2021 Qtr. 1 Singles
Guest User
Quarter 1 judge, Curt Chandler
General News
First Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Hilbert Armijo holds the urn of his father Thomas Armijo after a funeral service for both his father and older brother James Armijo who both died of COVID-19 in Long Beach Monday, March 15, 2021.
Second Place: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Melanie Bolanos, 9, writes messages on a car window to protest hate crimes committed against Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities ahead of a car caravan in Koreatown on March 19, 2021 in Los Angeles. Asian communities in the U.S. have been shaken by recent racist attacks and a series of shootings at spas in the Atlanta area that left eight people dead, including six Asian women.
Third Place: Patrick T. Fallon, AFP
A pedestrian jogs past counter-protesters, some carrying ANTIFA flags, as they wait to confront a demonstration of Trump supporters for a "Patriot March" near the Crystal Pier on January 9, 2021 in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego, California.
Honorable Mention: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
A homeless person touches a syringe and prays before receives a COVID-19 vaccine from a nurse at a vaccination clinic set up in the parking lot of the L.A. Mission in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. The L.A. Mission partnered with other service providers in the Skid Row community to administer COVID-19 vaccines to about 40 eligible people who were identified by homeless service agencies.
Honorable Mention: Taya Gray, The Desert Sun
Darla Garcia, mother of Debra Nicole Nelson, is comforted by her husband Tino Perez at the site where her daughter died in a fatal crash on Monroe Street in Indio on March 13, 2021.
Feature
First Place: Genaro Molina, LA Times
Jesus Saquic, 17, is reflected in a photo that features teens from the 1970’s who were once attended the Wilmington Teen Center in Wilmington on January 13, 2021. The Wilmington Teen Center is a small, rundown community center whose longtime president Connie Calderon recently passed away and is struggling to survive because of coronavirus. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the center used to provide a boxing gym, a dance studio and other activities for teens living in the area. The pandemic has curtailed its usual activities since March 2020.
Second Place: Gina Ferazzi, LA Times
Office Assistant Patricia Uribarre consoles a scared student on the first day back to school after almost one year at Pachappa Elementary on March 9, 2021 in Riverside, California. The school was closed on March 13, 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.The students have been divided into two groups. One group attends in-person learning on Tuesdays and the other on Thursdays. All students will stay in remote learning the other days of the week.
Third Place: Jay L. Clendenin, LA Times
Scott Hirshberg,9, from Manhattan Beach, is hit by a “snowball,” by best friend Hutton Morris,9, during a break from homeschooling, after a passing storm dropped sleet along the El Porto section of Manhattan Beach, CA, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021.
Honorable Mention: MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG
Ryan Valliere, left, and Dana McGregor, navigate an inflatable surfboard filled with kids through the surf in San Clemente on Thursday, March 18, 2021.
Honorable Mention: Gina Ferazzi, LA Times
National Guard troops pet a dog on a walk as all is quiet at the California State Capitol the morning of the Inauguration on January 20, 2021 in Sacramento, California.
Honorable Mention: Genaro Molina, LA Times
A mural depicts a pair of men ready to battle COVID armed with Purell, toilet paper and antibacterial spray as a pedestrian walks past almost a year after the pandemic was declared in Los Angeles. The mural is by street artist Hijack who is based in Los Angeles. He is primarily known for his art that focuses on political and social commentary.
Portrait
First Place: MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG
Richie “The Barber” Esposito pulls out his bag of clown tricks at OC Barbers Parlor in Huntington Beach where he cuts hair. Among the items he uses to entertain: juggling knives, a rubber chicken, and lots of confetti.
Second Place: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Valerie Zeller is reflected at a mirror at an encampment in Echo Lake Park as the city makes plans to evict all the parks encampments during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Los Angeles, March 24, 2021. Hundreds of advocates for the homeless gathered at Echo Park Lake today to protest plans by the city to clear a large homeless encampment from the park and close the area for what's being described as more than a half-million-dollars in repair work.
Third Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Khylie Braxton, 10, started her nail polish line Sissy B. Nails as she shows off the Cali color polish in Long Beach Monday, January 25, 2021. Khiley has used the past six months to start a business of which she is the CEO, social media manager and brand ambassador. SheÕs quite literally the face of the brand, a kid-friendly line of nail polish with each bottle carrying a tiny sticker featuring her smiling likeness, framed by a crown of curls.
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: Will Lester, Icon Sportswire
Defending Funny Car champion Matt Hagan does his burnout during the opening round of qualifying at the season opening AMALIE Motor Oil 52nd annual NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida Friday March 12, 2021.
Second Place: Will Lester, INLAND Valley DAILY BULLETIN
A wolf from the Wapiti Pack chases off ravens from an elk kill from last night near the Petrified Tree area of northern Yellowstone National Park Wednesday February 10, 2021.
Third Place: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Motorists wait in long lines to take a coronavirus test in a parking lot at Dodger Stadium Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Los Angeles.
Honorable Mention: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
A woman is silhouetted against the backdrop of a full moon, also known as “Snow Moon”, rises in Los Angeles, Friday, February 26, 2021.
Spot News
First Place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE
A protestor spits while being detained by police officers after a fight broke out during a protest in support of US President Donald Trump in Los Angeles on January 6, 2021. - Trump supporters, fueled by his spurious claims of voter fraud, are protesting the expected certification of Joe Biden's White House victory by the US Congress on January 6.
Second Place: Will Lester, INLAND Valley DAILY BULLETIN
A solo pilot (second from right), who did not want to be identified, speaks with others after crashing a Cessna 150 airplane on 46th Street in Jurupa Valley on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. The pilot of the single-engine plane reported engine failure and landed on 46th Street hitting 2 vehicles, just south of Flabob Airport at 12:49 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Third Place: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Staff
A bloodied Trump supporter walks away from the scene of a fight with counter protestors. A pro-Trump rally at Los Angeles City Hall spilled onto the streets as the U.S. Congress meets to formally ratify Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 Presidential election on Jan. 6, 2021.
Honorable Mention: Patrick T. Fallon, AFP
Dena Cook, center, a resident who rode out the storm inside her house, and her sister Cecelia Cook, right, clean up debris following a the morning after a tornado hit the Eagle Point community
Entertainment
First Place: Jay L. Clendenin, LA Times
Noah Cyrus is prepped by a COVID-19-safe stylist for her moment on the red carpet at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Second Place: Patrick T. Fallon, AFP
US Secret Service members watch fireworks from the roof of the White House as Katy Perry sings "Firework" at the end of the Inauguration day for US President Joe Biden in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2021.
Third Place: Jay L. Clendenin, LA Times
The sculpture “Sidewalk Judge,” by artist Seward Johnson, wears a facemask, in downtown Yountville, CA, as tourists begin to visit California’s Wine Country.
Sports Features
First Place: Will Lester, Icon Sportswire
A race fan finds a comfortable place to sit as he watches the final round of pro qualifying at the season opening AMALIE Motor Oil 52nd annual NHRA Gatornationals at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida Saturday March 13, 2021.
Second Place: SCOTT MITCHELL, Zuma Press
The noon day sun lights up the back of a wave as a surfer braces for impact, Rincon Beach, Ventura, CA., USA, January 5, 2021.
Third Place: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Staff
Feb 4, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Montrezl Harrell (15) lets out a yell as he throws down a two-handed slam dunk over Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris (11) in the fourth quarter at Staples Center.
Sports Action
First Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Oregon State gymnasts look on as a teammate competes in the uneven bars during a gymnastics meet in Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 27, 2021.
Second Place: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Staff
Mar 12, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing Kurtis Gabriel (left) and Anaheim Ducks left wing Nicolas Deslauriers (20) trade punches during the first period at Honda Center.
Third Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Jaime Jaquez Jr. #4 of the UCLA Bruins drives to the basket against the Washington State Cougars In the first half of a NCAA basketball game at Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA in Westwood on Thursday, January 14, 2021.
Fire
First Place: Michael Coons, The Acorn Newspapers
A firefighter is lit up by the lights on a bulldozer during the Erbes fire in Thousand Oaks on Jan. 14, 2021.
Third Place: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register
Firefighters investigate a home that caught fire in the 2100 block of E Sycamore St. in ANAHEIM, CA, on Monday, April 12, 2021. The residents of the house were living in hoarding conditions.
Second Place: Will Lester, INLAND Valley DAILY BULLETIN
Firefighters work to extinguish a mulch fire at RWP Landscape Materials in the 7200 block of Chino Avenue in Ontario Thursday Feb. 18, 2021. The fire was reported at 1:20 a.m.
Judge’s Notes & Bio
FEATURE
First place is a technically challenging image that creates a nice juxtaposition between a group photo of kids at a once-vibrant community center and a lone youth entering the building today. The composition unites the elements in an image that is quick to read.
Second place is a great human moment that incorporates visual cues that show it is happening during the pandemic. The composition is simple and clean.
Third place just makes the viewer wince. Great timing on a “snowball” to the face in a place where you might not expect one. Honorable mention to an image that balances battle-ready troops with a cute dog. I wish this photo had less depth of field so the people separated from the background more cleanly. An honorable mention to the surfing goat picture. What a great situation to photograph. Also, an HM to the street art pandemic stalker photo. The stop sign and position of the pedestrian add a neat storytelling element to what could have been a boring photo of a mural. Nice work.
PORTRAIT
First place uses humor, tight composition and great timing to make a funny portrait of a clown/barber. I’m not sure how many takes it took to get the confetti right, but it was worth it.
Second place separates the subject from her environment, while also using the environment as context. Well-lit and nicely composed.
Third place uses color and layering to unify the storytelling elements in a clean composition.
ENTERTAINMENT
First place is a well composed behind-the-scenes image showing the junction of Covid precautions at the Grammys with the desire for the show to go on.
Second demonstrates some good planning on the part of the photographer. The foreground is key in fireworks shots, and showing Secret Service agents watching the show from atop the White House ties together the unique elements of this fireworks display.
Third place demonstrates forethought, good timing and composition that reads quickly from foreground to background.
GENERAL NEWS
First place image uses strong composition, excellent timing and works despite being made in the rain. A compelling human moment to illustrate an important story on the death toll from Covd-19.
Second place was made by showing up early to an event and using just the right lens and composition to make a solid storytelling image.
Third place is a funny, “only in LA” moment, as a bikini-clad jogger maneuvers around demonstrators clothed head-to-toe in black. This was a deep category.
Two other pictures that stood out as honorable mentions were a photo of parents visiting a memorial to a child who died in an auto accident, and a nice detail photo of prayer moment before a Covid vaccination.
PICTORIAL
The first place picture combines great light, color and a dynamic puff of smoke to make an attention-grabbing image.
Second place is not the type of image I expected to see in this category, but the composition, color and timing make it unforgettable.
Third place is a study in abstract pattern made from overhead. It’s a bonus that it also shows a newsworthy event. The honorable mention photo of the moon is clean and light hearted.
SPORTS ACTION
Following the eyes of teammates and coaches as an athlete tumbles through space makes for a unique first place sports action photo. Every face adds to the story. Nice composition.
Second place photo has a great expression on the player’s face as a fight erupts in a hockey game. Excellent timing and clean composition.
Third place is all hands and no armpits, plus a great face under the basket. Tight and clean action.
SPORTS FEATURE
The first place image shows the casual side of auto racing. Humorous and clean. I wish the fan had been identified.
Second place shows that not every surf run is successful. Good light and clean composition helped this image to stand out. I wish the surfer had been identified.
Third place is a clean reaction shot with a good face.
SPOT NEWS
The first place photo is a peak action moment from exactly the right angle during an arrest. The flying saliva adds a sense of urgency to the image, even if the photographer is uncomfortably close.
The second place image is an unusual incident and cleanly composed. It appears to have the original caption. I’m not sure why it wasn’t updated with information from a story.
The third place photo is an iconic portrait of a bloodied demonstrator. Kudos to the photographer for continuing to make pictures after the obvious action was over.
Honorable mention to a tornado aftermath photo that uses body language and good timing to show a story where a clean view of the damage wasn’t possible.
FIRE
First place photo combines great light and strong composition to show the challenge a firefighter faces while mopping up a brush fire. The photo reads quickly and shows scale.
Second place is a clean image from a stubborn mulch fire that is still burning eleven hours after it was reported. Good use of color to separate the firefighter from the smoke.
Third place apparently uses a drone to provide an overhead view to extensive damage from a house fire. The leading line from the ladder provides a unifying compositional element to pull the image together.
Meet our judge, Curt Chandler
Curt Chandler teaches multimedia reporting and entrepreneurial journalism at Penn State University. Before jumping to academia he was the director of photography and editor for online innovation at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He taught picture editing and design at the Northern Short Course in Photojournalism for more than a decade and has been a long-time video trainer at NPPA's Multimedia Immersion workshop. He has edited two books on photojournalism and visual management, The Great Picture Hunt II by David LaBelle and Vision, Courage and Heart by Bob Lynn.