Among photogs, he’s top dog

The best news photographer in the Northwest works right here in Spokane.

Spokesman-Review photojournalist Jed Conklin has won the 2005 National Press Photographers Association Region 11 Still Photographer of the Year. He competed against newspaper photographers from Washington, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory.

Each month, photographers can enter up to nine clips in the categories of spot news, general news, sports, feature/single picture, feature/multiple picture and photo illustration. Points are awarded for finishing first, second and third in each category.

Conklin totaled 442 points for the year, 80 points ahead of second-place finisher Drew Perine of The News Tribune in Tacoma.

“I try to give readers a unique, personal perspective on everyday life in the Northwest,” he says.

Conklin began his career at The Spokesman-Review as an intern in November 2003, and was promoted to full-time photographer in September 2004.

The Kentucky native is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with degrees in both print journalism and photojournalism.

Prior to coming to The Spokesman-Review, he interned at The Pinedale, Wyo., Roundup; The Concord, N.H., Monitor; and the Jackson Hole, Wyo., News & Guide.

- J. Bart Rayniak, director of photography