Leicester College learner is shortlisted to be the Times Young Photographer of the Year

11/10/2010

A talented young Leicester College photography learner, Joel Marston has been shortlisted to be The Times Young Photographer of the Year 2010.

To take part in the competition, sponsored by Canon, entrants needed to submit visually exciting photographs in three different categories: Lifestyle, Portraiture and Reportage.  Joel’s striking photographs of a group of free runners; a man in a ‘hoodie’ and Protest marches caught the eye of the judges. Joel will now present a photograph to the Times editor at a reception event depicting any topical issue in Leicester in a style he thinks is suited to the newspaper.

As one of six finalists to go to the reception, the Leicester College learner will be competing to win a six-month contract with The Times, and to be trained in the skills of photojournalism, as well as a range of Canon camera equipment.

This is far removed from the 25 year old’s previous career as an Apprentice Electrician.  On starting the apprenticeship, Joel realised it wasn’t for him.  With an interest in photography gained through his father’s passion for taking pictures of wildlife, Joel decided to enrol on the Foundation Degree in Photography and Video course at Leicester College.  Since then, he hasn’t looked back.

Joel said: “I enter the competition every year, so I’m over the moon to have been picked as a finalist.  I didn’t think I would do it.  I think it’s because I thought outside of the box to grab the judges’ attention.
“I want to have the lifestyle and do the work of a newspaper photographer.”

Leicester College Photography Lecturer, Paul O’Leary said: “We are pleased to hear of Joel’s success in being short-listed for the Times Young Photographer of the Year competition. To win would be a fantastic opportunity, but even to get to the final six highlights Joel’s talent as an image-maker. This follows the recent success that our students have had with MTV and Fuji national awards”

Joel’s and the other five finalists work will be displayed at Canon’s Pro Photo Solutions exhibition at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London on 26 and 27 October 2010.

Joel’s entries into the competition as well as some of his other work can be seen on the BBC Leicester website.