onEdition Photography wins German Sven-Simon-Preis award
by onEdition Photography 23 Feb 2007 06:31 GMT
onEdition Photography has won first prize in an international photographic competition-winning the prestigious German Sven-Simon-Preis award © Dan Towers / OnEdition
onEdition Photography has won first prize in an international photographic competition-winning the prestigious German Sven-Simon-Preis award.
The judges, led by the German tennis star Boris Becker, described the shot
as 'Amazing' -'it looked more like a painting than a photograph' commented
Christian Putsch, Picture Editor of DIE WELT/WELT am SONNTAG the
leading German National newspapers who run the award.
The image was shot in the Bay of Biscay, shortly after the start of the
VELUX 5 Oceans, solo round the world yacht race, which the onEdition team
are the official photographers for. Within hours of the start the fleet were
hit by a huge storm, gusting at over 70 knots (77mph). Photographer Dan
Towers set off in a helicopter, for what could only be described as a roller
coaster ride, to try and catch up the the besieged fleet. One of the
resulting images was of Swiss solo sailor Bernard Stamm and his yacht,
Cheminees Poujoulat, fighting for survival in huge seas and wind, which was
awarded as the winning shot of the annual competition.
Clare MacNaughton, Communications Director for the VELUX 5 Oceans said
'Sometimes planning plus circumstance equals unprecedented results, but even
with the all the right ingredients it takes an exceptional chef to produce a
Michelin star meal. Dan Towers VELUX 5 Oceans storm image is a Carpe
Diem moment, brilliantly shot and capturing exquisitely the essence of our
race and the endeavour of the solo skipper. Hanging out of a single
engine helicopter, with the doors removed, in 70 knots of breeze to get the
shot is no small undertaking either. We are delighted that this image is
getting the recognition that it deserves'.
Dan is the first non-German photographer ever to win the award and receives
both the accolade and a cash prize of €12,500. Dan commented; 'It is a
great honour and very much a team award. The guys that work with me are a
close and very dedicated team -without them this award would not have
happened and they will all be getting a share of the prize money. It is
great to have your work recognised in this way, especially after all the
hard work that we have put into ensuring that the VELUX 5 Oceans reached the
news and features pages of the worlds press'.