Featured Photo: Wakka and ballons © Laura Pannack
The Tom Stoddart Award for Excellence, in collaboration with GOST Books
The IPPG is excited to announce the second edition of the Tom Stoddart Award for Excellence in collaboration with GOST Books. This unique award offers established photographers working in long-form documentary photography a photo book produced by the world-renowned publisher GOST Books.
Tom Stoddart was a renowned British photojournalist with an illustrious career spanning five decades. He was a humble man with a wonderful sense of humour, and an inspiration to friends, colleagues, and so many young aspiring photojournalists—always helping others and never asking for anything in return.
The bus stop boys © Laura Pannack
Working as a freelancer for major publications such as The Sunday Times, he covered pivotal events including the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Lebanese Civil War, the siege of Sarajevo, and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Known for powerful black-and-white photography, Tom documented the conflict in Bosnia, the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, and the work of many humanitarian organisations. He photographed world leaders, covered Tony Blair’s 1997 election campaign, and won numerous prestigious awards, including the Larry Burrows Award. His images capture both the horrors of war and human resilience, and his remarkable archive stands as a testament to the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Black and white 35mm image taken by a participant – Project Hope
Tom passed away in 2021. We hope that introducing this award in his name will continue to promote his legacy, his passion for the industry, and his commitment to supporting photojournalism. He is greatly missed.
This does not affect the Ian Parry Grant open call, which is currently open until 23:59 on 31st August 2026. It remains free to enter and is available to photographers aged 24 or under, or in full-time photographic education.
Hugging at the courts © Laura Pannack
Founded in 2012, GOST Books is an independent visual arts and photography publisher based in London. It prides itself on an uncategorisable output spanning diverse subjects and design approaches. GOST aims not only to provide a platform for emerging artists, but also to help preserve the print legacies of masters of the medium.