Yesterday, the Dutch photographers association PANL had their yearly presentation of awards and accompanying book/expo vernissage in the Old Church in Amsterdam. It was raining outside, but probably less cold than inside the church. Sponsor Sony had provided us with orange blankets and Beau van Erven Dorens tried to keep us warm by applauding for the laureates, but by the end of the presentation my extremeties were frozen. Unfortunately, I wasn’t one of the winners this year, but it was nice to see my name and nominated serie ‘Space Invaders’ on the big screen. It was almost a relief not winning a prize and having to come forward for a chat with Beau. Most of the winning photographers were ill-prepared for this and were unable to say anything intelligent about their own pictures. No wonder Beau still feels he knows nothing about photography even though presenting the awards ceremony for three years in a row now. But I must say I could understand Beau’s ‘mistake’ thinking Marcel Christ won two prizes for the same series. He didn’t actually, but the ’spontaneously staged moving stills’ series Marcel Christ is famous for all do look very much the same. But then again, they are beautiful. Maurice Heesen deservedly won the overall PANL Sony ? Award # 17 with his beautiful series of American lobby security officers.

The expo with all the nominated and winning photographs can be visited until April 20th in the Old Church. The PANL book looks really cool and will be sold there and in most bookstores for €35.

Event: Expo PANL Awards #17
Where: De Oude Kerk, Amsterdam
When: 03.29 - 04.20.2008