This was by far the strongest category. Extremely difficult to judge which of all these stellar images were "the best." First place just looks so impossibly good that it was an immediate standout. The face perfectly framed under the net, the clean composition, just a great moment. Assuming this is truly an action shot, it's just a once-in-a-lifetime capture. Second place grabbed us because of its great combination of peak action and expression - that essential sports photography combination. The third place dunk shot is perfectly timed and, again, great expression, clean composition with the opposing athlete adding a layer of tension that the dunk was earned over defense. Fourth place was a mid-air floor dive by a basketball player reaching under his opponent who has taken over control of the ball. Any photographer would be proud to have gotten this fabulous capture.
Judges Comments
This was by far the strongest category. Extremely difficult to judge which of all these stellar images were "the best." First place just looks so impossibly good that it was an immediate standout. The face perfectly framed under the net, the clean composition, just a great moment. Assuming this is truly an action shot, it's just a once-in-a-lifetime capture. Second place grabbed us because of its great combination of peak action and expression - that essential sports photography combination. The third place dunk shot is perfectly timed and, again, great expression, clean composition with the opposing athlete adding a layer of tension that the dunk was earned over defense. Fourth place was a mid-air floor dive by a basketball player reaching under his opponent who has taken over control of the ball. Any photographer would be proud to have gotten this fabulous capture.