The entries in this category really call into question why we even have this category. Lacking in anything that would be called an “illustration” this is a portraiture category, and portraiture really needs to do a lot to fulfil a meaningful role in photojournalism. The basic head shot accomplishes the need of putting a face with a name. Far too many of our reporter/editor colleagues are far too happy to settle for that standard. If we cannot, for whatever reason, accomplish meaningful documentary photojournalism to tell a story, then a portrait must give a level of insight and understanding enough to compensate. The judges were universally disappointed with the entries in this category. First place stood out because it was at the very least demonstrative of something beyond the mundane that may have imparted some sense as to the subject’s personality. Second place we awarded because it was a reasonably decent capture from a painfully mundane event. There is at least some sense of the stoicism of the subject in the face of controversy in this frame that is composed adequately and captures the dramatic light well.
Judges:
Sean D. Elliot/The Day, Peter Huoppi/The Day, Dana Jensen/The Day
Judges Comments
The entries in this category really call into question why we even have this category. Lacking in anything that would be called an “illustration” this is a portraiture category, and portraiture really needs to do a lot to fulfil a meaningful role in photojournalism. The basic head shot accomplishes the need of putting a face with a name. Far too many of our reporter/editor colleagues are far too happy to settle for that standard. If we cannot, for whatever reason, accomplish meaningful documentary photojournalism to tell a story, then a portrait must give a level of insight and understanding enough to compensate. The judges were universally disappointed with the entries in this category. First place stood out because it was at the very least demonstrative of something beyond the mundane that may have imparted some sense as to the subject’s personality. Second place we awarded because it was a reasonably decent capture from a painfully mundane event. There is at least some sense of the stoicism of the subject in the face of controversy in this frame that is composed adequately and captures the dramatic light well.