Some of the best of the best in music photography has been crowned by the folks over at NME, who have revealed the winner’s of their annual Photography Awards with Nikon.
Among the ranks of stunning imagery and visual documentation is a name that may be familiar to regular readers of Tone Deaf.
Sydney shooter Peter Dovgan, who regularly contributes stunning galleries to the digital archives of this very website (among others), has earned a ‘Highly Commended’ award among the list of international winners named in the NME Photography Awards.
Dovgan’s decorated entry, a dynamic image of Yeah Yeah Yeahs frontwoman Karen O snapped at the band’s Big Day Out sideshow last January for Tone Deaf, earned commendations in the ‘Live’ category as well as ranking highly in the fan-voted category, earning the highest score of the fan vote.
The shutterbug tells Tone Deaf that he was “totally amazed” to receive NME‘s honorary award. “Last year I was “Runner Up” in the Festival category and to be recognised second year running by the the legendary UK mag/website is incredible,” adds Dovgan. “I feel I’m not worthy but I must be doing something right.”
“As for the photo of Karen O, like most great images it was a case of in the right place at the right time!” says the lauded shooter. “Basically I couldn’t go wrong with one of the current best lead singers at the moment,” he emphasises.
(Image: Karen O (YYY’s). Courtesy of Peter Dovgan)
“I have only been shooting live bands for two and half years and being an obsessed music fan all my life I’m just loving being involved in the music industry and getting up close and personal with my favourite bands,” the Sydney shooter adds; “Also I must thank Tone Deaf too, for obtaining me access to all these amazing gigs.”
Dovgan’s commended image – along with the hundreds among the categories of Live, Under 18s, Portraits, Festivals, and Documentary – was judged by an expert panel comprising of NME Editor Mike Williams, NME Picture Director Zoe Capstick, and last year’s Outstanding Contribution to Music Photography Award winner, Roger Sargent
“We’ve trawled through hundreds of amazing entries across all the categories which have caused much deliberation,” said Williams of the results. “We make it our mission every year to pick out the most exciting new talent in music photography and these images showcase just some of the new talent whose images we hope will be gracing our iconic covers in future.”
The winning entries will be exhibited in a free showcase at London’s The Printspace from today (24th October) until 6th November, including the winner of this year’s outstanding contribution prize, which went to one Pieter M Van Hattem.
As for Dovgan, he’s going to continue doing what he does best, capturing the sweat, excitement, and sheer energy of live music on film, and he’s got a busy schedule ahead of him; “I’m already excited about the summer festival season coming up!” says the
View a selection of Peter Dovgan’s Tone Deaf galleries below, or head to his official website for more.
The Hives – 7th January 2013 @ The Metro: GALLERY
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – 22nd January 2013 @ The Metro: GALLERY
Bat For Lashes – 30th January 2013 @ Enmore Theatre: GALLERY
Blink 182 – 20th February 2013 @ Allphones Arena: GALLERY
Soundwave Sydney 2013: PART 1 | PART 2
Byron Bay Bluesfest 2013: DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5
Manic Street Preachers – 5th July 2013 @ Hordern Pavilion: GALLERY
