The PopView Lex van Rossen Award 2010

 

This year's winner of the coveted Lex van Rossen Award and cash price of €2,500 is Northern Irish photographer Graham Smith. Now in its third year, the award is named after the famous Dutch music photographer Lex van Rossen, who unfortunately died at the age of 57 in February 2007. Lex worked for magazines and newspapers like OOR, NRC Handelsblad and Haarlems Dagblad and left an impressive archive of his images. He is considered to be one of the leading Dutch music photographers of his time.

The jury thought Graham Smith's pictures form a good coherent series with a sensitive feel and excellent documentary quality. "Smith is a photo-journalist who documents what he sees. This is always a good starting point but as well as being highly skilled with the camera, Graham Smith's work has a very genuine and passionate vibe. He has a real empathy with musicians, and is a very good all-rounder." They also expressed their interest in the future work of this photographer who received a cash prize of €2,500.

Graham Smith's photographs and that of nine other nominees for the award can be seen at the PopView 2010 Exhibition currently running at Photogallery Noorderlicht in Groningen, The Netherlands. The exhibition will be on display in London later in the year with the co-operation of Rockarchive, London.

 

All images © Graham Smith