It was my fourth year at the World Press Photo Exhibition. As one of the more than two million people across some 45 countries that will visit the exhibition every year, I come seeking inspiration for my own photography- to see the standard of photojournalism that I must uphold to someday have one of my shots on the wall. One will honestly do, Mr World Press Photo. PLEASE.

In previous years, the exhibition has stared, wept and bled its way into my heart, leaving me in no doubt as to why it is recognised as a collection of the best visual reportage from all over the world. This year, it ventured inside on a few occasions, but most often loitered aimlessly by my ribcage. Shuffling from picture to picture quicker than I expected to be, I couldn't help but feel I was entering a dark, desolate place - for the first time in my life I was disappointed with the World Press Photo exhibition.  
 
Where were the images that would haunt me? Where were the images that would captivate me? Where were the images that would fill me with anguish or rage or disbelief? And most importantly, where were the images that would really teach me compassion, understanding and tolerance?
 
With the judging panel pushing for innovation, claiming many entries were rejected on the basis that they represented images seen time and time again in the press, I am left wondering whether the kind of photojournalism that was cast aside by this year's purge would have quickened my pulse more often than those that were spared. Their decision has certainly left WPP 08 a little tamer, a little less urgent and a little less gratifying than its predecessors.  
 
The honour of World Press Photo of the Year 2008 was taken out by Tim Hetherington (UK) for his coverage of the plight of US forces in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan for Vanity Fair. While his image of an exhausted US soldier laying back in his bunker is a far cry from what I imagined the winning entry to be, the panel’s decision is elucidated somewhat by the fact that the Korengal Valley is the scene of some of the deadliest and most demanding combat in the region. Nearly three-quarters of all bombs dropped by NATO forces in Afghanistan fall on and around the Korengal Valley and much of the ground gained is measured in yards, single hilltops and small patches of forest.
 
More striking entries in the current exhibition include a rare glimpse into the steely eyes of the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, the body of a giant and highly endangered mountain gorilla being carried by fifteen villagers after it was found shot dead in a national park in Congo, and my personal favourite, retired circus performer Jozef Maksymiuk standing in the middle of his living room in a tutu.
 
It was also a good year for Australian photography, scoring three blips on the WPP radar with the following Australian photographers amongst the prize-winners: Tim Clayton, Sydney Morning Herald sports photographer; Andrew Quilty, Australian Financial Review photographer; and Daniel Berehulak, Getty Images.
 

The World Press Photo Exhibition 08 is on display:

State Library of NSW, Macquarie St until the 5th of June.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am-8pm; Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-5pm.

Brisbane Powerhouse, from 12 June - 30 June 2008.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; Weekends 10am-4pm.

Check out the World Press Photo Exhibition website, with a multimedia library, interviews with the photographers and archives of past winners   http://www.worldpressphoto.org/

Thumbnail Image: John Moore (USA) for Getty Images

Image above: Winner: Tim Hetherington (UK) for Vanity Fair