Michael
Coyne
Speaker Profile
Michael Coyne has worked for over 30 years as a photographer covering wars, revolutions and international events. National Geographic's 28 page spread of Michael's 1985 photographs and text from Iran led to the editor of that magazine being summoned to the White House to explain who Coyne was and why he had so much access to the leaders of Iran's Islamic Revolution and the Iran/Iraq war, which was occurring at the time.
Michael spent eight years in the Middle East documenting the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. He also did in-depth stories on the Palestinian Liberation Army including documenting the life and work of PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat. For his work in the Middle East Michael received a number of prestigious awards including the American National Press Photographers Association and the Overseas Press Club of America.
In 2010 he received an honourable mention in the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club Human Rights Awards for his photographs of Chinese coal miners. Much of Michael's award winning documentary work has taken place in areas regarded as inaccessible and impenetrable due to their political or strategic sensitivity. It is a testament to his superior networking ability and perseverance that these extraordinary pictures have come to light. The international acclaim he has received for his work is in recognition of the revelatory nature of his photographs as well as his creative talent.
In addition to National Geographic, Michael Coyne has worked on assignments for and had his work featured in magazines such as Newsweek, Life, Time, New York Times, Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian, German Geo, French Geo, Paris Match, Madame La Figaro, London Observe Magazine, London Independent Magazine, Travel Holiday and Vogue.
12 books of his work have been published, including two very successful ones on Australia: The Oz Factor, awarded Australian Book of the Year, and A World of Australians, which earned the New York Art Directors' Award. The complete collection of photographs in A World of Australians was bought by the The National Museum of Australia. Other award winning books include The Jew Called Jesus, completed in 1993 and awarded Children's Book of the Year, and Second Spring, which is Michael's four year documentation of the life and work of the Jesuits. He was a photographer and the Director of Photography for the award winning Planet Vegas.
Michael's book Tour of Duty is about the people of East Timor. He has also written and illustrated a best selling guide to taking better travel pictures, Lonely Planet - People Photography. In 2006 he released a book titled How To Be A Child. Contemporary Photographers: Australia - Michael Coyne is a collection of his photographs from thirty years of work. He has recently collaborated with six of Australia's best-regarded award-winning documentary photographers in the publication of a collection of photographs from wars and conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries titled War.
Michael Coyne's photographs are held in collections in Washington, New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hong Kong, London and Rome.
Coyne and his photographs featured in an Italian documentary in 1999 and in 2000 Michael played the role of himself in Second Spring: A Letter to My Daughter, a play based on his life and work. This play subsequently featured as part of Hong Kong's City Arts Festival, along with an exhibition of Michael's photographs.
In April 2003 Michael was awarded the Centenary Medal by the Australian Government for Service to Photography. In 2007 The AIPP (Australian Institute of Photography) awarded him an Honorary Fellowship, the highest award a photographer can receive in Australia. Dr Michael Coyne completed a Ph.D. on Documentary Photography and is an Adjunct Professor at RMIT University, Melbourne, Senior Fellow of Photography at Photographic Studies College and an Honorary Lecturer at Hong Kong University.
Travels from Victoria
Client Comments
Client Comments
- Michael was an enlightening speaker whose words and images took us on a fascinating journey to a different perspective.
ANZ - Speaking as the organiser of the event, your observations were of immense value. The perspective you shared with us on the life of a photojournalist coupled with your easy good humour made for a very entertaining and instructive speech. You added insight and credibility to the whole event. We look forward to working with you in the future.
Kodak Australia - Michael's style was both informative and witty. In rating the 10 years of guest speakers attending our annual meetings, without hesitation I would rate Michael number one.
Australia Building Services Association - The audience sat transfixed throughout Michael's presentation and he was just right for this particular audience.
Abare Economics - Michael entertained, astonished, surprised and confronted us! People were speechless - for a short time - and then they couldn't stop talking about the images that Michael shared with us. Later Michael held two conversations with participants, chaired by Campbell McComas, during which he shared his insights, experiences and passions with us. We were truly privileged.
Avenel Primary School - Michael's presentation and photographs were amazing. We really enjoyed his stories and hearing about his experiences in some fairly remote and dangerous locations around the world. Our audience was spellbound and had many questions for Michael in the end.
ANZ Investment Bank - Michael was a very interesting and great presenter and many delegates enjoyed is presentation.
CPA Australia (vic) - Michael showed some fantastic shots and his presentation was very interesting and at times quite moving. He was delightful to deal with. Michael stayed on for lunch as well and a number of delegates used the opportunity to chat to him over lunch, which was an added bonus.
The MINT Organisation - On behalf of the P.H. Committee and myself please accept our most sincere thanks for your presentation at our 'Together in Success' Convention in Vietnam.
Schwarzkopf Professional over the past 25 years has produced many great Conventions and this has to be rated as one of the best. The delegates have expressed their gratitude and I know that as a result of their attendance and participation they will all be on track to increase their effectiveness and grow their businesses.
Michael, your presentation generated great comment and was extremely well received by our delegates. Your warmth coupled with your compelling stories and obvious passion for life gave our delegates a greater understanding of the images that touch their lives on a daily basis.
Thank you for your preparedness to join our delegates during our breaks and dinner. This gave a personal touch with the great opportunity for our delegates to have a personally signed copy of your sensational book. Your ability to relate shared experiences in an inspirational manner was a brilliant way to commence our Convention.
Once again thank you for a job well done. I know that all of our P.H. members will remember their time in Vietnam and your presentation has guaranteed a greater business future for all of our delegates.
Schwarzkopf Professional - I would like to sincerely thank you for your contribution to our program with your keynote address. We have had many congratulatory comments on your presentation and it added greatly to the overall enjoyment of the weekend. Your ability to get to some of the places you did was a credit to you. It was a most enjoyable and entertaining talk with many fabulous photos.
Rotary International - "The audience sat transfixed throughout Michael's presentation and he was
just right for this particular audience."
Abare Economics
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