2022 Qtr. 3 Picture Story

Betty Udesen, Benjamin Benschneider, Elaine Thompson, Quarter 3 Judges

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First Place: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News

Boxer Benjamin Valenzuela has his hands taped prior to his bout during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Medical staff checks out a boxer prior to a bout during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Miguel Rosales Jr ties his shoes prior to his bout during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Mondo Castillo prepares his boxer Miguel Rosales Jr. prior to his bout during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Victor Valenzuela of Duarte Boxing tapes the hands of his boxer Benjamin Valenzuela during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Nine year-old Daniel Ramies waits for his bout during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Judges cards during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

A boxer with the money sign on his tapered hands during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Nine year-old Joseph Hernandez of GBC Boxing prepares to fight nine year-old Daniel Ramies (not pictured) of MTC Boxing during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Ramies won the fight.

Jordan Casas of Socal boxing prepares to take on David Sanchez of Norwalk Boxing during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022.

Eleven year-old Matat Velbovets of Mosquera Boxing waits in his corner during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Velbovets won the fight.

Fourteen year-olds Miguel Rosales Jr., right, of Real Castillo Boxing right, fights Marvin Gomez of Pasadena Boxing during the annual amateur boxing show staged by the Duarte Boxing Club at Duarte High School in Duarte on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Rosales Jr, won the fight.

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Second Place: Michael Nelson, Freelance

I was in London staying in my parent's flat in Whitehall Court.  My dad passed away 30 years ago, my mother two years ago.  They had lived in London and had bought a small place overlooking the Thames River.  Each day I would set out to discover the city they so loved and thought about their lives together. This is the story of the London I became to love as well. 

I was in London staying in my parent's flat in Whitehall Court. My dad passed away 30 years ago, my mother two years ago. They had lived in London and had bought a small place overlooking the Thames River. Each day I would set out to discover the city they so loved and thought about their lives together. This is the story of the London I became to love as well. Statues with Admiral Nelson’s column at Trafalga Square (background) line Whitehall near where my parents flat is located.

A boy explore a beach on the Thames River Southbank boardwalk. My parents often walked along the river’s Southbank.

The Royal Artillery Memorial near Buckingham Palace. My father spent some time in London during World War II before being shipped off to France in 1944.

Fred, a London riverboat resident, maneuvers through the lock system on Regent’s Canal as people rest on the bank near Camden Town.

Visitors view an exhibit displaying life-size images of the Nazi leadership at the Imperial War Museum. My father was an avid historian and was an OSS operative in World War II.

Plaster cast replicas of historic works of art are displayed in the Cast Room at the Victoria & Albert Museum. One of my parent’s favorite activities was to explore London’s museums.

Muslim visitors talk souvenir photos at the gate to Buckingham Palace. My mother, in particular, loved the history of the British monarchy. She was born a year earlier than the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The Imperial Camel Corps Memorial overlooks the Victoria Embankment Park. My parents who had lived in Egypt often visited this park which is adjacent to their flat at Whitehall Court.

Manicurists enjoy a cigarette and coffee break on Holloway Road. As with my parents who often road the double decker buses, I would hop on one and see where it took me.

An artist at work in a stairwell at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Strollers and St. Paul’s Cathedral are reflected by shop windows along the Thames River Southbank.

Visitors use the Westminster Bridge rail to stabilize their camera they photograph near Big Ben and Parliament.

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Meet Our Judges, Betty Udesen, Benjamin Benschneider, Elaine Thompson

Betty Udesen

Benjamin Benschneider

Elaine Thompson

Betty Udesen, a photojournalist, is best known for her ability to make compassionate, respectful photographs in delicate and complex situations. She was a pioneer in multimedia reporting that combines still images with field-recorded sounds and interviews. Working both for The Seattle Times and as an independent producer, her photography and multimedia projects, local and international, have been honored with numerous awards.

Benjamin Benschneider’s extensive career as a photojournalist with The Seattle Times has given him the opportunity to travel throughout the United States, Asia and Europe on assignment. He melded his sense of composition, acute technical skill, and artistic expression to create photographic essays on a wide variety of subjects. Through Ben’s passion for design and his expertise in architectural photography, Ben conveys architecture’s best to a wide audience of professional and public observers. His work is regularly showcased in many architectural books and magazines.

Elaine Thompson recently retired from a 26-year career as a Seattle-based photojournalist for the Associated Press. Over the course of her AP career, she covered everything from high-level sports assignments, including five Olympics and one World Cup, to spot news, the big regional businesses of Boeing, Starbucks and Amazon, orca whales in the Salish Sea and fish tossing at the Pike Place Market. She is best known for a photo she took her first week on the job in Seattle in 1995, when Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. smiled from beneath a celebratory pig pile after the team beat the Yankees in a playoff series, and for shooting the removal of a nest of so-called "murder hornets" in Northwest Washington near the Canadian border in 2021. 

2022 Qtr. 3 Singles

Quarter 3 judges, Betty Udesen, Benjamin Benschneider, and Elaine Thompson

General News

First Place: Gina ferrazzi, LA times

LAS VEGAS, NV -JULY 12, 2022: Fish carcasses lay sprawled on the dried mud flats at one of the shuttered marinas at Lake Mead on July 12, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The water levels at Lake Mead are at historic lows forcing the closures of all but one marina at the lake.

Second Place: Amy gaskin, Freelance

US Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, left, meets with Ford Motor Company executive Darren Palmer, Vice President, Electric Vehicle Programs, Ford Model e.during the Detroit Auto Show. Wednesday, September 14, 2022 in Detroit, MI.

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Third Place: David swanson, Reuters

Four women are arrested from where they lie in paint protesting to the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in front of City Hall, Los Angeles California, U.S., July 6, 2022.

Honorable Mention: ringo chiu, afp

Fake blood and body bags are reflected at a glasses of an abortion rights activist who covered in fake blood, stage a 'die-in' protest at the Urban Light outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on July 28, 2022, in Los Angeles, to call on the federal government to restore abortion rights nationwide.

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Feature

First Place: Genaro Molina, LA Times

A pedestrian seems to receive a kiss from a billboard along Melrose Avenue during the ongoing heatwave in Los Angeles on September 2, 2022.

Second Place: Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register

Garrett Stack appears Supermanesque as he jumps off the high dive at William Peak Park community pool in Buena Park on Saturday, July 30, 2022.

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Third Place: Michael Nelson, Freelance

A visitor is silhouetted by Wellington Arch in London. The park contains many memorials to the British and Commonwealth Armed Forces.

Honorable Mention: Gina Ferazzi, LA Times

RIVERSIDE, CA - SEPTEMBER 27, 2022: A man on a Hoverboard takes advantage of the slight drop in temperatures as the sun sets at Challen Park on September 27, 2022 in Riverside, California. The September heat wave brought triple-digit temps to the Inland Empire as the National Weather Service issued heat warnings for Southern California for the week.

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Portrait

First Place: MINDY SCHAUER, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The one blue eye of Baby Funk and the blue eyes of Clara Whitcomb, 24, match almost perfectly. Whitcomb’s mother, Lori Basheda, says this further indicates the rabbit was destined to be in their family.

Second Place: gina ferrazzi, la times

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - JULY 20, 2022: George and Mary Cruse shortly after finding out the killer of George’s two sisters in 1980 has been arrested on July 20, 2022 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. George’s sisters, Beverly and Debra Cruse, were killed in a Westside apartment in 1980. The killer was found through DNA.

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Third Place: genaro molina, la times

Jaime Lee, left, chief executive of Jamison Realty Inc., and her brother Garrett Lee, president of Jamison Properties, are reflected in the facade of The Crosby apartments in Koreatown in Los Angeles on September 7, 2022. A growing number of Los Angeles-area office buildings are being converted to residential use as demand for offices stalls. Many of L.A.'s early 20th century office buildings were converted to residential use years ago, but now there is a move to convert mid-century properties as demand for housing surpasses demand for offices in key neighborhoods. Some of the amenities are a pool on the roof, a dog park, a community space to do business, a gym and a room for karaoke singing.

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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: richard h. grant, long beach post

Two seals lounge at the bow of a pink ONE cargo ship as containers are removed from it at the Port of Long Beach as the setting sun casts an orange glow across the ship's bow on July 23, 2022.

Second Place: Genaro molina, la times

Thousands walk up Hill Street for a Freedom rally for Iran in downtown Los Angeles on October 22, 2022. Iranian Americans and others were protesting in solidarity with women-led protests in Iran, for regime change in Iran and over the recent death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the Islamic republic's notorious "morality police." The march started at Pershing Square and ended up at City Hall. Similar protests happened all over the world in solidarity with women-led protests in Iran. UC} 22: in Los Angeles on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

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Third Place: michael nelson, freelance

A man talks on his cellphone on a rooftop surrounded by satellite dishes in downtown Cairo.

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Spot News

First Place: Genaro molina, la times

“I just want help,” said a crying Tanesha Haynes who joined homeless advocates and protesters who shut down proceedings in the Los Angeles City Council chambers who had to stop from casting their final vote on a law prohibiting homeless encampments near schools and daycare centers at City Hall on August 8, 2022. “Don’t take it as a threat. We just need help,” said Haynes who is homeless. Members of the LAPD created a defense line as city council members left chambers. Protesters left the chambers after being threatened with arrest. Two arrests were made during proceedings.

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Entertainment

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First Place: Keith Birmingham, Pasadena star-news

Willie Nelson & family performs during the Palomino Festival at Brookside Park in front of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Saturday, July 9, 2022.

Second Place: Scott mitchell, zuma press

Musician Artist- SHELEA FRAZIER, also known as Sheléa (shuh-lay-yuh), performing live at MOJA - A Musical Saga Experience - Grammy Museum Rooftop Terrace, The Grammy Museum, Los Angeles, CA, USA, September 13, 2022. Starting in the 1800's and continuing to present day, The Moja Saga follows one family over seven generations, introducing each character at their utmost vulnerability. Featured performers and artists included Billy Branch, Bobby Rush, Indira Khan, Tracci Lee, Josh Kagler, Josh McCrary, Litza, Sarah Reich, Shelea, McCrary Singers, African Dancers, DJ Jamm. Hosted by Darius McCrary and Carl Gustafxon with messages from Weedie Braimah and Michael Nixon.

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Third Place: Chris torres, santa clarita signal

Lead guitarist Aaron Kusterer is silhouetted as he plays his guitar solo during Twisted Gypsy’s performance for this weeks installment of Concerts in the Park at Central Park in Saugus, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022.

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Sports Features

First Place: SCOTT MITCHELL, Zuma Press

A man and his best friend catch a wave before the start of the Vans US Open Surfing Championship 2022, Huntington Beach, CA USA, August 7, 2022

Second Place: Keith birmingham, pasadena star-news

Actor Bryan Cranston is hugged by Andre Either after catching a pop up by Adrian Beltre in the first inning of the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

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Third Place: Gina ferrazzi, LA Times

ANAHEIM, CA - AUGUST 16 2022: Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez reacts with Seattle Mariners J.P. Crawford (3) in the dugout after his 2-run home run gives the Mariners a 9-2 lead over the Angels in the ninth inning on August 16, 2022 in Anaheim, California.

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Sports Action

First Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

Surfing boarding at the Wedge in Newport Beach on Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Second Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS

Right fielder Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers makes a leaping catch on a drive by Luis Urias (not pictured) of the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a MLB baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

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Third Place: Daniel watson, the signal newspapers

The Trinity Classical Academy girls volley ball team erupts off the bench as they celebrate their win over rivals Santa Clarita Christian at SCCS on Tuesday, 092722.

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Fire

First Place: David Swanson, reuters

Phos-Chek is dropped on the Fairview Fire burning near Hemet, California, U.S., September 6, 2022.

Second Place: ringo chiu, associated press

Wind whips embers from a burning tree in a wildfire Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, near Hemet, Calif.

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Third Place: ringo chiu, associated press

A firefighter works on hotspots during a wildfire Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2022, near Hemet, Calif.

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Judges’ Bios

Meet our judges, Marcia Prouse

Betty Udesen

Benjamin Benschneider

Elaine Thompson

Betty Udesen, a photojournalist, is best known for her ability to make compassionate, respectful photographs in delicate and complex situations. She was a pioneer in multimedia reporting that combines still images with field-recorded sounds and interviews. Working both for The Seattle Times and as an independent producer, her photography and multimedia projects, local and international, have been honored with numerous awards.

Benjamin Benschneider’s extensive career as a photojournalist with The Seattle Times has given him the opportunity to travel throughout the United States, Asia and Europe on assignment. He melded his sense of composition, acute technical skill, and artistic expression to create photographic essays on a wide variety of subjects. Through Ben’s passion for design and his expertise in architectural photography, Ben conveys architecture’s best to a wide audience of professional and public observers. His work is regularly showcased in many architectural books and magazines.

Elaine Thompson recently retired from a 26-year career as a Seattle-based photojournalist for the Associated Press. Over the course of her AP career, she covered everything from high-level sports assignments, including five Olympics and one World Cup, to spot news, the big regional businesses of Boeing, Starbucks and Amazon, orca whales in the Salish Sea and fish tossing at the Pike Place Market. She is best known for a photo she took her first week on the job in Seattle in 1995, when Mariners' Ken Griffey Jr. smiled from beneath a celebratory pig pile after the team beat the Yankees in a playoff series, and for shooting the removal of a nest of so-called "murder hornets" in Northwest Washington near the Canadian border in 2021. 

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2022 Qtr. 2 Singles

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Entertainment

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Fire

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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