FORMER Narooma resident and photographer Francis Hape has being selected as an official finalist for Head On 2014, Australia's largest photo festival that celebrates a wide range of photography across all genres.
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At the heart of the festival is the Head On portrait prize, which is the nation’s major innovative showcase for Australian portrait photography, reflecting a diverse cross-section of new and traditional photographic practices.
It is the most critically acclaimed photographic portrait competition in Australia.
The selection process was difficult in the portrait category as four judges had to choose 40 finalists out of more than 2500 excellent entries.
Francis's portrait "Rock'n'Roll Warrior" was shot last year in Narooma, on the South Coast of NSW.
Without giving too much away about the portrait because of competition rules, Francis said "It was an opportunity, seizing the moment and capturing that occasion”.
“It was an honour and a privilege to take the portrait and I feel very proud to represent Narooma and the South Coast in the competition.
“I now live in Queensland and moved here recently for family, but the Portrait was taken in Narooma, and that’s where the soul of the photograph comes from.”
Head On showcases the work of 900 photographers from Australia and overseas in over 200 events in 100 venues across Sydney.
The festival launch is on Friday, May 16 and portrait finalists will be exhibited at the Paddington Reservoir Gardens Sydney until June 8.
The show will sit alongside the work of National Geographic photographer Chris Rainier and Benjamin Lowy.
For the first time ever, the Head On Portrait Prize will also be touring internationally to some major festivals in Auckland, China and New York.