Two superb documentary photographers

The RPS Northern region held a day event today with Tom Stoddart and Tim Smith. I'd heard Tom speak and show images before, but Tim was a new name to me. 

We were treated to a day of wonderful images, stories from around the world and a lot of thoughtful comment on the work they both do. I thought it was wonderful and I was so glad to be well enough to attend.

Here they are after the event when they kindly posed for a quick photo. 

Tim has done a lot of work with Asians in the UK particularly in the foundries and the fabric mills of Yorkshire. We saw how he visited Yemen and met with workers who used to be in the UK. It was fascinating stuff. There was much, much more.

Tom has worked in many war zones and areas of human disaster. You will recognise some of his iconic images. They continue to hit very hard, even when you have seen them before. He is just back from time in Bangladesh, photographing the refugee camps for the Rohingya people from Myanmar.

Their approaches to people are different. I came away inspired and challenged.