Best of Photojournalism 2008: Video News Photography: Winners

Friday, March 7th

Thursday, March 6th

Wednesday, March 5th

Tuesday, March 4th

Monday, March 3rd

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

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In-Depth Web Finalists

“6 Man Football: A Texas Tradition”: Rick Gershon, Getty Images
“Crisis in Darfur Expands”: Travis Fox, washingtonpost.com
“Football, Family Central to Life in American Samoa”: Travis Fox, washingtonpost.com
“Learning from Andy & Swimming in Shanghai”: Kat Keene Hogue, washingtonpost.com
“Summer Ski Jumping”: Troy Hale, KMSP & Press Pass TV
“Uprooted”: Dai Sugano, San Jose Mercury News

Winners

1st: “Crisis in Darfur Expands”; Travis Fox, washingtonpost.com
2nd: “Uprooted”; Dai Sugano, San Jose Mercury News
3rd: “6 Man Football: A Texas Tradition”; Rick Gershon, Getty Images
HM: “Football, Family Central to Life in American Samoa”; Travis Fox, washingtonpost.com

Judges’ Comments

Tim Griffis

There are very few stories that really moved us… “Crisis in Darfur” did just that. A simple approach to a very complex issue, this piece has some of the most incredible bites we’ve ever heard. (Even though they were subtitles)

“Up Rooted” uses a mix of great stills and stylized video to tell the story about a developer destroying the lives of the voiceless community.

The other two football related stories are equally interesting and worth clicking on to watch.

Bob Gould

"Crisis in Darfur", this story was extremely powerful…The thing I probably liked the most was the simplicity of it. I am not saying that it wasn’t difficult to shoot or produce. It told a great story with not a lot of bells and whistles. No fancy effects, other than some subtitles to help move the story along. The pictures were beautiful and the sound bites were powerful. The photographer worked hard to produce such a powerful story.

We saw some truly tender, natural moments, especially when the girl described being raped. This is a story you likely won’t see on broadcast television

2nd place went to “Uprooted.” We never get to see stories like this on TV. Here’s a story about folks living in a mobile home park that have to move because the park was sold.

It’s a 6 part series that follows them from when they find out they may have to move to seeing them move to their new homes. Another powerful piece of storytelling! The only thing that really hurt this piece (for me) is the continual use of the same phrase of music. I am not a big music fan in pieces, but I can handle it if it’s used a little more subtle. I think music could have still been used in this, but it’s repetitive nature bothered me and, in fact, distracted me from what is a great story. That said, I think this piece helps set a standard for excellent storytelling.

"6 Man Football" placed 3rd. This is also great story and really works well in this in-depth category. It’s a story I’ve never seen and a version of football I’ve never heard of. I liked how the story moved along and the video and sound edited together really made this piece work. I did feel it was starting to get a little long at the end. Nevertheless, the photographer should be commended for following this story through.

Lastly, we gave “Football, Family Central to Life in American Samoa” an Honorable mention. I really liked this story and maybe in a different year, this may have placed higher. The other 3 pieces were just at a higher level.

Kudos to all in these web categories. It’s been fun watching some fresh ideas.

Jeff Roberts

All the finalists in this category were an excellent example of what this medium can be used for. Different styles and techniques still bringing the story to the viewer in a compelling way. The simplicity of the winner "Crisis in Darfur Expands" leaves you hungry for the next words from the refugees. The children singing at the beginning, are subtitled so that you understand the lyrics, of bounty and hope in their simple song. The wind blowing across the sand displaying the raw conditions these people live in set the tone. A clear cut winner for me.

Second place entry "Uprooted" had a contrasting style using strong still images in a slideshow between the video segments, that you might not see on broadcast television, worked so well on the web.

Preston Rudie

Let me begin by saying this was my favorite category to judge. Our final 4 were off the charts and thank you to the top 4 for setting the standard! In fact, all of the finalists should be very proud of the work they did. I loved the mix of still photographs with video in several of these entries. Many of the stories in this category also had great depth and went well beyond what we are traditionally used to seeing.

I would have been happy with either “Uprooted” or “Crisis in Darfur” as the winner, but too much music in “Uprooted” was the deciding factor for me. Allow me to add “Uprooted” just blew me away. The shot composition of the still photographs, the style, the ability to put a face on this story… it was all just amazing. This was the type of story that most people easily would have glossed over, but the folks involved in putting this web story together took the time and developed the relationships to present an issue that likely goes on in every city across the country all the time.

As for “Crisis in Darfur,” where do I begin? Pacing, photography, sound bites, storytelling… it is all here. The person(s) putting this together made me care and left me, as a journalist, in awe of their work. The 3 part series included some unbelievable interviews on a horrific subject and when it come to photography; the shots of the sand rolling by, the subtle shots of a ripped tent, I even loved the kids singing with subtitles added. Great, GREAT JOB!!!

Nellie Stinson

This was tough because first and second places were incredible stories. The first place story set in Darfur had powerful sound matched with beautiful pictures.

The second place story “Uprooted” is what I feel emanates “web storytelling.” The marriage of still photographs with moving pictures, with black & white images, with heartfelt sound, with foreboding music equals one heck of a story. This piece was my favorite of all the web entries. Nicely done.

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