2020 Qtr. 1 Singles
Khai Le
We are excited to announce our first Quarterly results and are happy to have the help of Dave LaBelle, esteemed photographer, teacher, and author as our inaugural judge. Please see Dave’s bio at the end of this post. Dave has created two videos about the judging process and what he feels makes certain images rise to the top. Our hope is that pros and students alike will benefit. Please note that the Picture Story category is on a separate link. Enjoy! Quarter 2 entries are due July 15!
Winners and commentary of the quarterly PPAGLA judging by Dave LaBelle.
VIDEO 1 of 2: Dave LaBelle speaks about the images. (Please see Q1 Picture Story link for Video 2 of 2: Dave LaBelle speaks about Picture Stories)
General News
First Place: Patrick T. Fallon, for Bloomberg News
Former Vice President Joe Biden, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, right, watches as his wife Jill Biden, center, blocks activist Ashley Froud, left, from arriving on stage during an primary night rally in the Baldwin Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, U.S., on Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
Second Place: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press
A demonstrator offers flowers to a National Guardsman stationed outside the office of Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey, Wednesday, June 3, 2020, in Los Angeles, during a protest over the death of George Floyd, who died May 25 after being restrained by police in Minneapolis.
Third Place: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Fernando Arredondo, of Guatemala reunites with his daughters Andrea, left, Keyli, right, and Alison, second from left, at Los Angeles International Airport as they reunite after being separated during the Trump administration's wide-scale separation of immigrant families, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Los Angeles.
Honorable Mention: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
New York Police detective Hector Rodriguez, right, hugs Daniel Leist, father of Amber Leist during funeral services for Fallen Los Angeles County Sheriff Detective Amber Joy Leist at Mosaic Church in Hollywood on Saturday, January 25, 2020. Detective Leist was fatally struck by a vehicle after coming to the aid of an elderly pedestrian who fell while crossing a street.
Honorable Mention: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times
EL MONTE, CA - MARCH 11, 2020: L.A. County Sheriff Lt. Geff Deedrick talks to a homeless woman known as "Jacqueline" about the coronavirus in the San Gabriel River bed on March 11, 2020 in El Monte, California. The L.A. County sheriff's are doing outreach to educate the homeless about coronavirus along the San Gabriel River near the Whittier Nature Center.
Honorable Mention: Michael Coons, The Acorn Newspapers
The Westlake High mock trial team celebrate after advancing to the finals of the Ventura County Mock Trial during the semi-finals on Feb. 27, 2020 at the Ventura County Government Center.
Honorable Mention: David Hume Kennerly
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol where they awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason for his work with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease he was diagnosed with in 2011. Washington, D.C., January 15, 2020
Honorable Mention: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register
Orange Coast College baseball players Zebadiah Storie, left, Oscar Favela, center, and Enrique Morales pause at a memorial remember baseball coach John Altobelli in Costa Mesa CA, on Monday, Jan 27, 2020. Altobelli, his wife Keri Altobelli and their daughter, Alyssa Altobelli, all died in a helicopter crash with Kobe Bryant on Jan. 26, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Justin L. Stewart, Freelance
People attend the democratic presidential candidate BERNIE SANDERS rally at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Celebrities SARAH SILVERMAN, DICK VAN DYKE, and PUBLIC ENEMY RADIO voiced their support for the candidate ahead of the Super Tuesday primary.
Honorable Mention: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Former Vice President Joe Biden walks with Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia as he gives a tour of the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement Project in Long Beach, CA. Thursday, January 9, 2020. Biden visits the Southland in his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Feature
First Place: Mel Melcon, Los Angeles Times
BLACKWELL'S CORNER, CA-FEBRUARY 11, 2020: Michael Fiala and his dog Sox, a Siberian Husky, travel along Route 33 near Blackwell's Corner, a gas station and rest stop located at the intersection of Highways 46 and 33. They were on their way to Pinnacles National Park. Fiala, who is from the Big Island of Hawaii, said that they have ridden over 90,000 miles together, including 41 states and 31 national parks.
Second Place: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
An airplane approaching Los Angeles International Airport flies past the fullmoon in Los Angeles, Califorina, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020. The first full moon of 2020 - known as the wolf moon.
Third Place: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times
PERRIS, CA - JANUARY 8, 2020: An ostrich steals a care takers ball cap at the front of the animal farm for Exotic Meat Markets on January 8, 2020 in Perris, California. There have been social media posts recently complaining of animal neglect, but animal control officers visiting the property everyday have found no signs of neglect and that the complaints of neglect at the property were sparked by misinformed social media posts. Owner Anshu Pathak insists the animals are all cared for and well fed. He leases part of the land which fronts a main road. That property of the land is littered with debris which Pathak has asked the land owner to clean up repeatedly.
Honorable Mention: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register
Although it appears Ken Kansler has Doheny State Beach to himself, there were pockets of other people exercising, surfing and picnicking in Dana Point, CA on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Kansler, a digital marketer, said he had to get out of his home for a bit of exercise after being cooped up during the coronavirus pandemic.
Honorable Mention: Richard Vogel, Associated Press
Lucha Libre star Dirty Sanchez arrives curbside for Lucha VaVoom at the Egyptian Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Kent Nishimura, Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 21: Downtown Los Angeles is a backdrop to a seemingly empty Interstate 110 photographed on Saturday, March 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. Earlier in the week, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a “Safer at Home” order to the entire state to help slow the spread of the Coronavirus as it sweeps across the world.
Portrait
First Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Evelyn Knight at her home in Compton Monday, Feb. 3, 2020. From Selma to Central Long Beach, Knight has marched through history. Whether as a founding member of the Long Beach Community Improvement League, as a teacher of Black Studies at Cal State Long Beach, organizing against polluters in West Long Beach or holding discussion groups in her home, Evelyn Knight has always been outspoken and involved. Ask anyone, Evelyn Knight has always been there.
Second Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA --JANUARY 17, 2020—A portrait of Oscar and Golden Globe winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio made with an 8x10-inch film camera, who is nominated for a leading actor Oscar for his role in the Oscar-nominated film, “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,” photographed at the Chateau Marmont hotel in West Hollywood, CA, Jan 17, 2020.
Third Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 24: Actor Elle Lorraine from the film, “Bad Hair,” photographed in the L.A. Times Studio at the Sundance Film Festival on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020 in Park City, Utah.
Honorable Mention: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Naomi Rainey-Pierson is the Long Beach Branch NAACP President in Long Beach, CA. Monday, January 13, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Scott Mitchell, Freelance
Ralph Johnson, original drummer and member of the super group Earth, Wind, and Fire, and recipient of the Kennedy Center Honor, in Hollywood, CA, USA, January 26, 2020
Honorable Mention: Richard Vogel, Associated Press
Photographer Robert Kerian ponders his future as a freelance photographer as his business comes to a standstill during the stay at home order at the start of the coronavirus pandemic at his home in Los Angeles on March 7,2020.
Honorable Mention: Kent Nishimura, Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 31: Actor Lew Temple poses for a portrait outside of his home in Silverlake on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 in Los Angeles, CA. Like many others in the entertainment industry, Temple, who has worked steadily in television and movies is out of work with few options due to the shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Honorable Mention: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Marta Jandres, 54, wearing a face mask is reflected in the rear view mirror of her vehicle while she waits in his vehicle lined outside the Crenshaw Christian Center for COVID-19 in South Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 25, 2020. California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home order Thursday for residents to venture outside only for essential jobs, errands and some exercise, due to coronavirus concerns.
Honorable Mention: Kent Nishimura, Los Angeles Times
BURBANK, CA - MARCH 25: Jaquel Knight poses for a portrait at KreativMndz Dance Academy on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in Burbank, CA. Knight and Everytable partnered together to give out free meals to dancers and creatives impacted by the coronavirus pandemic enveloping the world.
Pictorial
A new category for 2020: A graphic image that expresses beauty, tension and other abstract concepts through composition and tonal and color relationships more than through human interaction.
First Place: Don Bartletti, Freelance
COTTONWOOD TREE. JANUARY 16, 2020. LONE PINE, CA. The evening shadow of the Sierra Nevada Mountains begins its late afternoon creep across the Owen Valley and silhouettes a Freemont Cottonwood tree against the distant Inyo Mountains near Lone Pine, CA.
Second Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
A young girl runs up to a giant video screen as jellyfish are viewed on the screen at Long Beach City Hall after a council meeting Tuesday Feb.18, 2020.
Third Place: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register
The beach and pier are closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Seal Beach, CA, on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Don Bartletti, Freelance
WILD MUSHROOMS. JANUARY 23, 2020. VISTA, CA. Weeks of steady winter rain brings normally arid Southern California garden back to life. A quartet of 6-inch high wild umbrella shaped mushrooms popped up through the damp mulch overnight.
Honorable Mention: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
A hang glider Bill Soderquist, from Lake Elsinore soars over the Cleveland National Forest west of Lake Elsinore on a warm Friday afternoon Jan. 31, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Don Bartletti, Freelance
FREE RANGE HORSES. JANUARY 16, 2020. LONE PINE, CA. Free range horses and mules herd themselves amid the scrub and dormant trees on in the Owens Valley near Lone Pine, CA. The towering Sierra Nevada Mountains are a big attraction for hikers during the summer when the animals are used to pack in camping supplies.
Honorable Mention: Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG
North swimmer Diego Gonzalez gets out of the pool after winning the varsity 100 yard Butterfly under storm clouds during North vs. Ramona high swim meet at Ramona High School in Riverside on Tuesday, Mar 10, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
An American Airlines Airbus A319 twin jet, from Phoenix, makes its final approach into Ontario International Airport under partly cloudy skies Friday morning, March 20, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register
A white egret appears to have the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve to itself in Newport Beach, CA on Sunday, January 5, 2020.
Honorable Mention: David Hume Kennerly
A Rainbow for the Birds A rainbow over the Los Angeles neighborhood of Mar Vista, March 17, 2020.
Spot News
First Place: Christina House, Los Angeles Times
CALABASAS-CA: Helicopter crash in Calabasas carrying Kobe Bryant.
Second Place: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
A fan runs onto the field and is tackled by police in the first half of the 106th Rose Bowl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Wisconsin Badgers on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 in Pasadena, California.
Third Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Eye of the Cat’s owner is comforted by a friend as she holds her animals after a blaze at her business in the 3300 block of Broadway In Long Beach Monday, March 9, 2020. The two cats died in the blaze.
Honorable Mention: Martin Nate Rawner, Freelance
1-29-2020 Los Angeles Firefighters prepare to attack a high rise fire at the Barrinton Plaza Apartments in West L.A.
Entertainment
First Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
HOLLYWOOD, CA – February 9, 2020: Florence Pugh and Scarlett Johansson come together on the red carpet of the 92nd Academy Awards on Sunday, February 9, 2020 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, CA.
Second Place: Richard Vogel, Associated Press
American rock band Starcrawler lead singer Arrow de Wilde makes preparations with the band prior to performing on Feb. 13, 2020 in downtown Los Angeles.
Third Place: Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG
Diego Melendez, 22, of Covina, left gets some air as he takes part in a mosh pit as 63 Bank Street performs behind Art attack during IE Punk Flea in Upland on Sunday, Feb 16, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Singer Usher performs to honor the late Kobe Bryant during a memorial prior to an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday.
Honorable Mention: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Taika Waititi shows his Oscar statue during the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party following the 92nd annual Academy Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 09 February 2020.
Honorable Mention: Scott Mitchell, Freelance
Marcus Miller Live in Hollywood Bass icon Marcus Miller on stage at the Catalina Bar and Grill, Hollywood, CA, USA, February 21, 2020.
Sports Features
First Place: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard's feet are seen after he crashed into fans while chasing a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, in Los Angeles.
Second Place: Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG
Upland’s Johanna Forman defeats Corona’s Mariah Dow to win the 137 LBS. match during the CIF Southern Section girls wrestling championships in Beaumont on Saturday, Feb 22, 2020.
Third Place: Katharine Lotze, Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Marquis Bowden and Joshua Finkle reacts after crossing the finish line of the 2020 Los Angeles Marathon on March 08, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Honorable Mention: Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG
North’s Elicia Dowell wins the varsity 500 yard freestyle during the North vs. Ramona high swim meet under cloudy skies at Ramona High School in Riverside on Tuesday, Mar 10, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG
A crew member holds an umbrella over NASCAR Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson #48 as a light rain falls during the national anthem for the NASCAR Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana on Sunday, Mar 1, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Head coach Melissa Hearlihy of Harvard-Westlake upset over a foul call in the second half of the CIF-SS Basketball Division 1 championship against Troy at Azusa Pacific University's Felix Events Center in Azusa on Saturday, February 29, 2020. Harvard-Westlake won 55-42.
Honorable Mention: Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News
Singer Usher takes a moment in the seats covered with Laker jerseys with Kobe Bryant’s number 24 at the Staples Center before the Laker game on Friday, January 31, 2020.
Honorable Mention: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James I swarmed by teammates after making several three point shots in a row during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, in Los Angeles.
Honorable Mention: Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News
Laker LeBron James #23 cries during a pregame tribute to Laker great Kobe Bryant at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Friday, January 31, 2020.
Sports Action
First Place: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Alex Bowman pits under yellow during the second stage of the NASCAR Cup Series 400 mile auto race Sunday, March 1, 2020 in Fontana, Calif.
Second Place: John McCoy, Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 01: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers fouls Kelly Oubre Jr. #3 of the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Staples Center on January 1, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Third Place: Katharine Lotze, Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 23: UCLA's Gracie Kramer competes in floor exercise during a meet against the Utah Utes at Pauley Pavilion on February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California.
Honorable Mention: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
New Zealand's Akuila Rokolisoa, right, is tackled by South Africa's Werner Kok, top, and Muller Du Plessis during the Los Angels Sevens rugby tournament Sunday, March 1, 2020, in Carson, Calif.
Honorable Mention: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Diego Barahona #5 of Cathedral attempts a penalty shot against Bishop Amat in the first half of a prep soccer match at Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Bishop Amat defeated Cathedral 3-2 in double overtime.
Honorable Mention: Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Paloma Valley’s Corryn Barackman (17) and Graci Raymond (2) go after a header in front of the goal as Roosevelt’s Sasjah Dade (center) defends during the second half in Murrieta Thursday Feb. 13, 2020. Paloma Valley eliminated Roosevelt, in a first-round match of the CIF Southern Section Division 2 girls soccer playoffs, winning 2-0 on a pair of Nicole Dallin first half goals.
Meet our judge for Qtr. 1, Dave LaBelle:
Throughout his 50-year career, Dave LaBelle has been a photographer, editor, teacher, author and lecturer.
LaBelle has worked for 20 newspapers and magazines in nine states, including the Anchorage Times, San Bernardino Sun-Telegram, Ventura County Star-Free Press, The Chanute Tribune, Ogden Standard-Examiner, The Sacramento Bee and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, where he was assistant managing editor for photography.
His work has won numerous awards including National Press Photographers Association Region 10 Photographer of the Year three times, runner-up to W. Eugene Smith for the first Nikon World Understanding award in 1974 and runner-up for the NPPA National Photographer of the Year award in 1979. He was awarded the International Understanding Through Photography award by the Photographic Society of America in 2002.
LaBelle is also a master teacher whose students have gone on to win more than 10 Pulitzer Prizes. Shortly after his time as Photographer at the Sacramento Bee, he turned his sights towards teaching as a compassionate storyteller and was a key member of the legendary team who built Western Kentucky University’s renowned Photojournalism program. NPPA honored him with the Robin F. Garland Award for photojournalism education in 1991. He also taught at University of Kentucky and was director of Kent State University’s Photojournalism program for many years.
He is the author of 5 books including The Great Picture Hunt which is widely regarded by many as the cornerstone book for shooting features. Lessons in Death and Life is a sensitive, in-depth discussion about photographing grief and delicate issues.
LaBelle has served as judge for Pictures of the Year International, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Photo Contest among many others.