The stories behind iconic images of Samuel Beckett and Lady Diana Spencer by Irish photographer John Minihan will feature at a new festival in Kinsale this month (Big Picture Festival of Press Photography - Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd October 2023).
Organised by the Press Photographers Association of Ireland, Athy-born Minihan had a 30 year career in Fleet Street before returning to Ireland to document life around his home town.
His study of Nobel Prize winner Beckett has been described as one of the greatest photographs of the 20th century while his picture of Di was the first image captured of the fiancée of the future King of Britain.
Other featured photographers presenting at Big Picture 2023 include the Irish Independent's Mark Condren who recently won the AIB Press Photographer of the Year for a record sixth time.
He will present insights into his work ranging from stories about the work of An Garda Síochána as well as the NYPD and also his conic image of an African woman ravaged by famine and war.
Multi-award winning Clare Champion photographer John Kelly will present his portfolio and stories from decades covering the people, life and times of his region.
The three day festival comprises free and ticketed event ranging from NewsBrands Ireland engagement day for second-level students and the AIB Press Photographer of the Year exhibition to photographic walking tours of Kinsale including a session conducted as Gaeilge.
Canon Ireland will have two internationally renowned photographers presenting their work and top tips for amateur and aspiring professionals on Saturday 21st.
"We have an incredible line-up of speakers and activities for Big Picture 2023," commented Event Co-Ordinator Dan Linehan of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland. "You don't need to be a photographer to enjoy this festival - anyone who enjoys strong visual stories of the world around us will find this programme worthwhile."
As Chief Photographer of The Irish Examiner, Linehan will lead his popular show that delves into the historic picture archive of the newspaper dating back over 100 years. He will also conduct a smartphone photo workshop with secondary school students as part of the NewsBrands Day.
Also included in the line-up with be a double-act between well-known photographers Valerie Cox and Domnick Walsh who will present "Eye On Kerry". Philip Doyle will also present photographic insights into farming through the archives of the Farmers Journal.
PPAI Honorary Member Pádraig Ó Flannabhra will lead a photographic tour of Kinsale as Gaeilge (also bi-lingually) and feature his new book of photographs of Ireland that is raising funds for the Irish Red Cross.
The festival will be based at various venues around the historic town including the new Kinsale Library, the Temperance Hall and Actons Hotel.
"Press photographers offer a critical service of factual truth-telling through images in an era of fakery and disinformation," said David Branigan, President of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland. "Big Picture 2023 will immerse visitors into the stories of our time told by incredibly skilled visual narrators; a visit to Kinsale is going to be a great day out."
