Dec Clip Contest Results

Judges

Ronald W. Erdrich, Abilene Reporter-News (TX) and Gary Rhodes II, freelancer.
Overall excellent pictures. Would have liked to have seen features but realize December is a tough month to shoot in sometimes. Sports Action made for tough choices, great images in that category. Thanks for letting us judge these, we learned something about Indiana from your work.

 

Winners

Feature 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Jenna Watson, Indianapolis Star
Image:f_83-chrissy-and-oliver
Judges Comments:
We liked this one best for the moment and the underlying social issue to which it speaks. It is a topical subject and good access from the photographer.

Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Jeremy Hogan, Freelance
Image:f_88-0403
Judges Comments:
Solid weather feature that tells the story of the days events and what people are having to deal with. Theres always some crazy guy on a bike in bad weather, kudos for finding him for the daily paper.

Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons, Courier & Press
Image:f_78-tug
Judges Comments:
Nicely composed pictorial, great mood.

Feature HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Joseph Garza, Tribune-Star
Image:f_80-grinch
Judges Comments:
We liked this picture for the moment, we just wished the guy in the background was the point of focus and not the mask.

General_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Joseph Garza, Tribune-Star
Image:gn_80-hug
Judges Comments:
We loved this one for the moment and the emotion of it. The light and the texture in the herringbone coat and mortarboard hat add to the richness of the picture. Bonus is the lady in the. background watching the interaction too.

General_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: MaCabe Brown, Courier & Press
Image:gn_116-citycouncil
Judges Comments:
Well-executed oddball moment from what was likely an otherwise dry city government meeting. Would have liked to have seen the photographer step just half a foot to the right in order to see the costumes of the knights companions but still retain a look at the normies on the right for the juxtaposition that works so well in this picture.

General_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: MaCabe Brown, Courier & Press
Image:gn_116-tornado
Judges Comments:
NIce, tender moment. Tidying it up by coming in tighter on the two embracing would have made it stronger.

General_News HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Joseph Garza, Tribune-Star
Image:gn_80-basket
Judges Comments:
Sweet, Americana-like moment. The kids expression makes the picture.

General_News HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Jeremy Hogan, Freelance
Image:gn_88-bikes
Judges Comments:
Nice picture but it could have placed higher in another category.

Multiple_Entry 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons, Courier & Press
Image:m_78-pearl_01
Judges Comments:
Of the three entries, this one had the most going for it in terms of storytelling and emotion. Loved the officers reflected in the puddle.

Multiple_Entry 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Jenna Watson, Indianapolis Star
Image:m_83-glass-arts-indiana_01
Judges Comments:
Nice story on this place, gives a sense of place. Would have liked to see some of the wider shots tightened up. Great detail shots.

Multiple_Entry 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons, Courier & Press
Image:m_78-icestorm_01
Judges Comments:
Visually interesting, would have liked to have seen more than just three photos from an ice storm where opportunity is all around.

Portraits 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Jenna Watson, Indianapolis Star
Image:p_83-oliver
Judges Comments:
Nice posed portrait that highlights the story. Good technical execution and a sense of the subject.

Portraits 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons, Courier & Press
Image:p_78-inchara
Judges Comments:
Nicely-executed unposed portrait. Kudos for catching the subject at the right moment with right exposure and composition.

Portraits 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Joseph Garza, Tribune-Star
Image:p_80-fears
Judges Comments:
Good context in the portrait, subject soberly reflects the mood of the projection in the background, which we wish was a little more distinguishable.

Sports_Action HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Kelly Lafferty, Kokomo Tribune
Image:sa_57-swimming
Judges Comments:
The moment you want when you shoot swimming. Exposure was a little bright, though.

Sports_Action 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Denny Simmons, Courier & Press
Image:sa_78-tips
Judges Comments:
Wonderful moment and composition with all eyes and hearts on the ball.

Sports_Action 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: Kelly Lafferty, Kokomo Tribune
Image:sa_57-flipped
Judges Comments:
Wild moment with a few technical issues. But with so much going on in this picture its understandable.

Sports_Action 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Jenna Watson, Indianapolis Star
Image:sa_83-lost-helmet
Judges Comments:
Good, tight football shot with the flying helmet adding to the drama of the moment.

Sports_Action HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Kelly Lafferty, Kokomo Tribune
Image:sa_57-wrestle
Judges Comments:
Neat moment where we were wondering whose face we were seeing. Nice exposure pulls you into the center.

Sports_Action HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Joseph Garza, Tribune-Star
Image:sa_80-dive
Judges Comments:
Good moment with a tough exposure situation.

Sports_Action HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Robert Goddin, Freelance
Image:sa_190-dunk
Judges Comments:
Nice placement of players bookending both sides of the frame and the facial expression of the player on the ground. Wish the airborne players posture was a little more dynamic.

Sports_Feature 1st Place Cream of the Crop 60 Points
Photographer: Jenna Watson, Indianapolis Star
Image:sf_83-pregame-huddle
Judges Comments:
Really nice composition and complementary color makes for a great sports feature.Love the ball placement. Good caption puts it over the top.

Sports_Feature 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: MaCabe Brown, Courier & Press
Image:sf_116-speedo
Judges Comments:
The kind of moment youre always scanning the crowd for and you hope for the right timing. We referred to this picture as the Screegles, nicely done.

Sports_Feature 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Joseph Garza, Tribune-Star
Image:sf_80-hallway
Judges Comments:
Love how the eye is drawn into that guys face in the center of the circle. A photograph that feels intimate, like the photographer was being let in.

Sports_Feature HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: MaCabe Brown, Courier & Press
Image:sf_116-wrestling
Judges Comments:
Has a nicely different feel than a lot of the others with stronger emotions.

Sports_Feature HM Place 10 Points
Photographer: Kelly Lafferty, Kokomo Tribune
Image:sf_57-trophy
Judges Comments:
Nice jubilation in this photo elevates it.

Spot_News 1st Place 50 Points
Photographer: Jeremy Hogan, Freelance
Image:sn_88-balloon
Judges Comments:
Unique image, would have like to have seen thee shadow area dodged a bit for more information.

Spot_News 2nd Place 40 Points
Photographer: MaCabe Brown, Courier & Press
Image:sn_116-stabbing
Judges Comments:
Good use of light in an otherwise difficult assignment. Could have perhaps used a bit of a crop on the right side.

Spot_News 3rd Place 30 Points
Photographer: Kelly Lafferty, Kokomo Tribune
Image:sn_57-fire
Judges Comments:
Really like the water and light streaming from the windows. Would have preferred the top of the frame to not be so hot. Perhaps exposing for the highlights and dodging shadows would have elevated this photograph higher.