BetterBNC

Place Name: First Place
Contestant Name: The Mecklenburg Sun
Entry Title: Halftime colors
Entry Credit: David Conner II
Judge Comment: In a field with several very strong entries, this rose to the top for several reasons. Pictures were sharp and clear. Composition was outstanding. In photos like these, I love to see the faces of those involved and this entry really delivered. I also don't need to see what is in the background. Hone in on your subject or subjects. I also just appreciate such attention to a halftime show, instead of the game as per usual. Outstanding work and keep at it. You do amazing work

Place Name: Second Place
Contestant Name: Fauquier Times
Entry Title: The faces of Fauquier County’s Juneteenth celebration
Entry Credit: Florence Shen, Meghan Mangrum
Judge Comment: This entry was a very close second. Portraits with a story like this can be a rote exercise or you can make it interesting. the photographer made it interesting. I really appreciated the variety of pictures and the angles at which they were taken. Great work!

Place Name: Third Place
Contestant Name: Fauquier Times
Entry Title: The Jones family dreams of an accessible home
Entry Credit: Doug Stroud
Judge Comment: I liked this a lot, although I'd like to see tighter shots in some cases. The photos did a great job of telling a story of what people with disabilities face all too often. Good work!

Competition Comment: This was a very fun group of entries to judge and if I could have given more awards, I would have. Winning entries rose to the top for sharp focus, strong composition and an eye for what the reader should see. Hone in on those subjects! In some cases, good photos could have bene great had backgrounds been softened or blurred. I don’t need to see a dozen or so people leaning against a fence in the background – I need to see the photo’s main subject. As someone who used to develop film in her apartment bathroom and then make prints there before dropping them at an editor’s house years ago, use the many advantages you have with digital photography. I am certainly saying AI, as I frankly regard AI as the devil and the downfall of journalism as we know it today. But use what you have digitally to impact backgrounds and focus in on your subjects. It makes a big difference.

Picture Story or Essay ( Non-Daily Group 3) Back