The Press Photographer's Year

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-23159002

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Press photographers are a talented bunch. Day in, day out they give life to photographs that capture the world around us. From the front lines to the backstreets, from breaking news to sport, they are charged with making a captivating picture from a wide variety of situations, all usually against a tight deadline.

The Press Photographer's Year competition is run in association with the British Press Photographers' Association (BPPA). Now in its seventh year, it sets out to "demonstrate that even in an age of rolling television news, internet and satellite communication, the traditional still image burns the keenest, fastest impression on the public conscience and is the most effective way to show the world the world as it really is". I can agree with that.

The pictures must have been taken in 2011 or 2012 for, and used by, the UK media. More than 390 photographers based in more than 20 countries throughout Europe, as well as Japan, South Africa, India, Australia and the US, submitted 12,500 photographs online.

The top prize was awarded to Adrian Dennis of Agence France Presse, who won two sporting categories - Sports Folio of the Year and Olympic Folio - as well as Photograph of the Year (seen at the top of this page).

Alongside the traditional still pictures, Georgina Cranston won the multimedia section for her documentary on the lives of homeless women in London, focusing on Lucy's story. It is a very powerful piece and was produced in association with digital production company Duckrabbit. Here is a link to the piece, though I should warn you that some might find it upsetting.

Here are a few of those that were selected for the Press Photographer's Year - 150 pictures are on show at the Lyttelton Foyer of the National Theatre on London's South Bank from 6 July to 31 August 2013.