Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: The Virginian-Pilot Entry Title: Bullets Entry Credit: Billy Schuerman Judge Comment: This was by far the best overall image. The lighting, attention to detail with all those bullets, the composition and DOF. Excellent work! Technical and creative skills earn high marks and a 1st place congratulations!
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Virginian-Pilot Entry Title: Gun Violence Entry Credit: Stephen Katz Judge Comment: There was no question about the intended message of this image. Well done, the angle and the sharpness of the overall subject set against that beautiful backdrop of nature and gorgeous bokeh and lighting. 2nd place congratulations!
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Virginian-Pilot Entry Title: Shoes Entry Credit: Billy Schuerman Judge Comment: I had to stop and think what I was to learn from this image. It wasn't until I hovered over the saved jpg file that I realized it was about shoe repair. Because of the mystery just based on the image without context in a news contest, this pushed it into third place. As for the overall image, the image deserves a 10 rating because the lighting and everything that went into creating it. Good job on creating a unique image.
Competition Comment: Overall, only three entries indicates that the art of creating strong photographs for a variety of news, product and editorial is not as strong as it was 10-20-30 years ago. With that said, these were all excellent images showing that the photographers have a strong grasp of technical and creative skills. They and their newspaper should be proud of the work they are accomplishing with such talent. Keep up the good work!
/First_Place_The_Virginian_Pilot_1/Attachment_01.JPG)
/Second_Place_The_Virginian_Pilot_2/Attachment_01.JPG)
/Third_Place_The_Virginian_Pilot_3/Attachment_01.JPG)