2020 Qtr. 3 Photo Stories

Barry ‘Bear’ Gutierrez, Quarter 3 Judge

“1st Place: Excellent story telling incorporating great coverage of the fires and strong emotion. The helicopter flying into the sunset should have been the closer. Tighter shots of faces and intimacy would take this package to the next level.

 2nd Place: Captures a strong microcosm of our country's political struggles with intimacy, emotion and quick thinking.

3rd Place: Powerful Images with surprising moments. Excellent coverage of the fires, but has duplicate images of the mini-van, and could use more faces and was edged out of first because of the lack of emotion and intimacy.

Honorable Mention

California Ablaze:  Great coverage of the fires, but lacks faces and intimacy. “Show me how it feels not how it looks” Some powerful singles

Mission Fire:  There were a few nice images in this package, but eight of the 12 images were details of burned logs, the backs of firefighters and a sign. ‘Show me how it feels not how it looks.’ The photographer has potential, but needs to work on composition, light and story telling. A photo story has a beginning , middle and end. A photo story challenges the viewer to follow a narrative with visual variety (tight, medium, wide), emotion, good composition, light and a general story line.   (a true photo story would follow the Perish Priest for a week or longer and capture moments of sorrow, grief, frustration recovery, hope….etc….”

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First Place: TERRY PIERSON, THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE/SCNG

Arroyo Grande Hotshots are silhouetted as they watch a backfire at Carter Street and Bears Den Ranch Road in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

An air tanker makes a retardant drop behind homes near the San Bernardino National Forest fighting the El Dorado Fire as it burns more than 1,500 acres in Oak Glen and Yucaipa on Saturday, September 5, 2020.

A basketball player stops shooting hoops at Yucaipa Community Park to watch as a DC-10 tanker flies over head to make a retardant drop on the El Dorado Fire as it burns close to homes in triple digit heat, wind gusts and low visibility in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Home owners use everything they have to battle the El Dorado Fire as it burns up to their homes on Kevari Court in triple digit heat, high wind gusts and low visibility in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Residents run from the flames of the El Dorado Fire as it tops the hill behind a home on Kevari Court in triple digit heat with high wind gusts and low visibility in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Trevor Hoover and Roland Hoover use a rake and a garden hose to try and put out the El Dorado Fire brining on property Jefferson Street as triple digit heat, high wind gusts and low visibility limited air attack in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Family members comfort one another as the El Dorado Fire moves closer to their home at Ivy Avenue and Jefferson Street as triple digit heat, high wind gusts and low visibility limited air attack in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

An Arroyo Grande Hotshots firefighter starts a back fire at Carter Street and Bears Den Ranch Road to burn into the El Dorado Fire in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

A water dropping helicopter is silhouetted as it heads back to refill for another drop on the El Dorado Fire as the sun sets in the heavy smoke in Yucaipa on Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Family members watch as the body of a firefighter killed fighting the El Dorado fire is walked into the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office by San Bernardino Sheriff’s Honor Guards in San Bernardino on Friday, September 18, 2020.

Firefighters react after a firefighter died fighting the El Dorado fire before the firefighters body arrives at the San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office in San Bernardino on Friday, September 18, 2020.

U.S. Forest Service Big Bear Hotshot Charles Morton was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 17 fighting the El Dorado Fire. Firefighters salute as Morton’s fiancee, Monica Tapia carries his urn during his memorial service at The Rock Church in San Bernardino on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.

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Second Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

BLM v. Trump Rally

A Trump supporter, right, punches a Black Lives Matter supporter during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters fight with Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

A Black Lives matter supporter is treated after being maced during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters clash with Black Lives Matter protesters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

A Protestors carries an axe and blades during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters fight with Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

A protestors is treated during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters chant toward Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Trump supporters fight with Black Lives Matter protestors during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

Moments after a fight between these two protestors the Blacks Lives Matter protester, left, helps a Trump supporter after during a rally by between Black Lives Matter and Pro-Trump supporters along Foothill Blvd between the Albertsons and In-N-Out Burger in Tujunga on Friday, August 14, 2020.

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Third place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE

The Apple Fire

Diane Brickley comes back home to take care her goats after evacuated as a brush fire burns nearby at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A brush fire burns a car at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A mouse runs as flames flare at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter stands next to a fire truck as flames from a brush fire flare at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

An air tanker drops fire retardant to the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter battles a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter battles a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter watches as a helicopter drops water to the Apple Fire in Banning, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Firefighters keep watch a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Banning, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A burned car is seen as smoke rises from a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

Hand crew lines up at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

A firefighter watches a brush fire at the Apple Fire in Cherry Valley, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020.

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Honorable Mention

KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

Mission Fire

San Gabriel Fire Dept. Firefighter Jacob Gustafson looks on as foam is put on the roof after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

The alter still stands after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Bishop David O’Connell after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

A firefighter looks over damage as a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

The Marquez family of Los angeles prays after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

A woman is overcome with emotion after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

A man walks out of the church after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

The bells atop the church still stand after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

San Gabriel Fire Dept. Firefighter Jacob Gustafson looks on as foam is put on the roof after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

Los Angeles Fire Dept. arson investigator with his dog walks past the church after a four-alarm fire tore through the church at Mission San Gabriel destroying the inside of the 245-year-old building in San Gabriel on Saturday, July 11, 2020.

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KENT NISHIMURA, LOS ANGELES TIMES

California Ablaze

BIG CREEK, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: The Laguna Hotshots Crew out of the Cleveland National Forest battle the Creek Fire as it approaches the Souther California Edison Big Creek Hydroelectric Plant on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Big Creek, CA.

SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Wildlife is seen running into an engulfed Skyhawk Park as firefighters battle the Shady Fire as it makes its way towards homes along Mountain Hawk Drive in Skyhawk Park on Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 in Santa Rosa, CA.

BOULDER CREEK, CA - AUGUST 22: Smoke hangs low in the air at Big Basin Redwoods State Park as some redwoods are still on fire on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020 in Boulder Creek, CA. The CZU August Lightning complex fires tore through Big Basin Redwoods State Park, decimating the 118-year-old state park – California’s oldest.

BOULDER CREEK, CA - AUGUST 21: Supplies are unloaded from a Menlo Park truck at the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department fire house during the CZU August Lightning Complex Fires on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 in Boulder Creek, CA. The University of California at Santa Cruz campus and nearby towns have been under evacuation orders due to fires in the region.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighter Ricardo Gomez, of a Cal Fire engine from Bradley, takes part in conducting a back burn operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighters conduct a back burn operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

FRESNO COUNTY, CA - SEPTEMBER 08: News photographers, as the Creek Fire jumps CA-168 on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 in Fresno County, CA.

SANTA ROSA, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Santa Rosa Fire Department Firefighters stand, watching the Shady Fire as it makes its way towards homes along Mountain Hawk Drive in Skyhawk Park on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Santa Rosa, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighters conduct a back burn operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

DEER PARK, CA - SEPTEMBER 27: Firefighters from the Sacramento Fire Department take part in a firing operation near a property along Crystal Springs Road as firefighters work to contain the Glass Fire in Napa County on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020 in Deer Park, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: Firefighters conduct a backbrun operation along CA-168 during the Creek Fire as it approaches the Shaver Lake Marina on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

SHAVER LAKE, CA - SEPTEMBER 06: A vehicle streaks by in a long exposure as Fresno County Sheriff Deputy Jeffery Shipman stands along CA-168 as the Creek Fire creeps closer to town on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 in Shaver Lake, CA.

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MEET OUR JUDGE, BARRY ‘BEAR’ GUTIERREZ

Barry “Bear” Gutierrez is a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer based in Denver, Colorado, who has built a business around his talent and reputation in the photography industry.

Bear has helped companies build their brands through powerful visuals since 2009. With a foundation in photojournalism, Bear provides a dynamic array of photography for businesses and agencies that include advertising campaigns, marketing roll-outs, annual reports, executive and creative portraits.

Some notable experiences include shooting a portrait of President Obama in 2008 during his historic election run, along with six other presidents. The 2007 World Series, Ad campaigns for U.S. Tennis Association-Colorado. Craig Hospital, Centura Health and Kaiser Permanente, Multiple art gallery installations at DIA, Wellington Web Building and Multiple Denver Libraries, a gay rodeo in Colorado, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Princess Diana’s funeral in London, culture in Morocco, and prickly pear cactus farmers in Guadalajara. Gutierrez has traveled to 49 states and 19 countries.

Prior to launching his company in 2009, he worked as a staff photographer at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver for 10 years after earning a bachelor’s degree in Western Kentucky University’s premier photojournalism program. In 2012 he was published on the front pages on more than 100 newspapers, magazines, and websites across the globe for his coverage of the Aurora Theater shootings. Gutierrez lives in Denver with his wife, Fairlight, and his ten year-old son, Sol.

Photography is his passion—he coaches at workshops, speaks at events, teaches classes, and mentors photographers.

Editorial Clients & Publishing of note

The Associated Press, European Press Photo Agency, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Rocky Mountain News, San Jose Mercury News, Philadelphia Inquirer, National Geographic Travel, Sports Illustrated.