Paul Sanders, Picture Editor

“My favourite photograph this year is Times photographer Ben Gurr’s image of two-month-old Kyaw Zin Hay, right. He is being examined by Red Cross staff at a Buddhist monastery in Pyapon after Cyclone Nargis swept through their village Kyi Ku in the Irrawaddy region of southern Burma. This picture captures many emotions for me – the fragile struggle for life in a country whose government refused to accept foreign aid for weeks, meaning that thousands of people needlessly perished. Gurr worked against all odds to produce a brilliant set of images from a disaster that shook the world. Eventually, he was arrested by police and interrogated for several hours before being deported. This photograph and the many others he transmitted are a testament to his skill, determination and bravery.”

Ben Gurr with some top tips

1: Photographers have to be totally familiar with their equipment. You should not need to think about the technical side of things. Take lots of photographs and your thinking will soon be devoted to the image.

2: Study your subject with childlike curiosity and do not forget the background.

3: Use the light that exists naturally and record the scene as you see it.

4: Try not to influence or “mock up” your subjects. Let them behave as though you are not there. The photograph will be more truthful.

5: The camera is a simple tool: do not get carried away with gadgets.

6: Advances in camera technology mean that mistakes are rare but if you do make one, learn from it.

7: The use of computer software to enhance images is overrated and overused.

8: Captions need to enhance and explain your picture and must be 100 per cent accurate. Always check the spelling of names.

9: Talk to people: they are full of useful information.

10: Your award-winning pictures are useless if they are not seen by the picture desk before deadline. Understand how to transmit your images in all situations.

And just for good measure:
Be ready for anything
Ensure your batteries are charged
Have plenty of fuel in your car
Keep a few coins at hand for parking meters.