Reportage Photo Festival in Sydney, one of the best documentary photography festivals in the southern hemisphere is almost upon us with the opening night on November 11th. The official program has just been published which shows a very strong selection of extended photo essays over two Projection Nights at The National Arts School in East Sydney. There are also talks and exhibitions including Reportage’s Retrospective and Stephen Dupont’s images from Afghanistan which will be excellent.

This is one of the few forums that extended photo essays can be viewed and there are some great stories being told over the nights. I’m very happy that my images from Mongolia will be shown on Projection Night 2, November 13. This is the first opportunity I’ve had to show not only images about the two boys who live underground but also images that surround this issue. I’ve combined the two picture stories which can be found on my website so if your interested have a quick look there.

I’m going to be in town for most of the weekend so will hopefully catch up with lots of people there for a few beers..!!

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future.

The 4th Annual Masters of Color Photography Awards were announced just over a week ago and I’m very happy that one of my images has been nominated again in the Professional Photojournalism section. Last year a picture from Afghanistan was nominated and this year an image from the Mongolia story has been recognised.

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

Only a week to go before I start hanging the Mongolia-Surviving the Winter exhibition as part of the FotoFreo Fringe Festival. What with the Magnum Workshop starting tomorrow and then a week of lectures, floor talks and documentaries it should be a busy but informative and very exciting few weeks. For full information about timings for the talks etc please check see the FotoFreo Programme.

Below are the flyers I’ve prepared for the exhibition and the gallery location.

HQ Gallery YMCA, 60a Frame Court, Leederville, Perth, WA Mon-Fri 9-5

Entry is free so if your in town and have time please drop by and see how these two incredible boys manage to survive.

I’ve just found out the Mongolia project has been chosen as a finalist in the Luis Valtuena Fotografia Humanitaria competition in Spain which is great news as the subject will again receive wider awareness. The winning images are to be exhibited in Spain and around Europe.  The aim of the competition is stated below and one of the main reasons for me entering:

“In these thirteen editions, the award has become a reference for humanitarian photography and its role in bringing a reality, sometimes hopeful, sometimes frightening, but to which one can not remain indifferent.”

The selected final images are, as always, of a very high standard. It is interesting to note maybe that the vast majority of images are either black and white or desaturated images..maybe this is what the majority of entrants submitted or it reflects the preference of the judges or maybe an indication of what Spanish photojournalism prefers..?

The winning images can be viewed  here www.medicosdelmundo.org/luisvaltuena

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

Well, I’m really pleased to announce that I heard today that I’ve won the Association of Photographers Open Award for a recent assignment in Mongolia.

There was an awards night in London last night which unfortunetly I couldn’t go to because I was on shift but it would have been great to be there.

If you look at the Mongolia link on this blog you can see how the image came about earlier this January and below is an extract from the AOP’s press release:-

“The judges were fascinated by the story behind Richard’s image and commented:

“For me, this ticks all the boxes – emotive subject, great composition and a strong image. It really leaves an impression.”

Deborah Brown (Picture Director) – Grazia Magazine

“Like an urban, nature shot that replaces animals with people – they look like human moles coming up for air. I love what appears to be the spontaneity of this image. And for me, it completely sums up the competition.”

Olivia Howitt (Picture Desk) – Radio Times”

Caption:-

Munkhbat and Altangeret (both 15) have lived in this manhole together for over three years under the streets of Ulaanbaatar, the coldest capital city in the world. Spending time with them I witnessed what a tough, lonely and violent existence they have to endure in temperatures reaching -40c. They were forced into this situation by divorced and deceased parents but they still hope and strive for a better future. For me this image encapsulates the extremely difficult conditions these boys live in whilst life continues around them, oblivious and indifferent to their plight.”

This was a very personal project for me so I’m happy that it’s been recognised by a wider audience and hopefully through this competition more people will have an understanding of what many children are experiencing in Mongolia.

If you are interested in this subject, please have a look at this aid agency in Ulaan Baatar who I met and who are doing a great job trying to help people just like Munkhbat and Altangeret. The Christina Noble Children’s Foundation.