2009 Nikon-Walkley Press Photography Awards – The Finalists

Together with major sponsor Nikon, the Walkley Foundation celebrates the best in Australian press photography each year. This year the competition was open to any photographer who submitted a picture for publication in an Australian media outlet in the 12 months from September 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009. 

Nikon-Walkley photographic categories include:

• News photography
• Daily life/feature photography
• Sport
• Photographic essay
• Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year

Nikon-Walkley Photographic Prizes include:

• Spot news
• General news
• Community & regional photography
• Portrait photography

Check out the gallery of some of the finalists below and view more here.

GQ’s List of the 50 Most Stylish Men

There is something for every man in GQ’s list of the 50 Most Stylish Men. From Kerouac to Clooney, McQueen to Newman and Ali to Jordan. Don’t take it too seriously, but it’s a nice catalogue of cool.  Just be sure to read the bio’s.

 

Google Celebrate the Invention of the Bar Code

Google celebrated the invention of everyone’s favourite method of automatic identification and data collection today, the Bar Code. The first patent for a bar code type product (US Patent #2,612,994) was issued to inventors Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver on October 7, 1952. Random fact: The first product to have a bar code included was a packet of Wrigley’s Gum.

Shwood’s Wooden Sunglasses

Just looking through Portland-based company Shwood’s new collection gives me wood! As their website states, “Shwood is handcrafted eyewear created with the intent of individuality and uniqueness that can only be found in natural surroundings.” And, yep, you guessed it, Shwood use wood. Their in-house manufacturing process merges precision technology with classic skilled craftsmanship. Every step from veneering and precision ply cutting, to shaping and finishing is conducted in their workshop to promise an entirely handcrafted eyewear piece. Wood manipulation is kept to a minimum in order to maintain the natural aesthetic. All models are accompanied by 100% UVA/UVB protection Carl Zeiss lenses imported from Italy. Oh yeah, and Polarized lenses are also available. Their debut model, the Canby, was inspired by James Dean and lays lays the groundwork for an entire wood revolution.

What if James Dean had Lived?

A new TVC for South African investment company Allan Gray imagines what life would have been like for James Dean had he not died in a car crash aged just 24. Ad agecy King James teamed up with director, Keith Rose, from Velocity Films to bring the creative to life. A combination of make-up, prosthetics, body doubles and CG face replacement helps bring the legendary actor to life – and then ages him, showing a rather realistic version of what might have been. He is shown receiving a lifetime achievement Oscar, as a director, protesting against the Vietnam War, and getting his Angelina Jolie on while being a humanitarian ambassador.

The idea of exploiting a Hollywood great like Dean to sell insurance may leave a bad taste in your mouth. But, in some ways, I think it helps to prolong his memory and exposes his talent to a younger generation who may not understand his cultural relevance. Allan Gray are by no means the first to do it. Ford did something similar with Steve McQueen in the TVC for the launch of the Puma some years ago.