2022 Qtr. 2 Singles
Guest User
Quarter 2 Judge, Doug Pizac
General News
First Place: Amy Gaskin, Freelance
A protestor mourns the Supreme Court's decision that "The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives." After nearly 50 years, a woman's right to choose abortion is no longer guaranteed. Friday, June 23, 2022 in West Hollywood, Calif.
Second Place: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Demonstrator with city hall reflected in her sunglasses protest while holding up a sign that reads “Ruth Sent Us” outside of the US Courthouse about the recently report that was released. A draft opinion suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Third Place: Paul Rodriguez, Freelance
A selfie is the first order of business for Pacifica High School graduates as their ceremony ends in Garden Grove, California, on Wednesday, June 1, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register
Emily Day, 11, works under the scenes of a gigantic flag as her troop carries it in the 27th annual Flag Day Parade in Anaheim on Sunday, June 12, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Activists rally in front of City Hall as they protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Feature
First Place: Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News
A woman drags a rug down the middle of Alvarado Street in Los Angeles just steps from a homeless encampment along the underpass of the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles on Monday, May 16, 2022.
Second Place: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register
Emil Koester plays with his 3-year-old son, Emmitt, during the Save Edison Park community gathering in Huntington Beach on Sunday, April 24, 2022. Residents are concerned that the city’s plan to turn the park into a sports complex will have a negative impact on the environment and neighborhood.
Third Place: Ronen Tivony, Freelance
A man sunbathes in Tel Aviv Israel on May 28, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register
Tandm Surf inventor John Clark, with his wife, Manya, stands on his head during the Standup for the Cure paddle board event to raise money and awareness for breast cancer in Newport Beach on Saturday, April 30, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG
Spidermen; Caleb Weeks, left, Tom Iwata, center, and Sebastian G., find each other outside WonderCon in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, April 1, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Richard H. Grant, Signal Tribune
Kali Kollective founder Dante Mapanao demonstrates the use of sticks with instructor Franciso Taruc to newcommers of the class on May 31, 2022. Kali Kollective is a class that teaches the indigenous Filipino martial art of Kali.
Portrait
First Place: Genaro Molina, Los Angeles Times
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10, 2022 - - Ladies and gentlemen the, “Pope of Trash” and the “King of Puke,” director John Waters strikes an elegant form before a discussion and book signing for his first book of fiction, “Liarmouth,” at the Aratani Theater in Los Angeles on May 10, 2022. Waters has written several non-fiction books like, “Carsick,” “Make Trouble,” “Role Models,” and “Mr. Know-It-All.:” Waters has been a film provocateur and camp legend for years with films such as, “Pink Flamingos,” Female Trouble,” “Cry Baby,” “Polyester,” “Hairspray,” “Pecker,” and “Serial Mom.”
Second Place: Richard H. Grant, Signal Tribune
Katy Impellizzeri, owner of the grocery store Ethikli, holds a ready-to-go jar of her popular Sunny Bear gummy candies near the picture near her store's front door on April 29, 2022. Behind her are instructions for using reusable containers to make purchases inside her package-free, organic, vegan grocery store in Downtown Long Beach.
Third Place: Michael Nelson, Freelance
Honorable Mention: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register
Ali, a Moroccan Berber, sells trinkets to visitors as well as looking after camels that take tourists into the massive expanse of sand dunes known as the Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, Morocco.
Hurley Art Director Bradie Shemke next to murals he created with Global Design Director Ross Pruitt on handball courts at Eader Elementary School in Huntington Beach, CA, on Tuesday, June 21, 2022.
Pictorial
First Place: Michael Nelson, Freelance
Camels and a guide’s shadows are cast on the orange-colored sand dunes of the Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert near the town of Merzouga, Morocco. The huge expanse of sand dunes near the Algerian border is a popular tourist destination as well as a movie filming site.
Second Place: Michael Nelson, Freelance
A young man jumps off a ledge in the Caves of Hercules as fellow divers look on from below at the archeological cave complex at Cap Spartel in Morocco. The sea opening called “The Map of Africa” was believed to be created by the Phoenicians. The natural cave complex was also enlarged by Berbers who cut stone wheels from the walls. The caves which are a popular tourist attraction are located on the Atlantic Ocean, 9 miles west of Tangier.
Third Place: Thomas R. Cordova, Long Beach Post
Jellyfish swim while on display at The Aquarium of the Pacific which opens its latest exhibit, Babies, in Long Beach Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register
Ortega Highway winds its way through the Santa Ana Mountains near Ortega Falls in Riverside County CA, on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Amy Gaskin, Freelance
The swings on Santa Monica Beach on Saturday, April 9, 2022 in Santa Monica, Calif.
Honorable Mention: Michael Nelson, Freelance
A tanner immerses leather in a tanning vat at the Chouara Tannery in Fez, Morocco. The stone vats are used to soften as well as dye leather products that continue to be an importance source of revenue for the city. The tannery dates back to the foundation of the city in the 9th century and is also a popular tourist destination.
Spot News
First Place: RINGO CHIU, FREELANCE
Melina Abdullah, a leader of Black Lives Matter-L.A. and a professor at Cal State Los Angeles, is removed by police during a mayoral debate at Student Union Theater on the Cal State LA campus on May 1, 2022.
Second Place: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Activists kneels on the street in front of LAPD officers at Broadway as they protest the overturning of Roe v. Wade in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Third Place: Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News
A woman who ran up to a motorcade with a bullhorn is taken down by United States Secret Service as protesters gather outside Summit of the Americas at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. As she was taken away she yelled “Protect Roe v. Wade.
Entertainment
First Place: David Swanson, Reuters
Muni Long performs at the BET Awards 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 26, 2022.
Second Place: David Swanson, Reuters
Sean "Puffy" Combs performs at the BET Awards 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, U.S., June 26, 2022.
Third Place: David Swanson, Reuters
Billie Eilish holds her hands as she arrives for the 64th annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 03 April 2022.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Richardson, Long Beach Post
An ice cream vendor waits for customers during day one of the Day Trip Festival near the Queen Mary in Long Beach Saturday, June 25, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Ringo Chiu, Freelance
Dancers perform before the traditional blessing of animals by Archbishop Jose' H. Gomez at Placita Olvera in Los Angeles Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Sports Features
First Place: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws a baseball in between a 42 for Jackie Robinson prior to a MLB baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 14, 2022.
Second Place: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register
Lisa Marie Viggiano and her husband, Ron Viggiano with team Panda Bears, compete during the 2022 Orange County Beach Bocce Ball Championship games in Dana Point on Saturday, April 9, 2022. The event raised money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley.
Third Place: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register
Ryuta Matsui of Redondo Beach, pushes through his pain and anguish to finish the OC Half Marathon in Costa Mesa on Sunday, May 1, 2022.
Sports Action
First Place: Katharine Lotze, Getty Images
WALNUT, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 16: Jessica Woodward of the United States competes in the women's shot put during the Mt SAC Relays Elite Division & USATF Golden Games at Hilmer Lodge Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Walnut, California.
Second Place: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Home plate umpire Nate Tomlinson is hit in the face by a broken batt from Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels as catcher Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the ninth inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 14, 2022.
Third Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Walnut, CA - April 16: Devon Allen of the U.S.A wins the 110 Hurdles Elite with a time of 13.35 as Daniel Rogers of the U.S.A. finished sixth with a time of 13.73 during the USATF Golden Games at the Mt. SAC Relays in Hilmer Lodge Stadium on the campus of Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Katharine Lotze, Getty Images
WALNUT, CALIFORNIA - MAY 19: Vashti Cunningham competes in the women's high jump during the 2022 USATF Distance Classic at Mt. San Antonio College on May 19, 2022 in Walnut, California.
Honorable Mention: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Leftfielder Ryan Herrera #0 of Chatsworth dives, but can’t come up with a double by Daniel Olmeda (not pictured) of Roosevelt in the third inning of a City Section Open Division baseball semifinals at USC's Dedeaux Field on the campus of USC in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News
Catcher Moses Medrano #35 of Northview catches a foul pop up against Covina as home plate umpire Brad Claude looks on in the third inning of a prep baseball game at Covina High School in Covina on Friday, April 22, 2022. Northview won 4-3.
Fire
First Place: David Swanson, Reuters
The Sheep Fire wildfire burns through a forest on a hillside in Wrightwood, California, U.S., June 12, 2022.
Second Place: David Swanson, Reuters
A firefighting aircraft drops retardant on a hillside to control a new wildfire, the Fish Fire in Duarte, California, U.S., June 12, 2022.
Third Place: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register
Destroyed homes after the Coastal Fire in the Coronado Pointe neighborhood of Laguna Niguel, CA, on Monday, May 16, 2022.
Honorable mention: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register
Firefighters battle the Coastal Fire near the intersection of Vista Montemar and Coronado Pointe in Laguna Niguel, CA, on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
Honorable Mention: David Swanson, Reuters
A firefighting helicopter drops water on a wildfire that broke out on the hillside next to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 17, 2022.
Judge’s Notes & Bio
FEATURE
1st: This is a nice respective shot of what a homeless person’s life is at times that is well composed.
2nd: Good capture of similar big smiles on faces of father and son having a good time.
3rd: Nice composition of the sunbather versus the trees. The sand and bather should have been darkened to make the bather stand out more. The are too washed out.
HM: Cute catch that wants you to read the caption to find out what is going on.
HM: Nice with the added touch of a Covid mask in the middle person’s hand.
HM: Good composition.
PORTRAIT
1st: Excellent use of an unexpected different venue for a portrait of icon John Waters. The uniqueness of the room matches the uniqueness of the man’s films which makes putting them together work.
2nd: Nicely composed, nice light, and use of the decorated blackboard makes this work as an all inclusive shot.
3rd: Good light, good background, good pose like out of the pages of National Geographic.
HM: Straight on vertical pose works with the straight on horizontal background imagery. Only drawback is that it is too dark/saturated. Just a bit lighter with Curves would give it more pop.
ENTERTAINMENT
1st: This stood out hands down -- simplicity of composition, lighting, color, emotion, etc. This is enterntainment at its core.
2nd: Again, simple and straight forward. There’s no second guessing on this being entertainment.
3rd: This is an excellent “detail” quiet shot that is very well composed.
HM: Good eye on getting the uniqueness of a single person on hold waiting for one of the many people walking past to be a customer. However, it could use tighter cropping -- just to the left of the butterfly, halfway between the blue and purple lights on the right, and cum up to just below the feet of the person left of center. This will focus the reader’s eyes onto the subject much better.
HM: Very nice catch of the dancer in the background being framed by the swirling skirt.
GENERAL NEWS
1st: COMPELLING from the emotion. It will be even better with a tighter crop and better toning to make her stand out. Take off the sign on the left and enough on the right to center her in the frame. The use Levels and Curves to lighten her face and arms. Right now they blend into the background too much.
2nd: Simple and straight forward with a determined look on the woman’s face.
3rd: Nice semi-aerial view captures the moment with a background to give relevance. The photo would be stronger with a tighter crop by taking half of the area on left between the border and upheld phone which would put more emphasis on the young ladies.
HM: Good classic composition with leading lines to the person.
HM: An in-your-face expression with a direct message on the sign makes them a good juxtaposition.
PICTORIAL
1st: Good composition, good light, telling subject like out of the pages of National Geographic.
2nd: Good composition, good light, and peak action like out of the pages of National Geographic.
3rd: Good composition, good colors, and interesting subject like out of the pages of National Geographic.
HM: Nice trail of headlights that show the road’s path which gives it motion.
HM: Nice peak action of person on swing, but too dark overall. Should have lightened the background a bit to make the person stand out more for more impact.
HM: This first looked like cups of colored paints until I saw the man to give it perspective. This could be a double truck layout in National Geographic.
SPORTS ACTION
1st: This was a tough one between it and second place. What set this a level above is the flipping up of her necklace’s cross to make it unique. Otherwise it would be just another shot put photo. Details like this matter.
2nd: First reaction is OUCH. Very nice capture of a millisecond moment.
3rd: Wow. Capturing just a foot hanging below the hurdles is a shot I’ve never seen before. The one drawback is there seems to be an overall pinkish cast on the hurdles that should be white. If the pink is removed, it would make the green shoe bottom really pop out of the picture.
HM: Beautiful light and very nice catch of the high jumper’s eye framed between her thumb and hand.
HM: Good catch of player missing the catch.
HM: This is a really nice photo and would have finished in 3rd place if not for the cropping. The umpire adds nothings and actually detracts from the catcher’s intense concentration. With the left border being between the arms of the ump and catcher it would have drawn the viewer’s eyes to the real action. Also crop off the white bit of sign on the fence at the right; it is too distracting. Sometimes a bad crop can damage the image, and a good crop can greatly enhance it.
SPORTS FEATURE
1st: A baseball player throwing a ball on a greenish monochromatic background with leading lines to “42” all with good composition. It is hard to get better than this.
2nd: Great expression of happiness, ball positioned correctly, etc. makes this a nice shot.
3rd: The participant holding his number in his hand makes all the difference from having this being a run of the mill marathon shot.
SPOT NEWS
1st: Being arrested is one thing, but playing to a cell phone video being done elevates this to a higher level.
2nd: Classic confrontation -- police vs protestor. Nice composition makes the shot.
3rd: Good composition, good light, clean background and good expression has this come together for the picture.
FIRE
1st: The intense overall red color makes it look like it came from HELL, which it did.
2nd: Having a straight on view with the contrast of the drop with the muted tones of the land really makes the plane stand out.
3rd: It’s the geometric composition with the burned out homes in the foreground that makes this a work.
HM: The lone fireman with a nearly blocked out sun says how bad the situation is.
HM: The chopper trying to save the historic structure puts everything in perspective.
Meet our judge, Doug Pizac
Doug Pizac began his career with four summer internships at National Geographic working his way up from the b/w and color labs through photography to becoming a picture editor and doing magazine layouts. He became the team photographer for the California Angels the day after graduating from Cal State Fullerton. This introduced him to AP and UPI where he worked for both of them as a freelancer, including a temp full-time job as an AP staffer.
After working a year at a paper in Owensboro, Kentucky shooting and doing layouts, he worked two years at the Tampa Tribune/Times doing the same before being recalled to Los Angeles for a 30+ year career at AP -- half in Los Angeles and half in Salt Lake City where his territory was from the Arizona border to Canada. While in Los Angeles he was given an outstanding dedication award by The Greater Los Angeles Press Club for his work during the 1992 riots.
Following AP he turned his attention to creating his own photography business and teaching college photo courses in SLC, and is now teaching communication classes part-time at the Vancouver campus of Washington State University. When not teaching or helping up and coming photographers, he has been judging AP-related state photo contests in the east for the past several years and spends his free time doing woodturning and woodworking projects in his Vancouver home workshop.
His wife is Betty Pizac who was a freelancer for AP and UPI in Seattle, and an AP-L.A. photo editor. They have two children.