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Fiona Lake of Australia Wins IFAJ Star Prize for Photography

"Cobb and Co. Long Haul" by Fiona Lake

Fiona Lake’s delightful “Cobb and Co. Long Haul,” published in Queensland Country Life, received the 2020 Star Prize for Photography from the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) in an online ceremony June 26. Lake’s aerial image delighted the contest judges, one of whom said, “The light and the timing are nearly perfect. The details in the shadow are delightful.” Lake’s image also won first place in the contest’s Nature/Landscape category.

“Fiona Lake’s shot reminds us of the power of photography to delight and surprise us with new ways to look at the world,” said Steve Werblow, IFAJ secretary-general. “Whether you’re a photographer studying the skill with which she captured this image or a reader who is just entranced by the joy of encountering the unusual scene, this image invites you to keep looking and keep discovering.”

"New Born Saler Calf" by Marcello Garbagnioli

“New Born Saler Calf” by Marcello Garbagnioli in Britain’s Farmers Guardian received the Runner-Up nod for the Star Prize for Photography and won first place in the Production category. One judge applauded the “amazing composition, wonderful balance of light, super connection with subject.”

Other winners announced in the online award ceremony were:

People

First Place: Matt Turner, Australia, South Australia Weekend for “Pick of the Bunch”

Runner-Up: Jurgen Pustracher, Austria, Unser Hof for “Partners Meet On Eye Level”

"Pick of the Bunch" by Matt Turner
"Partners Meet On Eye Level" by Jurgen Pistracher

Nature/Landscape

Runner-Up: Hansjuerg Jaeger, Switzerland, BauernZeitung for “Midlands”

"Midlands" by Hansjuerg Jaeger

Production

Runner-Up: Jacqueline Curley, Australia, Graziher Magazine for “Heartbreaking Aftermath.”

"Heartbreaking Aftermath." by Jacqueline Curley

Contest judges included Jim Patrico, award-winning American photographer formerly of Progressive Farmer; Johnnie Belinda Cluff, a wedding photographer living in New Zealand; and Janice Thoroughgood, creative development specialist for Farm Credit Canada. Photographers from five continents submitted entries to the competition.