Canberra Times photographer Rohan Thomson has been selected as a finalist in the Walkley Young Australian Journalist of the Year Awards for a third and final time.
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Striking images of a woman opening up about her transgender journey; a cage fighter making a comeback; and two morticians revealing life in the mortuary caught the attention of judges and elevated Thomson to the final three in the camerawork category.
It is the third year Thomson has been selected as a finalist in the awards and the last year he is eligible; the entrant age cut-off is 26 years old.
Thomson, who celebrated his 27th birthday on the award entry cut-off day, said it was nice to be recognised for some of his best photographs.
"It's exciting – this year is my best work," he said.
Thomson spent about six days with Canberra cage fighter Paul Franchi to capture a series of still photographs for Into the cage.
Thomson teamed up with journalist Scott Hannaford to produce a feature following the athlete's return to the bloodthirsty and brutal sport.
Thomson said he followed Franchi everywhere from training to the sauna, dinner and bouts in the cage.
"The most challenging aspect was trying to capture Paul Franchi's determination and dedication to his passion, his sport," he said.
"He had lost 15 kilograms before his fight."
A combination of photographs and video footage is behind entry Robyn's story.
The feature, also created with Hannaford, explored Gundaroo resident Robyn Thorne's transgender journey.
The 72-year-old
"She was really trusting of us," Thomson said.
"Scott and I had met her on a previous job and asked her if she was happy to share her more personal story."
Third and final entry The Morticians was also a finalist in this year's National Portrait Prize.
The photograph captured Canberra morticians Josh Wallace and Michelle Keevers inside their Kingston mortuary as part of a three-part feature on the city's unusual jobs.
Canberra Times photographic editor Karleen Minney said Thomson consistently produced quality photographs.
"It is no surprise to anyone in the newsroom or our readers that he's had success for a third time; his work is constantly amazing," she said.
"It would have been difficult for him to even narrow it down to his three favourite projects."
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony at Sydney's Beresford Hotel on July 29.
