2008 Canon/AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year Announced

Sydney, Australia, June 10, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Canon Australia congratulates Melbourne-based professional photographer, Mercury Megaloudis, of Megagraphics Photography, who has been named the 2008 Canon/AIPP Australian Professional Photographer of the Year at the annual Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards (Canon APPA).

Mr Megaloudis’ distinctive winning photos of dogs balance unique composition and lighting to create memorable images.

“Winning this award was completely unexpected,” said Mr Megaloudis. ”The Canon APPAs are tough, and it’s an honour to be selected from such a distinguished group of photographers. The Australian Institute of Professional Photography has been like a family for me and I thank them for their support,” said Mr Megaloudis.

As winner of the 2008 Canon APPA, Mercury receives his choice of Canon imaging products to the value of twenty thousand dollars. In addition to the Canon/AIPP Professional Photography Award, Mercury’s portfolio won the 2008 AIPP Australian Portrait Photographer of the Year category.

Now in their 32nd year, the Canon/AIPP Australian Professional Photography Awards recognise the top professional photographers in Australia. The 2008 awards received a record number of entries with an increase in submissions of 45%. Entries are individually critiqued and scored via a rigorous peer-review judging process to determine the highest-scoring prints across the different categories.

Chris Macleod, EOS Brand Manager, Consumer Imaging Products Group, Canon Australia, said that this year’s artistic and inspiring entries showcase the talent and dedication of Australia’s community of professional photographers.

“We were overwhelmed by the sheer quantity and calibre of entries submitted by professional photographers this year. The APPAs highlight the magnificent quality, creativity and innovation of Australian professional photography,” said Mr Macleod.

“For the 7th year running Canon is incredibly proud to sponsor the Australian Professional Photography Awards and to help raise the profile of Australia’s professional photographers,” said Mr Macleod.

Background to the Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards
The Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards are open to all Australian and overseas professional photographers. In addition to the coveted 2008 Canon/AIPP Australian Photographer of the Year Award, entries are also judged in sub-categories covering specialised forms of professional photography including: Advertising, Commercial, Illustrative, Portrait, Wedding, Environment & Nature, Landscape and an Open Award. As the winning entries are judged by their peers in professional photography, the awards represent the best of the best professional photography in Australia.

The category winners for the 2008 Canon Australian Professional Photography Awards are:
Marcus Bell (QLD) - 2008 AIPP Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year
Damien Bredberg (QLD) - 2008 AIPP Australian Commercial Photographer of the Year
Urs Buhlman (NSW) - 2008 AIPP Australian Advertising Photographer of the Year
Alanna McTiernan (QLD) - 2008 AIPP Australian Illustrative Photographer of the Year
Gary Cranitch (QLD) - 2008 AIPP Australian Environment & Nature Photographer of the Year
Nick Melidonis (WA) - 2008 AIPP Australian Landscape Photographer of the Year
Mercury Megaloudis (VIC) - 2008 AIPP Australian Portrait Photographer of the Year
Gay Campbell (NSW) - 2008 AIPP Australian Open Category Award
Quinn Rooney (Getty Images, VIC) - 2008 AIPP Press Photographer of the Year Award
Stephen Jones (QLD) – 2008 AIPP Australian Documentary Photographer of the Year

The 2008 Canon/AIPP Professional Photography Awards book will soon be produced featuring the category winners and the Gold and Silver award-winning entries from each category.

The 2008 winning entries will also be showcased in a national touring exhibition, which commences in Sydney this September. Further details will be available from the Australian Institute of Professional Photography at www.aipp.com.au and the canon.com.au/appa.

For more information about the Canon EOS range go to http://www.canon.com.au/EOS/

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Images available on request:
Mercury Megaloudis’ winning portfolio (4 images)
Selection of category winning images (1-4 images in each category)

About Canon
Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 16 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au

About Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP)
Founded in 1963, the AIPP is a not-for-profit organisation run voluntarily for and by professional photographers and industry representatives who seek to set a standard of excellence within the photographic industry. The AIPP strives to promote and maintain the highest standards of professional competence and business ethics in the industry. By maintaining rigorous entry criteria and a binding Code of Ethics for members, as well as providing ongoing education via seminars, workshops and events, the AIPP is a brand of trust in the photographic industry. AIPP Committees represent members on important issues such as copyright; taxation, legal and business matters; insurance; digital imaging and work practices.