Regular readers of my blog will know that I am a huge fan of a Regional news Cameraman in the US called Darren Durlach. Well he has recently collected another important award, this time the highly regarded NPPA TV News Photographer of the year. His work is truly outstanding and leaves me in awe. He can make something out of nothing both in the composition of his shots and in his all around story-telling. Below are a number of his films that helped scoop the award followed by comments from the judges on the panel.
WINNER: General News “A Special Piece of History” Darren Durlach, from Poynter Institute on Vimeo.
WINNER: Spot News, “C’Mon Son” Darren Durlach/WBFF Baltimore from Poynter Institute on Vimeo.
Dave Delozier:
Darren Durlach had a solid composite entry that showed great storytelling skills from the start to the finish. The photojournalist displayed a great eye with consistent composition that was excellent. What can’t be lost in this entry is how hard this photojournalist obviously works. He seems to always have a wireless on everyone in the story and he seems to be everywhere at all the right times. This entry also showed an ability to create stories that carried with them a range of emotions. In one story you were laughing at a McDonalds while people were singing Sinatra music and on another you were feeling the loss of a U.S. Marine as he is laid to rest. From my perspective this was clearly the winner as the entry displayed all of the characteristics you look for in a National Photographer of the Year.
Crystal Lauderdale:
Our choice for POY was simply impeccable with every clip submitted. Their technical skills were supreme, their imagery was beautiful and diverse, and each story was compelling.
“C’mon Son” was already an early standout in the week, taking first place for the spot news category, as was “A Special Piece of History”, which took first in general news. Both pieces stood out for their memorable moments, candid soundbites and crisp, clean footage. Until reviewing the entries for POY, we didn’t know those pieces were produced by the same photographer. The rest of the entries followed suit with the same level of quality and made this decision a fast and unanimous one for our panel.
For more of an insight into Darrens thought process while shooting then check out the interviews with him below:
