Photography

PORTLAND, Maine - April 28 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Photojournalist Ashley Gilbertson of the Aurora photography agency has won the Robert Capa Gold Medal in the Overseas Press Club (OPC). Mr. Gilbertson won the OPC award for best photographic reporting from abroad requiring exceptional courage and enterprise for his work, "The Battle for Fallujah." This honor places him among a long list of revered conflict photographers.



Photo Caption: One of four men who surrendered saying they were students trying to escape the fighting in Fallujah. (c) 2005 Ashley Gilbertson /Aurora.

Comments from the judges: Gilbertson was the most consistent visual recorder of the Iraq conflict this year. Spending more continuous time there than almost any other photographer, his images rise above the rest. Each picture stands alone aesthetically, and collectively they portray the relentless tension and pressure American troops had to endure in Fallujah. He sought out the best embeds and used those opportunities to make a memorable record of the American troops in action.

Gilbertson has covered the Iraq conflict for more than three years, and has worked on assignment in Iraq for The New York Times newspaper for over a year.

The OPC sponsors 21 awards in all the areas of international journalism. Past winners lists of the OPC awards read like a "who's who" of 20th century American journalism. Such legends as Edward R. Murrow, James "Scotty" Reston, Drew Middleton, Morley Safer and Vietnam War photographer Horst Faas have been honored by the OPC.

Ashley Gilbertson was born in Australia and resides in New York City. He began his career at thirteen taking photographs of skateboarders and graffiti artists, embarking on a path that ultimately led to a special interest in conflict and displaced peoples. In 2001 he began working with Aurora, an international photography agency that archives and licenses his work and that of other premier photojournalists. His work has taken him throughout Asia, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and the Middle East. He has specialized during the past three years in Iraq. Gilbertson was recently included in the "30 under 30" photographers featured in PDN magazine, and was nominated for the World Press Master Class and an I.C.P. Infinity award.

Ashley Gilbertson is available for interviews.

A slideshow of the winning images can be seen at www.auroraphotos.com

Send2Press® is the originating wire service for this story.