PEOPLE 2021: TOP 20
WINNER, PEOPLE CATEGORY, PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021
ANDY ROVENKO, 'ROCKET GIRL CHRONICLES'
Ukraine born and raised, and calling Australia home for more than 17 years, Creative Technologist Andy Rovenko’s gorgeous series The Rocketgirl Chronicles wowed our judges with its beautiful lighting, captivating subject, and sense of nostalgia to make it a clear winner of the 2021 Photographer of the Year. Captured with Andy’s trusty Mamiya Rz67 and Fuji Pro 400h film, the series marks the first time a project captured on film has won the competition – proof that it’s not the gear, but the idea, that’s key for great imagery.
“Interestingly, The Rocketgirl Chronicles were never intended as a photography project.” Explained Andy.
“When the sixth Melbourne lockdown hit and our four-year-old was stuck at home with playgrounds closed and other entertainment options already exhausted previously, we needed to invent something new to keep her mind occupied within our 5km travel radius.”
“Since Mia was always obsessed with all things space - the theme was already defined for us as playing to her natural interest seemed like an easy win.
The very first thing was a family craft project, with my wife Mariya bringing back her theatre costume design skills and our 4-year-old actively helping with the creation of the space suit and papier-mâché helmet.
Then, out little astronaut started exploring the neighbourhood and bringing her imagination to otherwise mundane places on our daily walks. My old Mamiya started to make an occasional appearance to capture some family memories, but it was not until I started developing the film that I realised how surreal the images were. Now, the camera has become a regular companion, but it’s still not the main reason for our adventures.”
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID
Anthony McKee: Andy Rovenko’s series was a clear winner in this year’s People category. The idea of making photos of a child in a space helmet is as old as the space race itself, but Rovenko’s images have a wonderful poignancy to them.
The making of each image was probably a fun adventure for his daughter, but within each scene most grownups would also see the sadness of life in a post COVID world – a fire on the beach with no friends to share it with, an empty laundromat and two post-industrial images that remind us of the carbon economy we are struggling to leave behind. Soft light, gorgeous styling and some subtle postproduction techniques have made this a truly gorgeous series of images that this child will treasure for the rest of her life. We treasure your imagery too, Andy. Well done.
Helen Whittle: This emotional portfolio embraces storytelling and imagination. A project born out of Melbourne’s sixth lockdown, these images show how stories can be found and brought to life when we most need them. By enticing the viewer into the scene, with their moody tones and thoughtful compositions, we are left with a feeling of wonder and nostalgia. The result is beautiful and incredible work.
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RUNNER UP, PEOPLE CATEGORY, PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021
CAROLE MILLS NORONHA, 'COVID LOCKDOWN WINDOW VISITS WITH DAD'
Carole Mills Noronha’s runner-up winning series is, she says, a gift for her dad – the subject of these stark, striking, and yet still hopeful images she captured throughout 2021.
“My beautiful dad lives in full time care in a Melbourne Aged Care home,” she explained. “He is 89 years old and has Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's. Dad spent ten months of 2020 in lockdown inside this building. Most of this year, 2021, has been the same. Visits to see residents at their bedroom windows wasn't allowed last year. Thankfully that restriction changed in 2021.”
“Without fail, on every window visit, dad would invite me inside. Each visit I told him why I couldn't: Covid. I visited dad at least twice a week. Every window visit was different. I watched dad's many emotions from the other side of the glass, month after month. From joy, confusion, frustration, tears to happiness. There was nothing I could do at times to console him. At least I could be there. A familiar face.
These photos are from my ongoing photography series 'That Place He Goes' documenting dad's Dementia and Alzheimer's journey. These photos are for dad. Moments of his life he has already forgotten.”
WHAT THE JUDGES SAID
Anthony Mckee: COVID has been a challenging time, not just for photographers, but for our parents and many older relatives. For many photographers though, these challenges have been an opportunity to explore new ideas that 18 months ago we might never have imagined.
Carole Mills Noronha’s series of monochrome images are a touching story of how she and her family have kept in touch with her father, a dementia sufferer over the past year. Each photograph has a lovely uniqueness to it, and as you look at the images you cannot help but feel for the family, and every other Australian in similar situations, who have tried to maintain a meaningful relationship with an elderly relative – through glass!
Helen Whittle: This all too familiar feeling of separation from our loved ones is cleverly captured and perfectly executed in this series of images. Using reflections to highlight the stories in this portrait series, the artist has captured the love, but also the pain of separation we have felt from recent lockdowns. Relatable and raw, this is a moving portfolio which touches us all.
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TOP 20 FINISHERS, PEOPLE CATEGORY, PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2021
3. Photo © Katy Bindels. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
4. Photo © Matt Pickles. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
5. Photo © Natalie Cunningham. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
6. Photo © Anna Brozek. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
7. Photo © David Cossini. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
8. Photo © Kate Lionis. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
9. Photo © Hanne Matthews. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
10. Photo © Grant Hunt. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
11. Photo © John Dalton. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
12. Photo © James Thompson. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
13. Photo © Emma Sewell. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
14. Photo © Laura Walker. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
15. Photo © Polly Fenton. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
16. Photo © Alysa Beales. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
17. Photo © Fiona Bowring. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
19. Photo © Grant Hunt. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
19. Photo © Jun Zhang. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.
20. Photo © Louie Lai. People Category, Photographer of the Year 2021.