Australian Life photo competition crowns winner

By Mike O'Connor | 8 October 2023

Sydney photographer Samuel Ferris has won the Australian Life photography competition for his image ‘On The Way To Inspections’.

On the way to Inspections by Samuel Ferris. (Grand Prize Winner) "My partner Luisa (pictured) and I have moved rentals 9 times in the 13 years we've been in Sydney. This image was made while rushing between inspections on a Saturday last year. Our children, Orson and Leon, are in the background, letting loose some of their pent-up energy."

The image of Ferris’ family rushing between rental inspections in Sydney last year was picked from 28 finalists, a mix of amateurs and professionals, and takes home a $10,000 cash prize.

Curator Sandy Edwards said judges were drawn to the diverse images from a strong field of entrants, with the winning image a perfect example of street photography.

“It feels classic and modern as it simultaneously speaks to the past. It feels like a moment of discomfort, waiting in limbo for something to happen, to resolve things.”

“Every year it’s a difficult task to select the winner of Australian Life and 2023 was no different, with some incredible images on display encapsulating what it is to live in this diverse, beautiful, country,” Lord Mayor Clove Moore AO said.

The winners of the Little Sydney Lives photography competition were also announced at the launch. The competition is open to budding photographers aged 3 to 12 years.

Charlotte Of The Inner West by Pina Macedone. "A cool spider decided to live by our front gate for a little while. This one morning on our way to ballet class, we found it had left its web up, and the sun made it shine like something magical. My sister did not want to get any closer."

Pina Macedone from Erskineville won the age 3 to 7 years category for the image ‘Charlotte of The Inner West.

Orson Ferris from Newtown won the age 8 to 12 years category for the image ‘Man With His Parrot’.

Both winners take home a $500 photography pack.

Man with his parrot by Orson Ferris. "I went to take photos with my dad at Circular Quay and saw this man with his pet parrot. I took a photo when the parrot looked at me. I would like to have my own pet parrot too."

Winners of the photography competitions were selected by a panel of judges including Australian Life 2022 winner Matthew Abbott, Travis De Vries, Sandy Edwards, and Liz Ham.

A gallery of all the Australian Life finalist images can be viewed online.

In addition, an OM System professional photography pack, valued at over $2,300, will be presented to the people’s choice winner at the close of the exhibition on 8 October.

For more details on all the Australian Life and Little Sydney Lives winners and finalists, visit artandabout.com.au.