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Alden Williams, photojournalist for The press Y Stuff, has been named Geographic of New Zealand photographer of the year
Williams’ images were among the 6,000 entries made to the prestigious award this year. It also won the landscape category and achieved great recognition in the society category.
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You will receive a cash prize and a trip to the subantarctic with Heritage Expeditions for taking first place.
Alden Williams / Stuff
Alden Williams submitted this photo of Behrouz Boochani to the contest.
Geographic of New Zealand Editor James Frankham said Williams’s attention to dramatic light was a hallmark of his work.
“Williams was there when it happened, in the right place with the right lens and a well-trained eye for the viewer,” he said.
Williams presented a folder with photos of Iranian-Kurdish journalist and refugee Behrouz Boochani, cancer survivor Gwen Young-James, and WWII veteran Ron Hermanns outside their home on Anzac Day during the Covid-19 shutdown.
Alden Williams / Stuff
Williams took this photo of agent Michelle Evans after the Christchurch mosque shooting.
He also sent photos of his coverage of the March 15 mosque shootings and two landscape shots.
Frankham said Williams’ work “shone” because it made the viewer feel something and offered a recognizable or challenging perspective.
Braden Fastier, photojournalist for Nelson’s Mail Y Stuff, won the society category with his photo capturing a Star Wars Stormtrooper high-five children during a Christmas parade. Stuff Photojournalists Chris McKeen and David White were among the finalists.
Stuff
Williams photographed New Zealand’s oldest World War II veteran, 108-year-old Ron Hermanns, in his doorway before dawn on Anzac Day.
The title of photographer of the year was previously won by Stuff photojournalist Iain McGregor in 2016.
Frankham said the competition received many entries related to the Covid-19 shutdown, Black Lives Matter marches, landscapes and wildlife.
“The photographers made good use of the time allowed by the pandemic and decided to dedicate it to documenting their lives, society and the immediate environment.”
