Junior photographer David Parry has become the first student from Norton College in Sheffield to be awarded a prestigious bursary from photography and press agency Newscast.

David, (21), will spend a year with the company after training in Sheffield and at the Evening Leader in Chester.

Norton College head tutor Paul Delmar said: “We were approached by Eamonn McCabe from Newscast who had decided our photographers really fitted the genre they are looking for.

“This bursary really progresses the profession. Our photographers get the chance to work with Newscast for a year in a fully paid salary job.

“David rang me and Newscast are over the moon with him. I’m well pleased for him – he’s really having a great time.”

Paul said that applicants are judged on their portfolios and an interview and a shortlist of candidates then have to spend a week working for Newscast proving that they can produce suitable images on demand.

He said: “They are paid to do a week in London with the agency so they can be seen in action. They are put on the spot and sent on assignments and then Newscast decides who is the best.

“It’s a great incentive for them to go and get a top class job. Newscast only employs the top photographers in Great Britain and it helps myself and the students strive for achievement.”

The bursary comes in the 25th year of Norton College’s NCTJ Press Photography and Photojournalism course.

Paul said: “That is one of the reasons Newscast has come to us. It’s a tremendous reward for the amount of tuition that we have put into the course.

“When we have had photographers on work placements Newscast have always been impressed with them – the photographers have earned it for themselves as they are our reputation.”

Back to the photography index

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]