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AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2008, Steve Humphreys

The International Jury of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland AIB Photojournalism Awards have named Steve Humphreys, of The Irish Independent, as the AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2008. The AIB Photojournalism Awards 2008 were announced at a ceremony in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin, (21.02.09).

This year, entries for the prestigious awards reached a record high, with over 1,900 images entered by 120 photographers. The Awards, which are open to members of the Press Photographer’s Association of Ireland, showcase and reward the very best of press photography in Ireland.

The International Judging Panel comprised of Eamonn McCabe, Renowned Picture Editor and Photographer, Mathieu Polak, Deputy Photo Editor, Le Monde and Chairperson of the Judging Panel, Bride Rosney, Director of Communications, RTÉ, selected winners across the nine categories - News, Features, Sports Action, Sports Features, People, Individual Study, The Arts, Politics, Picture Story and a special Humour Award.

The Judging Panel commented this year’s AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2008  “conveyed the sense of a very complete portfolio - that of a really good and dependable Press Photographer at work. Photographs ranging from hard news to sports and features were all well-framed and executed assuring the Judging Panel that whatever the assignment he or she would be sent on a print worthy of publication would be secured.” When considering the final two portfolios in the judging process the Judge’s said that “ This year’s AIB Photojournalist of the Year presented a portfolio of great consistency – which proved to be the defining reason for selection from the final two portfolios being considered.”

Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Donal Forde, Managing Director, AIB, said, " “The AIB Photojournalism Awards highlight the tremendous level of skill and artistry that exists among Press Photographers in Ireland today and we are delighted to continue our 7th year in partnership with the Press Photographer’s Association of Ireland. Our exhibition tour will ensure these outstanding photographs are showcased to a nationwide audience when they visit over 40 AIB branches around the country.”

Ray McManus, President, Press Photographers Association of Ireland, said, “The closely knit family of press photographers in Ireland are proud to honour our colleague Steve Humphreys for his achievement. The judges found his portfolio to be visually compelling - matching the highest global standards in the ultra competitive world of press photography. As press photographers we celebrate his success and his role as an ambassador for our proud craft. We realise that his finely tuned visual storytelling skills sets the standards for us all as we strive to communicate daily events through our lenses for our Irish and international audiences.”

The AIB Photojournalism Exhibition, featuring 120 prints, opens in AIB Bank, Bankcentre Branch, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 on February 24th. The exhibition will then embark on a tour of Ireland, visiting AIB branches and other venues nationwide.   Masterclasses for photography students will also be held in locations throughout the country over the coming months.