A series of stunning images from rural Mongolia have helped Sydney-based photographer, John Feely win the overall title of Australia's Top Emerging Photographer for 2016.
Now in its eighth year, the competition seeks to recognise, encourage and promote talented photographers in the early stages of their photographic careers.
John Feely's entry, The Outsider, was the result of three months spent with a rural family in Western Mongolia in 2014 and 2015. Feely won the Documentary/Photojournalism category and was a runner-up in the Portrait category, as well as being awarded the overall title, Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016 . Along with the the title, Feely won a Fujifilm X-T1 and XF 18-135mm lens valued at $2,599, from major sponsor Fujifilm, along with $5,000.
“I'm one of thousands of emerging photographers in Australia that have spent years working on their photographs, constantly refining and finding ways to improve, wondering if they were good enough and, at times, even worth creating,” Feely said.
“One of the hardest things about being an emerging photographer is selling yourself and your work. Winning an award like Australia's Top Emerging Photographer is a great motivator to keep making photographs,” Feely said.
"This award has given me this first break. I now have an entry point to sell what I do and believe in,” he added.
With 962 entries comprising more than 5,700 images entered in 2016, winners were announced in a total of nine categories, including Architecture, Art, Documentary/Photojournalism, Editorial/Fashion, Landscape, Portrait, Sport, Student and Wedding. The winner of the Student category, Sarah Maslankiewicz, was named overall runner-up, with her striking series, What dreams may come, drawing on influences from Renaissance art.
Entries were judged by a panel of 51 leading professional photographers from around the world – representing established experts across all areas of photography.
Overseen by Capture, Australia's Top Emerging Photographers plays a vital role in highlighting and exposing the next generation of new photographic talent. In a world entirely awash with images, the contest helps cut through much of the noise by identifying a pool of emerging photographers rich in talent.
The 2016 Australia's Top Emerging Photographers competition was proudly supported by major sponsor Fujifilm X.
Call for entries for Australia’s Top Emerging Photographer 2017 will open in October 2016. For more information and to be notified, please sign up for the free fortnightly newsletter at capturemag.com.au
Photo by John Feely. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Overall Winner and Winner, Documentary category.
Photo by John Feely. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Overall Winner and Winner, Documentary category.
Photo by Niki Boon. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Portrait category.
Photo by Marea Reed. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Art category.
Photo by Samuel Costin. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Sport category.
Photo by Grace Hobson. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Wedding category.
Photo by Luke Tscharke. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Landscape category.
Photo by Ribal Hosn. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Fashion-Editorial category.
Photo by Gregory Evans. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Landscape category.
Photo by Sahar Maslankiewicz. Australia's Top Emerging Photographer 2016: Winner, Student category.
