Winners of the 2010 Press Photographer's Year Awards Announced

Times photographer David Bebber’s prize-winning shot of Colonel Gaddafi.The best

The best and brightest talents in photojournalism are being honored this week as winners of the 2010 Press Photographer’s Year were announced, including the photograph of the year, a captivating image of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi.

Pooled from 317 photographers in over 20 European countries as well as Asia and North America, and over 7,500 photographs, the Press Photographer’s Year 2010 awards showcase the very best in world-wide photojournalism.

Times photographer David Bebber’s image of Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar al-Gaddafi, shown observing a military parade in his honor from behind protective glass in September, was named photograph of the year.

Getty Images won five of the sixteen prizes in the online competition, the most of any organization. Among its awards were Best Folio for Daniel Berehulak’s moving images from war-torn areas in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Best Sports Folio for Laurence Griffiths collection of soccer and auto-racing photographs.

Billed as “the only competition that showcases the outstanding press photography taken for and used by the UK media,” The PPY awards aim to honor and help maintain the influence of photography in daily global news.

“Even in an age of rolling television news, internet and satellite communication, the traditional still image burns the keenest, fastest impression on the public conscience and is the most effective way to show the world as it really is,” read a press release for the organization.

You can see a collection of amazing photograph’s from this year’s winners, as well as purchase a 240-page book featuring the best of the best, at the Press Photographer website.

After you check out the images, do any of them inspire you to get out there and shoot? Do you have a favorite photojournalist whose work you think should be recognized as well? Tell us your thoughts.

Marc Silber: