Canadian wins top prize in Commonwealth Photographic Awards

John Lehmann of Vancouver, has won the first prize of £2000 in the fourth year of the Commonwealth Photographic Awards for a photograph that, according to Tony Freeman, one of the judges, "could not get closer to life". He, like fellow judges, Justin Williams and Ray Lowe was attracted by the spontaneous expressions of sheer joy on the faces of the parents as they celebrated the life of their new baby.

John received his cheque at the London preview of an exhibition of the winning photographs held on 2 February 2004. He was presented with his prize by the award-winning photographer, Eamonn McCabe.

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The theme for this year's Awards was "Celebration" and the photographs were judged on the interpretation of the theme as well as technical quality. The theme was depicted in a variety of ways, from celebrating victory at a football match in Australia, to the Festival of Colours in India, to children celebrating the arrival of rain in Malaysia. John Lehmann's winning photo was unanimously judged as a natural and impulsive celebration of life.

John lives in Vancouver and is the West Coast based staff photographer for the Globe & Mail newspaper. He has been a photographer for 14 years and specialises in shooting news, sports, features, and business images under strict deadlines.

Tony Freeman, photographer and President of the British Institute of Professional Photography; Ray Lowe of Ray Lowe Photography UK; and Justin Williams, freelance photographer with The Sunday Times in London, judged the Awards. Ray Lowe said that "the Commonwealth Photographic Awards are vital; photography is still the only universal mode of communication throughout the world - it crosses every boundary".

In addition to the overall winner, five regional winners were chosen: Europe: Paul Howell (UK); Canada & West Indies: John Lehmann (Canada); Australasia: Tony McDonagh (Australia); Africa: Siphiwe Sibeko (South Africa); and Asia: Chi Yin Sim (Singapore). Furthermore, four photographers from Africa were highly commended, nine from Asia, six from Australasia, two from Canada and the West Indies, and four from Europe.

» View the winning photographs.

Elizabeth Smith, Secretary-General of the CBA said, "I am delighted at the high standards of the entries. The winning photos - and many of the others as well - are outstanding."

Jane Rangeley of the CPU commented, "There are 54 countries in the Commonwealth and 1.8 billion people. Our roles at the CPU and the CBA are to improve communication in these countries. We therefore endeavour, via these Awards, to promote photography as an important form of media."

The winning photographs will also feature in several exhibitions, including one at the British Council in Delhi (October 2003) and in London (2 February to 31 March 2004).

A high resolution CD-ROM copy of the photos are available for the press. Email the CPU at cba@cba.org.uk or phone the CPU Secretariat in London: +44 (0)20 7583 7733 for more information.