MNPA - Clip Contest - First Quarter Results

Minnesota News Photographers Association

Clip Contest

2003 First Quarter Results
1st quarter clip contest judged by the staff at the Bay City Times, Bay City, Michigan. Photo editor Kent Miller, Mike Randolph, Dick Van Nostrand, and Wes Stafford. Published seven days per week with a 40,000 circulation.

NEWS - (25 entries)

Clint Wood, Brainerd Daily Dispatch, "Contrasting Views"
Renee Jones, Owatonna People's Press "Rainbow Fire"
Clint Wood, "Soldier Tear"
HM, Renee Jones, "Grain Elevator Rescue"

Judges Comments: Strong category. First place was obvious to us. The empty space between the groups makes the photo. Second place has a nice feel to it. Third place was a nice tight shot. Tear would be missed otherwise. HM was the best of the rest.

FEATURE - (22 entries)

Renee Jones, "Valentine Royalty"
Christina Paolucci, Rochester Post-Bulletin, "Snow Plow"
Justin Hayworth, Duluth News Tribune, "Pinched Hand"
HM, Ingrid Young, Duluth News Tribune, "Ice Jump"
HM, Renee Jones, "Dancing the YMCA"

Judges comments: Lots of great entries. First place shows that love is ageless. Second place - a very uncommon way to plow a driveway! Third place - expression makes this picture. First honorable mention is reminiscent of Brandenburg.

SPORTS ACTION - (31 entries)

Clint Wood, "Ball Battle"
Carlos Gonzalez, Minneapolis Star Tribune, "Blocked Shot"
Justin Hayworth, "Inside the Crease"
HM, Brian Basham, Detroit Lakes Newspapers, "Entanglement"
HM, Pat Christman, Mankato Free Press, "Overhead"

Judges Comments: Solid entries. First and second could have gone either way. The blocked shot could have been first, but we felt it should have been cropped from the bottom. First place facial expression makes the photo. Third place is a nice tight moment.

SPORTS FEATURE - (27 entries)

Elizabeth Nida, Rochester Post Bulletin, "Coach Jubilation"
Renee Jones, "Bitter Sweet"
Ken Klotzbach, Rochester Post-Bulletin, "Buzzer Beater"
HM, Christina Paolucci, "Title Town"
HM, Justin Hayworth, "Cheers"

Judges comments: This was the best category of all. We could have had more honorable mentions. First place stood out immediately. Wonderful moment. Should have been used much bigger. Second place showed a quiet moment that is refreshing because it is a spectator away from the action. The last three are all nice end of game moments.

PORTRAIT & PERSONALITY - (18 entries)

Ingrid Young, "Flashy Style"
Renee Jones, "Knitter"
Derek Neas, Duluth News Tribune, "Sling"
HM, Ingrid Young, "Retired Director"

Judges comments: First place was well lit and composed at a perfect moment. In contrast, Second place - the light matches the serenity of the subject. Third place is a funny photo from a mediocre assignment..

ILLUSTRATION
All illustration entries will be judged together in the 4th quarter clip contest.
PICTORIAL - (14 entries)

Jerry Olson, Rochester Post-Bulletin, "Ice Crystals"
Renee Jones, "Lone Bicyclist"
Ken Klotzbach, "Square Dance"
HM, Ken Klotzbach, "Neighborhood Rink"
HM, Pat Christman, "Balloons"

Judges comments: The winning entries showed the photographer's deliberate eye. First place stood out because of the color, design and details. Editors should have given it more space. Second place - real nice composition. Works well in black and white. Bicycle makes the photo. Third Place - movement of the dancers makes the caller stand out.

PHOTO PACKAGE - (16 entries)

Renee Jones, "A season of contrasts"
Ken Klotzbach, "Out on the Ice"
Jodi O'Shaughnessy, Rochester Post-Bulletin, "Wind Turbines"
HM, Derek Neas, "Refreshing Dip"
HM, Derek Neas, "Fly by Kite"

Judges comments: First place - kept theme of nice graphic image throughout the package. Second place - nice essay on outdoor rinks.Third place - nice package on construction. Photographer went beyond the obvious to create a nice pictorial to lead the page. HMs are both small packages done well.

PHOTO STORY - (8 entries)

Christina Paolucci, "Dream Acres"
Carlos Gonzalez, "Surf Superior"
Justin Hayworth, "Curling"
HM, Renee Jones, "Trying to Survive"

Judges comments:First place captures a sense of winter solitude. Story shows a beginning, middle and close. Second place - great images of a unique story. Third place - Nice variety of images. HM - significant story on dairy biz, but needed more depth.