I’m not one to hold too much weight in journalism contests. Especially photography. Everything is subjective. But don’t get me wrong. I love to pad my resume as much as the next guy.
At the end of June or beginning of July (it was so long ago I can’t remember), the newsroom at The Courier-Times went into a bit of a frenzy trying to get stories and photos ready for the Hoosier State Press Association contest. Anything from July 2009 through June 2010 could be entered. We filled out our forms and sent in our clips.
And then we waited.
I think it was some time in October that we found out which members of our newsroom won awards. Many of us did. However, they don’t tell you what you won. They don’t even tell you how many award you won. They just tease you and try to get you to come to the awards banquet in December. That’s right. You have to wait until December to find out what you won.
At first, I tried to guess what photo(s) won awards. A week out, I’d forgotten about the whole thing.
Then came December. I was unable to attend the banquet but got updates via text message hearing how well our newspaper was doing.
This year, The Courier-Times won 18 awards and finished second in our division. Good job team!
Much to my surprise, I racked up seven awards of my own.
I got third place in the multiple picture group for my series on the Titan 500 tricycle race.
I won second and third place in best picture story (with audio soundtrack) for my pieces on Memorial Day and St. Anne’s church, respectively.
I won first place and third place in best video story for my trick shot video and cooks contest video, respectively.
Lastly, I won first place in best spot news photo with my picture of officers transferring custody of someone who was involved in an armed robbery of a store.
John Michael Evans places his hands on his head as Henry County Sheriff's deputies and Indiana State Troopers transfer him into the custody of the Randolph County Sheriff's Department. Evans was caught at his residence after allegedly committing armed robbery in Losantville. (C-T photo Max Gersh) ©2010
To round out my seventh award, the photo above won the recognition of being the best in my division and was one of six finalists (one for each of the six divisions) for photo of the year. Pretty cool.
Like I said, I don’t hold too much weight in these contest. But that won’t stop me from entering.