Conrad's finger

Updated 04/22/08

Dave Chidley says Conrad Black can give him the finger anytime, anywhere.

Chidley, a former veteran Sun Media photographer now with Canadian Press, snapped up a first prize at the News Photographers Association of Canada awards in Vancouver yesterday for a photo of Black's finger flip.

The award-winning photographer won $500 for the best 2007 Spot News photo of the year, snapped in Chicago last July during one of Black's numerous court appearances on fraud charges.

It's doubtful the disgraced media baron will be flipping his finger at media any time soon. He's serving 6 1/2 years in a Florida prison.

Chidley worked for Sun Media for more than 23 years, first as an intern at the Toronto Sun in 1982, then fulltime at the Calgary Sun for 17 years and six years at the London Free Press.

In October of 2006, Quebecor's erratic cutbacks cost the 1997 National Newspaper Award winner his job - one of many talented people lost to Sun Media.

Meanwhile . . .

Sun Media photogs from Edmonton, Calgary and London were front and centre at NPAC's second annual National Pictures of the Year awards banquet in Vancouver. (CBC story)

Edmonton Sun photographers Jason Franson, Darryl Dyck and Tim Smith cleaned up in the Feature/Enterprise category, winning first and second prizes and an honourable mention in a crowd of 221 entries.

First: Franson - Swinging soldier; Second: Dyck - Trees and skaters; Honourable Mention: Smith - Swimmer.

Dyck also picked up an honourable mention in the Sports Action category for a rodeo photo.

Brett Gundlock of the Calgary Sun won third prize in the Multimedia category for his Joshua Sager - Homeless in Calgary entry.

And in the Pictorial category, Derek Ruttan of the London Free Press earned an honourable mention for his "water drop" entry.

Congrats to all.

Hopefully, photographers from the Toronto and Ottawa Suns will be in the running for the 2008 awards.

A CNW Group press release lists all of the winners and honourable mentions chosen from more than 2,200 entries submitted by 123 photojournalists.

All of the winning photos can be viewed online at www.npac.ca/npoy/