Faces of home inspire top shots
WA Photographer of the Year Tony McDonough says the highlight of his job is the people he gets to work with.
Awarded the State’s top photographic honour last week for the fourth time, Mr McDonough has worked with the likes of Sammy Davis Jnr, the Dali Lama, the Queen and Paul McCartney.
But it was people from closer to home who inspired him most, such as those he photographed for this year’s awards — the ladies from Fitzroy Crossing taking a stand on alcohol and a young lady driving “big rig” trucks in WA’s north.
Mr McDonough has been a photographer for 30 years, working for News Corp, Fairfax and Getty. He went freelance in 1993.
His four winning photographs were for the Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Associated Press. Three — apart from the sports picture — were shot on his Leica, a lightweight camera with fast lenses suitable for use in low light.
“Funnily enough, each one of the frames was a very quick shoot,” he said.
“The ‘hands’ picture was shot as we were leaving the centre in Fitzroy Crossing, the lady we were interviewing popped in to see a little baby, she reached down and his little hand came up and wouldn’t let go. The whole thing lasted no more than a minute and I had three frames.”
Mr McDonough said he felt humble, grateful and surprised to have won the award again.
“All press photographers do a great job of telling stories,” he said.
“It is a great profession, which takes dedication. Without that spark you wouldn’t spend hours in the rain or 45-degree heat, or stay at a story for days waiting to get the picture.”
Winning images from this year’s awards are on display at the WA Museum until June 2.
