Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Clarissa - Independent News Herald Entry Title: Todd County to be well represented.... Entry Credit: Ray Benning Judge Comment: What a great moment. This photo really tells an interesting little story that speaks to the larger story. Overall, it really invites the reader into the page. And I really like the composition with the wrestler's figure pointing to the kids, and the layers this creates is really interesting.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Perham - Focus Entry Title: Polar Plunge Entry Credit: RosaLin Alcoser Judge Comment: This photo is full of energy. A really nice moment is captured here. I also really like the composition and its attention to the rule of thirds. I just wish the background was not so washed out as that sort of detracts from the sense of place.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Peqout Lakes | Pineandlakes Echo Journal Entry Title: Local club finds Joy in Snow Entry Credit: Travis Grimler Judge Comment: I am not a huge fan of the sunburst in images but this composition is really compelling. Lots of great lines. I also really like the attention to the rule of thirds. There isn't a whole lot of interaction but this photo was clearly composed well, paying close attention to interesting graphical elements.