The winners of the 2015 Head On awards have been announced, with Molly Harris (Portrait), Alfonso Perez (Landscape) Laki Sederis (Mobile), Paul Philpott (student) and Dan Gray (moving image) the major prize winners.
More than 4,000 entrants vied for over $50,000 worth of prizes across the five categories.
Perennial crowd favourite category, the Head On Portrait prize, was taken out by Molly Harris with an emotive image of transgender air force pilot Sandra, born as John, shaving as she gets ready for the Anzac day parade.
Winner in the Landscape division was Alfonso Perez, with his depiction of Jakarta’s largest cemetery, with its lush grass a banquet for a shepherd’s flock of sheep, while the city’s tallest ultra-modern building stands monolithic in the background.
First prize in the Mobile category was won by Laki Sideris with a sombre high-contrast black and white image from his mother‘s funeral. Sideris says it's an image he cannot remember taking.
Head On is Australia's largest photo festival, and boasts a wide program of talks, hands-on workshops and exhibitions in and around Sydney.
Winner, Portrait: 'Being Sandra,' by Molly Harris. "Sandra was born as John but started living as Sandra 6 years ago. When she became Sandra she left behind a career that spanned 37 years in the Air force. In this photo Sandra is getting ready for Anzac Day."
Winner, Landscape: 'Urban landscape, Central Jakarta, Indonesia,' by Alfonso Perez. "Jakarta is a heavily populated metropolis full of contrasts with few green spaces. Shepherds from neighboring villages bring their sheep to graze at Karet Bivat cemetery; one of the largest in Jakarta. In the background stands Wisma 46, which at 250 metres tall, is the tallest building in Indonesia."
Winner, Mobile: 'Life,' by Laki Sideris. "Found it on my phone sometime after my mother's funeral. I can't remember taking it."
Winner, Student: 'Shattered Euphoria,' by Paul Philpott. "It's my northern lights."
Winner, Moving Picture: 'Stereotypes – What are you listening to?' by Dan Gray. "Headphones can offer a world of comfort and control within the disconnected and chaotic environment of a busy city. Far from tuning-out of the world, we found our subjects were wanting to tune-in and be tuned-in to. Music not only provides a soundtrack to city life, it also provides a soul."
