Black and White Spider Awards Winner

2016 Auckland Photographer of the Year

Winner of Cathay Pacific Travel Photographer of the Year Award

The Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards are organised by Travcom (New Zealand Travel Communicators) to celebrate excellence in travel writing and photography.

The photography awards were judged by a panel of three; Rob Lile, director of One Shot image library, Jenny Nicholls, Art Director for North & South magazine and Tessa Chrisp, past winner of the Cathay Pacific Travel Photographer of the Year Award. The Travel Photographer of the Year is judged on the entire portfolio of published work.

Rob Lile said: “This year a clear and unanimous favourite appeared amongst the many images put forward for the scrutiny of a tough judging panel. While there were many images that caught our eye and invited second and third viewings, one series stood out, indicating the work of a master visual storyteller. Ilan’s images transported us to centuries-old locations to examine modern lives intertwined with layers of time. They displayed patience and sensitivity as a storyteller becomes immersed in the worlds of people going about their ordinary daily lives, as unobtrusively as possible. His presence is accepted; images are not overtly posed nor awkward and each subject is entirely comfortable with the interaction. The creative journey continued through careful post production, printing and mounting, all reflecting the skills of a professional determined to present his vision as perfectly as possible. This was a powerful series that will live in our minds for a long time.”

A merchant is surrounded with souvenirs waiting for tourists to visit his shop. Notice that ‘Palestine’ is replacing ‘Israel’ on the map behind him. The old city of Jerusalem, Israel.

Travcom Cathay Pacific Travel Media Awards Best Travel Image with People runner up Ilan Wittenberg 104B

A hunched nun is walking briskly across the busy platform in front of the dome of the Rock Mosque. The old city of Jerusalem, Israel.

Man praying outside the Dome of the Rock the old city of Jerusalem, Israel. This is one of the oldest works of Islamic architecture.

Teenager transporting gas bottles down the main alley at the old city of Jerusalem. He steps on the tyre dragging along the ground in order to slow down the trolley when descending downhill.

A man preparing Turkish coffee for his customers at the back of his Shishas smoking shop. The old city of Jerusalem, Israel.

A man brushing the brass souvenirs to shine the merchandise. The old city of Jerusalem, Israel.

A merchant is smoking his Shisha, while his apprentice is cleaning the fish at Acre Street Market, Israel.

http://travcom.org.nz/awards/award-winning-photography-2016#cathay-pacific-travel-photographer-of-the-year

Gold at North Shore National Salon of Photography

Honoured to win two Gold Awards with a couple of my favourite portraits at the prestigious North Shore National Salon of Photography!

Established in 1995 by the North Shore Photographic Society, the Salon aims to promote the art of photography in New Zealand through an inspiring annual event.

This year’s Salon attracted 2,104 entries from 600 entrants including members from 33 photographic clubs and societies from across the nation. The Salon convenes independent panels of six selectors to judge entries in various categories such as Open, Impressionist, Scapes People, Abstract, Action and Street Photography.

All awarded prints and digital images were displayed at Mairangi Arts Centre. I’m delighted to take part in this beautiful exhibition with dozens of stunning photos!

2016 Iris Awards

NZIPP 2016 Iris Awards

The Iris Awards is New Zealand’s only professional photography competition. The aim of these print awards is to recognise and honour the best in contemporary photography from New Zealand and overseas. The awards showcase cutting-edge imagery and top, creative photographic talent. They celebrate the excellence, providing a platform for recognition within the industry and the wider public. The event also raises the profile of photography throughout New Zealand, providing an annual showcase of cutting-edge imagery and creative photographic talent. It provides an excellent opportunity for photographers to gain widespread exposure for the fruits of their creative talent.

The Iris Awards are open to all photographers in New Zealand and to members of approved overseas professional photography organisations by entering up to 10 prints across a range of categories. All prints are judged in an open forum over a three-day period, the best of which are awarded gold, silver and bronze awards. The judging sessions are open to the public in order to educate, inspire and inform.

This year I first won a Gold Award, a Silver Award and two Bronze Awards at the Travel Category. I was then awarded Gold with Distinction, a Gold Award plus two Silver Awards in the Portrait Classic category and finished with two Bronze Awards in the Portrait Creative category. These awards placed me as a Finalist in both the Portrait Classic and the Travel categories!

The competition which was held in Wellington this year ended with a Gala dinner where I became a Fellow of the NZIPP and went on to win the prestigious award for the Highest Scoring Print (out of 1,139 entries) for the Bare Truth set showing below.

Gold with Distinction & Highest Scoring Print Award – Portrait Classic category

Gold Award – Portrait Classic category

Silver Award – Portrait Classic category

Gold Award – Travel category

Silver Award – Travel category

Bronze Award – Travel category

Bronze Award – Portrait Creative category

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Gold at 2016 North Shore National Salon of Photography

Honoured to win two Gold Awards with a couple of my favourite portraits at the prestigious North Shore National Salon of Photography!

Established in 1995 by the North Shore Photographic Society, the Salon aims to promote the art of photography in New Zealand through an inspiring annual event.

This year’s Salon attracted 2,104 entries from 600 entrants including members from 33 photographic clubs and societies from across the nation. The Salon convenes independent panels of six selectors to judge entries in various categories such as Open, Impressionist, Scapes People, Abstract, Action and Street Photography.

All awarded prints and digital images were displayed at Mairangi Arts Centre. I’m delighted to take part in this beautiful exhibition with dozens of stunning photos!

Talk at Bare Truth Opening Event

Monochrome Awards

Moscow International Foto Awards 2015

Delighted to win the first place for Faces of Jerusalem in the Documentary Book category of Moscow International Foto Awards 2015. This year the competition received thousands of images from 84 countries. Entries were judged based on originality, creativity, composition and most importantly overall impact!