Television quarterly contest to end, Ghanbari wins title for 2012

Ali Ghanbari, from WJW-TV in Cleveland, had one second place win in the final quarter and held on to win the 2012 ONPA Quarterly Television Clip Contest by three points over Jeff Ritter, from WBNS-TV in Columbus. Like Ghanbari, Ritter, the 2010 title holder, had one second place win in the quarter.

ONPA television vice president Chris Reece stated at the annual business meeting that he has been unable to find someone to chair the contest which will bring an end to the competition which began in 1999.

Kris Sproles, from WDTN-TV in Dayton came in third. The win for Ghanbari was just his second in the quarterly contest which has been dominated in recent years by co-worker David Bradford, who has won six of the past nine years.



While its no secret that Ghanbari is a great storyteller, he proved he's an uqually gifted speaker filling in at the ONPA educational seminar for Darren Durlach, who was a last minute cancellation. He has a back pocket full of stories and a great gift for presenting them. Below is Ghabari's second place win in the final quarter, a story about a crossing guard at University Circle in Cleveland. The story placed third in Personality Profile in the year end contest.

2012 Final Top 10 Standings
1st - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV - 69
2nd - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV - 66
3rd - Kris Sproles, WDTN-TV - 55
4th - Matthew Pawuk, WTOL-TV - 28
5th - Joshua Ames, WDTN-TV - 25
6th - Byron Stirsman, WHIO-TV - 24
7th - Billy Muhammed, WJW-TV - 18
8th - Steve Maguire, WBNS-TV - 15
9th - Annette Lawless, WJW-TV - 15
10th - Jon Monk, WTOL-TV - 9

Chan Lackey and Roussos win POY titles, students sweep major awards

Somebody finally opened the door for Gus Chan, from The Plain Dealer, who was chosen as the ONPA Photographer of the Year in the large market division for 2012. Chan has been persistently knocking on the door, placing second or third in the competition five times in the past seven years. Finishing second in large market division was freelance photographer Michael E. Keating from Cincinnati and third was Marvin Fong, from The Plain Dealer.

Bill Lackey, from the Springfield News-Sun took the top honors in the small market division. The title is Lackey’s third and he is the only photographer to win the small market title since the category was divided. Finishing second in small market division was Barbara Perenic from the Springfield News-Sun.

Meg Roussos from Ohio University was chosen as the ONPA Student Photographer of the Year with Hannah Potes from Kent State University placing second. Potes was also selected as the winner of the Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship with Steven Turville, from Ohio University placing second.

While the POY titles always get the attention, 2012 might be considered the year of the student in the 62nd annual contest. The number of entries from students was up significantly and they walked away with three major awards, including Best of Show, won by Chelsie Corso from Kent State University, whose first place feature winner Sisters took top honors.

Students also comprised much of the team from Kent State University that won the James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award for their entry Tiger Legacy, which explored the rich tradition of high school football in Massillon, Ohio.  Contributing photographers included: Gary Harwood, David Foster, Caitlin Bourque, Matt Hafley, Jenna Watson, Adrianne Bastas, Coty Giannelli, Jessica White and Chelsie Corso.

Ohio University’s Joel Hawksley won the Ron Kuntz Sports Photographer of the Year title. Hawklsey, who is now working at The Roanoke Times, also won second and third in sports picture story and placed second in the sports feature category.

Other notable wins by students include Brook Didonato from Kent State University who picked up two wins in the illustration category competing against Andrea Levy from The Plain Dealer, who sets a very high bar.

Abigail S. Fisher from Ohio University won first place in feature picture story and placed second in the audio slideshow category. Alexis Pfeifer from Kent State University won first place in the pictorial category.

The students not only entered, they attended the judging and brought some energy to the room. They obviously have talent and we probably haven’t seen the last of their names on a winners list.

Students will be the home team and host for next year’s judging and seminar, which will move from Columbus to Kent State University.

Click here for complete contest results  including links to galleries and winners in the Online Photojournalism contest.

ONPA contest judging

Judging for the ONPA annaul still contest in underway at The Columbus Dispatch. Results will be posted and updated through out the process and available on the ONPA website. Results from the online journalism portion of the contest can also be found there.

Ali Ghanbari wins 9th ONPA Photographer of the Year title

Ali Ghanbari of WJW-TV in Cleveland has added to his lengthy list of awards adding his ninth ONPA Photographer of the Year title to his resume. Billy Muhammed, also from WJW was the runner-up in this year's contest. Jeff Ritter from WBNS-TV in Columbus was third with Kris Sproles from WDTN-TV in Dayton, just one point back in fourth place. Ghanbari placed in each of the contest's six categories. Complete results are on the ONPA website along with links to the winning entries.

Ghanbari also won the NPPA Central General Regional Photographer of the Year award for his work in 2012. WJW also was recognized as Central General Station of the Year in the NPPA contest as well as winning the title in the ONPA contest.

The NPPA quarterly video contest is broken into three regions rather than the 11 regions used in the monthly still clip contest. Within the three regions there is a Top Stations division and a General Stations division.

By virtue of their performance in 2012 WJW will move from the General Stations division to the Top Stations division in 2013. WTVF-TV in Nashville was recognized as the best in 2012 in the Top Stations division and photographer Ted Nelson from WTVF was recognized as POY in the division.

Schedule is set for educational seminar at The Columbus Dispatch

Contest entries have been submitted and now it is time to focus on the 62nd annual ONPA educational seminar at The Columbus Dispatch on April 20. The event will follow last year's format and is free to attend for ONPA members in good standing. Anyone wishing to become a member can do so at the door when they arrive.

Those attending will hear from a nationally recognized panel of speakers. Speakers this year include: Liz Baylen from the LosAngeles Times, John Sale, AME/Visual at The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, TN, former NPPA POY Scott Strazzante from the Chicago Tribune and three-time NPPA Television Photographer of the Year Darren Durlach, now working at the Boston Globe.


Saturday's program will open a 9 a.m. with a presentation by Darren Durlach followed by Scott Strazzante at 10:45 a.m. The annual business meeting will take place over lunch followed by Liz Baylen at 1:45 p.m. and John Sale at 3:15 p.m.

Judging of the still contest will begin late Thursday evening and continue through the day on Friday. As in past years the Television and Online Photojournalism contest entries have been sent out for judging with results expected to be in hand before the event.


Complete speaker bios

Download a brochure with complete details

Remembering Ron Kuntz

Ron Kuntz works the NEC World Series of Golf in 

Akron with his signature Australian bush hat. 

The world has lost a great photographer, and an even finer human being with the passing of Ron Kuntz. Many people are remembered for what they did for a living, but fewer are remembered for how they lived their life. 

As the tributes to him pour in on social media and elsewhere it is evident that Ronnie would fall into the later category. He touched so many lives in such a positive way, and that is how he is being remembered.

There were many great stories told through the lens of Ron Kuntz over the years. There were even more told by him. No one could spin a tale better than Ronnie and he often he held court at pre-game gatherings sharing his stories. 

If you were at a baseball game for one of these sessions and a former player happened to be in the media dining room, they would always stop to greet him. Of course their visit would usually prompt yet another story.

Kuntz may have been short in stature, but former players and his colleagues always looked up to him. There were many punchlines over the years about Ronnie's height, or lack thereof, the best ones usually came from Ronnie himself.

The story of his life  and amazing career were told by Plain Dealer writer Brian Albrecht who wrote a Sunday Magazine piece on Kuntz. A link for the story can be found on the ONPA website.

Kuntz began covering the Indians in 1953, which was before most of us in the business were even born. He was a walking, talking history book covering everything from the Sam Sheppard murder trial to sports legends like Muhammad Ali and Jack Nicklaus and spent many years as a volunteer with the Bill Glass Prison Ministry.

Today they are people from many walks of life who mourn his passing.

The images were great - the man was even better.

Plain Dealer obituary

Lisa Dejong is ONPA 2012 Clip Contest Photographer of the Year

While the final top ten standings were dominated with names of photographers from The Columbus Dispatch (six) it was Lisa DeJong from The Plain Dealer who came out on top to win the ONPA 2012 Clip Contest Photographer of the Year title.

DeJong trailed Kyle Robertson from The Columbus Disptach by ten points in the final month, but out scored Robertson by 40 points to win the title. Eric Albrecht from The Dispatch placed third in the competition. A model of consistency, Albrecht has placed in the top ten for nine consecutive years, and was clip POY twice previous to his top ten run.

The clip title is the first for DeJong in Ohio, who won portfolio POY titles in 2008, 2010 and 2011. Only five other photographers have won POY titles in both contests. Others to do so are Chris Russell  and Eric Albrecht from The Columbus Dispatch, former Plain Dealer photographer Dale Omori, Ed Suba Jr. from the Akron Beacon Jounral and former Blade photographer Alan Detrich.

2012 Top ten standings 
1st - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer - 1124
2nd - Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch - 1194
3rd - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch - 964
4th - Jonathan Quilter, The Columbus Dispatch -824
5th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 754
6th - Scott Heckel, The Repository - 664
7th - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun - 654
8th - Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch - 614
9th - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch - 562
10th - Eamon Queeney, The Columbus Dispatch - 482

Complete standings are under the Still Clip Contest tab on the ONPA website.

One item entrants need reminded of is that although clips are now entered electronically the photos must have been published in the publication's print edition or official website, of which there can only be one. Personal blogs and Facebook postings do not constitute as being published for the purposes of this contest. Questions concerning the electronic clip contest can be directed to contest chairmen Adam Cairns or Kyle Robertson.

Still contest deadline approaching

The deadline for the ONPA annual contest is fast approaching.

Enter contest now and renew your 2013 membership dues for only $50.00, a  $10.00 savings.  

You can pay online through the ONPA website clicking on the Renew tab and access the online renewal using PayPal. If you prefer you can send a check to:  Kimberly Barth, ONPA Treasurer, 44 E. Exchange Street, Akron OH 44328.

Don’t delay, still contest entries are due February 28, 2013.

Direct link to online application

Fullerton Scholarship entries now being accepted

Entries are now being accepted for the Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship. This year two scholarships are available, first place will receive $3,000 and the runner-up, $1,400. These funds will be deposited with the recipient's university bursar, to be used toward tuition and lab fees.

Larry Fullerton was a long time member of ONPA and both a photojournalist and assistant managing editor of the Hamilton Journal-News. The Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship was established at The Dayton Foundation through contributions from Larry Fullerton's family and friends to assist students pursuing careers in photojournalism.

This scholarship is not associated with the ONPA Student Photographer of the Year competition and eligible students need not be members of ONPA to qualify.

All entries must be received by Friday, February 28, 2013. Rules can be downloaded here and are available under the Contest Rules tab on the ONPA website.

ONPA Television Contest entries now being accepted

Television contest rules are now posted and members have until February 7 to submit their entries to contest chairman Anthony Mirones. There are no changes from the previous year other that Mirons taking over for David Bradford. Ali Ghnabari from WJW-TV in Cleveland has won the contest for the past two years.

ONPA call for entries

Entries are now being accepted for the annual ONPA still/online photojournalism contest. Rules are available to download here.

Still contest entries must be in the hands of contest chairman David Polcyn by 6 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2013. Those entering the online contest must send their e-mail to Jonathan Quilter  by midnight Thursday, February, 28, 2013.

Still contest entries will be judged during the annual convention April 18 - 20 at The Columbus Dispatch. Online entries will be judged remotely prior to the convention.

The are two changes to the still contest this year. A Campaign 2012 category has been added to the still contest for single news or feature photos from election contests of political candidates for local, state of national office and/or issues, including the casting and/or counting of ballots. All photos from the election will be judged in this category.

In an effort to increase participation, entries in the Product Illustration category will no longer count against your total entry limit, but you are limited to 5 entries in the category.

There are two changes in the Online Photojournalism contest. The limit per news organization for each of the video categories has been increased from five to seven. The Multimedia category has been eliminated. 

Those with questions concerning either of the contests should contact still contest chairman, David Polcyn, online contest chairman, Jonathan Quilter, or ONPA board chairman, Karl Kuntz.

White House News Photographers opens contest to non-members

The White House News Photographers Association, home of one of the country's oldest and most respected news photography contests, is proud to play host this year to the first National Eyes of History political photo contest. For the first time, we're hosting a contest open to members and non-members alike to celebrate political photojournalism in an exciting new forum.

In an effort to seek out a broad collection of the best political photography and to promote a robust competition, our committee is simply asking you -- and staff members of other newspapers in 2012 battleground states -- to share news 

of the contest with your co-workers.

Entry guidelines can be found online at: http://www.whnpa.org/nationaleyes/ 

Although there are more categories in play than cover just the presidential candidates, there is little doubt that those candidates spent more time and effort in your neck of the woods than in most parts of the country, and we're looking unabashedly for a critical mass of the best work. We hope you or your colleagues will consider entering.

Ron Sachs, President, WHNPA

Did you forget to renew in 2012?

It’s not too late! Renew your dues now to be eligible for the 2012 year-end contest. 

First-time members, join now to be eligible for the 2012 contest and get your 2013 dues waved as a bonus.

Joining is easy, find the application online and use your credit card. If you have questions, contact kbarth@onpa.org.

Richard "Bix" Bixler dies at 84

    Longtime ONPA member Richard Bixler died Friday at 84. Bixler's freelance calling card, "Pix by Bix" always seemed to be a marketing tool with staying power. I have had young photographers quiz me on the slogan they had heard, even though they never met the man, who was simply known as Bix.

     Bix was a newshound working all night shooting spot news in the Canton area with his work regularly  appearing in The Repository. If the story had broad enough appeal we would get a call from Bix in Akron asking if we had an interest in the photos. You had to listen closely when you were on the phone with Bix as the blare of police scanners in the background would often cover the conversation.

     Many an ONPA officer would hear from Bix from time to time, sharing his views on the organization for which he worked so hard for over the years. Bixler was a recipient of ONPA's highest honor, the Robert S. Carson Award, and served as secretary and editor of the newsletter for many years.

Link to an obituary in The Repository

1st quarter television contest results released

Contest chairman Matthew Pawuk has released the first quarter television contests results. Its too early in the year to zone in on who is on top, but one thing we can tell is that it looks to be a very competitive contest with nine different photographers placing in the contest. There is also a few new names on the winners list which is always good for competition.

Complete results can be found on the ONPA website. Winning videos can be viewed here.

Pawuk is asking photographers to enter the contest digitally now. Post your videos to YouTube and simply e-mail Pawuk the links. He will compile the links and forward to the judges. This should make the process easier for both entrants and judges. Those with questions should contact Pawuk.

First quarter judges from WCNC-TV in Charlotte were impressed with the quality of work in the first quarter. Keep up the good work and encourage any co-workers who did not enter the fist quarter to submit their entries next quarter. The deadline for the 2nd quarter is July 15th, and the story must be shot and aired before the end of the second quarter. 

And the winners are:

Fox 8 videographer, Billy Muhammed won the membership drawing so his contest fee will be waived in 2012. Mansfield News Journal photojournalist, Polcyn, will be attending the Kent Multimedia Workshop, courtesy of ONPA.

The workshop is a three-day, hands-on video and photography multimedia storytelling workshop June 14-16 in Franklin Hall on the Kent Campus sponsored in part by ONPA, The Akron Beacon Journal The Plain Dealer, and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University.

All ONPA members paid for 2012 were eligible for the contest. The list was compiled by Treasurer Kimberly Barth and the winners picked by Beacon Journal staff photographer, Paul Tople.

Drawing for ONPA member to attend Kent Multimedia Workshop

Renew your ONPA membership before Memorial Day and you will be eligible to win a spot in the Kent Multimedia Workshop, sponsored in part by the ONPA. The three-day, hands-on video and photography multimedia storytelling workshop will be held on June 14-16 in Franklin Hall on the Kent State University Campus.

 All 2012 dues paying members will be eligible for the drawing. The first name drawn from a hat will win the workshop registration, valued at $195. If unable to attend, ONPA will waive their 2012 contest fee and draw another name. We will draw up to three names. Visit onpa.org for more information on the workshop.

Associated Press Society of Ohio 2011 awards

Newspapers in Columbus, Canton, Sandusky, East Liverpool and Fremont were named the best in the state Sunday in the annual Associated Press Society of Ohio newspaper competition. General Excellence awards for 2011 went to The Columbus Dispatch, The (Canton) Repository, the Sandusky Register, The (East Liverpool) Review and The (Fremont) News-Messenger.

Best Photographer awards went to Chris Russell from The Columbus Dispatch, Craig J. Orosz from The Lima News, Nick Graham, Middletown Journal, James Miller from The Marion Star, and Julie Ames from the Coshocton Tribune.

Best Online Photojournalist awards went to Doral Chenoweth III from The Columbus Dispatch, William D. Lewis, The (Youngstown) Vindicator, Jason Werling from Sandusky Register, Sarah Gordon from the Ashland Times-Gazette and Jessica St. James, The Ironton Tribune.
Sixty-seven daily newspapers submitted 2928 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2011.

Entries were judged by editors from The Washington (D.C.) Post, Division V The New York (N.Y.) Times Syndicate, Division IV the News-Enterprise, Elizabethtown, Ky., and the Kileen (Texas) Daily Herald, Division III The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va., and The Statesboro (Ga.) Herald Division II and The Daily Times, Marysville, Tenn., and The Lake Sun, Camdenton, Mo., Division I.

Complete winners list available on the ONPA website.

Kent State to host first Kent Multimedia Workshop

Kent State University's School of Journalism & Mass Communication will be hosting its first Kent Multimedia Workshop - a three-day, hands-on video and photography multimedia storytelling workshop - June 14-16 in Franklin Hall on the Kent Campus.

Media professionals, faculty members, students and others interested in polishing their multimedia skills will work closely with five photography and multimedia educators to learn the skills they need to tell narrative stories using multimedia techniques.

"Our workshop is an outgrowth of the Keystone Multimedia Workshop, held each year at Penn State," said Kent State Lecturer and Student Media Adviser Susan Kirkman Zake. "We thought it would be great if the Penn State faculty joined us in Kent to teach the same type of workshop in Ohio."

Zake and her husband, Bruce, an adjunct photojournalism instructor, have traveled to State College the past three years to teach the Keystone sessions. They will be joined in Ohio by Penn State Senior Lecturers Curt Chandler, John Beale and Will Yurman, all award-winning journalists before beginning work at Penn State.

Participants may use Kent State's equipment on a first-come, first-serve basis. Supplies are limited, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own gear. Franklin Hall labs are equipped with Macintosh computers running the Adobe CS5 suite and Final Cut Pro from Apple.

The workshop has financial support of The Akron Beacon Journal, The Plain Dealer, the Ohio News Photographers Association and the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Kent State University. For more information and to register, click here. Registration will close May 31 unless other arrangements are made in advance.

February clip contest results

February ONPA monthly clip contest results are in with Lisa DeJong of The Plain Dealer being the big winner for the month with fours win, three of which were second place wins. The 152 points earned puts her atop the standings.

Fred Squillante, Shari Lewis and Kyle Robertson all of The Columbus Dispatch each had three wins. Complete results and the winners gallery are on the ONPA website.

Top Five standings
1st - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer -274
2nd - Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch - 204
3rd - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun - 164
4th - Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch - 144
5th - Joel Hawksley, Ohio University - 142

Quarterly television contest call for entries

Matthew Pawuk from WTOL-TV in Toledo has stepped forward to take over the reins of the ONPA Television Quarterly Contest and is now accepting entries from the first quarter. Due to the change the deadline for the first quarter has been extended to April 30th. Updated contest rules and contact information can be found under the rules tab on the ONPA website.

DeJong, Lackey win ONPA POY honors

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Lisa DeJong from The Plain Dealer and Bill Lackey from the Springfield News Sun are once again ONPA Photographers of the Year. DeJong won in the large market category for the third time in four years and Lackey won the small market category for the second time in three years.

Finishing second in large market competition was Eric Albrecht from The Columbus Dispatch and winning an Award of Excellence was Michael E. Keating of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Keating won Best of Show in the contest for his entry, "Clyde Day" which was the first place winner in the feature picture story category.

The Columbus Dispatch won the Staff of the Year competition in the large market division ending The Plain Dealer's 11-year run of winning the honors. The Plain Dealer placed second and the Cincinnati Enquirer placed third. The Springfield News-Sun won in the small market division.

The James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award was awarded to Maddie McGarvey, a student from Ohio University, which told the story of the growing trend of grandparents raising grandchildren.

Joel Hawksley from Ohio University won the Student Photographer of the Year award. Meg Roussos from Ohio University won the Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship. Steven Turville, also from Ohio University, placed second in the category.

Kyle Robertson from The Columbus Dispatch was the first place winner in the new category of Sports Portfolio.

Fifty-five visual journalists from across the state submitted 832 entries in the 61st annual news photography contest judged over the last three days at The Columbus Dispatch.

Judging the competition were: Steve Mellon, photographer and multimedia producer at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sue Morrow, director of The Kalish Workshop and Bill Luster, retired photojournalist from the Louisville Courier Journal.

Judging multimedia and online entries remotely were: Visual journalists Brian Kaufman, Alex Bahou, Romain Blanquart and Kathy Kieliszewski , deputy director of photography from the Detroit Free Press. Dai Sugano, senior multimedia editor at the San Jose Mercury News and Mike Stocker, photojournalist (South Florida) Sun Sentinel.

Judging picture usage categories from the Houston Chronicle were: Steve Gonzales, director of photography, Jill Karnicki, photo editor and Mayra Beltraan, staff photographer.

Neal C. Lauron from The Columbus Dispatch was named Clip Photographer of the Year from points accumulated in the Association’s Monthly Clip Contest. Kyle Robertson from The Dispatch placed second and Eric Albrecht, also from The Dispatch won third place.

Winning images and videos can be viewed on the ONPA website.


The winners were:
News Photographer of Year/Large Market
First place, Lisa DeJong, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer
Second place, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch
Award of Excellence, Michael E. Keating, Cincinnati Enquirer

News Photographer of Year/Small Market
First place, Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun

Student Photographer of the Year
First place, Joel Hawksley, Ohio University
Second place, Maddie McGarvey, Ohio University

Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship
First place, Meg Roussos, Ohio University
Second place, Steven Turville, Ohio University

Clip Contest Photographer of Year
First place, Neal C. Lauron, The Columbus Dispatch
Second place, Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch
Third place, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch

James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award
First place, Maddie McGarvey, Ohio University, "A Generation Lost"
Second place, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Tales From The Heart"

Best of Show
Michael E. Keating, Cincinnati Enquirer, "Clyde Day"

Picture Usage (Large Market)
First place, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer
Second place, The Columbus Dispatch

Picture Usage (Small Market)
First place, ThisWeek Newspapers (Columbus)

Photography Staff of Year (Small Market)
First place, Springfield News-Sun

Photography Staff of Year (Large Market)
First place, The Columbus Dispatch
Second place, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer
Third place, Cincinnati Enquirer

Feature
First place, Lisa DeJong, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Cancer Prom"
Second place, Andy Morrison, The (Toledo) Blade, "Coming Out"
Third place, Brooke LaValley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Balloon Festival"
Award of Excellence, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Wet Patch"

Feature Picture Story
First place, Michael E. Keating., Cincinnati Enquirer, "Clyde Day"
Second place, Lisa DeJong, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Judgement Day"
Third place, Courtney Hergesheimer, The Columbus Dispatch, "Surviving Sepsis"
Award of Excellence, Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch, "A Chosen Child"

General News
First place, Dave Zapotosky, The Blade, "Walk of Shame"
Second place, Carrie Cochran, Cincinnati Enquirer, "Proud Mom"
Third place, Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, "Flag"
Award of Excellence, Brooke LaValley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Student Protestors"

Illustration
First place, Andrea Levy, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "The Colors of the Season"
Second place, Andrea Levy, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Top Workplaces"
Third place, Andrea Levy, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "This Is Not a Fence"

News Picture Story
First place, Amy Sancetta, Associated Press, "Shanksville Memorial"
Second place, Joel Hawksley, Ohio University, "The Rainbow Family"

Pictorial
First place, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Whiteout"
Second place, Carrie Cochran, Cincinnati Enquirer, "A Majestic Morning"
Third place, Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch, "Blackhawk"
Award of Excellence, Jonathan Quilter, Columbus Dispatch, "Fountain of Youth"

Portrait Personality
First place, Brooke LaValley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Final Bow"
Second place, Lynn Ischay, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Dan Gets a Heart"
Third place, Ernest Coleman , Freelance, "Home Work Time"
Award of Excellence - Lisa DeJong, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Remember"
Award of Excellence, Lynn Ischay, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "The Perfect Job"
Award of Excellence -Lynn Ischay, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Tears For My Uncle"

Product Illustration
First place, Peggy Turbett, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Rippling White Rob Roy"

Sports Action
First place, Joel Hawksley, Ohio University Athletic Department, "Tripped Up"
Second place, Marvin Fong, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Flipped"
Third place, Tessa Berg, The Columbus Dispatch, "Marathon"
Award of Excellence, Marvin Fong, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Catch"
Award of Excellence, Paul Tople, Akron Beacon Journal, "Close"

Sports Feature
First place, Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch, "Dog Sidekick"
Second place, Carrie Cochran, Cincinnati Enquirer, "NASCAR Poker"
Third place, Joel Hawksley, Ohio University Athletic Department, "Loss"
Award of Excellence, Jeremy Wadsworth, The (Toledo) Blade, "Defeat"
Award of Excellence, Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch, "Goal"

Sports Picture Story
First place, Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch, "State Swimming"
Second place, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Rob Myers"
Third place, Lori King. The (Toledo) Blade, "WNIT Champs"
Award of Excellence, Chuck Crow, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "The Season That Almost Was"

Sports Portfolio
First place, Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch
Second place, Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun
Third place, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch
Award of Excellence, Joel Hawksley, Ohio University

Spot News (Small Market)
First place, Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, "Officer Shot"
Second place, Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, "Officer Wounded"
Third place, Scott Heckel, The Repository, "Agonizing Call"
Award of Excellence, Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, "Emu"

Spot News (Large Market)
First place, Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Grief"
Second place, Marvin Fong, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Shooting"
Third place, Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Crash"
Award of Excellence, Amy Sancetta, AP, "Airport Winter Weather"
Award of Excellence, Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch , "Evacuate"

Team Picture Story
First place, The Columbus Dispatch, "SB-5"
Second place, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Serial Killer"
Third place, The Columbus Dispatch, "Matthew Hoffman"
Award of Excellence, The Columbus Dispatch, "Jim "Big Jim" Karnes"
Award of Excellence, Springfield News-Sun, "Deputy Killed"

Audio Slide Show
First place - Michael E. Keating, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Legion Post Still Serving"
Second place - Gus Chan, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Burn Camp Counselors"
Third place - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Fields of Dreams"

News Video
First place - Doral Chenoweth III, The Columbus Dispatch, "A Trip Earned Long Ago"
Second place - Glenn Hartong, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Search for Toddler Continues"
Third place - David I. Andersen, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Over 100 Rescued Dogs Need a Home"

Sports Video
First place - Michael E. Keating, The Cincinnati Enquirerm "Baseball in the Desert"
Second place - Michael E. Keating, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Johnny Bench Statue"
Third place - David I. Andersen, The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, "Kent State Gymnastics"

Feature Video
First place - Courtney Hergesheimer, The Columbus Dispatch, "Surviving Sepsis"
Second place - Brooke LaValley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Dusk to Dawn"
Third place - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch, "Between Fear and Hope"

Team Video
First place - Michael E. Keating, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Hope on the Horizon"
Participants: Michael E. Keating & Stacy Doose
Second place - Glenn Hartong, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "P&G's Next Frontier"
Participants: Glenn Hartong & Stacy Doose
Third place - Courtney Hergesheimer, The Columbus Dispatch, "Voices of Occupy Columbus"
Participants: Courtney Hergesheimer and Ty Wright

ONPA Online Photojournalism contest results now online

Judging of the annual ONPA still contest begins Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at The Columbus Dispatch. Single catagories will be judged first, followed by stories and then portfolios. Results and winning images will be posted throughout the two-day process on the ONPA website. Results of the ONPA Online Photojournalism Contest have already been posted along with links to the winning audio slideshows and videos.

The educational seminar and business meeting will take place on Saturday. Speaking at this year's seminar will be the 2012 NPPA Ernie Crisp Television News Photographer of the Year Nathan Thompson from WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN. Thompson will be joined by still contest judges Bill Luster, Steve Mellon and Sue Morrow.

There is no cost to OPNA member to attend either the judging or seminar. Anyone wishing to become a member can do so at the door when they arrive.

Saturday's Schedule:
9:00 a.m. - Eye-Opener: Dispatch Year in Review Slideshow
9:15 a.m.- Steve Mellon, photographer and multimedia producer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
10:30 a.m. - Break
10:45 a.m. - Sue Morrow, current director of The Kalish Workshop
Noon - ONPA Annual Meeting and Lunch (on your own or pizza if you attend the meeting)
1:45 p.m. - Nathan Thompson, WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN
(with an additional breakout session workshop with Nathan at 3pm)
3:00 p.m. - Break
3:15 p.m. - Bill Luster, retired photojournalist, The Louisville Courier-Journal
4:30 p.m. - Annual ONPA Still Contest Winners Slideshow

The Columbus Dispatch is located at 34 S. Third St. downtown Columbus.

Columbus Dispatch to be the first to convert to a compact tabloid

The stately oak is being trimmed to a flowering ornamental as the dead tree version of The Columbus Dispatch is converted to a compact tabloid beginning this fall.

The paper will be the first in the world to utilize new press technology which which not only allows the paper to be printed faster, but also saves newsprint. The new format will shrink the current print edition from a 11.5 by 22-inch page to a much leaner 10.5 by 14.6-inch page.

In their marketing of the new format they say, "It's Smart".

You might think of it as the iPaper.

Focus group readers have praised the new format for being easier to handle and find content. Publishers will praise the savings in newsprint. If the format is the success with readers and advertisers as deep thinkers hope, presses converted to the new technology will be busy.

The Dispatch has already signed agreements to print Gannett's Cincinnati Enquirer and Kentucky Enquirer which will also switch to the new format later this year.

Keating to leave the Cincinnati Enquirer

Veteran Cincinnati Enquirer photojournalist and longtime ONPA member Michael E. Keating is taking a buyout from the newspaper.

The paper's parent company Gannett made an offer to 800 eligible employees and will reportedly grant requests to 665 employees all of which are 56 years old with at least 20 years' service.

Keating's work has been a model of consistency over the years, routinely winning awards and generating excellent stories. The ONPA POY title has escaped him, but Keating is no "one hit wonder". His work has placed in the POY competition seven times over the years.

He may be taking a buyout, but there is no fall-off in the work he is generating today. His story about his longtime neighbor Clyde Day who was 104 years old was recently featured on the New York Times Lens blog in a post by James Estrin.

It would be no surprise to see his portfolio once again be recognized by the judges this year.

I know not Keating's plans for life after the Enquirer, but if the past is any indication, whatever he does, he'll do well.

Schedule revised for ONPA seminar

The scheduleof events for the ONPA educational seminar Saturday, April 14 at The Columbus Dispatch has been revised. Note the changes if you were coming to hear a particular speaker.

Revised seminar schedule of events
9:00 a.m. - Eye-Opener: Dispatch Year in Review Slideshow
9:15 a.m.- Steve Mellon, photographer and multimedia producer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
10:30 a.m. - Break
10:45 a.m. - Sue Morrow, current director of The Kalish Workshop
Noon - ONPA Annual Meeting and Lunch (on your own or pizza if you attend the meeting)
1:45 p.m. - Nathan Thompson, WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN
(with an additional breakout session workshop with Nathan at 3pm)
3:00 p.m. - Break
3:15 p.m. - Bill Luster, retired photojournalist, The Louisville Courier-Journal
4:30 p.m. - Annual ONPA Still Contest Winners Slideshow

Seminar and still contest judging return to The Disptach

The annual ONPA educational seminar and still contest picture judging returns to The Columbus Dispatch, April 12-14. The event will follow last year's format and is free to attend for ONPA members in good standing. Anyone wishing to become a member can do so at the door when they arrive.

Judging of the still contest will begin late Thursday afternoon and continue through the day on Friday. As in past years the Television and Online Photojournalism contest entries have been sent out for judging with results expected to be in hand before the event.

The educational seminar and business meeting taking place on Saturday. Speaking at this year's seminar will be the 2012 NPPA Ernie Crisp Television News Photographer of the Year Nathan Thompson from WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN. Thompson will be joined by still contest judges Bill Luster, Steve Mellon and Sue Morrow.

Saturday's Schedule:

9:00 a.m. - Nathan Thompson, WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN

(with an additional breakout session workshop with Nathan at 10:30am)

10:30 a.m. - Sue Morrow, current director of The Kalish Workshop

Noon to 1:30pm ONPA Annual Meeting and Lunch (on your own or pizza if you attend the meeting)

1:30 p.m. - Steve Mellon, photographer and multimedia producer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

3:00 p.m. - Bill Luster, retired photojournalist, The Louisville Courier-Journal

The Columbus Dispatch is located at 34 S. Third St downtown Columbus.

Full bios of the speakers can be found on the ONPA website.

Bradford, Ghanbari winners in NPPA's Best of Photojournalism

David Bradford and Ali Ghanbari of WJW-TV in Cleveland were among the winners in NPPA's 2012 Best of Photojournalism contest.

Bradford won first place in the Photo Essay category of video editing for his entry "Lets Roll", a story about the annual pumpkin roll on Grove Hill in Chagrin Falls.



Judges commenting on Bradford's entry said, "the story was the clear favorite for number one. It had everything it needed from start to finish being a super solid nat sound story." Bradford's story placed first in General News in the ONPA year-end contest.

Ghanbari was a first place winner in the General News category for his story, "Walking With Unknown". The story about those who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery was the Best of Show winner in the ONPA year-end contest.

Judges said of Ghanbari's entry, "Watching “Walk with Unknowns” was like getting an education in visual storytelling. The story, pace, reverence, and feel - that is so hard to teach - was perfect. The art of editing is in the pace and this photographer nailed it. The ending put the icing on the cake and obviously took some forethought."

Ghanbari also won an honorable mention in the 48 Hour Feature category for his story Faces Of Freedom, about northeast Ohio Veterans who served our country during WWII, Korean war, Vietnam,Iraq and Afghanistan.

Judges picked Nathan Thompson of WTVF-TV in Nashville, as this year's Ernie Crisp Television News Photographer of the Year. Anne Herbst of KUSA-TV in Denver was the runner-up for the Ernie Crisp title. They also picked Amanda Dennis, from News 12 Connecticut, as the Video Editor of the Year.

Station of the Year honors went to WBFF-TV in Baltimore (Large Market), WAVY-TV in Portmouth, VA (Medium Market) KCCI-TV in Des Moines, IA, (Small Market). This is the fourth time in five years KCCI-TV has won the title, winning Small Market honors in 2011, 2007, and 2009.

Complete contest results can be found here.

Lauron wins his fourth ONPA clip POY title

Results of the long-lost September clip contest are in and as expected Neal C. Lauron of The Columbus Dispatch is the 2011 Monthly Still Clip Contest Photographer of the Year.

Kyle Robertson of The Dispatch retained his hold on second place, while co-worker Eric Albrecht leapfrogged Lisa DeJong of The Plain Dealer to claim third place. Marshall Gorby of the Springfield News Sun placed fifth.

The POY clip title is the fourth for Lauron putting him one shy of Jim Witmer of the Dayton Daily News, who won five titles while at the Troy Daily News. Lauron's other wins came in 2008, 2005, and 2001 when he tied with Kyle Lanzer.

2011 Top ten standings
1st - Neal Lauron, The Columbus Dispatch - 1114
2nd - Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch - 984
3rd - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch - 954
4th - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer - 884
5th - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 634
6th - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch -612
7th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 604
8th - Jonathan Quilter, The Columbus Dispatch - 602
9th - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch -594
10th - Barbara Barbara, Springfield News-Sun - 502

Complete standings are under the Still Clip Contest tab on the ONPA website. Be sure to click on 2011 results as the page defaults to the current year's results.

Just a reminder that the contest is now entered electronically. For those needing rules they can be downloaded here.

One item entrants need reminded of is that although clips are now entered electronically the photos must have been published in the publication's print edition or official website, of which there can only be one. Personal blogs and Facebook postings do not constitute as being published for the purposes of this contest. Questions concerning the electronic clip contest can be directed to contest chairmen Adam Cairns or Kyle Robertson.

---

ONPA Clip contest update

As regular entrants of the ONPA monthly still clip contest can tell you, the backlog of results is now behind us as several months of winners notifications have been flooding e-mail boxes the past several weeks. The last of those sent includes results from the November contest.

While there are still points to be earned it appears that Neal Lauron of The Columbus Dispatch will be on top when the final results come in, but we have seen wild swings in the contest in other years. The real race appears to be for second and third between Lisa DeJong of The Plain Dealer and Kyle Robertson and Eric Albrecht from The Dispatch.

2011 Top ten standings
1st - Neal Lauron, The Columbus Dispatch - 1044
2nd - Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch - 834
3rd - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer - 774
4th - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch - 764
5th - Jonathan Quilter, The Columbus Dispatch - 602
6th - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 584
7th - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch -564
8th - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch -522
9th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 492
10th - Barbara Barbara, Springfield News-Sun - 412

The final numbers will come by way of the September results and the second quarter illustration category. The original September clips were signed for and received by the judges, and lost by the judges. There is no clear cut answer as to what happened to the illustration entries. In both cases those who entered have been notified and will resubmit their entries electronically using the new electronic system put in place for 2012.

That system already seems to be providing a much quicker turnaround as the January 2012 clips have already been judged and the results posted on the ONPA website. Since we already have a copy of all the entries the "annoying" send in your winning clip notices from clips@onpa.org will cease and desist after all the November winning clips have been received.

One item entrants need reminded of is that although clips are now entered electronically the photos must have been published in the publication's print edition or official website, of which there can only be one. Personal blogs and Facebook postings do not constitute as being published for the purposes of this contest. Questions concerning the electronic clip contest can be directed to contest chairmen Adam Cairns or Kyle Robertson.

Ghabari, Bradford win ONPA television POY titles

Two photographers who are no strangers to having a POY title linked to their name, have once again been recognized as Ohio News Photographers Association Photographers of the Year. Ali Ghanbari and David Bradford, who both work at WJW-TV in Cleveland, won top honors for their work in 2011. Ghanbari won the year-end contest and Bradford the quarterly clip contest title. The two photographers each have won nine POY titles in their careers.

Ghanbari won as he usually does with consistent work placing in every category in the contest and also winning Best of Show for his entry Walking With the Unknown, a news feature about those who stand guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. Ghanbari won the POY title for his work in 2010 and now has eight year-end POY titles to go with one clip title won in 2000.

There was a tie for second place in the contest between Kris Sproles from WDTN-TV in Dayton and Bradford, each having 27 points, trailing Ghabari's 45 points. For Bradford it is the third time he has been runner-up in the contest which he has won three times.

A complete winners list can be found on the ONPA website under the Television Contest Archive tab

The quarterly clip contest was a very competitive battle all year with Bradford, Jeff Ritter, from WBNS-TV in Columbus and Ghanbari all challenging for the top spot. In the end it was Bradford winning his sixth quarterly clip contest title.

Quarterly 2011 standings

1st - David Bradford, WJW-TV, Cleveland - 72
2nd - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, Columbus - 60
3rd - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, Cleveland - 58
4th - Scott Doelling, WBNS Columbus - 36
4th - Kris Sproles, WDTN-TV, Dayton - 36
6th - Stephen Maguire, WBNS-TV, Columbus - 35
6th - Eric Rerucha, WTOL-TV, Toledo - 35

There was a significant rise in participation this year in the quarterly contest, thanks in large part to Bradford's efforts in taking on the duties as contest chairman. The plug was about to be pulled on the contest for lack of participation when Bradford stepped in. The participation carried over to the year-end contest as well, which Bradford also oversees.

After six years though Bradford is stepping down and ONPA is in need of a volunteer to step forward to oversee one or both contests. You can contact David Bradford to see exactly what the duties entail and if you are interested contact ONPA television vice-president Chris Reece or chairman of the board Karl Kuntz. Time is of the essence as the first quarterly deadline in April 15th.

Alex Webb to speak at Ohio University

Come see Alex Webb speak at Baker Center Theater at Ohio University on
Wednesday, February 29 at 7:30 p.m.

This event is open to the public.

Alex Webb became interested in photography during high school and attended
the Apeiron Workshops in Millerton, New York, in 1972. He majored in history
and literature at Harvard University, at the same time studying photography
at the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts. In 1974 he began working as a
professional photojournalist and he joined Magnum Photos as an associate
member in 1976.

During the mid-1970s Webb photographed in the American south, documenting
small-town life in black and white. He also began working in the Caribbean
and Mexico. In 1978 he started to photograph in color, as he has continued
to do. He has published seven photography books, including Hot
Light/Half-Made Worlds: Photographs from the Tropics, Under A Grudging Sun,
Crossings, the limited edition artist book Dislocations and Istanbul: City
of a Hundred Names.

Webb received a New York Foundation of the Arts Grant in 1986, a National
Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in 1990, a Hasselblad Foundation Grant in
1998 and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2007. He won the Leopold Godowsky Color
Photography Award in 1988, the Leica Medal of Excellence in 2000 and the
David Octavius Hill Award in 2002. His photographs have been the subject of
articles in Art in America and Modern Photography. He has exhibited widely
in the United States and Europe, in museums including the Walker Art Center,
the Museum of Photographic Arts, the International Center of Photography,
the High Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, and the
Whitney Museum of American Art.

Webb will be signing books and posters after his presentation.

I hope you can join us to meet one of the best photographer's of our time!


This event is sponsored by NPPAOU and is partially funded by SAC

Larry Fullerton Photojournalsim Scholarship entries being accpeted

Entries are now being accepted for the Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship. This year two scholarships are available, first place will receive $3,000 and the runner-up, $1,200. These funds will be deposited with the recipient's university bursar, to be used toward tuition and lab fees.

Larry Fullerton was a long time member of ONPA and both a photojournalist and assistant managing editor of the Hamilton Journal-News. The Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship was established at The Dayton Foundation through contributions from Larry Fullerton's family and friends to assist students pursuing careers in photojournalism.

This scholarship is not associated with the ONPA Student Photographer of the Year competition and eligible students need not be members of ONPA to qualify.

All entries must be received by Friday, February 24, 2012. Rules can be downloaded here and are available under the Contest Rules tab on the ONPA website.

ONPA clip contest going digital

The dead tree version version of the ONPA monthly still clip contest has come to an end. Put away your scissors, Sharpies and clip labels, the contest is going digital. The contest is also expanding adding a sports feature category.

The changes will take affect with the January entries. Revised rules have been posted to the ONPA website and are available for download here.

Questions concerning the contest can be directed to Adam Cairns or Kyle Robertson.

ONPA call for entries

Entries are now being accepted for the annual ONPA still/online photojournalism contest. Rules are available to download here.

The deadline for entries of both contests is Wednesday, February 29. Still contest entries will be judged during the annual convention April 12 - 14 at The Columbus Dispatch. Online entries will be judged remotely prior to the convention.

The are several changes to the still contest this year. The first being the addition of a Sports Portfolio category. Sports portfolios must contain a sports action picture, a sports feature picture, and a sports picture story. Sports portfolios are limited to 15 entries (a picture story counts as one entry) and a total of 30 images.

The other change relates to circulation based categories. The breakdown for Photographer of the Year, Staff of the Year, Picture Usage and Spot News will now be based on 80,000, that number being based on Sunday circulation or highest circulation day of the week.

Their are two changes in the Online Photojournalism contest. A Best Team Video category has been added to the contest. The separate classifications in the Audio Slideshow category have been eliminated and news, sports and feature content will be judged together.

Those with questions concerning either of the contests should contact still contest chairman, David Polcyn, online contest chairman, Jonathan Quilter, or ONPA board chairman, Karl Kuntz.

NPPA call for entries

NPPA's2012 Best Of Photojournalism annual competition has opened for entries, and you can now submit and view your entries online.

The deadline for the Best Of Television Photojournalism contest is January 27, and the Best Of Still Photography, Photojournalism Editing, and Web Photojournalism contests' deadline is February 3.

Complete contest rules are available online

ONPA Television contest rules now online

Rules for the 2011 ONPA annual television contest have been updated and posted online. The deadline for entries is Jan 31, 2012. Questions concerning the contest can be directed to contest coordinator David Bradford.

January clip contest results arrive - Finally

The very long awaited January still clip contest results have finally arrived from the judges and been forwarded to the winners.

The point standings and image galleries have been updated on the ONPA website.


Top 10 standings
1st - Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch - 396
2nd - Lisa Dejong, The Plain Dealer - 356
3rd - Jonathan Quilter, The Columbus Dispatch - 326
- Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 326
5th - Neal Lauron, The Columbus Dispatch - 306
6th - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch -284
7th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 256
8th - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch - 250
9th - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch - 236
10th - Patti Schaeffer, The (Lisbon) Morning Journal- 230
- Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch - 230

Ed Reinke dies after being injured at Kentucky Speedway

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Ed Reinke, an award-winning Associated Press photographer who traveled worldwide and was known for his striking pictures of Kentucky news and sporting events, has died following an injury, according to his family. He was 60.

Reinke began his career at the Cincinnati Enquirer and was the director of photography there after leaving the paper to work for the AP in Cincinnati and Washington D.C..

AP story:

NPPA news story:

A "To Ed Reinke" group on Facebook shares the thoughts of many of his friends and colleagues.

John Flavell shares his thoughts in a column in today's (Ashland, KY) Independent.

Former POYs compete for top spot in quarterly television contest

Interest remains strong with a competitive race taking shape as the ONPA Quarterly Television Clip Contest enters the halfway point. David Bradford from WJW-TV in Cleveland and Jeff Ritter from WBNS-TV in Columbus are tied for first place with 36 points with Ali Ghanbari from WJW third plac with 27 points. All three are previous quarterly POYs.

Complete results are on the ONPA website.

View all the winners from the second quarter

The deadline for the third quarter is Oct 15th.

Top Ten Standings
1st - David Bradford, WJW-TV, Cleveland - 36
Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, Columbus - 36
3rd - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, Cleveland - 27
4th - Matthew Pawuk, WTOL-TV, Toledo - 20
5th - William Fogle, WTOL-TV, Toledo - 17
6th - Billy Muhammed, WJW-TV, Cleveland - 16
7th - Drew Yaussy, WSYX-TV, Columbus - 15.5
8th - Eric Rerucha, WTOL-TV, Toledo - 15
9th - Shawn Dunagan, WTOL-TV, Toledo - 14.5
10th - Michael Melchiorre, WNWO-TV, Toledo - 12

Larry Price loses his job, but tells it like it is

Larry Price, director of photography at the Dayton Daily News, stepped down from his position rather than make drastic staff cuts ordered by management and reported in a story written by Dayton Business Journal reporter Ginger Christ.

Christ also quotes Price on her blog. “I’ve watched this happen in newspapers year after year now. I’ve had many, many friends that have been affected, many stellar journalists,” Price said. “These people are my group. They’re my friends. They’re my colleagues. I’ve asked so much of them in the four years I’ve been here. Every time, they’ve stepped up to the plate and delivered. It wasn’t a decision I could make in good conscience.”

Dayton blogger David Esrati, who broke the story, writes on his blog - There are ways to win back readers, but cutting content creators (especially the uniquely local aspect of photography) is like a fine woodworker selling off his miter box and chisels.

No word yet of what staff cuts did happen or plans to cut positions at the other Cox Media Group papers in the region.

Buckeye Television Seminar revisited

The ONPA Buckeye Television Seminar was a rousing success earlier this month at WDTN-TV in Dayton with about 30 photojournalists attending. The goal was to motivate people to become better at their craft and to remind them that being an active member of ONPA can aid in this continuing endeavor.



Presenters included, Michell Michael, 2010 NPPA Solo Video Journalist of the Year, Kris Sproles, WDTN-TV, Ali Ghanbari and David Bradford from WJW-TV, and Andy Hirsch and Jeff Ritter from WBNS-TV. Each shared their experiences and techniques that have enabled them to have the successful careers they have had.

Work schedules being what they are not everyone who would have like to attended was able to. Fear not - ONPA television contest chairman David Bradford has provided links to the presentations for all.

Organizers of this event should be lauded for their efforts in putting together a first class program. Members should take note that this type of endeavor and volunteerism are what has made ONPA work for many years. There is no paid staff here, you get out of it what you put into it.


Ali Ghanbari - WJW-TV, Cleveland
A Passion with an Artistic Outlet & How to Stay Motivated in Today's News Gathering Environment

Michell Michael - Freelance Solo Video Journalist
Exploring the MMJ Style On Doing it All On Your Own

David Bradford - WJW-TV, Cleveland
Being in the Story Environment & Photo-Essay Storytelling

Andy Hirsch and Jeff Ritter - Reporter and Photographer WBNS-TV, Columbus
Team Work Between Reporter and Photographer

The entire program can be viewed here

Ali Ghanbari wins his seventh ONPA television POY title

Already a legend in the annals of Ohio television news photography, Ali Ghanbari from WJW-TV in Cleveland, has proved once again he is the best at what he does winning his seventh ONPA Television Photographer of the Year title for his work in 2010.

Jeff Ritter of WBNS-TV in Columbus, the winner the past two years, placed second in the competition and Chris Reece, also from WJW-TV, a former two-time winner placed third.

As he has in other winning years Ghanbari dominated the individual categories, placing in all with the exception of deadline photography. Ghanbari captured first place wins in editing, feature, in-depth, news feature and spot news and placed second in personality profile and sports feature and third in general news.

This years POY title for Ghanbari comes 17 years after his first, which he won working part-time at WKEF-TV in Dayton. His subsequent wins came after moving to WJW-TV winning in 1993 and 2003 along with a four year run from 1995 through 1998. Ghanbari was also the ONPA Quarterly Clip Contest POY in 2000.

WJW was selected as ONPA Station of the Year with WBNS placing second.

ONPA Television year-end contest results

Photographer of the Year
1st - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, Cleveland
2nd - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, Columbus
3rd - Chris Reece, WJW-TV, Cleveland

Deadline Photography
1st - Lawrence Shields, WCPO-TV, "Cat in a Drain"
2nd - Chris Reece, WJW-TV, "Heroes"

Editing
1st - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "My Story Round 1"

Feature
1st - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "World Aids Day"
2nd - Chris Reece, WJW-TV, "Volunteer"
3rd - Lawrence Shields, WCPO-TV, "Horse Afterlife"

General News
1st - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, " Friendly Fire"
2nd - Chris Reece, WJW-TV, "Chick –Fil-A Open"
3rd - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "We’re Going to Rebuild"

In Depth/Series
1st - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "Not Forgotten Hero"
2nd - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, "A living History"
3rd - Chris Reece, WJW-TV, "Abuse"

News Feature
1st - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "Honoring our Veterans"
2nd - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, "Supersized Heroes"
3rd - Chris Reece, WJW-TV, "Die Inn"

Personality Profile
1st - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, "Back to the Basement"
2nd - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "My Story Round 1"

Sports Feature
1st - Chris Reece, WJW-TV, "I Kilometers for Kara"
2nd - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "I Believe We are One"
3rd - Lawrence Shields, WCPO-TV, "Puppy Pound"

Spot News
1st - Ali Ghanbari, WJW-TV, "I Lost Everything "
2nd - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, "Better Moove out of the Way"
3rd - Lawrence Shields, WCPO-TV, "Where’s My Check?"

Station of the Year
1st - WJW-TV, Cleveland
2nd - WBNS-TV, Columbus

Buckeye Television Seminar set for Aug 6 in Dayton

The Ohio News Photographers Association with the cooperation of WJW-TV Cleveland, WBNS-TV Columbus and WDTN- TV Dayton will hold it's 6th free Buckeye Television Seminar Saturday, August 6 at WDTN-TV in Dayton.

The educational program, sponsored by ONPA, will provide speakers of interest to television news photographers, solo video journalists, reporters, producers, editors, and students. The topics will range from how to stay motivated, team work, solo video journalism and the use of natural environment for a story.

Presenters include, Michell Michael, 2010 NPPA Solo Video Journalist of the Year, Kris Sproles, WDTN-TV, Ali Ghanbari and David Bradford from WJW-TV, and Andy Hirsch and Jeff Ritter from WBNS-TV.

While there is no cost to attend organizers ask that you register by August 4th. Seats are limited so RSVP ASAP. Send an email to local chair Kris Sproles at ksproles@WDTN.com to register for the event.

The original Buckeye Television seminar was the brainchild of Ali Ghanbari, now at WJW-TV in Cleveland. The idea was a simple one. Ohio photographers giving back something to the profession and in the process everyone could take advantage at no cost.

Download a schedule of events

Entires on the rise in quarterly television contest

The plug once pulled on the ONPA quarterly television contest was reinserted and it seems at this point that was a good call as interest in the first quarter was better than it has been for quite some time. Photographers from WTOL-TV in Toledo and former ONPA POY Ali Ghanbari have joined the fray which should make for an interesting competition.

The first quarter results are in with WJW's David Bradford atop the leaderboard followed by Jeff Ritter from WBNS with Billy Muhammed and Ali Ghanbari from WJW tied for third place.

Complete results and judges comments are on the ONPA website.

View all the winners from the first quarter

The deadline for the second quarter is July 15th.

Garza is NPPA Region 4 POY

Ryan Garza from The Flint Journal is the NPPA Region 4 POY for 2010 knocking off 2009 winner Marshall Gorby from the Springfield News-Sun. The two were in a dead heat waiting on results from October in the monthly clip contest. When the results came in Garza had four wins good for 160 points to win the title.

Barbara Perenic from Springfield placed fifth in the contest and former ONPA member Matt Detrich from the Indianapolis Star placed sixth.

Final Top 10 Standings
1st - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal - 942
2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 784
3rd - Dave Weatherwax, The Herald - 660
4th - Kendra Stanley-Mills, The Muskegon Chronicle - 594
5th - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun - 572
6th - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star - 544
7th - Nick Dentamaro, The Jackson Citizen Patriot - 350
8th - Neil Blake - 326
9th - Cory Morse, Grand Rapids Press - 302
10th - Charlie Nye, The Indianapolis Star - 234

Former Troy Daily News photographer killed in Libya

Former Troy Daily News photographer Chris Hondros, 41, was killed Wednesday while covering unrest between Libyan government troops and rebels. Hondros, a North Carolina State graduate completed his masters degree at Ohio University in 1996. Also killed in the mortar and grenade attack was Academy Award-nominated photojournalist Tim Hetherington.

There are several links to stories and a tribute on the News York Times Lens blog.
The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC
NPPA
NPPA president Sean D. Elliot

ONPA Quarterly television contest to resume

After hearing from several new members and with the commitment of those who were entering, the ONPA Quarterly Television Clip Contest will continue in 2011. The normal first quarter deadline has been extended until April 30 to give photographers time to submit their entries.

Contest chairman David Bradford will continue to oversee the process. Updated rules and entry forms are available for download.

Still contest judges comment on small market POY category

Judges in the 2010 ONPA year-end contest chose not to recognize any portfolios in the small market POY category. Their decision brought an immediate reaction from the staff of one of the newspapers affected when no award given for the category was posted online.

Judges were aware that some would question their decision, but they also wanted to address the issue for those not present. They sat down with ONPA still vice president Jonathan Quilter, who recorded the interview as they explained their decision. Listen to the audio file. The first voice on the recording is is Quilter followed by judges, in order, Boyzell Hosey, Danese Kenon and Ross Taylor.

Under the contest rules judges are permitted to eliminate any category with less the 15 entries. Awards beyond first place in all categories are at the judges discretion. The small market POY category was not the only one judges wanted to eliminate. They also did not feel the quality of work in the product illustration category was worthy of recognition, but with 18 entries they were forced to award a first place.

At Saturday's business meeting the membership voted to not have portflio categories be subject to the rule allowing judges to eliminate a category with less than 15 entries.

Let the judging begin

The single categories in the ONPA annual still contest have all been judged and results and galleries have all been posted on the ONPA website. All the results are in from the Online Photojournalism contest can be found there as well.

The Plain Dealer leads the Staff of the Year competition for large market papers with 83 points, followed by the Cincinnati Enquirer with 42 points and The Columbus Dispatch with 28 points.

The Springfield News-Sun leads the small market papers with 16 points and is the only small market paper with more than one win.