A Geelong freelance photographer has won the Sony Alpha Awards editorial category prize for the second time in two years.
Matt Hrkac’s award-winning image, ‘Freedom for Iran’, was taken at a Melbourne protest and shows a woman holding some of her hair that she cut off in the air while a crowd around her chants.
Mr Hrkac said he felt “pretty humbled” to win the competition for a second year in a row and that it was a “big achievement”.
“People who have seen that particular photo have commented on how good it is, which is very validating,” he said.
“I’ve been inundated with dozens of messages saying that the image stood out and was amazing.
“It’s obviously a testament to the fact that my work is having an impact on, not only the judges of the competition, but also the people that see my work as well.”
Sony Alpha Awards 2023 judges said Mr Hrkac’s image had a “clear, sensitive and efficient current affairs coverage” and a “clear sense of context and scale to the event”.
“I think this image stands out as one of the best images I’ve ever taken,” Mr Hrkac said.
“Photography is a way to express my creativity as well as helping to get a message out there about the different causes around.
“Another photographer was at the rally and noticed me trying to find the angle to get that shot as it was unfolding and the other photographer helped me to get that shot.”
‘Freedom for Iran’ had recently won the Amnesty International Australia Photography Competition and been shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Photography Awards.
The photo was also ranked in the Top 30 for the 2023 Australasia’s Top Emerging Photographers Awards.
