2024 Q3 Photo Essay

Quarter 3 judges, Josh Morgan and Nathan Howard

First Place: We thought this told a nice story of the band director and the photo essay contained a variety of moments that showed the photographer spent time with the subject. There was also a good variety of compositions to keep it interesting.

Second Place: Very solid event coverage of the RNC with a good amount of visual variety and moments that gave viewers a good sense of the atmosphere. We thought this would have been more appropriate in the picture story category.

Third Place: Another solid set of images covering the DNC. We thought this also would have been more appropriate in the picture story.

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First Place: Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tuesday, July 16, 2024 - Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump arrives for day two of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday, July 15, 2024 - Days after surviving an assassination attempt where a bullet grazed his ear, Donald Trump attends the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Thursday, July 18, 2024 - Scenes from the final day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday, July 15, 2024 - Days after surviving an assassination attempt where a bullet grazed his ear, Donald Trump soaks in the adulation from delegates after being formally nominated as the Republican presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Thursday, July 18, 2024 - Scenes from the final day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wednesday, July 17, 2024 - Florida delegate Anthony Bonna kisses son, Anthony Jr. during day three of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday, July 15, 2024 - The convention floor is reflected on mirrored walls supporting television crews at the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Monday, July 15, 2024 - Days after surviving an assassination attempt where a bullet grazed his ear, Donald Trump stands with l-r Rep. Byron Donalds, vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson after being formally nominated as the Republican presidential candidate at the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tuesday, July 16, 2024 - Nebraska delegate Joe Hagerty dances with a Trump mask during day two of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Thursday, July 18, 2024 - Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump with wife, Melania, on stage after accepting nomination the final day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Thursday, July 18, 2024 - Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump on stage with his family aft the conclusion of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum.

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Second place: Robert Gauthier, Los Angeles Times

Chicago, Ill, Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - A capacity crowd cheers the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris at the conclusion of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Sunday, August 18m, 2024 - Dozens of law enforcement officers on bicycles barricade a section of Michigan Ave. as protestors with the March For Bodies Against Unjust Laws proceeded to Grant Park.

Chicago, Ill, Monday, August 19, 2024 - Vice President Kamala Harris on stage at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Monday, August 19, 2024 - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz tears up while standing with Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff as Jill Biden speaks about her husband, US President Joe Biden at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - Tim Walz's son, Gus, was in tears as his father described their journey through infertility and shouted out his family gathered just feet from the stage. "That's my dad!" says Gus. The Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - Delegates cheer Minnesota Governor Tim Walz during day three of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - Former President Bill Clinton on stage during day three of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Sunday, August 18m, 2024 - A law enforcement officer tries to redirect the megaphone of a protestor who was shouting amplified anti abortion slogans into the ear of nearby officers during a march along Michigan Ave.

Chicago, Ill, Monday, August 19, 2024 - A security guard stands by at the “creators booth,” before the opening of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Sunday, August 18m, 2024 - Stickers are applied to a street sign on E. Whacker Dr. as hundreds of demonstrators gather to join the March For Bodies Against Unjust Laws protest on Chicago’s Loop.

Chicago, Ill, Monday, August 19, 2024 - First Lady Jill Biden kisses husband, President Joe Biden after his speech at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

Chicago, Ill, Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - Vice President Kamala Harris on stage with family at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center.

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Josh Morgan is a staff photo and video journalist for USA TODAY based in Washington D.C. He was previously a staff photographer for The Greenville News, Rapid City Journal and was a photo trainee for the Orange County Register.

Nathan Howard is a freelance photojournalist based in Washington D.C., frequently working for Getty Images, The Associate Press, Reuters, Bloomberg, the Washington Post and The New York Times. He was previously a staff photographer at The Columbian in Southwest Washington, The Newport News-Times and the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. His work is often focused on U.S. politics, the destructive impacts of climate change and extremism in the American West.