4A Softball playoff

Rockwall's Audrey Farfan (No. 7) hits the ball during a 4A softball playoff game against Mesquite Poteet at Wylie High School in Wylie on Saturday May, 23, 2009.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Mesquite Poteet's Jordan Hartsell (No. 1) gets caught in a squeeze play from Rockwall's Haley Lemons (No. 16), Kat Brown (No. 18) and Ashton Atwell (No. 12) during a 4A softball playoff game at Wylie High School.


Rockwall's Haley Lemons (No. 16, left) sprints for 1st base as Mesquite Poteet's Bradie Baker (No. 20, right) moves for the throw out during a 4A softball playoff game in Wylie.


Rockwall's Cyndi Bertrand (No. 2, left) reaches for a ball as Mesquite Poteet's Lindsey Barsoum (No. 10, right) starts a slide into 2nd base during a 4A softball playoff game.


Mesquite Poteet's Jessi Black (No. 7, bottom) slides safely under Rockwall's Cyndi Bertrand (No. 2, top) during a 4A softball playoff game at Wylie High School.


Mesquite Poteet's Mackenzie Middlebrook (No. 28, bottom) misses a throw as Rockwall's Audrey Farfan (No. 7) sprints to 3rd base during a 4A softball playoff game in Wylie.



Rockwall's Shelby Frierson (No. 3, bottom) is called safe as Mesquite Poteet catcher Brenna Wright (No. 13, center) tries to get the tag during a 4A softball playoff game at Wylie High School.


Rockwall's Audrey Farfan (No. 7, left) keeps a foot on the plate as Mesquite Poteet's Bradie Baker (No. 20, right) is forced out at home during a 4A softball playoff game at Wylie High School in Wylie.

5A Softball playoff

Coppell's Peyton Mosley (No. 3) pitches against Plano during a 5A softball playoff game at Plano Senior High School in Plano on Friday May, 15, 2009.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Plano's Macy Burr (No. 1) hits a pitch during a softball playoff game against Coppell at Plano Senior High School.



Plano's Abbi Frakes (No. 5) pitches against Coppell during a softball playoff game at Plano Senior High School.



Coppell's Rachel Forshaw (No. 5) rounds second base during a softball playoff game against Plano at Plano Senior High School.

Costly collision

Rockwall's Amanda Harmon (No. 10, left) smashes into Frisco Centennial's Kristen Hill (No. 12, right) at home plate during a 4A Regional Quarterfinal softball playoff game at Wylie High School in Wylie on Tuesday May, 19, 2009.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


Rockwall's Amanda Harmon (No. 10, center) cries as she finds part of her tooth at home plate after a collision with Frisco Centennial's catcher during a 4A Regional Quarterfinal softball playoff game. Harmon scored, but lost part of a tooth. Rockwall won the series and advanced.

Texas State girls bowling championship

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Parents and fans watch during the girls state high school bowling tournament at Plano Super Bowl in Plano on Saturday, March 28, 2009. Although the sport is not UIL-sponsored, college recruiters looked for the best bowlers to accommodate Title IX requirements.

Please read the State Championship Tournament results.

People named in this slideshow include Sierra Gibbons and Jessica McCusker.

Girls soccer playoffs

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Coppell battles against Allen during a high school soccer playoff game at J.J. Pearce High School in Richardson on Friday, March 27, 2009. Coppell won the game, then defeated the No.1 nationally-ranked San Antonio Reagan team and eventually won the 5A state soccer championship.

Please read "Challenging road ahead for Coppell girls soccer team" by Randy Jennings / The Dallas Morning News.

People named in this slideshow include: Lindsey Meyer, Emily Johnson, Andi Reagan, Chioma Ubogagu, Alyssa Diggs, James Nyawera, Tracey Smith, Kayla Keating, Allison Guderian, Katie Pence and Bailey Calton.

The PJ quiz

Questions are linked to previous posts on this blog with appropriate answers. New questions are added daily during 2008.

Categories
A. Basic
B. Composition
C. How to...
D. Get a job
E. Business
F. Sports
G. Lighting
H. Writing
I. General PJ
J. Multimedia
K. Legal / Ethics
L. Applied PJ
M. AP pop quizes

Basic
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1. What's the difference between a photographer and a photojournalist?
2. What is the most common type of camera used by newspaper PJs? Why?
3. What three camera variables can adjust exposure values?
4. What are the three minimum requirements of most successful photographs?
5. What's an ISO?
6. What is the average start-up costs for a beginning PJ?
7. What's the minimum shutter speed a PJ should use with an 80~200mm zoom lens?
8. What determines an image's sharpness?
(This question has a general and a specific answer.)
9. What happened to the delivery speed of PJ work during the last 10 years?
10. From a PJ's position, what angle and direction should a shadow lay for most assignments?
11. What does a PJ see through the viewfinder when s/he squeezes the shutter release button?
12. What does a tripod prevent?
13. What's depth of field?
14. What's the most important part of a camera system?
15. What is a stringer?
16. What are four of the eight major fields of photography?
17. Which type of light meter reading is most accurate?
18. What is composition?
19. Who is responsible for the actions of a photographer?
20. What is one of the easiest and cheapest pieces of equipment to improve image quality?
21. What functions does a flash card wallet perform?
22. What does the golden ratio determine?
23. What is a cutline?
24. Which university is currently considered the best for photojournalists? Why?
25. What is a clean image?
26. What is the dynamic range?
27. What causes red eye?
28. What is a photograph's skeletal structure?
29. How do PJs define tangents?
30. What is a critique?
31. Where is the plane of focus located?

Composition
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32. What is composition?
33. What does it mean to shoot "full frame"?
34. Of the four dimensions, which two can't be captured with a still photograph?
35. What compositional device holds an image together on a printed page?

How to...
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61. What should PJs do before dramatic weather changes?

Get a job
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92. Are elected officials or PJs subjected to the most thorough background checks?

Business
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122. In what two ways does "A penny saved is a penny earned" affect a PJ's business?
123. Why should business cards be thermographically printed?

Sports
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153. What should be the first shots taken at any sporting event?

Lighting
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183. What are the Kelvin-degree color temperatures of daylight and tungsten light?

Writing
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214.

General PJ
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244. Why is photography considered the most powerful form of communication?
245. What sells newspapers?
246. Before charging off to breaking news, what should a PJ do?
247.When it comes to PJ, what is the primary concern of a publisher or assignment editor?

Multimedia
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275. What is the difference between a "photo clump" and a photo story?

Legal / Ethics
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305. Who is considered "press" or "media" in America?
306. The U.S. government can close a U.S. newspaper only if it does what?
307. How does the Fairness Doctrine and Section 315 of the Communications Act of 1937 apply to a PJ's coverage of elections?

Applied PJ
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336. Why would PJs make more than one portrait of a single subject?

Deadline pop quizzes
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Where in the AP Stylebook can a journalist find the guidelines to write the following?

1. The name of military educational institutions and its students?
2. The title of a clergy member?
3. The type of gun used in news stories?
4. The name, personal pronouns and capitalization for dogs?
5. The correct way to write the ranks of all soldiers, sailors and airmen?

Enough for now,

High school research paper answers

Last time I answered collegiate questions. This time, I answered an e-mail from a junior high student. These questions fill in some gaps for the Frequently Asked Questions section. The posts listed there should provide all the answers for almost any research paper. Students can use the information as direct quotes because I'd just copy and paste the answers. :-)

What was your first job as a photojournalist?

After I graduated from college, I had no job. I didn't know how to get a PJ job or stringer gigs. I had been Editor of an independent student newspaper. Before that, I was a news editor, PJ and reporter.

I could write, shoot, edit, layout pages, operate a process camera (for a printing press) and I had a few photo and writing awards. I could process B&W film in my car. I also had my own fully-operational, archival B&W lab at home. However, I didn't know anything about the biz.

So, I pulled out the phonebook and started calling every newspaper, magazine, wire service and book publisher within seven counties of Dallas. I combed through the classified ads and NPPA job bank.

I simply wanted work as a PJ. I wouldn't settle for less.

I was lucky with one of the first calls. The Richardson News happened to have a reporter whose son was also a photographer from my university. She hooked me up with the Editor.

I showed my prints and collegiate clips and got my first freelance assignment to shoot the cover of a weekend guide (even small papers had them then). I got paid $25 for the shoot and $5 for each image they ran. They also reimbursed my film.

It eventually turned into a full-time job five months later, but those were some mighty lean five months. I worked any camera job I could find. One gig paid a whopping $10 per published shot plus expenses (printed in my own darkroom on deadline).

However, I refused to give up. With each new client, my work was seen by other publishers. I also kept knocking on doors. By October, I had enough clients to drop the low-paying gigs. The higher-paying gigs kept me busy enough to continue shooting.

By November, I was earning enough to survive, but I worked 20-hour days each day of the week. So, a low-paying staff job with insurance and a chance at any days off looked like heaven.

Aside from the likes/dislikes test you described on your blog, what was the most important influence on your decision to become a photographer?

The test was it.

I had a good job as a corporate collector for General Electric Capital at the time. I was earning more money in 1990 without a degree than I do now. So, it didn't matter which degree I got.

If you haven't guessed, I like competition. That's what hooked me with journalism. It's fiercely competitive. Even in college, my classmates were trying to be better than other colleges and professionals. So, I was hooked.

What was your first major accomplishment as a photographer?

As mentioned above, not starving to death. :-)

The first really significant (pro) event was the Moore, Okla. tornado. The town was completely flattened by the biggest tornado in recorded history. Although it was my day off, I covered it because I wanted to let our readers know how to best help those affected.

I borrowed a dependable car and spent the day shooting and talking to folks. Access was difficult. I talked to anyone who would give me time. I drove back the same night, caught two hours sleep and pulled together two pages of stories, sidebars and photos.

Our community stepped up and sent the items the residents requested. Instead of blankets and old clothes, a semi-trailer full of tools, lumber, chainsaws, work gloves, generators and medicine (including tetanus shots) was collected and sent to Moore. I could tell my work paid off and people were going to get what they actually needed to start rebuilding.

Do you have a most memorable photograph? What was it/why?

There were a few times when I was crying or laughing too hard to press the shutter release. A few images have won awards. Those are memorable because they allowed my work some recognition.

The ones I tend to think are my best are those which create some domino effect to get help for deserving people in need.

I don't have one image that meets all three criteria. So, I'd say this image is memorable because it got help flowing to Hurricane Katrina victims. This image (1st image ) is memorable because it's become the face of Hurricane Rita. Texans rolled up their sleeves and got to work rebuilding after the hurricane. They were damaged, but determined.

What do you feel is the most rewarding aspect of your job/are you happy with your decision to become a photojournalist?

Obviously, I like to help people. Sometimes we help after unexpected disasters. Sometimes we simply let readers know what's happening around town so their dates don't become disasters. :-)

I'm satisfied with my decision to be a PJ. The personal cost has been high, but I'd pay the price again. I have no regrets.

Could you describe a normal day as a PJ?

I've been at all three levels of this biz. Each has its own stresses and chaos. I feel most comfortable in my current job because there's an editorial cushion (other shooters and wire photos). Meanwhile, it's the top daily newspaper in its circulation class in one of the most competitive states.

I'm the mid-shift (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.). This means I might cover a morning or night shift for other shooters if needed. For this example, we'll say this is regularly-scheduled shift:

8:30 a.m.
Wake up, get coffee.

8:30 - 10 a.m.
Answer urgent e-mails. Get more coffee. Check the newspaper's Web site and possibly browse other local and national news to have an idea what's happening and develop some back-up plans if news is slow. Get more coffee.

10 - 11 a.m.
Prepare for work, commute to work.

11 a.m.
Care to guess what I do first at work?

Yup, get more coffee. Pick up assignments. Handle any immediate-need paperwork issues at the office. Check my work e-mail and finalize any plans for the day's shoots. Often, assignments are "pending" based upon some other action. These must be resolved to either be dropped or assigned.

Then, the day becomes unpredictable. If everyone behaves themselves, I'll have two or three assignments. I shoot them, turn them out, do my archive work and go home.

If someone happens to kill someone else or something explodes, the day becomes a little more stressful. Other days are completely dead, and I must find images.

This is when the morning time on the Net helps. If I know what's happening, I can find a local angle for national stories. I also keep a second blog of upcoming and regularly-scheduled events to get ideas for instant filler images.

Lately, I've been too busy to update my other blog. Consequently, my options are severely limited. Hopefully I'll get a chance to update it soon.

If something goes crazy, I must shoot it and immediately turn it out (tone, caption, transmit) for the Web and Page 1 layout. If it's a quiet day, I can shoot all my assignments and turn them out before the 9:30 deadline.

If I'm close to the deadline or travel is distant, I'll transmit from location. If I have time, I'll do it in the office.

On any given day, I can be up to 400 miles away from the office. If I'm going more than this distance, I'll typically have at least one day's warning, Then, I have the option to stay overnight in the other location.

Once I've finished my day, I come home and talk with my wife - if she's still awake. If not, I'll get some food (I eat once each day). Then - you guessed it - get coffee and check my e-mails.

If I make it home by 10 p.m., I watch "The Daily Show." After Jon Stewart, I'll prepare the night's blog entry and have some mind candy (play solitaire or Dynomite) for about 30 minutes. Then, I work on longer blog entries, answer complicated e-mails, update my other blog (locate and include future events), surf other sites for inspiration and info, research story ideas and try to learn something new each day.

When I can't see the computer clearly or the sun rises, I'll crash for a few hours and start all over again. I'm older now, so I try to sleep at least four hours each night. When I was younger, I tried to sleep at least two hours. In college, I would go from Sunday to Wednesday morning without sleep each week. I'd sleep two hours on Thursday and Friday. I'd crash hard on the weekends.

I do freelance assignments as well. I schedule them for my days off, take vacation days or try to work both into work days. I work on art and stock photo projects on days off.

Has digital photography altered/changed your photography style?

Not really. I tend to shoot with less depth-of-field because I never know if there's trash on the CCD. I like to shoot at f/16, but it's not worth risking the consequence if I don't need to do so.

Do you believe that photography can be considered a form of art?

Yes. Although the same tools are used, the end results and the underlying businesses aren't the same. When I'm a PJ, I wear my PJ hat and shoot PJ images. When I'm an "artist," I shoot differently.

This doesn't mean they aren't one-in-the-same. It only means I prefer to create extremely complex images as my "art." I've won art competitions with my news images, and I've won news competitions (illustration) with my art.

Do you travel a lot?

Not at my first job. Since then, I've averaged around 200 miles of travel per day for the last seven years. Many days, I only go 30 or 50 miles. Other days I could go 800 miles round trip for a shoot.

A few times each year I'll need to stay in another city. But, I love my wife dearly, and I'd like to see her every few days if I can. Some shooters can literally be in foreign countries every day of the year if that's their desire (and shooting/logistical ability).

How long have you been interested in photography?

When I was in the Army, I learned how valuable images were to me. Soldiers can't keep much. So, we keep small items. I valued photos I'd get from home. These kept me up-to-date with changes.

I'd send them point-and-shoot prints of my life as well.

However, I never had a decent camera until after I decided to become a PJ. I didn't know what I needed when I started down this road. I signed up for a class, read the syllabus and went to a pawn shop to get the most for the least. I was lucky and found what I needed to get started.

What advice would you give a high school student who is interested in pursuing photography, PJ specifically, as a career?

Smile a lot and learn to love light.

I'm saying this because the advice below is not as happy.

This is a really cool job, but it comes with a heavy burden. Many PJs have one or more ex-spouses. Many lose all their friends. Many have financial problems their entire career. Some die.

Don't settle for anything less than the best from yourself. Research your competition and become better than them. This is a highly competitive field. If you aren't ready for this reality, you're not going to make it. There's no lack of talented, dedicated, unemployed PJs. They want any job just as much as a new college grad. However, they have pro experience and pro awards on their resume.

When I was in college, the Internet was new. It didn't have the information or capacity it has now. This availability of information is both good and bad. Now (the good), students can use it as a learning tool to get an edge over their competition. However (the bad), your competition is using it too.

Don't waste your time. Use your time wisely to learn everything you can about your craft and the world around you. Then, help your peers learn.

If you give your peers all your knowledge, you must continue to learn and grow to become better. When you need info, ask your peers. This process forces innovation and creativity to remain competitive and valid in today's marketplace.

Become a professional now. As soon as you have mastered focus, exposure and timing, you should start earning money with your images. Otherwise, the learning curve is steep and dangerous. It's easy to starve to death. It's hard to learn this business and avoid starvation.

Reinvest your profits into your equipment to get higher paying gigs and be more marketable. Get the gigs, and buy a decent camera, lenses and laptop. This makes you mobile, agile and marketable.

With the current market trends, learn as much as you can about video and sound. It's very likely most daily newspapers won't be using still cameras within five years. However, get the skills now with the still camera because it can still put food in the fridge.

Shoot, compete and select your internships wisely. Aim high and don't look down. If you're completely comfortable with the level of work you're accomplishing, you're not pushing yourself hard enough.

Take the ethical high ground. You may get beaten by a cheater, but I'd rather lose to a cheater than win through deception.

Above all, be flexible and look for opportunities. There are no "normal" days.

There are a lot of set-backs in this profession. Each time something goes wrong, look for "the best" in it. Understand and try to live the "pony parable." If you look for the ponies, you'll find them. Good luck with your search.

Enough for now,

Consider PJ's future

During April and early May each year I typically get a barrage of research paper requests. Most students want answers to the same 20 questions all teachers require. Occasionally, I'll get thought-provoking questions. I thought others might also benefit from the answers.

Tonight's answers went to a Harvard University senior.

How has technology changed the industry most significantly in the past 10 years?

The most obvious change is speed of delivery. Ten years ago, speed equated to horsepower in our cars and ability to avoid police. Then, speed was a matter of minutes.

Now, images are delivered via wireless broadband and FM signals at rates unimaginable 15 years ago. We can literally plop down on a mountaintop and deliver images within seconds to any location on the globe. Speed is now measured in fractions of seconds.

This is caused by two marketplace forces:   cable TV news and the Internet.

Previously, newspapers needed an entirely new product each day. Now, we need a partially new product at least each 15 minutes. Ten seconds would be better, but (thankfully) we're not there yet.

The pressure to immediately deliver news came from television and specifically cable networks such as CNN. Because they were able to deliver headline information throughout the day, the audience changed its demands.

This trend initially impacted broadcast TVPJs. Now, still PJs and VJs must deliver "on the fly" as well.

Newspaper readers still depended on newspapers to thoughtfully and methodically examine news and acquire original, authoritative content. Ironically, television outlets also depended on this process for their news. "Breaking news" has to initially come from somewhere.

Traditionally, newspapers broke the information on the wires and TV news broadcasters read the information in a stuffy studio. In the last 25 years, TV outlets have evolved into fast reaction forces to provide information for the 24-hour news broadcast networks. This also allows them to relocate and capture news as it happens.

Advertisers don't particularly care about how thoughtful or meaningful information is. They must get their message to the most people with the least effort and expense. While print media remains the most powerful advertising avenue. Cable television provides a large (semi-captive) audience and relatively low expenses per viewer.

Simultaneously, Internet throughput speeds have soared to amazing rates. The original ability to move a business document across the country at 9,000 bits per second made businesses more agile and reduced costs.

Soon, throughput will be measured in hundreds of gigabytes per second. This allows broadband delivery of high-quality audio and video at faster-than-real-time speeds.

The Internet allowed advertisers to capture a specific audience for little to no expense. This seriously damaged newspaper classified advertising. As time has been compressed from minutes to fractions of a second, classified advertising was reduced from thousands of dollars to fractions of a penny for advertisers.

Essentially, newspapers were forced to speed their delivery cycle by television while having their financial legs removed by online forces such as E-bay, Amazon and thousands of similar Web sites.

Most newspapers have reacted appropriately although slowly. To compete for advertising income against both television and online sources, newspapers have invested in online technologies. Although display advertising has been reluctant to move online, YouTube and other online audio-visual outlets are currently in the process of changing the marketplace again.

Years of financial warfare has taken its toll on the newspaper industry. Many inefficient and overburdened newspapers have failed and fallen in the last 25 years. However, news acquisition as a profession continues to attract some of the brightest and most inquisitive young minds. Intellectual resources have traditionally been the newspaper industry's strongest asset.

Now, newspapers are positioned to deliver high-definition news and advertising via video over the Internet at speeds and quality surpassing real-time television. Meanwhile they remain the primary authoritative voice for local and regional information and analysis.

Organizations with newspaper assets that have vision and tenacity are prepared and possess the technology to take back some of what has been lost over the last 25 years. However, the product itself no longer resembles its original format.

A modern journalist is individually prepared to deliver meaningful audio and video of breaking news in real-time as well as thoughtful analysis on slower-moving issues. The information determines the method of delivery (written, audio or visual).

Predictable income, traditional access and legal protections are persistent problems for individual journalists. This is good for the newspaper industry. They can provide these three assets to qualified journalists who aren't prepared to "go it alone."

Obviously, media organizations must compete for these highly-qualified, multi-media journalists.

Through the Internet, these Renaissance journalists are developing a personal audience beyond the scope of the larger media outlet. If organizations don't equip and reward these specialists appropriately, they'll lose the resources and an individual journalist's audience. Moreover, these journalists have the potential to become powerful competitors in the same market.

If this trend continues, audience share could be measured as an aggregate of the individual Renaissance journalists and their individual audiences within an organization. Fifteen or 20 such Renaissance journalists could join forces to provide legal protection, combined authority (for access), predictable income and insurance for the unit.

They could take with them their core audiences and have the ability to successfully compete directly against the organizations they feel did not support them appropriately in the past. Meanwhile, the business model for such organizations is far more profitable than traditional print media.

As PF Bentley recently warned publishers and editors, "The videographers are your future income and the only hope you have to save the "paper." I'd take very good care of them."

Can anyone be a photojournalist given these new technologies?

I won't discourage anyone from trying.

A photojournalist is a degreed professional. We tell accurate, meaningful stories with our vision. This isn't something a 4-year-old with a point-and-shoot can accomplish. Just as a butter knife doesn't make a surgeon, the recording device doesn't make a pro PJ.

It takes years of training to understand the legal, ethical and financial requirements of this job. This also requires the trust and loyalty of our readers/viewers. If anything, it's becoming more difficult to acquire such volumes of information while simultaneously delivering solid news content.

A PJ's week is packed with physically and mentally demanding news assignments, research, professional education as well as the day-to-day business requirements (meetings, paperwork, e-mails and phone calls). Many also shoot freelance assignments while seeking additional advanced degrees.

Endurance, dedication and tenacity are required skills.

If this question is meant to imply "any monkey can do it," I disagree.

Have these changes forced photojournalists to become better business people, more savvy self-promoters?

Luckily, I work for a huge, privately-owned corporation. This means real profit - rather than whimsical share prices - determine how many employees keep jobs.

Otherwise, PJs have no choice but to embrace solid business practices. The luxury of corporate security evaporated decades ago. The greed of some individuals within the publicly-traded side of the industry has lead to an industry where individual workers are seen as variables within a money-generating structure. In other words, many PJs are viewed as expendable.

This has forced PJs to diversify to such a level that we acquire our own audiences independently of any corporate structure. Instead of relaxing and recuperating after a demanding day, we seek additional freelance clients and outlets for our work.

Many PJs work on advanced degrees while exploring alternative routes for our work (editorial, art, commercial, stock, etc.). PJs must have multiple survival and exit strategies because we simply can't trust the marketplace dynamics and those who have little regard for the long-term ramifications of their short-term, greed-motivated actions.

PJs are in this business for our readers and our readers only. We do what it takes to get stories to readers while ensuring our own survival. After being treated as replaceable variables by corporations, many PJs now view these same corporations as variables rather than retirement communities.

As mentioned above. Renaissance journalists are emerging. These journalists must step away from their artistic inclinations and understand the marketplace realities or choose another industry.

Where do you see the industry in 10 years?

Basically, I see individual journalists using multiple means to deliver information to an individual audience and to the larger general audience through media interconnectivity.

Advertisers, needing to get their message to potential clients, will learn to patronize highly-qualified individual Renaissance journalists capable of creating loyal audiences.

Groups of Renaissance journalists will join forces to initially ensure survival, cut bureaucratic expenses and eventually provide a secure environment to deliver meaningful information while nurturing younger journalists capable of achieving this level of discipline and endurance.

A large part of this vision relies on interaction between journalists and their individual audiences as well as their direction of specialization. Audiences will interact directly with journalists. This two-way flow of information gets information and access to these journalists.

This trend should also expand into the larger, traditional media outlets, who will employ those not willing or capable of venturing into these independent ventures. However, these journalists will eventually realize their own value and demand adequate compensation.

The actual delivery method within 10 years is unknown. I personally thought biodegradable CDs would replace print newspapers by now. I didn't expect podcasts to exist. So I certainly didn't expect A/V podcasts 10 years ago. It's a better option than I originally considered because the entire circulation department is eliminated from the news equation while increasing journalist's contact time with viewers.

Circulation and printing departments remain at traditional newspapers as part of the overall business structure, but these departments become less dependent on the newsroom and must create new sources of revenue to survive. This is healthy for the industry.

While the current trend is toward "live" and "it'll do," I think a measured, refined approach is the hallmark of quality journalism. Information overload has increased the value of those who are able to sift through the mud and find the true diamonds. Audiences and advertisers will follow journalists with the ability to consistently deliver a quality product.

Enough for now,

24-hour photo contest for students

Apple has announced the 24-hour Insomnia Photo Festival for students. Only students from accredited U.S. high schools and universities are eligible.

All accepted work gets displayed on Apple's Web gallery. Of these, one prize winner is chosen by popular vote on their site. The top 25 move to an additional round. A second set of winners is selected by world-renowned judges.

Each grand prize winner (there are two) gets a 15" Apple MacBook Pro, a copy of Aperture (Apple's new photo software) and an 80GB iPod. Second-place finishers get an 80GB iPod each. Third through 10th place finishers get a copy of Aperture.

Since this is the contest's first year, terms are a bit vague. If I read it correctly, it's possible for a uber-grand-prize winner (wins both pop and judged) to get double goodies and a double-10th to score two copies of the software. I'm guessing they'll fix this glitch.

Those interested must register BEFORE the contest begins at 5 p.m. Eastern time on Friday. Contestants have 24 hours to submit their best shot.

Contestants must basically shoot images by stock photo standards (releases required, no trademarks, etc.). Read the rules. Winners give Apple the right to use winning images forever without reimbursement in relation to the contest. Although it doesn't say it specifically, it looks like students retain all other rights without limitation.

Good luck.

Enough for now,

PJ contest calendar

All information on this page is subject to change without notification. Check the Web site listed for current information. Competitions on this page are typically held annually. If this page was not updated recently, check the same month in a previous year.

Know about a contest not listed? Please suggest contests, grants or competitive internships or scholarships. Please see Suggest PJ contests.

Please let me know if any information changes or a contest tries to grab rights.



2008
Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June
July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec

January 01, 2008
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January 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Contact: Regional clip chair
By NPPA region
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
Please read How to submit NPPA clips.

January 10, 2008
World Press Photo deadline
World Press Photo, Jacob Obrechtstraat 26, 1071 KM Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Phone: +31 20 676 6096
E-mail: office@worldpressphoto.nl
Web: www.worldpressphoto.nl
Admission: No entry fee.
Annual.

January 15, 2008
(must arrive by date)
Days Japan International Photojournalism Awards
Takeuchi Building 302, 1-37-19 Matsubara, Setagaya-ku Tokyo, 156-0043 Japan
Phone: +81(0)3-3322-0233
E-mail: kikaku@daysjapan.net
Web: www.daysjapan.net
Admission: No admission fee.
Only prints accepted. 1st prize is 1 million yen and a digital camera, 2nd is 300K yen and dit, 3rd is 100K yen, special prize by jury is 100K yen, Reader's Prize is 50K yen.
Photographs must compellingly relate the issues that people are facing around the world. We aim to tell the truth from the perspective of victimized civilians and not of those exercising authority through military or other power.
Annual.

January 15, 2008
(postmarked)
Joseph Costa Award for Courtroom Photography
Contact: Ken Heinen
Department of Journalism – AJ300, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306
Phone: 765 285-8217
E-mail: kenheinen@bsu.edu
Admission: No entry fee. Clip contest.
Each entry must also include a letter signed by the photographer or a representative of the publication that describes the circumstances of the photograph(s), the publication name, the date of publication, the photographer's name, address and telephone number.
Multiple-image entries are permitted.

January 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

January 15, 2008
(postmarked)
Pulitzer Prize: Music deadline
The Pulitzer Prize Office, 709 Journalism, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212 854-3841
Web: www.pulitzer.org
Admission: $50 entry fee per piece.
Annual.

January 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

January 16, 2008
Society for Newspaper Design U.S. deadline
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, 215 University Place, Syracuse, NY 13244-2100
Phone: 401 294-5233
E-mail: competition@su-snd.org
Web: www.snd.org
Admission: $12 to $30 per entry based on publication circulation and number of pages.
Annual.
Tearsheet competition.

January 18, 2008
Pictures Of The Year International (POYi) deadline
Contact: David Rees, POYi Director
109 Lee Hills Hall, Columbia MO 65211
Phone: 573 882-4882
E-mail: info@poyi.org
Web: www.poy.org
Admission: $50 per photographer.
FTP only.
Annual.

January 23, 2008
Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Photo Competition II: News and Sports
E-mail: photos@hearstfdn.org
Web: hearstfdn.org
Admission: Free. CD or e-mail entry.
The 47th annual program offers up to $500,000 in awards, consisting of six monthly writing, three photojournalism, and four broadcast news competitions - with championship finals in all divisions.
Graduate students and students who have been a pro more than a year in their career are ineligible.
See Web site for additional rules.
Annual.

January 23, 2008
Society for Newspaper Design outside U.S. deadline
S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, 215 University Place, Syracuse, NY 13244-2100
Phone: 401 294-5233
E-mail: competition@su-snd.org
Web: www.snd.org
Admission: $12 to $30 per entry based on publication circulation and number of pages.
Annual.
Tearsheet competition.

January 30, 2008
Overseas Press Club of America contest deadline
Contact: Sonya Fry, executive director
40 West 45 Street, New York NY 10036
Phone: 212 626-9220
E-mail: sonya@opcofamerica.org
Web: www.opcofamerica.org
Admission: $150 per entry. $1,000 cash prizes awarded. Magazine and newspaper divisions. CD submission with documentation of publication required.
Annual.

January 31, 2008
Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards deadline
Journalism Awards Director, The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, 1367 Connecticut Ave., NW, Ste. 200, Washington DC 20036
Phone: 202 463-7575
Web: www.rfkmemorial.org
Admission: $50 per essay entry. Cash prizes awarded.
Scrapbook portfolio 11 x 14 format. Essay only. Documentation required.
Entries may include accounts of the lifestyles, challenges and potentials of the disadvantage in the United States and around the world: insights into the causes, conditions and remedies of their plight, and the critical analysies of public policies, prog
Pro, college and high school categories.
Annual.

January 31, 2008
(postmark date)
Scripps Howard Foundation National Journalism Awards
National Journalism Awards
Scripps Howard Foundation
312 Walnut Street, 28th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202-4067
Phone: 1-800-888-3000
E-mail: porters@scripps.com
Web: foundation.scripps.com
Admission: $50 entry fee must be included for each entry in a category. Must have a sponsoring letter of nomination signed by someone other than the nominee who is employed by the same organization. Only two entries per category from the same organization.
Cash prizes are $10,000. The Ursula and Gilbert Farfel Fund provides a $25,000 prize for investigative reporting. Cash awards totaling $195,000 are presented to winners at awards dinner on 4/20/07 at the National Press Club in Washington DC.
Annual.

January 31, 2008
(postmark date)
The Sidney Hillman Foundation Journalism Awards
Contact: Amanda Cooper
275 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212 265-7000 x4760
E-mail: Web-based
Web: www.hillmanfoundation.org
Admission: Free entry. $2,000 prize and plaque in categories of Photojournalism, Books, Newspaper Reporting, Magazine Reporting, Broadcast Journalism and Blogs.
No entry form. Online entry for blogs. Must submit three copies of other materials.
Foundation is union affiliated and supported.
Annual.

February 01, 2008
Back to top

February 01, 2008
(postmarked) and received by Feb. 4, 2008.
American Society of Newspaper Editors awards
Contact: Cristal Williams
ASNE Awards, The Poynter Institute, 801 Third Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701-9981
Phone: 727 821-9494
E-mail: cwilliams@asne.org
Web: www.poynter.org
Admission: No fees. However, a news organization can make only one entry in each of the nine categories. An individual can't be entered in more than one category.
Photographic print competition (gloss paper, 15 image max, must have been published) plus a CD. A cash prize of $2,500 is awarded in Community Service Photojournalism Award for a PJ who has an understanding of his/her community with meaningful images.
Annual.

February 01, 2008
Best of Photojournalism (BOP) deadline
Contact: NPPA contest
Online delivery location.
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee.
Annual.
Multiple categories within the broad categories of Still photography, Web sites, Photo editing and (TV) News video.

February 01, 2008
TBA (Feb.)
NSC Still Photo Contest deadline
Contact: Northern Short Course in Photojournalism
Phone: 401-732-6000
E-mail: marketing@nppa.org
Web: www.northernshortcourse.com
Admission: $6 per single, $50 per portfolio of the year, $75 max for limit of 20 entries. Contest is only open to NPPA members of Regions 1, 2 and 3.
Please see the contest entry form, rules and guidelines (PDF).
Annual.

February 01, 2008
P-com Creative Awards
Contact: Portfolios.com
Phone: 1-800-303-9277 ext.221
Web: www.portfolios.com
Admission: $35 per entry. $50 per series. $20 per student entry (single or series).
Online submission (72 ppi by 650 max side). Gold, silver and bronze awards granted in the fields of Advertising, Broadcast, Graphic Design, Web Design, Photography and Illustration.
Annual. Est. 2004

February 01, 2008
(postmarked)
Pulitzer Prize: Journalism deadline
The Pulitzer Prize Board, 709 Journalism, 2950 Broadway, Mail Code 3865, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212 854-3841
Web: www.pulitzer.org
Admission: $50 entry fee per piece.
Scrapbook format with documentation.
Annual.

February 05, 2008
Quill and Scroll Society International Photo Contest for high school students
Contact: Quill and Scroll Society (an international honorary society for high school journalists)
University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Comm, 100 Adler Journalism Bldg. E346, Iowa City IA 52242
Phone: 319 335-3457 , fax 319 335-3989
E-mail: quill-scroll@uiowa.edu
Web: www.uiowa.edu
Admission: $2 fee per entry. School registration form required. Limited to four entries per school per division.
Contest is for currently enrolled high school students. Awards are made in 12 divisions (for photo - news and sports). Winners get National Award Gold Key and, if seniors, are eligible to apply for one of the $500 Edward J. Nell Memorial Scholarships.
Submission requires tearsheet and print.
University of Iowa sponsors.
Annual.

February 21, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital. Since this is the first month, the deadline was extended.

February 08, 2008
World Press Photo winners announced
Web: www.worldpressphoto.nl
Annual.

February 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

February 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

February 17, 2008
Feb. 17 - March 7, 2008
Pictures Of The Year International (POYi) judging
109 Lee Hills Hall, Columbia MO 65211
Web: www.poy.org
Annual.

March 01, 2008
Back to top

March 01, 2008
TBA (in March)
Days Japan International Photojournalism Awards announced
Web: www.daysjapan.net

March 04, 2008
Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Photo Competition III: Picture Story/Series
E-mail: photos@hearstfdn.org
Web: hearstfdn.org
Admission: Free. CD or e-mail entry.
The 47th annual program offers up to $500,000 in awards, consisting of six monthly writing, three photojournalism, and four broadcast news competitions - with championship finals in all divisions.
Graduate students and students who have been a pro more than a year in their career are ineligible.
See Web site for additional rules.
Annual.

March 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

March 07, 2008
NPPA Quarterly Student Clip Contest
Contact: Brian Immel or Joe Barrentine
Online entry
Phone: 253 312-3169 or 253 988-1870
E-mail: brian@collegefrontpage.com or joe@collegefrontpage.com
Web: nppa.collegefrontpage.com
Admission: No entry fee.
Quarterly NPPA student clip contest features four categories. They are: News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Points are awarded as in the pro divisions with an annual Student Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of 12 entries per quarter.
Quarterly
Please read How to submit NPPA clips.

March 13, 2008
March 13-15
Northern Short Course
Contact: Northern Short Course in Photojournalism
Hyatt Regency, Rochester, NY
Phone: 401-732-6000
E-mail: marketing@nppa.org
Web: www.northernshortcourse.com
Admission: Registration required.
Contact the Hyatt Regency and ask for the NPPA/NSC rate.
Annual. Est. 1982

March 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

March 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

April 01, 2008
Back to top

April 01, 2008
TBA (in April)
Asia Press Photo Contest
Contact: Asia News Network/China Daily
E-mail: asianewsphoto@chinadaily.net.cn
Web: www.asianewsphoto.com
Photos must reflect changes taking place in Asia in any of eight categories and in keeping with the contest's annual theme.
FTP international contest awards one gold prize and 20 other honorary prizes in each category. Gold prizes are $1,000 (US) and free roundtrip ticket to get award. Honorary prize is inclusion in the yearbook and exhibitions.
Annual.

April 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

April 15, 2008
2008 World-Wide Filmmaker Showdown
Contact: Lilli Clark
C/O Watermark Communications, #10 iV 1006 Lynham Rd, Whistler, B.C., VON 1B1
Phone: 604 938-3399 x 27
E-mail: lclark@watermarkinc.ca
Web: www.whistler2008.com
Admission:
Extreme sports competition features a $15,000 in prizes.
Photographers must personally present their work.
Annual.
TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival sponsors.

April 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

April 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

April 17, 2008
2008 World-Wide Pro Photographer Showdown
Contact: Lilli Clark
C/O Watermark Communications, #10 iV 1006 Lynham Rd, Whistler, B.C., VON 1B1
Phone: 604 938-3399 x 27
E-mail: lclark@watermarkinc.ca
Web: www.whistler2008.com
Admission:
Extreme sports competition features a $10,000 cash prize.
Photographers must personally present their work.
Annual.
TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival sponsors.

May 01, 2008
Back to top

May 01, 2008
TBA (in May)
Eddie Adams Workshop (Barnstorm)
E-mail: info@eddieadamsworkshop.com
Web: www.eddieadamsworkshop.com
Admission: The tuition-free workshop is limited to 100 students with the best portfolios. Applications are taken online only.
Barnstorm XX will be held October 5-8, 2007 in Jeffersonville, NY.
Annual.

May 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

May 15, 2008
TBA mid May
Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Photo Semi-Final
E-mail: photos@hearstfdn.org
Web: hearstfdn.org
Admission: Free. CD or e-mail entry.
The 47th annual program offers up to $500,000 in awards, consisting of six monthly writing, three photojournalism, and four broadcast news competitions - with championship finals in all divisions.
Graduate students and students who have been a pro more than a year in their career are ineligible.
See Web site for additional rules.
Annual.

May 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

May 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

June 01, 2008
Back to top

June 01, 2008
TBA (early June)
Southern Newspaper Publishers Association Photo of the Year contest
Web: www.snpa.org
Cash prizes and crystal awards.
Annual.

June 04, 2008
TBA one week in early June
Hearst Journalism Awards Program
National Championships
Annual.

June 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

June 07, 2008
NPPA Quarterly Student Clip Contest
Contact: Brian Immel or Joe Barrentine
Online entry
Phone: 253 312-3169 or 253 988-1870
E-mail: brian@collegefrontpage.com or joe@collegefrontpage.com
Web: nppa.collegefrontpage.com
Admission: No entry fee.
Quarterly NPPA student clip contest features four categories. They are: News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Points are awarded as in the pro divisions with an annual Student Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of 12 entries per quarter.
Quarterly
Please read How to submit NPPA clips.

June 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

June 15, 2008
(postmarked)
Pulitzer Prize: In Letters (Books) deadline
The Pulitzer Prize Office, 709 Journalism, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212 854-3841
Web: www.pulitzer.org
Admission: $50 entry fee per piece.
Books published from January 1 to June 14.
Annual.

June 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

July 01, 2008
Back to top

July 01, 2008
NPPA Women In PhotoJournalism contest
Contact: Tahra Makinson-Sanders, director of photography for The Press Democrat
St. Louis, MO
E-mail: tmaksan@yahoo.com
Web: www.womeninphotojournalism.org
Admission: $8 per picture for students, $12 per picture for NPPA professional members and $17 per picture for non-members. Submissions from female PJs only.
"There are no categories, only your interpretation of the theme" stated organizers.
Both FTP and CD submissions accepted.
Annual. Est. 2000

July 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

July 15, 2008
Howard Chapnick Grant
W. Eugene Smith Fund, Inc., c/o International Center of Photography, 1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036
Web: www.smithfund.org
Admission: No entry fees.
Grant of $5,000 is for the advancement of photojournalism in leadership and fields ancillary to photojournalism (editing, research, education and management).
Projects that promote social change and/or serve significant concerns of photojournalism are preferred.

July 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

July 15, 2008
W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund
W. Eugene Smith Fund, Inc., c/o International Center of Photography, 1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036
Web: www.smithfund.org
Admission: No entry fees.
Grant of $30,000 with an additional $5,000 in fellowship money is awarded annual by a jury to a photographer whose past work and proposed project follows the tradition of W. Eugene Smith's compassionate dedication exhibited during his career.
Projects that promote social change and/or serve significant concerns of photojournalism are preferred.

July 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

August 01, 2008
Back to top

August 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

August 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

August 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

September 01, 2008
Back to top

September 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

September 07, 2008
NPPA Quarterly Student Clip Contest
Contact: Brian Immel or Joe Barrentine
Online entry
Phone: 253 312-3169 or 253 988-1870
E-mail: brian@collegefrontpage.com or joe@collegefrontpage.com
Web: nppa.collegefrontpage.com
Admission: No entry fee.
Quarterly NPPA student clip contest features four categories. They are: News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Points are awarded as in the pro divisions with an annual Student Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of 12 entries per quarter.
Quarterly
Please read How to submit NPPA clips.

September 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

September 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

October 01, 2008
Back to top

October 01, 2008
TBA (early Oct.)
College Photographer of the Year deadline
Contact: Rita Reed, CPOY director
Lee Hills Hall, University of Missouri - Columbia, Columbia MO 65211
Phone: 573.884.2188
E-mail: info@cpoy.org
Web: www.cpoy.org
The competition is open to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in any college or university worldwide for at least one semester within the last year. Student PJs who have worked more than 2 years as a pro (including internships) are ineligible.
This competition is completely digital now. Only online entries are accepted. College advisors are contacted via e-mail to verify eligibility.
Please read the interviews with previous award winners for help and/or inspiration.
Annual.

October 01, 2008
TBA (mid-Oct.)
SNPA winners announced
Web: www.snpa.org
Annual.

October 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

October 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

October 15, 2008
(postmarked)
Pulitzer Prize: In Letters (Books) deadline
The Pulitzer Prize Office, 709 Journalism, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212 854-3841
Web: www.pulitzer.org
Admission: $50 entry fee per piece.
Books published June 15 to December 31. Submit gally proof of books to be published in November and December.
Annual.

October 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

November 01, 2008
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November 01, 2008
TBA (in Nov.)
Hearst Journalism Awards Program
Photo Competition I: Portrait/Personality and Feature
E-mail: photos@hearstfdn.org
Web: hearstfdn.org
Admission: Free. CD or e-mail entry.
The annual program offers up to $500,000 in awards, consisting of six monthly writing, three photojournalism, and four broadcast news competitions - with championship finals in all divisions.
Graduate students and students who have been a pro more than a year in their career are ineligible.
See Web site for additional rules.
Annual.

November 01, 2008
TBA Nov.
NPPA/Nikon Documentary Sabbatical Grant competition deadline
Contact: Bill Luster, sabbatical administrator
3613 Sorrento Ave., Louisville KY 40241
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee.
The National Press Photographers Association and Nikon Inc. award one inspired photojournalist a $15,000 stipend to undertake the project unencumbered by daily assignments.
Annual.

November 01, 2008
(postmarked)
Quill and Scroll Society International Yearbook Excellence Contest for high school students
Contact: Quill and Scroll Society (an international honorary society for high school journalists)
University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Comm, 100 Adler Journalism Bldg. E346, Iowa City IA 52242
Phone: 319 335-3457 , fax 319 335-3989
E-mail: quill-scroll@uiowa.edu
Web: www.uiowa.edu
Admission: $2 fee per entry. School registration form required. Limited to four entries per school per division.
Contest is for currently enrolled high school students. Awards are made in 12 divisions (for photo - Academic, Feature and Sports Action). Winners get National Award Gold Key and, if seniors, are eligible to apply for one of the $500 Edward J. Nell Memorial Scholarships.
Submission requires tearsheet and print.
University of Iowa sponsors.
Annual.

November 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

November 12, 2008
The Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar contest deadline
Contact: Jeremy Brooks
The Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar contest, PMB #301, 541 10th St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318-5713
Phone: 404 982-9359
E-mail: contest@photojournalism.org
Web: www.photojournalism.org
Admission: $40 per photographer. Awards include cash and Nikon equipment.
Annual.

November 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

November 15, 2008
The Aftermath Project Grant
Contact: Kirsten Rian, executive director
E-mail: kirsten@theaftermathproject.org
Web: theaftermathproject.org
One $25K grant awarded. Winner is expected to spend a year covering the story.
Grant proposals should reflect an understanding of this grant's mission (conflict aftermath).
Annual.

November 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

December 01, 2008
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December 05, 2008
Dec. 5-6, 2008
The Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar contest winners announced
Contact: Zack Arias, contest chairman
Web: www.photojournalism.org
Admission:Awards include cash and Nikon equipment.
Annual.

December 07, 2008
NPPA Monthly Clip Contest
Online
E-mail: contests@nppa.org
Web: www.nppa.org/competitions
Admission: No entry fee. Must be a paid NPPA member.
Clip contest features five monthly categories. They are: Spot News, General News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Illustration is quarterly. Points are awarded with an annual regional Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of nine entries per month. Entries must have been published (printed or electronically reproduced by a commercial enterprise). Illustrations are held until the next quarterly judging period.
As of Jan. 2008, this contest is completely digital.

December 15, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip deadline
Online entry
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Free to enter. Must be an NPPA member.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects accepted until the 15th of the following month.

December 16, 2008
NPPA Quarterly Student Clip Contest
Contact: Brian Immel or Joe Barrentine
Online entry
Phone: 253 312-3169 or 253 988-1870
E-mail: brian@collegefrontpage.com or joe@collegefrontpage.com
Web: nppa.collegefrontpage.com
Admission: No entry fee.
Quarterly NPPA student clip contest features four categories. They are: News, Sports, Feature Single and Multiple Picture Story. Points are awarded as in the pro divisions with an annual Student Photographer of the Year award.
Limit of 12 entries per quarter.
Quarterly
Please read How to submit NPPA clips.

December 16, 2008
NPPA video/multimedia clip judging period
Online judging
Web: www.nppa.org
Admission: Must be an NPPA member to judge.
Previous month's video, audio slideshows and multimedia projects are presented for NPPA members to judge. Members are encouraged to vote for the best work in each category. Judging continues until the end of the month.

December 31, 2008
(postmarked)
Pulitzer Prize: Drama deadline
The Pulitzer Prize Office, 709 Journalism, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212 854-3841
Web: www.pulitzer.org
Admission: $50 entry fee per piece.
Annual.