2023 Q1 Picture Story

Quarter 1 Judges, HIDE TERADA, BOB KARP, MARTIN EVANS, MEHMET DEMIRCI, EDDE BURGESS, RYAN TERHUNE, AND  JESSICA PAIGE

First Place Picture Story:

This category was a tough one to narrow down.  There was a lot of discussions about the difference between Photo Essays and Picture Story.  This one jumped to the top for its category for Picture Story because it was told through the captions the photographer provided and the photos.  You could also feel how the snow was affected that community.  

Second Place Picture Story:

This entry rose to the one of the top entries because photographer got in close and made the viewer see and feel the emotion.  

Third Place Picture Story: 

The first frame showed incredible emotion and we felt this was a great picture story but it did feel like each frame was similar in feel (all horizontals) and not enough variety.  

Honorable Mention Picture Story:

This endearing story on a young boxer was one that made us all smile.  This picture story looks like it could be a long-term photo project.  We all felt like there was more story opportunities for this one.  But good daily photo journalism.   

Honorable Mention II Picture Story:

This picture story looked like it was going to be about the female U.S. Blue Angels pilot (first frame of the sequence) but it was more on overall coverage of an Air Show.  Nice daily photo journalism story on a local air show but not a top contender.  The action shots of the jets performing were some exceptional images though.  

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First Place: Gina ferazzi, LA times

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California received record snowfall this year.The San Bernardino Mountains received more than 100 inches of snow over the last several days, stranding an unknown number of people. Volunteers stepped in to help. At the same time, 300 miles to the north, residents in Mammoth Lakes, CA were dealing with the highest snow fall in 70 years. Many homes were red-tagged after heavy snow caused structural damages.Residents in both mountain communities were left to fend for themselves trying to shovel themselves out of a snowpack that piled over rooftops. CRESTLINE, CA - Deanna Beaudoin leans on Don Kendrick while taking a break from shoveling out their car on March 6, 2023 in Crestline, California. They have been snowed-in for 12 days. Kendrick had to walk a couple miles to the store to pick up Beaudoin’s medication after recent storms dropped more than 100 inches of snow in the San Bernardino Mountains.

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CRESTLINE, CA - MARCH 6, 2023: Standing waist-deep in snow, Mark Thomas shovels a path from his house to the street on March 6, 2023 in Crestline, California. Recent storms dropped more than 100 inches of snow in the San Bernardino Mountains stranding many residents

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SAN BERNARDINO, CA - MARCH 24, 2023: Volunteer Beth Wisner-Jahnsen loads paper towels and toilet paper in her vehicle from North Park Baptist Church to be delivered to snow-bound residents in the San Bernardino Mountains on March 24, 2023 in San Bernardino, California. She is one of many volunteers working with Operation Mountain Strong to deliver supplies and digging residents out of the snow for the past three weeks.

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TWIN PEAKS, CA - MARCH 24, 2023: Volunteer Stephen Reilly drives an all terrain skid steer vehicle to move to clear a drive-way access road for resident Regina Brown on March 24, 2023 in Twin Peaks, California. The road has been un-passable for three weeks due to the heavy snow fall in the San Bernardino Mountains. Reilly has worked 21 days in a row and helped more than 62 residents dig out. Operation Mountain Strong has a group of volunteers who are delivering supples and digging residents out of the snow.

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TWIN PEAKS, CA - MARCH 24, 2023: Resident Regina Brown, right, hugs Lisa Griggs, founder of Operation Mountain Strong, left, as Brown’s drive-way access road is finally being cleared because of Griggs volunteer organization on March 24, 2023 in Twin Peaks, California. The access road has been un-passable for three weeks due to the heavy snowfall. Brown and her husband have been hiking in deep snow to reach their house.Operation Mountain Strong has a group of volunteers who are delivering supples and digging residents out of the snow.

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MAMMOTH LAKES, CA -April 3, 2023: Giant snow berms are common off Main Street as workers use large shovels to remove mounds of snow on the roof of the Sun & Ski Sports retail shop on April 3, 2023 in Mammoth Lakes, California. California has recorded the deepest snowpack recorded in more than 70 years.

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MAMMOTH LAKES, CA -April 3, 2023: A resident clears snow off the roof of his entombed home after recent winter storms dumped record amounts of snow in the area on April 3, 2023 in Mammoth Lakes, California.

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MAMMOTH LAKES, CA -April 3, 2023: Crews clear snow off the roof over store front shops at The Village on April 3, 2023 in Mammoth Lakes, California. Recent winter storms have dumped record amounts of snow in the area.

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MAMMOTH LAKES, CA -April 3, 2023: The sidewalk is barely visible as giant snow berms line the path at Cerro Coso Community College on April 3, 2023 in Mammoth Lakes, California. California has recorded the deepest snowpack recorded in more than 70 years.

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VALLEY OF ENCHANTMENT, CA - MARCH 24, 2023: Volunteers with Operation Mountain Strong Rita Nelson, middle, and Pastor Sal Martinez pray for Virginia Hauser, 70, left, whose trailer has partially collapsed but she refuses to leave her 11 cats in the Valley of Enchantment on March 24, 2023 in San Bernardino Mountains, California. Hauser’s trailer was badly damaged under the weight of the recent heavy snowfalls. Operation Mountain Strong is trying to find homes for Houser’s cats and also a safer place for her live. The organization brought her food and also food for her cats.

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MAMMOTH LAKES, CA -April 3, 2023: Long time resident Steve Searles paid more than $11,000 to have crews remove snow from his entombed home after the onslaught of snow storms on April 3, 2023 in Mammoth Lakes, California. He is worried about the amount of snow still remaining on the roof of his garage and the surrounding driveway.

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MAMMOTH LAKES, CA -April 3, 2023: Patricia Cervantez comforts her frightened dog Stella after she scampered back into their red-tagged apartment through an unlocked front door on April 3, 2023 in Mammoth Lakes, California. Cervantez, a house keeper, has lived in the affordable housing for 16 years, but after the recent snow storms, her apartment building sustained structural damage and was red-tagged. She was given 20 minutes to leave. Ten families had to leave the building without given any resources for temporary housing. One tenant decided to stay. Cervantez is staying with a friend nearby, but the apartment is crowded with seven other family members already living there.

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Second Place: Sarah Reingewritz, La Daily News

A detective places evidence markers on Sunday, January 22, 2023 after a mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio where ten people were killed Saturday night in Monterey Park while celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Monterey Park Police Officer Flores stands guard on Sunday, January 22, 2023 near the scene of a mass shooting in Monterey Park where 10 people were killed at a dance hall near the community’s Lunar New Year festival.

Los Angeles County Coroner removes one of 10 mass shooting victims from Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park on Sunday, January 22, 2023. The shooting on Saturday night was near the community’s Lunar New Year festival which was closed down on Sunday.

Mourners leave blessings for the victims of the mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio at a candlelight vigil at Monterey Park City Hall on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Mourners gather for a candlelight vigil at Monterey Park City Hall on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, to honor the victims of the mass shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio that left 11 people dead and nine others wounded in Monterey Park.

Jim Vega protests for gun control during a vigil for the Monterey Park mass shooting victims at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in Monterey Park.

A woman is overcome with grief at the Monterey Park mass shooting memorial at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

Dancer Adelle Castro, 68, of Temple City, left, visits on Thursday, January 26, 2023 the memorial for the victims of the Monterey Park mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio where 11 of her friends were killed. “They were my family for 30 years. I traveled with them. I did tai chi with them,” said Castro, who said she came there knowing the Argentine tango and they taught her the Taiwanese Tango.

Dieu Phap Temple monks hold a service for those killed in the Monterey Park mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio with owner Maria Liang, right, on Friday, January 27, 2023.

Dieu Phap Temple monks hold a service on Friday, January 27, 2023 for Muoi Ung, who was killed in the Monterey Park mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio.

A dancers shoes and their shoe bags are left at the Monterey Park mass shooting makeshift memorial at Star Ballroom Dance Studio as seen on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Emily Wu Truong, of Arcadia, makes a heart out of wilted rose pedals for the Monterey Park mass shooting victims on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at Star Ballroom Dance Studio.

Third Place: Gina ferazzi, la times

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The 11th atmospheric river storm of the season lefta trail of soggy misery in California as it broke decades old rainfall records and breached levees. In Tulare County, residents on both sides of the Tule River were ordered to evacuate Wednesday morning as levels rose at Lake Success, sending water running over the spillway at Schafer Dam. WOODLAKE, CA - An exasperated Irineo Zaragoza and his wife Veronica try to salvage personal items after their home was completely flooded again after Tuesday night’s heavy rains on March 15, 2023 in Woodlake, California.

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WOODLAKE, CA - MARCH 15, 2023: The neighborhood at Hillside Estates is flooded after Tuesday night’s heavy rains on March 15, 2023 in Woodlake, California.

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WOODLAKE, CA - MARCH 15, 2023: Madisyn Liles holding Luka,1, watches as two pumps continue to work throughout the day to remove flood water from her home after Tuesday night’s heavy rains on March 15, 2023 in Woodlake, California. Their home sits below a new housing development that was built on top of a flood canal.

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WOODLAKE, CA - MARCH 15, 2023: Irineo Zaragoza drags muddy sheets out of his home after his house was completely flooded again after Tuesday night’s heavy rains on March 15, 2023 in Woodlake, California.

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PORTERVILLE, CA - MARCH 15, 2023: Workers clear storm drains in hopes flood waters will recede near orchards off Avenue 216 after Tuesday night’s heavy rains on March 15, 2023 in Porterville, California.

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PORTERVILLE, CA - MARCH 15, 2023: An orchard worker walks in flood water on Avenue 216 to clear storm drains as a Tulare County Sheriff patrols the street calling for mandatory evacuations in the area after Tuesday night’s heavy rains on March 15, 2023 in Porterville, California.

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THREE RIVERS, CA - MARCH 14, 2023: Picnic tables are barely visible after heavy rains swelled Lake Kaweah at Kaweah Recreation Area on March 14, 2023 in Three Rivers, California. Tulare County remains in a Flood Watch Tuesday and Wednesday as more rain is predicted. Officials may release the dam at Lake Kaweah which might cause more flooding.

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SPRINGVILLE, CA - MARCH 14, 2023: Residents checkout the damage after the fast moving and swollen Tule River crumbled parts of Globe Drive on March 14, 2023 in Springville, California. The area is under another Flood Watch as more rain is predicted for Tulare County Tuesday and Wednesday.

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WOODLAKE, CA - MARCH 15, 2023: Joshua Diaz walks through his mud soaked living room Wednesday after his home flooded from Tuesday’s storm. He is in the process of removing all the wet wallboard as well as soaked belongings on March 15, 2023 in Woodlake, California. The flood water is contaminated and he said his family probably won’t be able to inhabit the home again until July. “Did city officials foresee or know about the extent of the flooding. If so why didn’t they alert us,” Diaz asked. “Why isn’t the city helping us?” he added.

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honorable mention: keith birmingham, Pasadena Star-News

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta now 18, was a kindergartner when he was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, encephalitis that confined him to a wheelchair paralyzed for close to a year. Gomez-Peralta gradually regained the ability to walk proving himself during this remarkable journey. Now a thriving 18-year-old juggling Golden Gloves boxing along with his San Diego State education, part-time job, family and a girlfriend. Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke reacts as his family including his mother Maria Gomez, center, Sister 12 year-old Gloria Gomez, left, and brother, 14 year-old Marvin, right, celebrates after he defeated Javier Aguilar of the Azusa Boxing Club during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Rogelio Gomez, left, helps his son Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena prepare for his bout during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena dresses prior to his bout during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena warms up in a multipurpose room prior to his bout during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena shows off his Money sings on his taped hands prior to his bout during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena walks into the gym prior to his bout during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena shares a laugh with his cousin Angel Peralta during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena kneels as he says a prayer prior to his bout during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta, left, of Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena, works his way to a victory over Javier Aguilar of the Azusa Boxing Club during the Golden Gloves competition on Thursday night at Loma Alta Park in Altadena. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena listens to coach Fausto De La Torre between rounds as Gomez defeated Javier Aguilar of the Azusa Boxing Club during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta, right, of the Villa Parke Boxing of Pasadena reacts as he defeated Javier Aguilar of the Azusa Boxing Club during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Mia Munoz Boxer Roger Gomez-Peralta with his girlfriend Mia Munoz after defeating Javier Aguilar of the Azusa Boxing Club during the Golden Gloves competition at Loma Alta Park in Altadena on Thursday, February 23, 2023.

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honorable mention: dana rene white, freelance

U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thurderbirds, performs in the F/16 Fighter Falcons at the Point Mugu Air Show March 17-19 at Naval Base Ventura County in California. About 205,000 civilians, volunteers, and military personnel attended across the three-day event that featured numerous aerial flight demonstrations. The last air show at Point Mugu was 2015.

Crowds of about 205.000 gathered over the weekend at the Point Mugu Air Show March 17-19, 2023. It was 2015 when NBVC at their last air show. The event returned featuring the U.S. AIr Force Thunderbirds and the U.S. Blue Angels together for the first time at Point Mugu.

U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, ,The Blue Angels, appears through the clouds and rain during a sneak pass March 16 in California. The Blue Angels were the headliner for the 2023 Air Show at Point Mugu March 17-19 in California. High speed and high humidity in the air caused water vapor to condense over the jet's wings where the air pressue was lower.

The U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, The Thunderbirds, makes a minimum radius turn during the March 18 Point Mugu Air Show at Naval Base Ventura County in California. This is the third time the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels performed at the same air show, and the first time performing together at Point Mugu.

Crowds of about 205,000 gathered over the weekend for the Point Mugu Air Show March 17-19 2023.

U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, during an opposing solo pass over Anacapa Island at the 2023 Point Mugu Air Show. The Blue Angels were the headliner for the Air Show that ran March 17-19 at Naval Base Ventura County in California.

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Meet Our Judges, HIDE TERADA, BOB KARP, MARTIN EVANS, MEHMET DEMIRCI, EDDE BURGESS, RYAN TERHUNE, AND  JESSICA PAIGE

Hide Terada:  Former Ventura County Star Newspaper Photographer. Currently a freelancer for The News & Observer (not pictured, he is taking the group photo) 

Bob Karp: 30 year photo editor, staff photographer and multimedia producer for Gannett

Martin Evans:  Raleigh NC photographer specializing in portraits, events and documentary photography. 

Mehmet Demirci: Photojournalist based in Raleigh NC.  Experience mainly covering Turkey,  Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and Palestine conflicts. 2014 worked on several book projects and curated a presidency museum exhibit on President Abdullah Gul which is the first presidency museum in Turkey.  

Edde Burgess: Portrait, lifestyle and nature photographer based in North Carolina. 

Ryan Terhune: Professional photographer and graphic Designer based in North Carolina. 

Jessica Paige: Professional Photographer specializing in portraits and fine art in North Carolina.