Legendary Scots snapper scoops lifetime achievement award

Wednesday 25 March 2009

Acclaimed Scottish photographer Ian Torrance is to be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the First ScotRail Press Photography Awards tomorrow evening (Thursday 26 March 2009).

Ian will be presented with his award by Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, at the ceremony at Glasgow’s Mitchell Library. He will be joined by 42 other shortlisted photographers eagerly awaiting the results of Scotland’s only dedicated press photography awards.

A record number of images, almost 3200, were submitted for the awards this year.   

In a newspaper career spanning 50 years, Ian started at the Scottish Daily Express.  Twenty years later he moved to the Daily Record where he was chief photographer for a further 20 years.  From 1999 – 2006 he successfully freelanced.  In 1997 he was awarded an MBE for services to photo journalism.

Travelling the world, Ian witnessed many momentous news and sporting events ranging from the Lockerbie and Kegworth air disasters to the Spanish World Cup and the wedding of Charles and Diana.  He’s also no stranger to conflicts, covering the Northern Ireland troubles, Kosovo and the Gulf War. 

Ian has photographed many famous faces including Princess Diana, Rod Stewart, Sean Connery and The Queen. His most memorable assignments include: the arrival of the thousands of South Vietnamese boat people to Hong Kong, meeting Mother Theresa in London, and the plight of the Kosovan refugees.

Ian Torrance said: "My career gave me the opportunity to see the world and witness some of the most momentous news and sporting events of the last century. I've met many fascinating people and seen harrowing sights that I will never forget - but the camera acts as a barrier allowing you to capture a true moment in time."

Ken Lennox, chair of the First ScotRail Press Photography Awards judging panel, said: “Ian and I worked together for many years and I can’t think of anyone who deserves this award more. He is extremely well respected in the industry and when asking for nominations for the award, Ian’s name was top of everyone’s list.”

Steve Montgomery, acting managing director of First ScotRail, sponsor of the awards said: “It’s people like Ian who inspire the next generation of press photographers. His striking and poignant collection of images strikes a chord with everyone and is testament to the first class photographers we have in Scotland.”

A list of winners from the First ScotRail Press Photography Awards will be issued in the early evening of Thursday 26 March.

Issued by:
Alison Downs/Colin Hutchison
3x1 Public Relations
T: 0141 221 0707/07879621139
E: adowns@3x1.com/chutchison@3x1.com