Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Superior Telegram Entry Title: Superior Telegram All-Around Photography Entry Credit: Telegram staff Judge Comment: Photographers Jed Carlson and Maria Lockwood do a wonderful job making everyday news visually interesting, drawing readers into stories about restaurants and trade schools. "Spotlight Surprise" is a beautiful treat for the reader from the 6-column dominant photo to the expert layout and rounded out with the photographer's first person account. This paper is blessed with talented photojournalists. Well done. This entry was the clear winner.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Oconomowoc Enterprise Entry Title: August 24, 2023; April 20, 2023; September 22, 2022 Entry Credit: Staff Judge Comment: The photo spread “A Wave of Patriotism” was the star of this entry. Kudos to Phil Kidd for such well-composed and beautiful images, particularly those at the top and bottom of the page. Other beautifully designed pages include “A Place to Call Home” and “Going Out in Style” comprised entirely of submitted photos. Photographer Sue Boyer’s main feature in “Trying to stay afloat” captured the fun and playful peril of a cardboard regatta. Rounding out this entry are notable sports images by Allison Stoneberg, Sue Boyer and Terry Holahan. Would have liked to see more peak action in sports photography, but photogs did a good job of keeping the ball in the frame and stopping action. Overall, a well-rounded visual newspaper.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Valders Journal Entry Title: Valders Journal Entry Credit: Brian Thomsen Judge Comment: This tabloid packs a bunch of quality images in its pages. From feature photos to general news to sports, there is a good selection of well-composed, interesting images. The problem is many of the photos are just too darn small, particularly when packaged together as a photo story. If space is an issue and ads can’t be moved, pick the best one and let it go. The photo package “Walking into the future” was designed well and had good emotion. Nice peak action in the volleyball and in the arm-to-the-nose basketball shot. Wish the photog could be praised for his or her good work, but this paper doesn’t list photo credits with the cutlines.
