Canon Young Photographer Of The Year, Awarded By The Times

Rob Stothard, 27 years young and from Leeds, has been named the tenth Times/Canon Young Photographer of the Year. He got a six-month contract with The Times, and will be trained and learn about photojournalism. And he will receive all the state-of-the-art Canon gear he needs along with a year’s membership to the British Press Photographer’s Association. As reported on the London College of Communication’s blog:

Rob studied mathematics at the University of Leeds and had been working in the city when he turned his attention to photography, applying for LCC’s MA Photojournalism and Documentary Photography course. Then in a desire to better his photography skills he threw himself head-first into a big international story by making the brave decision of going to Egypt to cover last year’s elections.

Rob explains “I had been interested in and travelled in the Middle East for some time and felt going to Egypt and setting myself up to cover the elections would be perfect. So I changed to the online mode of the course hoping it would give me the structure and mentorship I feel is difficult to gain as a freelancer fresh into the industry.”

“Aside from the help from course director Paul Lowe, the other staff and my fellow students, being part of a society of journalists based in Cairo has been an invaluable experience. Whilst my technical skills as a photographer have improved I feel the most valuable part of my time in Cairo has been learning from more experienced journalists how to accurately and honestly depict a complex political scene.”

Check out some of his pictures at the London College of Communication’s blog. Congrats Rob!