-Raising Devastation’ which showed the utter devastation of a hair salon in Midleton, which was destroyed by flood water following Storm Babet last October. The torrential flooding was the worst Midleton had seen in 70 years. The striking award, ‘True Inspiration’, carved by the artist Éibhlin Ní Chonaile of Celtic Roots Studio, was created from ancient bogwood over 5,000 years old.
Also recognised at the event, attended by over 200 press photographers and guests, was PPAI member, Jerry Kennelly, who was conferred with Honorary Membership in recognition of his commitment to press photography over many decades and his outstanding business success.
All the winning and short-listed images from the ‘AIB Press Photographer of the Year’ 2024 can be viewed at the touring exhibition visiting various venues across the country over the coming year. The first visit on the exhibition tour is at the Library at the RDS, Dublin, where it will be on display until 15th February, before visiting dlr LexIcon in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin in March. For further details on the exhibition and to view the winning images, please visit www.pressphotographers.ie