The winning and highly commended images from the AIB Photojournalism Awards, which form the AIB Photojournalism Exhibition 2012, had its official opening in AIB Bank, Athlone, on Wednesday this week. Joanne O’Connor, branch manager, AIB Bank, welcomed the exhibition to Athlone, one of the many stops on its year-long tour of Ireland.
The AIB Photojournalism Awards and accompanying exhibition pay tribute to the essential role and power of photography in today’s changing world, by rewarding the great talents of photojournalists in Ireland. AIB is celebrating 10 years of partnership with the PPAI, and this year’s competition saw over 2,000 images entered by 120 photojournalists from around the country.
The overall AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2012 title was awarded to Julien Behal of Press Association Ireland.
Speaking at the opening reception, Joanne O’Connor, branch manager, AIB Bank, commented; “AIB Athlone is delighted to host the AIB Photojournalism Exhibition 2012 again this year. The awards are a major recognition of excellence in the field of photojournalism and the accompanying exhibition provides a tremendous platform for AIB to promote the incredible work of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland. I would like to extend congratulations to Julien on his achievement.”
Masterclasses for photography students will be held in locations throughout the country again this year, hosted by members of the PPAI. The images from this year’s AIB Photojournalism Exhibition can be viewed by logging on to www.ppai.ie
