Frank Miller of The Irish Times has been named Photographer of the Year in the Press Photographers' Association of Ireland annual competition sponsored by Eircell. Four other Irish Times photographers, Bryan O'Brien, Matt Kavanagh, Dara Mac Donaill and Alan Betson, received awards at the ceremony last night in the O'Reilly Hall, UCD.
The judges said of Miller's portfolio: "The overall range of this photographer's work impressed the judges. Here is someone who has a really good coverage and cross-section of the year's events. It is all there in his portfolio - sport, news, arts - a whole range of subjects. It demonstrates a variety of assignments well photographed. This photographer has shown initiative in tackling awkward moments with a gentle touch and a sense of humour. Above all else it is a happy portfolio."
Dr Pat Donlon, a former director of the National Archive, chaired the panel of judges. The other judges were Mr Tom Stoddard of the Independent Photographers' Group and Mr Neil Burgess, Network Photographers, London.
The following are the award winners:
NEWS: 1, Martin McCullough (Cyps Pix); 2, Noel Gavin (Allpix/the Star); 3, Jim O'Kelly (Irish Independent)
SPORT: 1, Brendan Moran (Sportsfile); 2, Lorraine O'Sullivan (Inpho); 3, David Maher (Sportsfile)
FEATURES: 1, Moya Nolan (Freelance); 2, Frank Miller (The Irish Times); 3, Bryan O'Brien (The Irish Times)
PEOPLE: 1, Kenneth O'Halloran (Irish Independent); 2, David Kinsella (APressen - Norway); 3, Patrick Bolger (Inpho)
INDIVIDUAL STUDY: 1, Patrick Bolger (Inpho); 2, Henry Wills (Western People) 3, John D. Kelly (Freelance)
THE ARTS: 1, Gerry Mooney (Evening Herald); 2, Brian Farrell (Sunday In- dependent); 3, Matt Kavanagh (The Irish Times)
POLITICAL: 1, Paul Faith (Pacemaker Press); 2, Alan Betson (The Irish Times); 3, Dara Mac Donaill (The Irish Times)
PICTURE STORY: 1, Laurence Boland (Freelance for the Sunday Tribune); 2, Laurence Boland; 3, Alan Betson (The Irish Times)
HUMOUR: 1, Denis Minihane (the Examiner).