Rob Browne
WalesOnline
The entries he has submitted represent a small sample of his work and the stories he covered for WalesOnline. His image of Kobi, who was born with an unknown eye condtion that has left him severley visually impaired and sensitive to light, was photographed for WalesOnline and used across several titles. The image shows Kobi smiling as he wakes up after hearing the sound of the camera as the photographs were being taken.
Rob arrived at the family home near Swansea and Kobi was asleep, as he started to take pictures Kobi woke to the sound of the camera shutter and started to smile. Kobi sleeps with his eyes open because of his condition but smiling and and reacting to the light let us know he was begining to wake up.
The family wanted their story heard and hopefully get help with understanding Kobi's condition. The image of the person standing in their fire damaged house was taken a week after the family home caught fire. The mum who lived there allowed Rob access to the property to show us the devastation and the aftermath of fire. The photograph accompanied a story about issues in the fire service and shortages. This was an emotional moment for the mum who returned to her family home to see ash and the remains of personal possesions and family photos.
Rob's image of the family in their garden under the M4 in Port Talbot was taken as part of a community story speaking to people who live in the shadows of one of the busiest roads in South Wales. The feature included talking to people and families who live with the supports of a motorway in their gardens and how it affects their lives. His photograph of the young person throwing the ball highlights how people have adapted to the uniqueness of their homes and how they make the most of the motorway. Some use it as a shelter for their washing others see it as a dry place to play.