THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 28, 1996 TAG: 9601280140
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Virginian-Pilot staff photographer Martin Smith-Rodden has been named the National Press Photographers Association Region 3 Photographer of the Year.
Another Pilot staffer, Beth Bergman, tied for second place in the competition.
Region 3, covering the mid-Atlantic states, includes such highly competitive markets as New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington.
The award, sponsored by the NPPA since 1964, is based on judging of 12 months' worth of clips, using a point system. Smith-Rodden's winning entry included two photo essays - on Mennonites and a 50-year-old transsexual - coverage of the NCAA basketball semifinals; photographs of boxer George Foreman visiting CBN; a prayer vigil at the execution of Denis Stockton; a digital photo illustration of a girl wearing glasses; and coverage of the Sandman Triathlon.
Though Pilot photographers frequently place in the top 10 in the competition, Smith-Rodden is only the second to capture the top honor. The other was Denis Finley in 1991.
Smith-Rodden lives in Portsmouth with his wife, Pam, and their two children. He is a past president of the Virginia News Photographers Association. by CNB