Best of Photojournalism 2008: Video News Photography: Winners

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Clips from the Video News Photography and Editing winners in the Best of Photojournalism 2008 are viewable at Poynter Online.

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Small-Market Station of the Year Finalists

(In alphabetical order)

KCCI: Des Moines, IA
KTUU: Anchorage, AK
News 12 CT: Norwalk, CT

Runner-Up

KCCI: Des Moines, IA

Small-Market Station of the Year

KTUU: Anchorage, AK

Judges’ Comments

Tim Griffis

This was the most difficult decision of the entire judging day (after the take-out food orders). In this Category the judges strongly felt that all 3 finalists were all worthy of winning.

In fact we looked at the Airchecks of the 3, in hopes of finding more information to help us in our decision making process. In the end, the winning entry display strong storytelling skills in all phases, most particularly in the General news pieces.

Bob Gould

The small market Station of the year entrants produced some very good stories. We narrowed it down to 3 stations who clearly were above and beyond the rest of the pack. We mostly agreed that the storytelling and overall photojournalism was better than the Medium market SOY.

The reason I voted for the winning station was not only because of the well-crafted stories, but I looked at the difficulty level of the stories as well.

It may seem that a stereotypical NPPA winning entry has some sort of an animal rescue or loose bear running about. This entry had not one, but two bear stories in it, but both were totally different and unique and were totally worthy of winning.

The final piece called, “A far off wild place,” was a wonderfully-put-together story about bears in the McNeil River Sanctuary who are gentle and don’t disturb the human visitors. The photographer got great moments of the bears grabbing fish out of the creek and great sound and moments from the visitors watching these incredible creatures of nature.

The crew had a long hike to get to the area with the bears and it didn’t look easy. Every shot was rock solid. It really felt like I was there.

The rest of the tape was excellent…Some nice spot news and a couple of good general stories. Many of the stories had a feature-y feel, but it seems like there are some great characters in Alaska.

Each finalist had stories with great moments and great characters. There is clearly some great commitment to quality photojournalism and storytelling.

We had a tough time deciding the runner up and I was leaning more with the eventual finalist as the runner-up, but was willing to compromise as the others made a good case.

Both of the other finalists had very solid storytelling and photojournalism. Highlights in the Connecticut station’s entry included the story of “The Longest Day” which was about a couple of guys playing speed golf for charity and ended up playing more than 100 rounds of golf that day. The commitment to the story was excellent and with ultra fast pacing in the story, it made you really feel like you were there. Unfortunately, that type of fast-paced editing was used in several other stories where it didn’t necessarily fit and the judges felt like that style was over-used and ultimately hurt their entry.

The runner-up station from Des Moines had some great stories and ultimately got the runner-up nod because of the diversity of stories, excellent photojournalism and storytelling. Soldier surprise had a wonderful surprise and a great natural moment. A boy’s father came home from the war to surprise his son at his elementary school. The look on the boys’ face was priceless.

Jeff Roberts

What a headache to judge, so many great stories from the entries and more discussion on the finalists than we care to talk about here. A final tally showing a 3 to 2 split for the winner where I was a dissenting voter. Though I have no problem with the winner, having fought strongly for the runner up, with the choice being one of the hardest I hope we have to make.

Both entries had wonderful photos and strong storytelling. I have to say I was wowed from the entry "A far off wild place" with post card beauty showing bears closer than I ever hope to be in the wild.

Preston Rudie

This was a very difficult decision as 3 stations really stood out and it was a pleasure watching and discussing the positives of all 3 finalists.

As for the winning entry, the shot composition and knack of overall storytelling really stood out. I felt there was a real effort to have stories with a beginning, middle and an end and that went for both photography and writing. In terms of specific stories “A Far Off Wild Place” truly captured the beauty and splendor of McNeil River Sanctuary. This was the strongest story on the station’s entry and everyone in the room enjoyed it. Loved the sound of the bear biting into the fish!!! Great crunch! I also loved the interview shots with the bears over the shoulder.

There were spots where the natural sound also stood out in “Sound of Speed” and “Leaky Roofs on Ice,” although I felt “Sound of Speed” lacked a good closing shot. Kudos for efforts in developing some characters with this entry as well… in particular “The Good Luck Guy.”

Must also mention the work on “Cliffs at Mount Marathon”—the 2 people working on the story did a great job!

Nellie Stinson

This was a tough one…we debated for more than 30 minutes on who should take home this honor. Two stations really stood out and it truly was a tough decision. The winner (to me) had more solid, compelling, memorable events. Everything from scared students huddled along side of their wrecked school bus to a friendly black bear wandering the streets in search of lunch. Sound was also a factor in my decision. I can still hear the sound of a bear crunching on a salmon that he ripped from the water.

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