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Judges

Judged by photographers Jill Nance, Parker Michels-Boyce and Sam O\’Keefe of The News & Advance in Lynchburg, Va.

F-Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Jessica Ritter, Tipton Argus
Image:F_JKRT_01
Judges Comments:
This photo has nice light and is well toned. It is a timeless scene from childhood that many people can relate to.

F-Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Brooke Stevens, Dubois County He
Image:F_BSJ_04
Judges Comments:
The photographer found an interesting moment at a low-energy event. We would have liked to see this frame shot cleaner and toned better but we still enjoyed it.

F-Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Robert Franklin, South Bend Tribune
Image:f_rtfs_03
Judges Comments:
Nice composition and timing added to this pretty scenic shot. It has a nice color palette and good seeing with the reflection.

GN-General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:gn_dlse_001
Judges Comments:
This is a very tender photo from a complicated story. We loved the light and it seems the photographer did a good job gaining access.

GN-General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Robert Franklin, South Bend Tribune
Image:gn_rtfs_01
Judges Comments:
The photographer cleanly captured a peak moment at this event – great expression of the winner.

GN-General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:GN_CENI_03
Judges Comments:
An interesting moment at a trial, the judge’s expression also is appropriate for what the story is trying to show.

I-Illustration 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:i_rkgi_01_Feb
Judges Comments:
You can easily tell what the story is about from this photo. The lighting on the syrup and the background was handled well.

I-Illustration 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:i_rkgi_01_Mar
Judges Comments:
A beautifully lit, simple illustration with great color and composition. We wished the flower at the top was not cut off.

I-Illustration 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:i_rkgi_01_Jan
Judges Comments:
The layering on this photo is very nice. However, the light is a bit harsh and does not compliment the food. Still, overall, well executed.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:Ma_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
The photographer did a good job finding moments that told the narrative of this woman’s transition. There are quite a few really strong frames and good emotions. We would have loved to see what spending more time with the subject produced.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:Ma_MLDI_01
Judges Comments:
The photographer did a great job showing the scope of the damage and shot in a lot of difficult and unusual lighting situations. We missed some emotion and intimate moments with the victims.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:Ma_CENI_01
Judges Comments:
This story has a good variety of photos and interesting angles but it would benefit from a tighter edit. There contrast in the toning seems excessive.

S-Sports 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:s_rkgi_04
Judges Comments:
Well done! This is an extremely well-filled frame with great action. It is very sharp and the two main players have great expressions.

S-Sports 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:s_rkgi_01
Judges Comments:
The faces all share the same expression which makes the photograph strong and communicates the situation well. We would recommend the photographer consider a tighter crop.

S-Sports 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:S_MLDI_03
Judges Comments:
The colors and the clean crop are what make this frame. We have seen this shot before but this one is done very well. It has all of the elements we would hope to see in a play at the plate.

S-Sports HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: AJ Mast, Independent Photojournalist
Image:s_ajmi_01
Judges Comments:
A telling moment from a big news story this year. It says a lot in it’s simplicity and unique framing.

SN-Spot_News HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:SN_DMWJ_01_Jan
Judges Comments:
The photographer found a good perspective to show the scale of this wreckage.

SN-Spot_News 1st Place Cream of the Crop 55 Points
Photographer: Aaron Pennock/Tipton Argus
Image:SN_AJPT_01_Mar
Judges Comments:
Stunning image with a raging fire plus a human element. It speaks to the dangers of battling a full fire.

SN-Spot_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: David Snodgress , Bloomington He
Image:SN_wdsb_5_Mar
Judges Comments:
Great access for the photographer to get this scene from a hostile situation.

SN-Spot_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:SN_MLDI_04_Mar
Judges Comments:
This photo effectively shows the vastness of the tornado damage. Finding a moment between the subjects would have made this shot much stronger.

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Judges
Dallas Morning News staff photographers Tom Fox and G.J. McCarthy, along with photo editor Gary Barber, judged this contest. Overall we loved the strong sense of community journalism shown in the images. All of us rose through the ranks of smaller papers, and we’re proud to see good storytelling still goes on there.

F-Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:F_MLDI_01
Judges Comments:
Just a funny moment with a lot going on. The reactions of the two beauty queens to the left definitely rounded this out.

F-Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: David Snodgress, Bloomington Her
Image:F_WDSB_03
Judges Comments:
Lovely, subtle moment made all the better by nice light and a warm color palette.

F-Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:f_dlse_003
Judges Comments:
Another fun image. Good use of leading lines and definitely a solid moment. The man’s facial expression is precious.

F-Feature HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:F_MLDI_04
Judges Comments:
Was a strong almost. Had there been a little more separation of the layers on the right this image would have been even better. As is, another fun frame with lots going on.

F-Feature HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Brooke Stevens, The Herald
Image:F_BSJ_05
Judges Comments:
The composition pulled a little bit away from what is a very nice moment. We’re all for pushing the edges of the frame, but the cropping here (whether in-camera or in post) was a bit harsh; awkward.

GN-General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:gn_dlse_003
Judges Comments:
** A tougher category to choose as few things popped out at us **

Good moment, nicely composed and the cutline drives everything home. The layering of the doll in its own wheelchair is a nice touch. Way to back off on the frame but still make every component relevant.

GN-General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:gn_dlse_001
Judges Comments:
This would have easily been our first with different cropping. Understandable that the photog could only get so close, but the big blog of hair in the foreground kills. We all agreed a tighter crop on the right-most firefighter would have done the deal. Crop for impact. Still, a very telling image.

GN-General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:gn_dlse_002
Judges Comments:
Another nice, quiet moment. The empty space in the upper left kind of leads the eye out of the image, but still, we felt this strong enough to merit a place.

GN-General_News HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:gn_dlse_004
Judges Comments:
A nice frame but an expected one. Still worth placing.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:ma_dlse_001
Judges Comments:
** Not many entries in this category. **

This one rose to the top by default. Not as strong as we would have liked, but, as the saying goes, “Best of the rest.” A lot of really strong images in this set, though; we wondered why more weren’t included in general news, especially the firefighters kneeling in front of the truck. In the end, a nice collection of images, but not really a cohesive narrative. Too process and not enough storyline.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl Hall
Image:Ma_KJHJ_01
Judges Comments:
Nice slice-of-life story that is simple in structure but still very effective. Goes to show that tried-and-true community stories still hold their own.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: James Brosher, South Bend Tribune
Image:Ma_JTBS_01
Judges Comments:
We were drawn to the moodiness of this piece. Some lovely tones and interesting images, but in the end, some of the heavy handed toning and cropping worked against it.

Multiple_Entry HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Robert Scheer/The Indianapolis Star
Image:Ma_RPSI_01
Judges Comments:
It’s rough to try and pull off a thorough series from a single event like this. Having covered a Super Bowl last year here, we all agreed a stronger edit would have been images from throughout the Super Bowl week of festivities and general craziness. Still, we think the photographer did a nice enough job with the task at hand. Nice balance of features, peak action and some fun moments.

S-Sports 1st Place Cream of the Crop 55 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl Hall
Image:S_KJHJ_01
Judges Comments:
** A very tough category to judge for opposite reasons — too many good images to chose from! Brought out the most debate between the judges **

A narrow victory over second place image. While we all loved the tones and cleanliness of #2, this one just had so many wonderful things going on. Great way to get in there but stay loose enough to create storytelling depth.

S-Sports 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: AJ Mast, Independent Photojournalist
Image:s_ajmi_08
Judges Comments:
Again, this and first place image were switched back and forth over and over. We love the moment here, the inclusion of the score, but in the end this was just slightly less dynamic of an image. Still wonderful though, and good use of hard light.

S-Sports 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:S_DMWJ_04
Judges Comments:
Nice way to step back and find a frame within a frame.

S-Sports HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl Hall
Image:S_KJHJ_07
Judges Comments:
Great use of good access and a really cure moment, too. Nice use of layering.

S-Sports HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Robert Scheer/The Indianapolis S
Image:S_RPSI_02
Judges Comments:
Solid hit photo. Was hard to choose between this and other Super Bowl images. A lot of the others were too lose or backwards versions of key plays. In the end we decided to not judge the event and instead just the images. Of all from SBXLVI we saw, this just struck out as good peak action.

Cream of the Crop

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F-Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:F_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
This photo was awarded first because it simply and clearly communicated the story of the day in this community. Nice moment, good exposure and detailed caption. Solid daily found photo.

F-Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:F__MLDI_06
Judges Comments:
Another solid moment from what may have been a pretty run of the mill daily assignment. Good anticipation and timing by the photographer and nice expressions on the kids faces.

F-Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Brooke Stevens, The Herald
Image:F_BSJ_03
Judges Comments:
Although the cute kids and puppies have been done before the bond between the dog and the girl helped this image rise above some of the rest of the field in this category. Composition is a little clunky but nice moment.

F-Feature HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:f_rkgi_01
Judges Comments:
Many photos in this category came from the Super Bowl village (especially the zipline) but we felt this image rose above the rest and deserved an HM for the photographer’s awareness of nice light and good layering from the periphery.

GN-General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:gn_rkgi_01
Judges Comments:
From a pretty weak category this image was a clear winner. Somewhat refreshing look at what is a pretty common assignment. May have been stronger had the photographer taken a half step to the right and squared up to the family but overall a nice moment. Way to work the low angle.

GN-General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:GN__MLDI_01
Judges Comments:
This was a nice moment between father and daughter amidst a family crisis. Not sure the tangled cords and medical apparatus to the left of the frame is helping this image much but regardless it was a nice moment. Really would like to see more from this story.

GN-General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:GN_CENI_02
Judges Comments:
This was a nice moment but the composition and exposure of this image held it back and are why it landed in third. Would have liked to have seen something with more of a connection between father and son, potentially after the formal presentation. Still, nice effort.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place Cream of the Crop 55 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:Ma_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
Compelling story with a clear beginning, middle and end. This was far and away the most successful story in the category. Nice edit with some strong visuals and nice details throughout.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl Hall
Image:Ma_KJHJ_01
Judges Comments:
It seemed clear that the photographer invested some time in this story and made some nice individual images along the way, which is why this entry was awarded second. Unfortunately, it was less clear what this story was about after looking at all the images. Without any coherent message this story suffers. Could have been helped with a tighter edit and better organization.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:Mb_CENI_01
Judges Comments:
This selection was chosen as third because it was the strongest of those remaining. Would have really liked to have seen a greater variety, including something closer or possibly before or after the formal part of the presentation (ie father and son arriving/leaving together).

S-Sports 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: AJ Mast, Independent Photojournalist
Image:s_ajmi_02
Judges Comments:
Lots of standard daily sports action in this category, however, this image showed some additional anticipation and timing from the photographer and are why it was selected as first. Good lens selection, composition and exposure.

S-Sports 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Brooke Stevens
Image:S_BSJ_09
Judges Comments:
This image is successful because the photographer got in there close and caught a moment that clearly communicated the story of this particular game.

S-Sports 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:s_rkgi_02
Judges Comments:
Although the expression on this player’s face seems to say dejection more than jubilation it was selected as third place because it was a decent moment with a good exposure. The crop and messy background really detracted from the moment here.

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The Indiana News Photographers held judging for their 2011 still photo contest on the campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., Feb. 10-11 2012.

The Judges were:
Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun
Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News
Fred Zwicky, Peoria Journal Star

POY
1st Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
2nd Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald
3rd Place — Jake May / The Herald

Best of Show
Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald

CPOY
1st Place — Olivia Corya / Indiana University
2nd Place — Thomas Miller / Indiana University Bloomington

Community Awareness
1st Place — Jake May / The Herald

Sports_Portfolio
1st Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
2nd Place — AJ Mast / Independent Photojournalist

John Ahlhauser
Not Judged, too few entries.

Multi-Media
Not Judged, too few entries.

Pictorial
1st Place — Rob Goebel / Indianapolis Star
2nd Place — Jeffrey D. Nicholls / Post-Tribune
3rd Place — Jonathan Miano / The Times Media Co.
HM Place — Jonathan Miano / The Times Media Co.
HM Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press

Portrait-Personality
1st Place — Denny Simmons / Courier & Press
2nd Place — Jake May / The Herald
3rd Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
HM Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald
HM Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star

General News
1st Place — ANDREW LAKER / The Republic
2nd Place — Jake May / The Herald
3rd Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
HM Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press
HM Place — ERIN MCCRACKEN / Evansville Courier & Press
HM Place — Jonathan Miano / The Times Media Co.

News_Story
1st Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
2nd Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
3rd Place — Jake May / The Herald
HM Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press
HM Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star

Spot News
1st Place — ERIN McCRACKEN / Evansville Courier & Press
2nd Place — Andrew Laker / The Republic
3rd Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
HM Place — Chris Howell / Bloomington Herald-Times
HM Place — Jonathan Miano / The Times Media Co.
HM Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
HM Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press

Feature
1st Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press
2nd Place — Joe Harpring / THE REPUBLIC
3rd Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
HM Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press
HM Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald

Feature_Story
1st Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald
2nd Place — Krista Schinagl Hall / The Herald (Jasper, IN)
3rd Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press
HM Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald

Sports Action
1st Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
2nd Place — AJ Mast / Independent Photojournalist
3rd Place — Denny Simmons / evansville courier & press
HM Place — Rob Goebel / Indianapolis Star
HM Place — AJ Mast / Independent Photojournalist
HM Place — Chris Howell / Bloomington Herald-Times

Sports Feature
1st Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald
2nd Place — Jake May / The Herald
3rd Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
HM Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald
HM Place — Jake May / The Herald
HM Place — Jake May / The Herald
HM Place — Andrew Laker / The Republic

Sports_Story
1st Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
2nd Place — Jonathan Miano / The Times Media Co.
3rd Place — Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star
HM Place — Dave Weatherwax, The Herald / The Herald

Illustration
1st Place — Rob Goebel / Indianapolis Star
2nd Place — Rob Goebel / Indianapolis Star
3rd Place — Rob Goebel / Indianapolis Star

| Click to open winners gallery |

Judges
The State Journal-Register

I-Illustration 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:i_rkgi_01_Jun
Judges Comments:
Creative idea for the subject of the story.

I-Illustration 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:i_rkgi_02_Jun
Judges Comments:
Nice lighting with clean framing.

I-Illustration 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:i_rkgi_01_Apr
Judges Comments:
Nice composition with dramatic lighting to key in on the soup.

F-Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:F_CENI_01
Judges Comments:
Good moment, nice composition, fun picture.

F-Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Robert Franklin, South Bend Tribune
Image:f_rtfs_02
Judges Comments:
Fun moment that has a tighter composition that brings the viewer in

F-Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:F_CENI_02
Judges Comments:
Clean composition with a fun moment.

GN-General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: The Star Press/Kurt Hostetler
Image:GN_KRHM_01Loss
Judges Comments:
Story telling image from a difficult situation.

GN-General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Scott M Bort, Post-Tribune
Image:GN_SMBM_04
Judges Comments:
fun moment with nice framing

GN-General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:GN_CENI_02
Judges Comments:
Clean composition with great textures.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:Ma_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
Photographer did a nice job capturing important storytelling moments in the scope of the days events.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl, The Herald
Image:Ma_KJSJ_01
Judges Comments:
Good job by the photographer with sticking through the story and being present for key moments.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl, The Herald
Image:Mb_KJSJ_01
Judges Comments:
Photographer captured moments that reveal the character of the coach and his bond with the students.

S-Sports 1st Place Cream of the Crop 55 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:S_MLDI_05
Judges Comments:
Nice moment with authentic emotion.

S-Sports 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:s_rkgi_05
Judges Comments:
Nice peak moment with good emotion.

S-Sports 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Scott M Bort, Post-Tribune
Image:S_SMBM_04
Judges Comments:
Nice job following the play into the dugout with the key player.

SN-Spot_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:SN_MLDI_02_May
Judges Comments:
Nice job being in the action to get an intense moment.

SN-Spot_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Chris Bergin, The Star Press
Image:sn_ckbm_01_Jun
Judges Comments:
Strong moment that could have benefited from a tighter crop.

SN-Spot_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Chris Bergin, The Star Press
Image:sn_ckbm_03_Jun
Judges Comments:
Clean composition with story telling emotion.

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Judges
Brett Coomer, Johnny Hanson, Nick de la Torre. Houston Chronicle.

F-Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:F_JWMJ_01
Judges Comments:
Nice found moment and use of graphic elements.

F-Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:F_CENI_01
Judges Comments:
Nice use of color and graphic repetition in a monochromatic setting

F-Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:F_MLDI_02
Judges Comments:
A chicken and Santa, how can you go wrong.

GN-General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:GN_JWMJ_01
Judges Comments:
Clear winner. Good emotion. Could use a bit tighter crop.

GN-General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:GN_DWMJ_02
Judges Comments:
This is the cleanest image in the category. Great juxtaposition between the two subjects.

GN-General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:gn_dlse_003
Judges Comments:
Decent use of light and color. Would have been better with a tighter crop.

I-Illustration 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:i_rkgi_01_Nov
Judges Comments:
Fun image. The point comes across clearly in this illustration.

I-Illustration 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: AJ Mast, Independent Photojournalist
Image:i_ajmi_03_Nov
Judges Comments:
An image that makes you stop and look. There is a painterly quality to this photo.

I-Illustration 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:I_MLDI_01_Oct
Judges Comments:
This image gets the point across.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:Ma_JWMJ_01
Judges Comments:
This is the only complete story in the category that didn’t need any major edits.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:Ma_CENI_01
Judges Comments:
Nice collection of images from an event. Could use a tighter edit. Repetition of images hurt this entry. Love the Santa hat alone on the ground.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:Ma_MLDI_01
Judges Comments:
This entry gives us the feel of this establishment. Missing a detail and spacial variety.

S-Sports 1st Place Cream of the Crop 55 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:S_JWMJ_02
Judges Comments:
Great image. The photographer was looking somewhere besides the court. Nice moment comes across clean. You can almost feel their wishes for the missed free throw.

S-Sports 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:S_JWMJ_01
Judges Comments:
Really beautiful image. There is no doubt of the player’s emotion. Very clean image. You feel the solitude.

S-Sports 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: AJ Mast, Independent Photojournalist
Image:s_ajmi_02
Judges Comments:
Peak action makes this image. Might have been stronger cropped tighter.

SN-Spot_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Aaron Pennock/Tipton Argus
Image:SN_AJPT_01_Oct
Judges Comments:
The photographer was on it. This looks like a tough lighting situation and a fast moving subject.

SN-Spot_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:SN_JWMJ_01_Dec
Judges Comments:
Nice use of framing and waiting for the right moment to happen, well after the fire.

SN-Spot_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Robert Franklin, South Bend Tribune
Image:sn_rtfs_01_Oct
Judges Comments:
Raw news image. Not your typical vehicle accident.

I’ve been a photographer since 1977 when I started working for the Dayton Black Press.  Since than I’ve worked at several newspapers in the Dayton/Miami Valley area including the Springfield News-Sun where I’ve worked as the chief photographer for 17 years.  In my time at the News-Sun I have been named Region 4 photographer of the year and Ohio News clip photographer of the year in 2009 as well as Ohio AP photographer of the year twice. My three member staff has also been named small market staff of the year six times by the Ohio News Photographers Association. Since January I’ve also taken on greater responsibility as director of photography for Dayton and Springfield newspapers.

Lisa Krantz, San Antonio Express-News

Lisa Krantz is a staff photographer at the San Antonio Express-News. Before joining the staff of the Express News, she spent five years as a staff photographer at the Naples (FL) Daily News. She holds a master’s degree in photography from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Florida State University. In 2011, her portfolio placed third in the Newspaper Photographer of the Year competition in Pictures of the Year International. Her project chronicling a year at Sam Houston High School, a troubled school threatened with closure, also placed second in Issue Reporting Picture Story and was a finalist for the Community Awareness Award in POYi. The project was part of the portfolio that earned Lisa the 2010 Scripps Howard Foundation National Journalism Award for Photojournalism and was a finalist for the 2011 Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism and the ASNE Community Photojournalism Award. She is also a three-time NPPA Region 8 Photographer of the Year, for work in 2005, 2009 and 2010.

Fred Zwicky, Peoria Journal Star

Photojournalist Fred Zwicky documents life in central Illinois for the Journal Star. A self-described blue-collar, working class kind of shooter, Zwicky has won numerous awards, including:
• Two-time National Press Photographers Region Five Photographer of the Year ( 2010 and 2009)
• Three-time Illinois Press Photographers Clip Photographer of the Year (2010, 1998 and 1991, runner-up four times)
• Three-time winner of the Illinois Associated Press Editors Sweepstakes Award for Best Photograph of the Year.

Fred has also taught photojournalism at Bradley University for the past 15 years. He has worked with at-risk teens, using photography as a tool of creative expression. He’s the co-founder of the first photojournalism scholarship to be offered in Illinois. The scholarship is in memory of Journal Star co-worker Linda Henson, who died of breast cancer in 2000.

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Judges
The Cincinnati Enquirer/ Judges are staff photographers Jeff Swinger, Amanda Davidson, Carrie Cochran and Gary Landers

F-Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:F_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
Nice clean image. Has a graphic component. Captured the movement in a still image.

F-Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl, The Herald
Image:F_KJSJ_02
Judges Comments:
We liked the moment. We all got a chuckle from this photo. It makes you think of what her personality is compared to the rest of the women.

F-Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:f_rkgi_01
Judges Comments:
This is a nice moment. You can see the two girls fighting back the tears. You don’t need a whole lot of explanation.

GN-General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons
Image:gn_dlse_002
Judges Comments:
This is a real moment, and is shot so that that it has a sense of place. It’s also noteworthy that the photographer was able to gain such intimate access to such an event.

GN-General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:GN_MLDI_03
Judges Comments:
Nice, clean image with graphic elements that still invokes emotion.

GN-General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Garet Cobb/ Bedford Times-Mail
Image:GN_GDCB_01
Judges Comments:
Photographer uses a harshly sunny day to his or her advantage by playing with the shadows. The cowboy hat make the image.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:Mc_DWMJ_01
Judges Comments:
Overall a nice set of pictures with some moments. Captured what the participants went through and told a story. We wonder what it would’ve looked like in color.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:Ma_MLDI_01
Judges Comments:
This story would’ve benefited from a tighter edit, with less repetition, but there are some storytelling images in the set.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:Mb_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
Some visually interesting photos. Especially liked the first and final photos. Would’ve liked to have seen the photographer work the tight photo. — more face and less microphone.

S-Sports 1st Place Cream of the Crop 55 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:S_JWMJ_02
Judges Comments:
The faces draw you in, as the photographer captured the peak emotion at this game.

S-Sports 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:S_MLDI_02
Judges Comments:
A multitude of faces captures the story.

S-Sports 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Jake May/The Herald
Image:S_JWMJ_04
Judges Comments:
Nice emotion, and layers of it. Nice access as well.

S-Sports HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:s_rkgi_01
Judges Comments:
A unique view. An unexpected picture.

Cream of the Crop

| Click to open winners gallery |

F-Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:F_DMWJ_02
Judges Comments:
The composition, layers and subtle moment really made this a nice find.

F-Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Charlie Nye
Image:F_CENI_01
Judges Comments:
We felt the picture was seen very well but it just needed another moment or something to elevate it to the next level.

F-Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:F_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
We like the moment here and the little bit of Charlotte’s smile that was included.

F-Feature HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:F_DMWJ_05
Judges Comments:
This was a nice found moment where a bland picture could have been made. We commend the photographer for looking a little deeper at an assignment about a lunch menu.

GN-General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:GN_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
We felt this was the best moment out of the lot. The added layer of information and context you get from the scene was nice as well.

GN-General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:GN_MLDI_01
Judges Comments:
This category in general was pretty slim. This photo had some nice seeing and pretty light that helped it out.

GN-General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Tim Bath, Kokomo Tribune
Image:GN_TJBK_01
Judges Comments:
We liked the moment and body language Becca was displaying in this photo. Sort of what you would expect from a vigil but still nice.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Dave Weatherwax, The Herald
Image:Ma_DMWJ_01
Judges Comments:
We felt this piece was the strongest story. The photographer clearly spent time with the subject and made interesting, well composed frames.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Krista Schinagl, The Herald
Image:Ma_KJSJ_01
Judges Comments:
This collection of photos included some really interesting seeing. The photographer obviously spent time with the subject but we felt this could have used a tighter edit and a larger variety of moments.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:Mb_MLDI_01
Judges Comments:
We thought this was again a nice collection of images that could have been taken a bit farther. We would have liked to see more of a story develop around Mr. Reed. It would have been nice to see a bit more of his life beyond the water skiing. The photo at the gym and going down the ramp were a nice start to that.

S-Sports 1st Place Cream of the Crop 55 Points
Photographer: Matt Detrich/Indianapolis Star
Image:S_MLDI_02
Judges Comments:
As far as celebration shots go this one is exemplary. Right place, right time, right choice of when to press the shutter.

S-Sports 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:s_rkgi_01
Judges Comments:
Fantastic moment, but the technical aspect kept it out of first.

S-Sports 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Rob Goebel/ Indianapolis Star
Image:s_rkgi_04
Judges Comments:
Unusual moment with a great face. It caught our eye and we kept coming back to the frame while judging.