Heritage Bank Photographic Awards
Encouraging + Celebrating the Art of Australian Photography
About this Rate
The 2023 Heritage Bank Photographic Awards winners and finalists have now been announced. Watch our winners announcement video to see this year's winners.
Major Winners
- Open Winner – ‘Bonded Three' by Rochelle James
- Theme Winner – ‘First Taste of Summer’ by Melissa Crisa
- Illustrative Winner - 'Day in the life' by Frances Terlich
- Mobile Phone Award – ‘Hells Gate’ by Lyn Aberneth
- CEO Choice – ‘The Can of Ham’ by Steve Day
Open Category
The choice of subject is yours, so it can be anything you like. Photographers of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels are invited to enter this category where great imagery is everything and creativity is the key ingredient.
Theme Category -"Firsts"
This year’s theme of “Firsts” opens up a huge range of possibilities, limited only by your creativity. The theme lends itself to a variety of interpretations. It could be your child’s first steps; the memories of your first love; maybe the first time you’ve visited a new country; or even the excitement of picking up the keys to your first house. Put your own twist on the subject – it’s totally up to you.
Illlustrative Category
With the rise in digital manipulation of images, the Illustrative category creates a space for these images where the photographer’s creativity in the post-production stage has no limits.
Important Dates for the 2023 Heritage Bank Photographic Awards
Overall Winners
Illustrative Category Winner
CEO's Choice
Mobile Phone Award
Runners Up
Alwyn Kucks Memorial Award
NEW - Graham Burstow Memorial Award
One image will be selected from all entries received that emulates and continues the tradition of Graham Burstow’s social documentary and will receive a $2,000 prize, their work displayed at UniSQ Arts Gallery (Toowoomba) in the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards Exhibition, a Toowoomba Camera House voucher to the value of $100 and a 12 month print & digital subscription to Capture Magazine (valued at $39).
In memory of Graham Burstow
Our Chief Judge Graham Burstow was a part of the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards since they first began 34 years ago. Graham was a great friend of Heritage Bank, and was instrumental in the success of the Photographic Awards since their inception. He was highly regarded within Australian photographic circles and received numerous awards during his career, including an Order of Australia Medal for Services to Photography awarded in 2004.
To honour his legacy, we’ve introduced the Graham Burstow Memorial Award, which will now become an ongoing part of our awards. We will be forever grateful to Graham for his contribution to the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards.
Young Photographer Prizes
Young Photographer age groups:
- 14-17 years
- 10-13 years
- 9 years and younger
One image will be selected from the three age groups to receive a $500 prize, a Toowoomba Camera House voucher to the value of $100, their work displayed at UniSQ Arts Gallery (Toowoomba) in the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards Exhibition and a certificate of merit.
About the Awards
The aim of the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards is to encourage and celebrate the art of Australian photography. Heritage Bank understands that it has a responsibility to assist the communities it serves to grow and prosper, not just economically but culturally and socially as well. Heritage created the awards more the 30 years ago to help foster creativity in the photographic arts.
Offering the Awards not only encourages people to remain active in photography, it also challenges them to extend their skills by recognising greater creativity in their approach. The Awards have also enabled Heritage to build a collection of photographic works that is already outstanding in its artistic worth and that will become an even more important contributor to the history of photography in Australia over time.
First impressions count!
Aim for an image that gives a great first impression and a wow factor – inviting the viewer to look deeper into the photo and become immersed in it.
Composition
This is a tip from across the board with all three judges – start with the basic rule of thirds. Good composition allows the picture to be absorbed readily by the mind.
Good quality image
Ensure you are submitting a good quality image – keeping in mind sharpness, exposure, saturation, and cropping.
Must have meaning
A good image must have meaning which is communicated easily with the viewer.
Let your photograph tell a story
Following on from the above tip – let your photograph tell a story. What story are you trying to tell the author? We all see and interpret things differently, but a great photograph has a story to be shared.
Make the photo original – make it yours!
It’s easy to get caught up with images similar to others so try to look for something a bit different.
Adhere to the theme
It is important the photograph clearly tells a story of the photographer’s interpretation of the theme. This can seem daunting as we all interpret words and themes differently. Start by clearly defining the theme for yourself, and ask, “What does this theme mean to me?”
To stay up to date on the Heritage Bank Photographic Awards, email heritagephotographicawards@heritage.com.au to opt in to our mailing list for email reminders and notifications.
Thank you to our sponsors
Heritage Bank would like to thank the Toowoomba Photographic Society for their ongoing support and assistance with the awards.