National – October 2017 – Spot News

Judges Comments

The sheer drama and breaking­ news value of a standoff elevated our first­ place picture to the top. The photographer persevered through the standoff to deliver the intensity of the man holding his gun to his head. We appreciated the levity in the second ­place scene, having just looked at a lot of heavy pictures. The jovial JV football players’ reactions made this picture work – only in high school would people be as amused as these players. The third­ place picture is heartbreaking but also hopeful, especially with the photographer’s thoughtful inclusion of the harmonica detail in the caption.

Judges: Andy Colwell/Freelance, Pat Traylor/The Denver Post, Kenzie Bruce/Westword Magazine