Gunnedah was treated to a sold-out evening with one of the world’s top news photographers on Friday evening.
David Gray is behind many of the world’s familiar iconic photographs such as Stephen Bradbury’s winning stance winning gold at the 2002 Olympics, Naomi Osaka gently helping a butterfly from her dress, the air punch of freedom from Julian Assange arriving in Australia, the powerful lift of Michael Phelps after winning gold, a silhouette image of a solar eclipse in the outback and capturing the devastating story of drought in Australia among many, many more from around the world.
His career spans 37 years, from working with The Australian newspaper; Reuters News Agency; chief photographer Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Region; as a specialist photographer in China; and as a freelance photographer providing images for Agence France-Presse (AFP), Getty Images, Blomberg News, AAP and The New York Times.
He has covered Summer and Winter Olympic games, Australian Open Tennis, World Cup Rugby, world athletics and swimming championships, test cricket and as the official photographer for Wimbledon Tennis championships and SailGp yacht racing. David currently works for Agence France-Presse (AFP).
David has received many awards including the Walkley Award for News Photography, World’s Sports Photography Awards, International Photography Award, World Press Photo Sports Category and Natural World Category in the Smithsonian Photo Contest.
He has close connections with this area from family relations, his good friend and fellow photographer Paul Mathews and the people he has photographed here over the years.
The audience was captivated with his images and the stories behind them and in candid conversation along with Paul Mathews, it was a rare insight behind the scenes of images that impact the world.
The evening was hosted by Blackjack Camera Club who were delighted that so many people enjoyed the evening.
President of the camera club, Wendy Carpenter said, “it just shows how much we all appreciate the power that photography has”.
“It was a fantastic night.
“Whether they were a photographer or not, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening and they were amazed at how he captures such incredible photos.
“We really appreciate David coming and sharing everything with us.
“It was such a privilege to listen to him and appreciate his work”.
