Oct
My photograph of a storm clearing in the Highlands, photographed with Vismedia during a recent assignment for Drax Group plc has been shortlisted in the Motif Collective “Storms” photography awards.
The photograph was taken as I waited for the low clouds to clear from the Cruachan Power station. I looked back down the valley and saw this incredible moment where the storm clouds still lingered but it was clear in the distance.
The Motif Collective was set up by photographers for photographers as an online gallery to host monthly contests devoted exclusively to fine art photography. Their ultimate goal is to present the finer works of talented Photographers from all over the world to help them become successful in one of the most dynamic and challenging times on the global art scene. The Motif Collective online suite of International Fine Art Photography contests gives artists the opportunity to both be recognised and present their best work to the world.
To see all the winners go to - https://www.motifcollective.com/winners-sep-2019.html
Oct
I was presented with 2 honourable mentions and 1 nomination in the 14th Annual B&W Spider Awards in the category's of “People”, "Portraits" and "Abstract", at a prestigious Nomination & Winners PhotoShow streamed Saturday, October 12, 2019. The photograph in the "People" category was taken for International Alert in Liberia; the photograph in the "Portrait" category was of Lenny Henry, comedian and co-founder of the charity, Comic relief; and the photograph in the "abstract" category was of the ICON Outlet ceiling at the O2 in London, commissioned by the architect and designers, CallisonRTKL.
The live online gala was attended by industry leaders and the photography community from around the globe who logged on to watch the climax of the world's premier event for black and white photography. 14th Annual Jury members included captains of the industry from Musee de l'Elysee, Lausanne; The Guardian, London; Contrasto Galleria, Milan; Travel/Discovery Channel, New York; Harper's Bazaar, UK; Portuguese Centre of Photography, Porto; Aeroplastics Contemporary, Brussels; Silvan Faessler Fine Art, Zurich; ADK Creative One Inc., Tokyo; Galerie Hubert Winter, Vienna; Conny Dietzschold Galleries, Sydney; and Pereira O'Dell in New York who honoured Spider Fellows with awards and nominees in 32 categories.
"It's an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 6,418 entries we received this year" said Basil O'Brien, the awards Creative Director. "Jonathan Banks's "Sharing," an exceptional image entered in the “People”, "Portraits" and "Abstract" category's, represents black and white photography at its finest, and we're pleased to present him with the awards."
BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS is the leading international award honouring excellence in black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honours the finest images with the highest achievements in black and white photography. www.thespiderawards.com
May
"Life, on Intergen" is a new film showing the people behind the energy company Intergen. Banks Film | Photo have worked with Intergen for ten years covering their power projects in the UK, Netherlands and Mexico.
Since its founding in 1995, InterGen has had a successful track record of developing, constructing, and operating power projects around the world. Intergen has always strived to be a leading energy company generating safe, reliable and sustainable power in the communities in which we operate.
The film and images were created to reflect Intergen’s core values of safety, integrity, teamwork, entrepreneurship and community.
I wanted to show the people behind the company, and Intergen as a global team of experts in all levels, aligned and motivated by a common goal to forward the long-term value of the company.
It was also important to show Intergen’s commitment to contributing to the quality of life in the communities where they operate, and to respect the people and cultures of the communities.
For further information on Intergen please go to their website at