SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA.- A photograph of Mina and Phan enjoying the delights of karaoke singing in a suburban Sydney home has won the fifth annual Sydney Life Photography Prize worth $10,000. New entrant Joanne Saad was awarded the prize at last night's launch of Art & About. She beat a pool of 410 emerging and professional photographers. Twenty-six finalist images depicting the people, landscapes and quirks of Sydney life have been enlarged to bed sheet size and are on exhibition along the beautiful grand central walkway of Hyde Park North until October 22.

The finalists were decided by a distinguished panel of judges - Sandy Edwards (Curator, Sydney Life), Alan Davies (Curator of Photographs, State Library of NSW) and Bec Dean (Curator, Australian Centre for Photography).

Sandy Edwards said; "Karaoke Friends is a life embracing image. It triggers an instant gut level positive response and makes the viewer laugh with empathy."

"The image also has a layer of detail which captivates the viewer. We see a lounge room resplendent with faux flowers and fruit, family photos on the wall, seven remote controls and a surround sound karaoke system."

This year 800 images were submitted by 410 photographers. Images include; boxer Anthony Mundine with 'fire in his belly' on Eveleigh Street, Chinese artist Guan Wei in a boat on a lake, a suburban cul-de-sac filled with kids playing soccer, and a perfect goat at the Royal Easter Show.