Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Verndale Sun Entry Title: Two teens injured in collision Entry Credit: Trinity Gruenberg Judge Comment: Great spot news moment. The composition works, details tell the story and draw me in. I wish cutline described the action of the photo more and wish we knew Amish man's name.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Westbrook Sentinel/Tribune Entry Title: Fall Plowing as gulls are feeding Entry Credit: Tom Merchant Judge Comment: Nice catch here. Interesting visual and good composition. Title and cutline complete the execution, gives me a chuckle.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Verndale Sun Entry Title: Fifty-one acres burned in grass fire Entry Credit: Kathy Wiire Judge Comment: Good composition with foreground element while showing nice action of the background - smoke, helicopter. Fire Chief standing there conveys some of the helplessness of a fire. Nice image from a spot news event.
Competition Comment: The top three images were easily the best. Some other good observations were submitted, but the composition and timing of first, second and third were superior.
The Amish man helping to clean up an accident took first place for being such a unique moment. A cutline that elaborated on that would have made it even stronger.
