Head On Photo Festival

The inaugural Head On Photo Festival is now on in Sydney until June 5.

The Festival includes a plethora of inspiring and exciting photographic events such as exhibitions, seminars, a mini trade show and a series of multi-media screenings, with something for everyone who has an interest in photography.

Festival venues include the Museum of Sydney, Manly Art Gallery, commercial galleries, cafes, restaurants, and Sydney’s Centennial Park.

The cornerstone of the festival, the Head On Portrait Prize, is worth over $50,000 dollars. Regarded as the most critically acclaimed photographic portrait prize in the country, it is now in its seventh year.

Festival Director Moshe Rosenzveig says what makes this prize unique is that it is judged purely on merit.

“It’s open to everyone and we judge it with no names – totally anonymously, and as a result we get a tremendous amount of variety,” he said.

“The work resonates with people, because the way we choose the work is very much based on gut feeling – the emotion of the picture … it’s very real show about real people [so] most people can actually relate to the work quite easily.”

Photography enthusiasts also won’t want to miss the festival seminar, to be held at the National Art School in Darlinghurst this weekend.

The seminar includes technical sessions, licensing and copyright, photojournalism, making movies on HD DSLR and creating dramatic movie stills.

There will also be two panel discussions, ‘Child Photographer or Child Pornographer’ and ‘So You Want to Have an Exhibition’.

This Friday and Saturday night ‘Head On Screen’ will be held at the same venue featuring a multimedia presentation of some of the best Australian and international photography.