An Independent eye

SINCE The Independent was launched eleven years ago, pictures have been the key to our identity. We have always strived to have imaginative, innovative photographs and it is now one of our most famous hallmarks - and one which the newspaper industry has recognised three times this year alone. This week the paper picked up its latest prize - the Best Use of Photography award in The 1998 Newspaper Awards.

Open to all newspapers, national and regional, the entries were judged for content and reproduction. The panel of industry judges said: "The Independent's combination of outstanding photography and sensitivity and the imaginative use of photographs within the newspaper were unmatched. "Highly visual events such as the Princess of Wales' funeral were powerfully expressed, with images a dominant contributor to the editorial coverage. The bold use of photography has characterised this title over the last year, and makes it a clear leader in the field."

David Swanborough, The Independent's picture editor, explains how he and his team of photographers stand out from the rest of the pack: "This latest commendation recognises that not only are our photographs outstanding, but the way in which they are used on the page gives them an unrivalled impact.

"Take Nicola Kurtz's photograph of Red Indian John Black Feather on a trip to London. No other national newspaper would allow a picture, spreading across eight columns, to dominate the front page like that.

"The photograph was effectively the day's splash. We are saying that it is the most original and fresh thing in the paper. And as such, the best way to attract readers.

"Things have changed over the years, of course. Many people thought that a paper known for its use of black and white photography would not adapt to the introduction of colour. Clearly they have been proved wrong. At one stage we used a lot of menacing weather scenes, but we have moved on from that because keeping things fresh is a real priority.

"Our photographers tend to work away from the pack. They try to get a different take on the day's events by careful observation. The last thing I want to see is a snapshot, or the same picture everyone else has got.

"Photographers have to be flexible. It is not every day that we are going to get a royal wedding or a funeral. A dull event needs to be made into something special. Tom Pilston's picture of Michael Heseltine is one example of this. It completely sums up the scale of the Conservatives' defeat, while producing a really different, fresh image. This photograph has everything. It is humorous, imaginative and speaks volumes. It is also one of my personal favourites.

"We always allow our photographers to experiment with their pictures because photography is an art form. Instead of just producing a black and white image, for example, they will tint it for effect. We also like the unusual. John Voos' image of a masked woman at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a 'stand-alone' picture which tells a story in itself. It also makes you look twice. There is something strange, perhaps slightly unnerving about it.

"We have tremendous freedom to produce original photographs in The Independent. In the Time Off section on Saturdays we have an open brief to produce the images we want.

"And I suppose this is The Independent's secret. We use pictures to reflect stories, inform readers and entertain. And we have the freedom to use them properly. This selection of pictures, taken during the past year, represents the best of what we do."

A selection of photographs taken on Independent foreign assignments can be seen on the front of Saturday's Time Off section.

Nicole Veash