Things have been so busy that I forgot to celebrate a work anniversary! This autumn, marked 35 years of professional photography!
It’s amazing to think that I started my career in 1989! My first newspaper was the Ealing Gazette. Such a special place that to this day I’m lucky to keep in touch with great friends and colleagues from those days. Full of fond memories of getting my first break thanks to the chief photographer Stan James.
Five years into my career. Tools of the trade. 1994.
The last 35 years have been primarily as a photojournalist, adding corporate, commercial as well as short film making as the decades continued.
It’s a job I absolutely love and cherish. Still getting an immense buzz from that gut feeling of knowing one has captured a good photograph, as the shutter button is released. I’m thankful that I still get that creative rush from seeing a publication and getting client feedback.
This photograph was made five years into my career; trusty Nikon FM2, Leica M6, press card and a Domke photographer’s vest!
It’s astonishing to realise I’ve been published in practically all the world’s main newspapers, picked up a World Press Photo award, the British Press Awards Photographer of the Year title and get exhibited in around 90 countries; something the 19 year old me would never have fathomed!
Thank you to everyone along the way who has made this such an immensely wonderful career.
It’s unbelievable that a year ago, we lost the wonderful Tom Stoddart. A great friend to those lucky to know him, an inspiration to photojournalists everywhere and a story teller to the world, through his thought provoking and moving work.
A selection of Tom’s photographs, 21 in all, have been carefully chosen from across more than 40-years of his unique work around the world and presents for the first time an opportunity to share a part of his legacy. Visit the specially set up Print Sales page on Tom’s website.
Each print is validated with a specially created Tom Stoddart Estate Archive certificate, embossed with his digital signature. It’s a unique opportunity to own a part of history, through this phenomenal archive of work.
At a wonderful evening at the UK Picture Editors Guild Awards, held at the Honourable Artillery Company, I was honoured to have received a joint commendation for my portfolio of five portraits, placing the images as third in the UK, in the DMGT Portrait Photographer of the Year category.
Photojournalist Edmond Terakopian attending the UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards 2022. Honourable Artillery Company, London, UK. October 17, 2022. Photo: Peter Jordan
As always, much joy in catching up with friends, colleagues and picture editors, some of whom I’ve known for around 30 years! Great to see powerful and moving photojournalism by talented photographers, still helping us understand stories from around the world and the human impact they have. Makes me think that Kodak’s famous “a picture is worth a thousand words” slogan needs to be reworded to “ten thousand words”.
My thanks to the judges, led by the legendary former Sunday Times Picture Editor Ray Wells, for all their hard work in choosing the winning and commended images. Huge thanks also to friend and colleague, Alan Sparrow for his dedication and hard work in making these crucial awards take place.
Portrait Photographer of the Year Portfolio
An XR protestor is seen through the broken window of a bus, which was broken when the Police stormed the bus as the Extinction Rebellion action began. Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix G9 and Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f2.8II.Angelika Ghazaryan, a descendant of Genocide Survivors, at the 106th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th, 1915. Members of the British Armenian community gather at the remembrance service for the 1.5 Million Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Empire. US President Joe Biden has become the first US president to issue a statement formally describing the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide by the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) on the day that Armenian communities around the world marked the killing of 1.5 million Armenians. St Yeghiche Armenian Church, London, UK. April 25, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix G9 and Voigtlander 29mm f0.8 MFT Super Nokton Lens.Miner Ian Turner, at the end of his shift. Aberpergwm Mine is the only remaining operational coal mine in the UK. It’s the only source of high-grade anthracite in Western Europe. Aberpergwm Mine, Glynneath, Neath, Wales, UK. July 30, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix G9 and Leica DG 50-200mm f2.8-4.0 lens.Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Leica M10-D and Leica 50mm Summicron (1960s ‘Rigid Summicron’) lens.A mourner commemorates the victims of the Genocide, during a church service, as candles lit in prayer illuminate the back of the church. Joe Biden has become the first US president to issue a statement formally describing the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide by the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) on the day that Armenian communities around the world marked the killing of 1.5 million Armenians. (London, UK) 106th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th. Members of the British Armenian community gather at the remembrance service for the 1.5 Million Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Empire. St Yeghiche Armenian Church, London, UK. April 25, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f2.8 lens.
The images in my commended portfolio were shot on Lumix G9, Lumix S1 and M10-D cameras. The raw files were edited and processed in Adobe’s LightRoom Classic, finished in Exposure Software’s X7, all using fully calibrated Eizo CG monitors attached to an Apple Mac Pro.
Immensely proud, excited, honoured and delighted to share that my portfolio of five portraits, are a finalist in the prestigious UK Picture Editors’ Guild Awards.
The portfolio is shortlisted in the DMGT Portrait Photographer of the Year category, alongside three folios from colleagues. My gratitude to the team of judges, made up of the UK’s picture editors for their stellar work.
Alongside the judged categories, there is also a public vote category. For the first time, photographs from the shortlisted finalists in the nine categories will be put to a public vote, so that you may choose your favourite, for the IMAGO Photograph of the Year. There is a prize of two tickets to New York, chosen at random from the public voters.
Once you have registered and confirmed your registration, you can access the voting page, you will see all selected entries, to vote. You can vote for one photograph only. If you like my highlighted portrait of the miner for the public vote, it is ID: 1105 in the DMGT Portrait Photographer of the Year section. The UK Picture Editors’ Guild will choose a name at random from those who voted and will receive two tickets to New York courtesy of Norse Atlantic Airways.
All images were shot in raw and processed on an Apple Mac Pro using calibrated Eizo CG screens, with LightRoom Classic and finished in Exposure Software’s X7.
Angelika Ghazaryan, a descendant of Genocide Survivors, at the 106th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th, 1915. Members of the British Armenian community gather at the remembrance service for the 1.5 Million Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Empire. US President Joe Biden has become the first US president to issue a statement formally describing the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide by the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) on the day that Armenian communities around the world marked the killing of 1.5 million Armenians. St Yeghiche Armenian Church, London, UK. April 25, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Camera Gear: Lumix G9 and Voigtlander 29mm f0.8 MFT Super Nokton Lens.An XR protestor is seen through the broken window of a bus, which was broken when the Police stormed the bus as the Extinction Rebellion action began. Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Camera Gear: Panasonic Lumix G9 and Lumix G Vario 35-100mm f2.8II.A mourner commemorates the victims of the Genocide, during a church service, as candles lit in prayer illuminate the back of the church. Joe Biden has become the first US president to issue a statement formally describing the 1915 massacre of Armenians as a genocide by the Ottoman Empire (modern day Turkey) on the day that Armenian communities around the world marked the killing of 1.5 million Armenians. (London, UK) 106th Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide of April 24th. Members of the British Armenian community gather at the remembrance service for the 1.5 Million Armenians massacred by the Ottoman Empire. St Yeghiche Armenian Church, London, UK. April 25, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Camera Gear: Lumix S1 and Lumix S Pro 70-200mm f2.8.Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian. Camera Gear: Leica M10-D and a 1960s Leica 50mm Rigid Summicron.
Very happy to share that seven of my photographs have been chosen by the judges of the Urban Photo Awards, which forms an integral part of the Trieste Photo Days festival Trieste Photo Days festival in Italy.
People Category. The Lady In Red. A protestor dances on the roof of the fake wedding bus used to block the road as the police arrive on scene. Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
Thrilled to make the list of ‘selected photographer’ for the competition, having theses images chosen from the 10,000 entries entered by 2800 photographers worldwide. Four of my images have been selected in the People category and three in the Spaces category. Only three others didn’t make the list, so very happy with that ratio!
Spaces Category. 1532 Meets 2018. The Scalpel building, opened in 2018, is seen behind St Andrew Undershaft church, constructed in 1532. City Of London. UK. June 14, 2022. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
These seven images are now through to the next stages of judging, to find the winners of the URBAN Photo Awards 2022, which marks the 13th year of the awards. If you like the work, do keep some fingers crossed please!
People Category. The XR Bride. The penultimate protestor to be taken off the open top ‘wedding bus’ was dressed as a bride and had her hand glued to the glass on the bus’s front door. She was arrested and put in the back of a Police van’s secure prisoner cell. Extinction Rebellion protestors block off the southern end of London Bridge. London, UK. August 31, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
All the selected photographs were made using Panasonic Lumix cameras, ranging from the Lumix G9, to the Lumix S1 and S1R, using a variety of Leica DG and Lumix S Pro lenses. As always, the raw files were edited and processed in LightRoom Classic on an Apple Mac Pro.
People Category. Coal Miner Ian Turner. Life around the mine. Miner Ian Turner, at the end of his shift. Aberpergwm Mine is the only remaining operational coal mine in the UK and the only source of high-grade anthracite in Western Europe. Aberpergwm Mine, Glynneath, Neath, Wales, UK. July 30, 2021. Photo: Edmond TerakopianPeople Category. The Shift Manager. Shift Manager Miner Colin Evans, who has been a miner for 40 years, prepares the paperwork for the shift. Aberpergwm Mine is the only remaining operational coal mine in the UK and is the only source of high-grade anthracite in Western Europe. This anthracite is used in water filtration, rechargeable batteries and production of stainless steel, to name a few of its uses. Aberpergwm Mine, Glynneath, Neath, Wales, UK. July 30, 2021. Photo: Edmond Terakopian Spaces Category. The Forth Bridge (cantilever railway bridge) stretches across the Firth of Forth. The bridge was the most prominent steel structure when it became operational in 1890 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The bridge carries over 50,000 passenger trains and over 6,000 freight trains with a gross weight in the region of ten million tonnes. The 8,094ft-long railway bridge acts as a significant thoroughfare connecting the north-east and south-east of Scotland, primarily connecting the city of Edinburgh and council area Fife and further to Dundee and Aberdeen. A view showing North Queensferry. Queensferry, Edinburgh, Scotland. July 08, 2021. Photo: Edmond TerakopianSpaces Category. The Power Of Green. Canary Wharf, London’s financial centre is seen behind a tree. June 14, 2022. London, UK. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
A Legend Of A Friend To Many, An Inspiration To Many More and A Legendary Photojournalist To The World
It was with exceptional sadness that I found that earlier today, Tom Stoddart had passed away. Absolutely devastating news.
Photographer Tom Stoddart at the Coach and Horses, Kew Green. October 04, 2009. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
One of the most amazing people I had the absolute honour and pleasure to meet and count as a colleague and a friend.
We first met when I gatecrashed the National Geographic magazine’s party at Visa Pour L’Image, some time in the 1990s. Found Tom at the bar when I went to get drinks. With our beers in hand, we just started chatting like best friends, for probably over an hour! Kindness, wisdom, patience, all for the 20 something year old kid he’s just been practically accosted by! I was a huge fan of his exceptional work and from that evening onwards, became a huge fan of the thoughtful gentleman behind the camera.
I’m heartbroken. The world of journalism has lost a true great and all of us who were fortunate to know Tom, have lost a true and inspiring friend. Every conversation with Tom was always interesting and usually, had a lesson in life too, garnered from his experiences photographing some of the worst in humanity, whilst always finding how the best in humanity can shine through in those dire moments and places.
Photographer Tom Stoddart at his Perspectives Exhibition, More London Riverside. August 08, 2012. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
When I got in touch with Tom last year, to say we were putting together a fundraising print sale for Médecins Sans Frontières’ Covid-19 fund, he didn’t hesitate to offer one of his amazing photographs. More than any one of the 42 photographers involved, he would constantly check in to see how things were going leading up to the sale and if he could help in any way.
The first time I had heard of MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières), it was through Tom’s extraordinary work, documenting the famine and humanitarian crisis in Sudan in 1998. He had based himself at an MSF aid station, but had taken all the food and water he needed for his stay, as he refused to use up any resources which were there for the local population and the medical team who had gone to their aid. On his return, The Guardian newspaper published a selection of the images in August 1998, with one displayed prominently on the front page. At Tom’s request, the text included a phone for readers to donate to MSF. As a direct result of people seeing these images, more than £100,000 was raised for the charity. If memory recalls, Tom insisted the same conditions on other major publications and much more was actually raised. In fact the print that Tom donated to our print auction, was from this trip. A wonderful photography showing a rare moment of joy between siblings at Ajiep, in Bahr El Ghazal Province , south Sudan.
Through your exceptional work, ethos, compassion, empathy and depth, much admired and a true inspiration to us all.
We have all lost a legendary friend and a legendary photojournalist.
Rest dear Tom.
Photographer Tom Stoddart at his Perspectives Exhibition, More London Riverside. August 08, 2012. Photo: Edmond Terakopian
This short film interview with Tom is an absolute must watch.
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