The pass rate for trainee press photographers who took the latest National Certificate Examination has more than trebled.

Eleven candidates from weekly and daily newspapers successfully steered their way through the photography NCE while a twelfth passed the photojournalist NCE.

The 67pc pass rate is a significant improvement on the November exams which saw just 20pc of candidates achieve their NCE.

The qualification comprises a practical exam with a series of exercises, a portfolio, advance project and logbook all prepared before the exam day.

For the practical exam, trainees were taken to a mocked up scene where a fictional gangster had been murdered and a forensic sweep for a weapon was under way.

They were asked to submit their best action shot of the scene, along with an accompanying caption.

Photography chief examiner Steve Phillips said: “It is very pleasing to see a 67pc pass rate in this May’s press photography exams.

“The action section was very challenging with the large number of candidates taking part and almost all the candidates managed to pass that section.

“Photography board members were particularly pleased that after a dip of standards last November, this time round the usual high standards where attained by many candidates.

Candidates were again offered the opportunity to submit a video report to be assessed independently of the NCE as this is not yet a formal part of the exam.

Trainees who chose to submit a video were asked to illustrate a story on ‘the credit crunch’ by shooting a video for a newspaper website.

Steve added: “Several candidates also submitted videos and all but one passed. The standard of the videos again showed an improvement over last November’s exam which was very encouraging.”

The following passed the photography NCE:

Robin Crossley, Isle of Wight County Press
Cara Edgington, The Sentinel
Matthew Grayson, Hounslow Chronicle
Hannah Kinver, South Wales Evening Post
Richard Linley, Lincolnshire Echo
Victoria Middleton, Westmorland Gazette
Samuel Reynolds, Lancashire Telegraph
Joseph Riley, North West Evening Mail
Christopher Rushton, Essex Chronicle
Mark Scott, The Sentinel
Paul Watson, Echo (Essex)

Adam Holt, from the Enfield Gazette and Advertiser, passed the NCE for photojournalists whose exam includes a news writing element.

The following also achieved distinctions – 80pc or more – in some or all parts of the exam: Hannah Kinver in all four sections; Cara Edgington in advance project and logbook; Richard Linley in practical; and Joseph Riley and Paul Watson with their logbooks.

Pic by Hannah Kinver for a supplement about an actor
plucked from obscurity to play Macbeth