A baby girl suffering burns from an oil heater at home lies in an observation room at Boost Hospital, which is administered by Medecins Sans Frontieres, in Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Winner: Nikon-Walkley photo of the yearPhotograph: Andrew Quilty/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

Sylvia Liber’s ‘Little Princess’ captures an intimate moment between Imogen Stone, who has Batten disease, and her older sister Nataya. Winner: Nikon-Walkley portrait prizePhotograph: Sylvia Liber/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

Eric Lyons stands in front of his caravan and a wall of flame, after helping his neighbour, Allan Lawrence, burn a paddock at his Palmers Island property on the north coast of New South Wales. Winner: Nikon-Walkley community/regional prizePhotograph: Adam Hourigan/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

Raymond Finn attends the Anzac Hill Dawn Service representing the 12th Light Horse Brigade on 25 April in Alice Springs. Finalist: Nikon-Walkley photographer of the yearPhotograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

A woman and a friend had a lucky escape when the caravan she was towing fishtailed down the Pacific Highway and collided with a truck. The pair escaped injury, though the caravan, the woman’s home was destroyed. Winner: Adam Hourigan

Horsemen battle for a headless goat. In Afghanistan’s mythical Panjshir valley, the sport of Buzkashi is a time-honoured tradition on which the Panjshiris pride themselvesPhotograph: Andrew Quilty/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

The New Zealand rugby team perform the Haka after winning the Cup Final against England at the end of the 2014 Hong Kong Sevens at Hong Kong International Stadium on 30 March. Finalist: Nikon-Walkley sport photographyPhotograph: Cameron Spencer/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

England’s Michael Carberry breaks his bat playing a ball from Ryan Harris during day three of the 5th Ashes Cricket Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Finalist: Nikon-Walkley sport photographyPhotograph: Brett Costello/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

The Swifts’ Sonia Mkoloma and the Thunderbirds’ Carla Borrego in action during NSW Swifts v Adelaide Thunderbirds ANZ Championships Netball game at All Phones Arena, Homebush. Finalist: Sport photographyPhotograph: Phil Hillyard/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

A man surveys the devastation of Tacloban, Philippines, from the remnants of his home. Finalist: Feature/photographic essayPhotograph: Brendan Esposito/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

Beirne’s photos of the infamous brawl between James Packer and David Gyngell on the streets of Bondi caused a global media sensation. A terrific get.Finalist: Craig Greenhill, The Daily Telegraph, “Roger Rogerson”

Williams’ portfolio highlights key moments from her year covering Australian stories, some of public prominence and others of a more intimate nature; from the official visit of Prince William and Catherine and the devastating bushfires that engulfed the Blue Mountains region through to the beauty of runway fashion and the Walker family on Rio Station.NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY Finalist: Brendan Beirne, News Corp Australia, “Bondi Biffo”

In an essay that transports the viewer straight to regional Queensland, Williams provides a glimpse of the daily life of the Walker family, one of many families feeling the effects of one the worst droughts on record. Despite these hard times, Williams was able to capture moments of both tranquil beauty and playful joy. Finalist: Lisa Maree Williams, Getty Images, “Rio Station”

Jim was sent on assignment to photograph Hayden McLean, 35, who is severely autistic, mildly intellectually disabled, and highly sensitive to noise and unkindness in his natural environment. Winning Hayden’s trust and acceptance, Jim produced a striking and beautiful photo essay.Finalist: Eddie Jim, The Age, “Hayden”

From the Katherine River bed in the Northern Territory; to an apocalyptic beachscape at Bondi; to Afghanistan, capturing NATO’s war on terror; and to Iraq, where civilian minorities flee the most extreme of the world’s Islamist threats –Quilty’s portfolio demonstrates a sensitive eye and consistent craft.Finalist: Lisa Maree Williams, Getty Images

As the first photographer to gain access to the military-controlled no man’s land along Jordan’s dangerous eastern border with Syria, Pennells set out to draw attention to one of the biggest humanitarian crises since World War II. Finalist: Andrew Quilty, Oculi

From artfully lit shots like his image of Jesse Sanders slam-dunking over Sydney, to split-second captures like Michael Carberry’s bat breaking during the 2014 Ashes, Costello’s portfolio shows the sport photographer at the height of his skill.Finalist: Brett Costello, The Daily Telegraph, “The drama of sport”

Shooting sport images is as much about emotion as technical skill. A seasoned professional, Hillyard created a portfolio that highlights his ability to capture unique sporting moments.

Finalist: Phil Hillyard, The Daily Telegraph, “Tim Cahill, Midnight Celebration, Afternoon Footy, Long Legs, Dodgers Down Under”

Shooting through the window slots OF the paddy wagon, Greenhill got this powerful image of disgraced former NSW Detective Sergeant Roger Rogerson arriving at Bankstown Court after being charged with the murder of Jamie Goa earlier that day.Finalist: Peter Wallis, The Courier-Mail, “Gerard Baden-Clay”

IMAGES OF FINALISTS

 Photographer: Steve Pennells

 Photographer: Steve Pennells

 Photographer: Steve Pennells

Photographer: Lisa Maree Williams

Photographer: Lisa Maree Williams

2014 Nikon-Walkley Photographic Awards :: Photographer: Andrew Quilty

2014 Nikon-Walkley Photographic Awards :: Photographer: Andrew Quilty

2014 Nikon-Walkley Photographic Awards :: Photographer: Andrew Quilty

2014 Nikon-Walkley Photographic Awards :: Photographer: Brendan Esposito

2014 Nikon-Walkley Photographic Awards :: Photographer: Brendan Esposito

2014 Nikon-Walkley Photographic Awards :: Photographer: Brendan Esposito

A selection of the best of this year’s winners and finalists for the Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism.

NIKON-WALKLEY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PHOTOJOURNALISM

A Syrian refugee kisses the 10-day-old baby she carried with her to safety across the border into JordanPhotograph: Steve Pennells/Nikon-Walkley Awards for Excellence in Photojournalism

END16-NOVIEMBRE-2014