Although Tears is a commonly captured shooting situation, this one placed first due to lighting, tight composition and expression. It would strongly help this entry to explain in the cutline why he was crying at a podium where he was announcing his candidacy for office - we don't know. FreedomMela was a great opportunity with some strong images in this multi-photo entry. One judge pointed out "You're story is only as strong as your weakest image" so we questioned if this entry could have been stronger with fewer images entered. MohamedHug placed third for a good composition and moment but judges wanted to know why the 11-year-old was being hugged by the mom. Was she tired? Was she emotional (and if so, why?). Just a thought. There's a lot of protests to cover and readers may be more apt to connect with photo subjects if we provide readers with a reason by including more information. Overall, judges felt the rest of the submissions in this category were shot too loosely or were too common. Many of the images would have been stronger if the photographers had shot tighter compositions or juxtaposed with improved angles of view.
Judges:
Thomas Turney/The State Journal Register, Peggy Bair/The Leavenworth Times
Judges Comments
Although Tears is a commonly captured shooting situation, this one placed first due to lighting, tight composition and expression. It would strongly help this entry to explain in the cutline why he was crying at a podium where he was announcing his candidacy for office - we don't know. FreedomMela was a great opportunity with some strong images in this multi-photo entry. One judge pointed out "You're story is only as strong as your weakest image" so we questioned if this entry could have been stronger with fewer images entered. MohamedHug placed third for a good composition and moment but judges wanted to know why the 11-year-old was being hugged by the mom. Was she tired? Was she emotional (and if so, why?). Just a thought. There's a lot of protests to cover and readers may be more apt to connect with photo subjects if we provide readers with a reason by including more information. Overall, judges felt the rest of the submissions in this category were shot too loosely or were too common. Many of the images would have been stronger if the photographers had shot tighter compositions or juxtaposed with improved angles of view.