The Contest Designed by Photojournalists for Photojournalists

Compete with the very best in still and television photojournalism, in picture editing, and Web editing. Now in its seventh year, the Best of Photojournalism (BOP) is the world's leading digital photojournalism contest.

BOP is a project of the National Press Photographers Association.

1st Place, Cliff Edom's ‘New America Award’

Mario Tama/Getty Images

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STORY SUMMARY: The poor African-Americans of New Orleans never had it easy. Yet today they are in a headlong struggle to recapture the identity and spirit of their community which was all but washed away over two years ago by Hurricane Katrina. Many can’t afford to return to the city while those who can face a dearth of jobs, an affordable housing crisis, schools in shambles and a homeless population that has doubled. The sense of isolation is unmistakable in their disrupted neighborhoods which often remain largely empty. Policies such as the demolition of public housing and the lack of rebuilding in strongholds such as the Lower Ninth Ward has left much of the African-American citizenry feeling abandoned. Racism undoubtedly plays a role. The rich and vibrant heritage of the community, which created the only American art form, jazz, is profoundly threatened. Those who have returned face an uncertain fate yet are attempting to reclaim their lives and communities despite the odds.

CAPTION: Young B.W. Cooper housing project residents practice flips using mattresses June 10, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Before Katrina, B.W. Cooper held about 1,000 families and was the city’s largest housing project, but it is now more than 80 percent empty and is facing demolition. Most residents have lived in the projects their whole lives and consider them home.

Judging for the Best of Photojournalism is sponsored this year by:

On-site Still Photography judging was powered by Aperture.