Canon announces its sponsorship of The Times Young Photographer of the Year competition 2009

Now in its eighth year, the competition seeks to find the country’s best young photographer, awarding the winner with a six-month photojournalist training placement with The Times newspaper. This year the winner will also receive an award-winning Canon EOS 5D Mark II, EF 24-70 f/2.8 L and EF 70-200 f/2.8 L IS lenses, 580EX II Speedlite flash and a year’s membership to the British Press Photographer’s Association.

The competition will be launched in The Times on 3rd August and will run until 12th September 2009. Six shortlisted entrants will be invited to the newspaper for an interview where they will be set a brief by Paul Sanders, Picture Editor of The Times. Three finalists will then be selected on the strength of their assignment and the candidates will have their work displayed at Canon’s Pro Photo Solutions exhibition at the Business Design Centre on 27th and 28th October 2009. The winner will be unveiled at the exhibition by the Editor of The Times, James Harding.

The judging panel will be co-chaired by Paul Sanders and Nick Millen from Canon Professional Imaging.

Paul Sanders, Picture Editor of The Times says: "The Times Young Photographer of the Year competition has established itself as one of the most important prizes in news photography. All of the previous winners have gone on to work for international wire services or national newspapers, the level of prestige associated with the award is now further enhanced with Canon announcing their sponsorship of the event. The winner will be mentored on a one-to-one basis by the Times photographers and by me and this level of training clearly gives the successful candidate an advantage in establishing their career as a news photographer".

Lee Bonniface, Country Director, Canon Consumer Imaging, UK and Ireland said. "This year, Canon is celebrating 50 years of manufacturing SLR cameras. Over half a century, thousands of professional photographers have developed their skills using Canon’s photographic equipment and they have also helped us develop new products. I am very pleased that, by supporting The Times Young Photographer of the Year, we are associated with a competition that recognises and rewards a deserving young photographer and assists them in taking the first step in their career."

"As a leader in imaging solutions, The Times Young Photographer of the Year is the perfect opportunity for Canon to help young, talented photographers reach high standards in photojournalism whilst highlighting the power of image and creativity through photography."