NPPA Region 4 August clip results

Marshall Gorby from the Springfield News-Sun continues to lead the standings in NPPA's Region 4 Monthly Clip Contest picking up three wins in August.

Former ONPA member Matt Detrich from the Indianapolis Star was the big winner in August picking up four wins and now is in 2nd place 122 points behind Gorby.

Spot News
1st - David Harpe, David Harpe Photography, “Waiting”
2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Cow Control”
3rd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Enon Fire”

General News
1st - Crista Chapman, Indiana University, “High School Diploma”
2nd - Ken Stevens, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Storm Damage”
3rd - Ken Stevens, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Storm Aftermath”

Feature/Single Picture
1st - Erik Holladay, The Jackson Citizen-Patriot, “Throwing Shoes”
2nd - Doug Strickland, “The Caterpillar”

Feature/Multiple Picture
1st - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star, “U.S. Senior Open Sensation”
2nd - Nathaniel Morgan, The Midland Daily News, “Fair Folk”
3rd - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star, “A Taste of the Indiana State Fair”

Sports
1st - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star, “Super Smack”
2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Pig Scramble”
3rd - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star, “Helmet Hit”

Point Standings (through September but do not include July which has not been judged yet)

1st - Marshall Gorby,Springfield News-Sun - 540
2nd - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star - 418
3rd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal - 408
4th - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun - 278
5th - John Tully, Midland Daily News - 276
6th - Nathaniel Morgan, The Midland Daily News - 242
7th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 202
8th - Darren Breen, The Muskegon Chronicle - 192
9th - Cory Morse, The Muskegon Chronicle - 190
10th - Kelly Mackey, The State Journal - 180
Sarah Wright, Chillicothe Gazette - 180

Gorby maintains Region 4 lead

Marhsall Gorby of the Springfield News-Sun continued his winning ways picking up a first place win in Spot News and a third place win in Illustration in NPPA's Region 4 September clip contest.

Other Ohio winners included Gregory Drezdzon, who placed first in Sports and Barbara Perenic of Springfield who placed second in General News.

Spot News

1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Friend Killed”

2nd - Kelly Mackey, The State Journal, “POT”

3rd - Ken Stevens, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Rollover crash”

General News

1st - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star, “Never Forget”

2nd - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, “Pre-School Press Conference”

3rd - Charlie Nye, The Indianapolis Star, “A Docent View”

Feature

1st - Nathaniel Morgan, The Midland Daily News, “Pinball Wizard”

2nd - Aaron Borton, “Freedom Walk 2”

3rd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Keeping an eye out”

Feature Multiple

1st - Aaron Borton, “Freedom Walk Louisville”

Sports

1st - Gregory Drezdzon, Drezdzon Photography, “No Letting Go”

2nd - Nathaniel Morgan, The Midland Daily News, “Huddle”

3rd - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, “Head Save”

Illustration

1st - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Red Hat Style”

2nd - Cory Morse, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Gretchen Spoelman”

3rd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Heart Disease”

Point standings - (July and August have not been judged yet)

1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 428

2nd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal - 406

3rd - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun - 276

4th - John Tully, Midland Daily News - 274

5th - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star - 258

6th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 202

7th - Nathaniel Morgan, The Midland Daily News - 200

8th - Darren Breen, The Muskegon Chronicle - 192

9th - Cory Morse, The Muskegon Chronicle - 188

10th - Kelly Mackey, The State Journal - 178

Sarah Wright/Chillicothe Gazette - 178

Photographer Chris Livingston Dies After Bike Hit By Car

Former (Warren) Tribune Chonicle photographer, Chris Livingston died after being hit by a car Monday while bicycle riding in Orlando. Livingston, 36, is survived by his wife, Catherine Zorovich Livingston, and their two-year-old son, Benjamin.

The funeral service will be Friday, November 13, at 10 a.m. EST at St. Pauls Presbyterian Church, 1450 Citrus Oaks Ave., Gotha, FL.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, friends please consider making a donation to Benjamin's college fund. A Post Office Box has been established for those who wish to make a contribution to the the education fund. Friends ask that donations be mailed to: Catherine Livingston, P.O. Box 1026, Ocoee, FL, 34761.

A full story available on the NPPA Website

Former ONPA member is national candidate

Former ONPA member Michael King is a candidate for NPPA's Board of Directors. That news is not surprising at all to me. King joined ONPA and NPPA as a high school student and was always one to be involved. I'm all for helping him climb the ladder. His plea for your support follows.



Hello, ONPA folks! Long time no see. You are missed!

I wanted to get back in touch and let you know that I'm at a point where I want to start giving back. Since moving to Wisconsin, I've progressively become more involved in volunteering with photojournalism organizations. I spent some time as vice president of our state organization, WNPA, and now serve as our contest coordinator. I've recently signed on as Student Chapter Chair for the NPPA.

I'm taking things a step further now and running for a seat on the NPPA Board of Directors. Regardless of who you would vote for, please participate in this election that will shape the NPPA's governance for the next several years.

If you read my platform statement at (http://www.michaelpking.com/nppa.html), I think you'll see that I'm passionate about helping out, and very concerned about the NPPA's future. I'm concerned about our membership decline. I'm concerned that the NPPA may not be offering enough of the right things to it's remaining membership. And I'm concerned that the NPPA may not be properly passing on the torch to the next wave of visual journalists who will enter our profession. All of these concerns can and must be addressed by bringing together the experienced people and the new people in our profession so they can learn from each other.

If your hopes for the NPPA coincide with mine, I would be thrilled to have your vote. All voting will be done at nppa.org during the month of November. Thank you for taking the time to participate! If you have any questions and concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Michael P. King
Visual Journalist
Green Bay Press-Gazette
920-915-9004
michael@michaelpking.com

The blog didn't move - I did

The absent blogger has returned from moving.

Our quest to downsize was no easy task. Perhaps that's why most people do it after they retire - just so they will have the time to do it. The process was twice what one would normally go through as our son purchased a home as well. Back-to-back weekends of moving, coupled with our son's belongings having to be moved twice. Yes I know that sounds like poor planning, but title companies and real estate agents could make a smooth transition into a newsroom.

Now that the joy of unpacking and settling in is over, hopefully some normalcy will return and we can begin to get caught up.

The gallery for the June clip winners have been posted on the ONPA Website. The July clip contest results are in and posted as well.

Eric Albrecht and Chris Russell from The Columbus Dispatch each had three wins in July. Russell's three wins were good for 132 points. Points leader Marshall Gorby had two wins and picked up 62 points so the race is getting a little tighter and far from over.

The winners gallery should be posted in a few days as the reminder notice to people went out last night.

Top Ten Point Standings after July results
1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 544
2nd - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch - 452
3rd - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Disptch - 430
4th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 344
5th - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer - 332
6th - Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch - 322
7th - Tom Dodge, The Columbus, Dispatch - 294
8th - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, 284
Neal C. Lauron, The Columbus Dispatch - 284
10th - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch - 254

ONPA June clip contest results

The monthly clip contest results for June are in and posted on the ONPA Website.

Neal Lauron, Lisa DeJong, Jeff Hinckley and Marshall Gorby each had multiple wins picking up 90 points each in June which resulted in a reshuffling of the top 10 points leaders in what is shaping up to be a very tight race for those in pursuit of Gorby.

Point standings show Marshall Gorby out in front with 480 points, followed by Eric Albrecht at 326, Chris Russell with 318, Bill Lackey with 300 and Tom Dodge with 290 and Lisa DeJong coming in a sixth with 288.

The winners gallery will be posted as soon as all the images are received.

Stolen equipment alert

Columbus Dispatch photographer Courtney Hergesheimer is asking for help in keeping an eye out for some recently stolen equipment. Hergesheimer was broken into on Sunday night, the 6th, and reports that the thieves got away with pretty much everything electronic, including her 5D Mark II and a 24-105 lens.

The camera model is still back ordered online so if you see one in a pawn shop or online locally she would appreciate any help in checking the serial numbers which are 1020703476 and 1554671.

I suffered the same misfortune many years ago. It was not a pleasant experience so I'm sure she would appreciate your efforts in keeping an eye open for her. Hergesheimer can be rached via e-mail at coherg@gmail.com

Ohio SPJ winners announced

The Ohio SPJ awards for 2009 have been announced. The joint recognition competition is managed by the Central Ohio (Columbus), Cincinnati, and Cleveland pro chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists and honors the best of Ohio's print, broadcast, online, trade and college journalism.

Gus Chan of The Plain Dealer was named Best Photographer in the over 100,000 circulation class. Lisa DeJong of The Plain Dealer placed second. Jeffry Konczal from Suburban News Publications in Columbus was named Best Photographer in the under 100,000 circulation class. Chuck Humel of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram placed second.

In the broadcast competition Byron Stirsman from WHIO-TV in Dayton was named Best Videographer in the major market class. Andy Wallace from the Ohio News Network placed second. There were no entries in the small market division.

The awards will be presented this fall in Cincinnati. The links below have results for all categories in the broadcast and print competitions.

Broadcast winners link

Print winners link

Gorby atop NPPA Region 4 standings

Marshall Gorby of the Springfield News-Sun is now in first place in the NPPA Region 4 Monthly News Clip Contest after picking up a first place win in General News and a second place win in Spot News in June.

Barbara Perenic from Springfield is tied for fourth with Matt Detrich while Springfield's Bill Lackey resides in sixth place. Tracy Boulian from The Plain Dealer is in ninth place.

June Results

Spot News
1st - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Help push”

2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Fatal Accident”


3rd - Emily Reynolds, The Courier-Times, “Surveying the Damage”


General News
1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Flag Day”
2nd - Nathaniel Morgan, Midland Daily News, “Like a Dream”
3rd - James Brosher, Indiana Daily Student, “D-Day re-enactment”

Feature/Single Picture
1st - Diego Robles, Ohio University, “Little Miss Grandma”
2nd - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, “Eating with Altitude”
3rd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Warm up”

Feature/Multiple Picture
1st - Cory Morse, The Muskegon Chronicle, “A Changed Karim”

Sports
1st - Mike Hanson, “Helping Hands”
2nd - Clayton Jackson, The Advocate Messenger, “Down Under”
3rd - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star, “Just Made It!”

Illustration
1st - Darren Breen, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Slot Music”


Point standings through June (April results not included)
1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 344
2nd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal - 324
3rd - John Tully, Midland Daily News - 272
4th - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star - 204
Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun - 204
6th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 202
7th - Darren Breen, The Muskegon Chronicle - 192
8th - Sarah Wright, Chillicothe Gazette - 174
9th - Tracy Boulian, The Plain Dealer - 152
10th - Cory Morse, The Muskegon Chronicle - 144

Lackey wins AP National Photo of the Month

Bill Lackey's feature photo from the Clark County Fair has been chosen by Associated Press editors as the National Members Showcase Photo of the Month for July.

Looks like he's got a good start on tackling photos which will come in real handy as another season of high school football starts this evening in most communities.

The staff in Springfield has been producing some very good work this year. Should be a real duel this year for Staff of the Year honors in the under 100,000 category.

MSBNC Week in Pictures marks 10 years online

Photos of the week galleries now appear on a many news sites on the Web, but ten years ago it was MSNBC who made the Week in Pictures a popular link to click.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The concept was the brainchild of former MSNBC multimedia director Brian Storm whose goal was to show that a light-hearted feature could find a home next to a high profile world news event.

MSNBC has produced a video looking back at how the popular feature has grown. There is also a link for a gallery of editors picks spanning the last ten years.

WBNS dominates 2nd quarter of the TV clip contest

Photographers from WBNS-TV in Columbus swept the second quarter of the ONPA Television Quarterly Clip Contest claiming all places in all the categories.

Jeff Ritter from WBNS is the points leader after the second quarter. Steve Maguire trails Ritter by only three points while Nate Van Sickle is in third place just nine points back..

Complete results and point standings can be seen by clicking on the Television Clip Contest tab on the ONPA Website. Contest chairman David Bradford reminds all the the deadline for second quarter entries is October 15.

2nd quarter winning videos

Odds 'n ends

The dogs days of summer seemed to have finally arrived, coincidently about the same time Tiger Woods and the rest of the golfers descended upon Northeast Ohio last week. Hard to adjust to that kind of heat and humidity with a 400mm lens on your shoulder.

We've been out of touch much of the last two weeks as I was dealing with the sale of my home and the purchase of another. The events of the sale didn't leave much time for blogging so we will play catch up on a few headlines.

ONPA member Shirley Ware put all her years of experience working at the Medina County Gazette to good use and has launched a new Website, MedinaCountyLife.com. She is sharing the site with five other bloggers so the content is varied. There are quite a few Ohio shooters who passed through Medina over the years as interns who might want to take a look and catch up on life in the not so fast lane of Medina County.

Columbus based Associated Press photo editor Kiichiro Sato will be moving to Chicago to work on the AP regional desk where he will still have some Ohio responsibilities. No word on whether Columbus will have full-time staff coverage or if staffer will come in for planned events and rely on stringers day-to-day. I posed the question to Ki via e-mail, but haven't gotten a response yet.

Cox Ohio has extended buyouts to retirement eligible employees at its properties. No word on just how many they are hoping will sign up. Employees has until Sept 14 to apply. Cox Ohio publishes daily papers in Dayton, Springfield, Hamilton and Middletown.

Got word late Wednesday that Springfield News-Sun photographer Bill Lackey has a photo in the Leading Off section of this week's Sports Illustrated, which hit mailboxes today and should be available on the newsstand Friday.

The winning images from the May clip contest are now posted on the ONPA Web site.

Plain Dealer columnist Michael Heaton remembers everyone's buddy Bill Kennedy

Plain Dealer columnist Michael Heaton shares his thoughts on the passing of Bill Kennedy in a story in the paper's Friday edition.

Bill Kennedy shared his own thoughts about his final vacation with his wife Megan to the a North Carolina beach in April. The text is below a small gallery of photos from their trip.

The insidious cancer that I have been fighting for the past four years has finally gotten the upper hand. I feel like I am watching a LeBron James jump shot tracking to the hoop and everyone knows where it's headed, and the announcer yelling, "Nothing but net, cancer by two -- game over!"

Have I given up? Hell no. Have I accepted my fate? Absolutely.

I had a colleague ask if I ever wanted to go to Paris, London, Utica, N.Y., or some other exotic locale before I died, and I mentioned to my good friend that if I didn't want to go 20 years ago, why on earth would I waste my time when I have so little of it left?

My wife, Meg, and I decided the perfect vacation for us (and yes, I say "us" because she was truly my angel on earth for these last few weeks) would be a week on a desolate beach, 100 feet from the Atlantic Ocean with our golden retriever, Jazzy, in tow. That would be perfect.

North Topsail Island, N.C. was our perfect exotic locale. Off-season in April on a beach that looks like it would hold thousands, only a mere smattering of beach-goers could be found, with football fields or more between each blanket.

And these were the weekends, the busy times. During the week, we often had to use binoculars to see if we were sharing our sand with anyone. No one could blame the weather. It was sunny and warm with light winds the entire time, and for early season, a true blessing.

But mostly, it was quiet, our time to spend together without our grown children. A vacation that truly gave us time to say our goodbyes. After all, that’s why we were going, wasn’t it? Neither of us had to say it. Sure, there were tears. They were expected and deep-felt and necessary. But then there were smiles, the touches, the walks picking shells. And while we have many shells from other beachfronts, these will have much more significance because they will always have a date attached.

Even Jazzy made contributions, a piece of well-rounded asphalt that came from deep beneath the Atlantic about 40 miles out, we were told by a perennial vacationer. A piece of nylon rope, probably from a shrimp boat, also found its was into the Tupperware bucket. No way I would convince her it wasn’t a rock. Into the bucket it went.

It was a week made up of a million moments. Nothing we haven’t said or done for each other before, but this time the teenlike “I love you” written in the sand just took on a bigger meaning, as did the ensuing hug. All the seemingly stupid gestures we did so many times before all of a sudden came so much more important.

Sure, we found some fine and fun eateries, and the food was always extra good, even better because I happen to being sharing it with the woman I have loved for the past 17 years.

After years of treatment for sarcoma at the Cleveland Clinic and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Bill Kennedy, a photo editor with The Plain Dealer, enjoyed a special trip with his wife, Megan, in April. It would be the couple's final vacation.

Contributions can be made in honor of Bill Kennedy to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sarcom Medical Oncology, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210. Online: https://www3.mdanderson.org/devoffice.

Kennedy memorial service Saturday in Medina

A memorial service for Bill Kennedy will be at noon on Saturday at Waite and Son Funeral Home, 765 N. Court St. in Medina.

Contributions can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, Sarcoma Medical Oncology, P.O Box 4486, Houston, TX.

A full obituary is now online at Cleveland.com with a gallery of Kennedy's work and a link to his music.

Bill Kennedy loses his battle with cancer

I have the unpleasant task of sharing the news of the passing of Bill Kennedy who died early Monday after a long battle with cancer.

Bill was a man of many talents and I would do him an injustice to refer to him as Plain Dealer photographer Bill Kennedy, for he was far more than that. First and foremost a man devoted to his family who now celebrate his life and mourn their loss.

He was an artist with a camera, or musical instrument and used his his tools to make this world a much better place in his all too short time here. He always downplayed his talent and heaped praise on his fellow musicians and colleagues at the paper. It was just his way.

Over the years he shared his musical talents at ONPA conventions as part of our house band "The Pixels". He never made any bones about it, he was at the convention for music, not photography.

Your day got a little brighter if you ran into Bill on assignment. He could make the hours waiting for a courtroom verdict pass very quickly. If you happened upon him on his home turf in Medina he took you under his wing and shared his knowledge of whatever was going on. Everyone in town knew Bill so it was like being with the mayor.

His friends have known for several months what the outcome of Bill's fight was to be. I didn't make it any easier when your heard the news though. In conversations with Bill he always referred to me as buddy. He had a lot of buddies, and that is why so many people from his immediate family to all who knew him mourn his passing today.

We will share information on services here just as soon as it becomes available.

ONPA May clip contest results

The monthly clip contest results for May are in and posted on the ONPA Website.

Bill Lackey of the Springfield News-Sun was to top point producer for the month picking up 140 points for his four wins followed by Fred Squillante's 100 points for three wins.

Official point standings will be updated when clip contest chairman Neal Lauron returns from vacation. Unofficially the top five in points are Marshall Gorby - 388, Tom Dodge - 288, Eric Albrecht - 286, Bill Lackey and Fred Squillante with 258.

The winners gallery will be posted as soon as all the images are received.

NPPA May clip contest resutls

The Springfield News-Sun continues to represent Ohio well in the NPPA Region 4 Monthly Clip Contest. Bill Lackey had two first place wins in May, Marshall Gorby had two second place wins and Barbara Perenic placed second in sports for the month.

The three along with Tracy Boulian of The Plain Dealer are the only Ohio photographers in the Top 10 in the point standings.

Spot News

1st - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, "Car Rescue”

2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, "Cry for help”

3rd - Nathaniel Morgan, The Midland Daily News, "The Fire at Joseph's Run”

General News

1st - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Love beats odds”

2nd - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star, “Foreclosure Frustration”

3rd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Another loss”

Feature/Single Picture

1st - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Waiting”

2nd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal, “Getting ready”

3rd - Kelly Mackey, The State Journal, “Homless Heros”

Feature/Multiple Picture

1st - John Tully,Midland Daily News, “Out of War”

2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Clown Funeral”

3rd - Aaron Borton, “XStream Cleanup”

Sports

1st - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, “Diving Catch”

2nd - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, “The Eye Has It”

3rd - Nathaniel Morgan, The Midland Daily News, “Track”

Standings

1st - John Tully, Midland Daily News - 270

2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 252

3rd - Ryan Garza, The Flint Journal - 242

4th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 200

5th - Matt Detrich, The Indianapolis Star - 172

- Sarah Wright, Chillicothe Gazette - 172

7th - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun - 162

8th - Tracy Boulian, The Plain Dealer - 150

9th - Darren Breen, The Muskegon Chronicle - 142

10th - Kelly Mackey, The State Journal - 92

Cory Morse, The Muskegon Chronicle

Youngstown television operators file Chapter 11 bankruptcy

New Vision Television operators of Youngstown television stations WKBN/WYFX/WYTV have filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

A story by Andrea Wood of the Youngstown Business Journal reports that employees of the affected stations learned of the news from a competitor seeking comment before management had even told them of bankruptcy.

The economy had already taken its toll in this market with consolidation of new gathering operations at these stations in late 2007.

Michael King reviews Eddie Adams Story

Former ONPA member Michael P. King received a screening copy of An Unlikely Weapon: The Eddie Adams Story and gives it 4 1/2 stars.

His full review is available online.

King's only negative on the documentary is its limited release with no dates in his hometown Green Bay market. We are in the same boat in Ohio with no dates as of now. We will need to keep our eyes open for a DVD release.

Jeff Ritter wins National Edward R. Murrow Award

Lima Company: A Portrait of Service, a story by photographer Jeff Ritter from WBNS-TV in Columbus, has won a National Edward R. Murrow Award for videography in the Large Market Television division.

The Edward R. Murrow Awards are presented by the Radio-Television News Directors Association and honor excellence in electronic journalism. RTNDA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Edward R. Murrow Awards since 1971. A complete list of National Edward R. Murrow Award Winners.

Earlier this year the story was the Grand Award winner in the 75th annual National Headliner Awards and was Best of Show in the ONPA year-end contest. Ritter was also the ONPA Television Photographer of the Year for his work in 2008.

WBNS-TV and WTOL-TV in Toledo both won Regional Edward R. Murrow awards for overall excellence in their respective large and small market divisions. The region includes all television stations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Both stations had multiple wins in the regional contest. A complete list of Regional Edward R. Murrow Award Winners.

February and April clip galleries now online

The monthly still clip contest seems back on track and galleries with winning images from both February and April are now posted. Links to each can be found with the corresponding monthly results on the ONPA Web site.

Top Ten Point Standings as of April results
1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - 318
2nd - Tom Dodge, The Columbus, Dispatch - 288
3rd - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch - 246
4th - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Disptch - 196
5th - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch - 158
- Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch - 158
7th - Kyle Lanzer, Sun Newspapers - 156
8th - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, 148
9th - Andy Morrison, The Blade - 146
10th - Tracy Boulian, The Plain Dealer -118
- Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 118
- Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer - 118

Spot news breaks out in Springfield (where else)

Bill Lackey of the Springfield News-Sun has won the National Associated Press Member Showcase Photo of the Month for May.

The photo, which moved on the wire May 25 shows the driver a car looking out from her vehicle which flipped over after striking a tree.

Of course you can't write about spot news in Springfield without somehow throwing out the name of Marshall Gorby.

Gorby had the flames come to him and became a spot news story himself while capturing video during a Flag Day ceremony to retire old flags at the Legion Post 286 in New Carlisle.

Fortunately for Gorby responders were already on the scene. You'll notice that his camera only leaves the flames for a few seconds despite being on fire himself.

Cleveland Press Club Best Photographer honors go to Gus Chan

Plain Dealer photographer Gus Chan was named Best in Ohio in the 31st Annual Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards present by the Press Club of Cleveland. His co-worker Lisa DeJong placed 2nd - in the competition.

The awards to honor Ohio's best newspapers, magazines, photographers, designers and writers were presented at the Marriott Downtown at Key Center in Cleveland last Friday.

Photography winners are below. A complete winners list in pdf format is available here.

Best in Ohio: Photographer
1st - Gus Chan, The Plain Dealer
2nd - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer

Daily Newspaper Photography
Spot News
1st - Duncan Scott, The News-Herald, "Tragedy Averted"
2nd - Garett Landers, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Steeple Fire"

General News
1st - Dave Zapotosky, The Blade, "Extreme Makeover: Frisch Family Comes Home"
2nd - Jeff Forman The News-Herald Sentence Reaction
2nd - Ernest Coleman The Cincinnati Enquirer Remembering Dad

Sports Action
1st - Maribeth Joeright, The News-Herald, "Socc-ed"
2nd - Lonnie Timmons III The Plain Dealer, "Cloud of Dust"
2nd - Mike Cardew Akron Beacon Journal, "Sole Sister"

Sports Feature
1st - Duncan Scott The News-Herald, "Stopped Cold"
2nd - Tracy Boulian The Plain Dealer, "Frist Victory"
2nd - Ed Suba Jr. Akron Beacon Journal, "Game Winner"

General Feature
1st - Lynn Ischay The Plain Dealer, "Peeking"
2nd - Ed Suba Jr. Akron Beacon Journal, "A Mother's Wait"
2nd - Chuck Humel The Chronicle-Telegram, "Splish-Splash"

Studio Photography
1st - Peggy Turbett The Plain Dealer, "Pumpkin Soup"

Portrait/Personality Photography
1st - Peggy Turbett The Plain Dealer, "Zanzibar"
2nd - Mike Cardew Akron Beacon Journal, "Freedom"

Photojournalism
1st - Lisa DeJong The Plain Dealer, "A Survivor's Journey"
2nd - Gus Chan The Plain Dealer, "Mr. Fix It"

Non-Daily Newspaper Photography
Spot News
1st - Dan Trittschuh, Olentangy Valley News, "Mourning Crash Victims"
2nd - David Liam Kyle, Sun News, "Truck Fire"

General News
1st - Ann Tormet, ThisWeek Olentangy, "Candlelight Vigil"
2nd - Jeff Konczal, Northwest Columbus News, "Welcome Home"

Sports Action
1st - Adam Cairns, ThisWeek Worthington, "LaCrosse Hit"
2nd - David Rea, ThisWeek Newspapers, "Fly Boys"

Sports Feature
1st - Kyle Lanzer, West Side Sun News, "State Champions"
2nd - David Liam Kyle, Sun News, "A Win for the Wildcats"

General Feature
1st - Andrea Kjerrumgaard, ThisWeek West Side, "Surprise!"
2nd - Tim Norman, ThisWeek Rocky Fork, "Money,Money,Money"
2nd - Adam Cairns, ThisWeek Johnstown Ind., "Frog Jump"

Studio Photography
1st - Kyle Lanzer, Brunswick Sun News, "Grinch Sleigh"

Photojournalism
1st - Carrie Cochran, The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Four Lives Two Worlds"
2nd - Adam Cairns, ThisWeek Arlington, "UA Champs"
2nd - Tim Norman, ThisWeek Licking County, "Shrine Tournament"

Pictorial
1st - David Liam Kyle, Sun News, "Watercolors"
2nd - Lorrie Cecil, ThisWeek in Bexley, "Chihuly Rest Stop"
2nd - David Liam Kyle, Sun News, "Honey Bee"

Photography - All Others
General Photo: Single Image
1st - Ray Saviciunas, Akron Life & Leisure, "Senior Wiihab"
2nd - Barney Taxel & Jennifer Kessen, Cleveland Magazine, "Tastemakers"

General Photo: Multiple Images
1st - Janet Adams, Columbus Business 1st, "Views from the North Bank"
2nd - Michael Cavotta, Cleveland Magazine, "Vegging Out vs Starch, Meat, Repeat"

Portrait/Personality Photography
1st - Janet Adams, Business 1st, "Gee is Excited"
2nd - Billy Delfs, Cleveland Magazine, "Life According to Les Roberts"

Studio Photography
1st - Ken Mengay & Ivan Sheehan, Northern Ohio Live, "2008 Gourmet Guide"
2nd - James E. Mahan, Dayton Business Journal, "Nano Particles"

Photojournalism
1st - James E. Mahan, Dayton Business Journal, "Mission To Kuwait"
2nd - Janet Adams, Business 1st, "Simplicity Rules"

Pictorial
1st - Janet Adams, Columbus Business 1st - "Book of Lists 2008"

April clip contest results

Fred Squillante, Eric Albrecht, Lisa DeJong and Kyle Robertson were all multiple winners in the ONPA April still clip contest. Marshall Gorby, Tom Dodge and Chris Russell each picked up a win in April as well and hold the top three places in the standings.

Complete standings and judges comments can be found on the ONPA Web site. A slideshow of the winners will be posted as soon as the images are received.

April results
Spot News


1st - Dave Zapotosky, The Blade, "Cop and Lady


2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, Fire Reaction"


3rd - Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch, "Red Wing Fan"

General News


1st - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Swine Flu"


2nd - Shari Lewis, The Columbus Dispatch, "Teen funeral"


3rd - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer, "Fire fighters"
HM - Jonathan Quilter, The Columbus Dispatch

Portrait


1st - Tom Dodge, The Columbus Dispatch, "Baby Elephant"


2nd - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Violinist"


3rd - Leonardo Carrizo, The Columbus Dispatch, “"Ukulele"

Feature


1st - Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch, "Personal Jungle Gym"


2nd - Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer, "Opening Day"


3rd - Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch, "Rain was Sideways"

Sports


1st - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, "Kid and Steer"


2nd - Chuck Humel, Elyria Chronicle Telegram, "Rugby"


3rd - Kyle Roberston, The Columbus Dispatch, "Hockey fans and players"

Picture Story


1st - Andy Morrison, The Blade, "Faith Is...Not given"


2nd - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, "Signs"


3rd - Fred Squillante, The Columbus Dispatch, "Vietnam Day"

1st qtr Illustration


1st - Ed Suba Jr., Akron Beacon Journal, "Emo"


2nd - Peggy Turbett, The Plain Dealer, "Syrup"


3rd - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch, "Apples"

JUDGES: Nathan Gray , Sefton Ipock and Ken Ruinard - Photo staff at the Anderson Independent-Mail

Hard times come to Cleveland, Columbus based weeklies

The downturn in revenue which has let to cuts at many daily newspapers has now appeared to take its toll on two major weekly chains in Ohio.

In the Cleveland/Akron market Sun Newspapers said Friday it will eliminate half of its 22 editions and cut staffing. A Sun staffer said two of the four photo positions will be eliminated within 60 days.

Earlier this year the parent company of Suburban News Publications and The Other Paper in Columbus filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A Columbus Business Journal story now says that the company's assets are now to be sold.

Ransom paid February results are in

The ransom was paid and the long awaited February clip results have been released. Not wanting to hold up the process any further we will update the point totals on the Web site as soon as possible.

Tom Dodge of The Dispatch probably didn't mind the wait as he picked up five wins in February taking 1st and 2nd in general news, 3rd in feature and 2nd in portrait and sports. Two hundred points is a good year for some people, he did it in one month.

Marshall Gorby of the Springfield News-Sun scored three wins, placing first in feature and first with an HM in spot news as well.

A slideshow of the winners will be posted as soon as the images are received. There are no more funds for ransom so get them in quickly.

February results

Spot News
1st - Chuck Humel, Elyria Chronical Telegram - "Woman Pulled From Accident"
2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun - "Fire at House"
3rd - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch -- "Clean-up After Fire"
HM - Kyle Robertson, The Columbus Dispatch -- "Firefighters on Ladder Truck"
HM - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun -- "Racoon Head in Peanut Butter Jar"

General News
1st - Tom Dodge, The Columbus Dispatch, "Readiness at the Capitol"
2nd - Tom Dodge, The Columbus Dispatch, "Mom Comforts Son"
3rd - Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer, "School nurse checks kid"

Feature
1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, "Looking at Fish"
2nd - David Rea, ThisWeek Newspapers, "Crossing Fingers"
3rd - Tom Dodge, The Columbus Dispatch, "Lincoln in Mirror"
HM - Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer, "Doctor Looking at Kid"
HM - Lorrie Cecil, ThisWeek Newspapers, "Shake, Rattle and Roll"

Portrait
1st - Kyle Lanzer, Sun Newspapers, "Showerhead Spokesman"
2nd - Tom Dodge, The Columbus Dispatch, "Veterans Tribute Bike"
3rd - Kyle Lanzer, Sun Newspapers, "Students Doing Art"

Sports
1st - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, "Wrestler Biting Wrestler"
2nd - Tom Dodge, The Columbus Dispatch, "Weight Lifting Woman"
3rd - David Rea, ThisWeek Newspapers, "Bored looking coach"
HM - Tim Norman, ThisWeek Newspapers, "Battle for the Ball"

Picture Story
1st - Andy Morrison, The Blade, "Floating Free"
2nd - Neal C. Lauron, The Columbus Dispatch, "Kids Camp"
3rd - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch, "Emus"

Taking a bow

The National Press Photographers Association will be presenting it's honors and recognition awards Saturday night in Las Vegas as it winds up Convergence '09. I find myself on the list of recipients this year being presented the Morris Berman Citation. The Berman Citation is given to an individual for special contributions advancing the interests of photojournalism.

I share the news here to thanks those individuals responsible for nominating me for the award. I'm a little in awe when I look at a list of previous recipients of this award.

I think the recognition speaks very well of ONPA. We've been building upon the successes of our predecessors and couldn't have done so without the help of others. I can't think of a time when I picked up the phone or sent an e-mail that the member on the other end wasn't willing to help the cause.

So lets all take a bow.

NPPA Presents Annual Top Honors & Recognition Awards

Bob Lynn, Kevin Scofield, To Receive Sprague Awards In Las Vegas

Region 4 March clip results

Results for the month of March are in for NPPA's Region 4 clip contest. Region 4, January and February results along with ONPA's February results are still being held hostage.

Sarah Wright of the Chillicothe Gazette was the big winner in March taking first and second in sports and second in spot news. Barbara Perenic from the Springfield News-Sun placed third in general news and feature multiple in March.

Spot News

1st - John Tully / Midland Daily News, “Fatal Fire”

2nd - Sarah Wright / Chillicothe Gazette, “Shocked”

3rd - Marshall Gorby / Springfield News-Sun, “Comforting”

General News

1st - Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star, “Down But Not Out”

2nd - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-Sun, “School Funeral”

3rd - Barbara Perenic / Springfield News-Sun, “Fire Victims Remembered”

Feature single

1st - Bill Lackey / Springfield News-Sun, “Demolition”

2nd - Shari Lewis / The Columbus Dispatch, “Taste of Freedom”

3rd - Darren Breen / The Muskegon Chronicle, “Spiritual Turkey”

Feature multiple

1st - Darren Breen / The Muskegon Chronicle, “Trooper Jayme Green”

2nd - CoCo Walters, The Muskegon Chronicle, “Discipleship House”

3rd - Barbara Perenic / Springfield News-Sun, “Austin, A Young Hero”

Sports

1st - Sarah Wright / Chillicothe Gazette, “Scramble”

2nd - Sarah Wright / Chillicothe Gazette, “Overtime call”

3rd - Matt Detrich / The Indianapolis Star, “Sweet Sixteen Celebration”

First quarter illustration

1st - Darren Breen / The Muskegon Chronicle, “Gun Sales”

2nd - Shari Lewis / The Columbus Dispatch, “Dancers”

3rd - Ryan Garza / The Flint Journal, “Spring fashion”

Region 4 Top 10

1st - Sarah Wright/Chillicothe Gazette - 168

2nd - Darren Breen/The Muskegon Chronicle - 138

3rd - John Tully/Midland Daily News - 106

4th - Bill Lackey/Springfield News-Sun - 98

5th - Matt Detrich/The Indianapolis Star - 88

6th - Shari Lewis/The Columbus Dispatch - 86

7th - Marshall Gorby/Springfield News-Sun - 78

8th - Barbara Perenic/Springfield News-Sun - 68

9th - CoCo Walters/The Muskegon Chronicle - 42

10th - Ryan Garza/The Flint Journal - 38

Ohio AP Broadcasters recognize best work from 2008

The Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters presented their annual award this past weekend in Columbus.

Tom Nartker, WLIO-TV, Lima, Eric Frisbee, WHIO-TV, Dayton, and Anthony Mirones, WCPO-TV, Cincinnati were recognized as Best Photographers in their respective small, medium and large market divisions for work in 2008.

Awards for Best Use of Photography went to Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, Columbus for Lima Company: A Portrait of Service" in the large market division and to James Brown and Byron Stirsman from WHIO-TV, Dayton for "Cowboy Church" in the medium market division.

Complete results for all categories and divisions.

Sports, sports and more sports

Yes those Cleveland Cavaliers are sitting at home watching the NBA finals but, sports will still take center stage in Ohio this weekend anyway.

The OHSAA will be hosting state tournaments in softball, baseball and track. The state baseball finals move from Cooper Stadium to the new Huntington Park in Columbus and begin this morning. State softball returns to Akron's Firestone Stadium today for the second year with track and field events once again at Jesse Owens Stadium on the Ohio State University campus beginning Friday.

Here is a link for a pdf file with all the information you will need if you are covering any of these events. 

A word of warning to those covering state track Friday and Saturday. The OHSAA will not be providing media meals this year in an effort to trim costs so be prepared to use the concession stand outside the media workroom or bring something with you to get through the marathon of state track.

Photographers needing some assistance with track results when captioning can find results online here. 

You can't have spring state tournaments going on without the Memorial Golf Tournament which kicked off Wednesday. All these events are usually a sure sign of either rain or unbelievable humidity. While the skies opened up yesterday during the Skins Tournament at the Memorial it looks as though the rest of the weekend will be rain free with temperatures near 80 degrees. 

"American Youth" Cleveland opening Friday

Cleveland-based editorial and fine art photographer Greg Ruffing was one of 25 photographers from across the country, represented by Redux Pictures, who contributed to "American Youth", a 240-page book that looks at the lives of the newest generation of 18 - 24  year olds. 

The project and images document a segment of the population most overlooked by newspapers. There seems to a an unwritten rule that you need to by unhealthy, under six or over sixty or have a dog to be worthy of appearing in a daily newspaper. The work by the photographers on this project prove there are images and stories worth pursuing not covered by the unwritten rule. 

An "American Youth" book launch and exhibition will be held this Friday, June 5, from 6-9pm at the Low Life Gallery located at 16001 Waterloo Road in Cleveland. The show will include selected images and outtakes from Ruffing's contributions to the project. Ruffing will also have copies of the book on hand for sale. As they say in the ONPA hospitality suite, refreshments will be served.

Join the party,  Ruffing's images and the atmosphere will be a welcome relief from your daily dose of news.

Links for the project:

"American Youth"

Local lunch party and exhibition

Photo District News story

March clip contest results

The March monthly still clip contest results are in. Marshall Gorby, Bill Lackey, Chris Russell, Eric Albrecht, Adam Cairns and Sheri Lewis were all first place winners in March. Russell is still in first place with 214 points, followed by Gorby with 176, Tracy Boulian with 116 and Eric Albrecht with 114.

The point totals below do not include February results which apparently are being held hostage by Cory Dellenbach of the Shawano Leader in Wisconsin who said they were completed and would be shipped April 26. We were told the same thing on May 22. Anybody see a pattern here.

We are not alone in the clip contest judging dilemma. The January results for the NPPA Monthly Clip Contest have been released in only four of the twelve regions, and this using an online system for entering and judging which was supposed to eliminate this sort of thing.

A slideshow of the winners will be posted as soon as all the images are submitted.

Spot News
1st - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Fire Scene” 
2nd - Paul Tople, Akron Beacon Journal, “Standoff” 
3rd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun, “Fire Scene” 

General News
1st - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun , “Family Member Touched Coffin” 
2nd - Karen Schiely, Akron Beacon Journal, “Goodbye Chad” 
3rd - Tom Dodge, The Columbus Dispatch, “Mistrial” 
HM - Barbara J. Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, “Flower at Coffin”

Portrait
1st - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch, “Lustron House” 
2nd - Karen Schiely, Akron Beacon Journal, “Reflected Image” 
3rd - Leonardo Carrizo, The Columbus Dispatch, “On the keyboards” 

Feature
1st - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, “Dog Lick” 
2nd - Andy Morrison, Toledo Blade, “Sunset” 
3rd - Jeff Hinckley, The Columbus Dispatch, “Red Umbrella” 
HM - David Rea, This Week Newspapers, “Slimed” 
HM - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun, “Destroy Nurses Station” 

Sports
1st - Adam Cairns, This Week Newspapers, “State Champ” 
2nd - Tracy Boulian, The Plain Dealer, “LeBron Comforts” 
3rd - Phil Masturzo, Akron Beacon Journal, “Bball Wrestling” 
HM - Kyle Lanzer, Sun Newspapers, “Gymnasts Waiting” 

Picture Story
1st - Shari Lewis, The Columbus Dispatch, “Released from prison”
2nd - Neal C. Lauron, The Columbus Dispatch, “Wrestling Finals” 
3rd - Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer, St Patty’s Day” 
HM - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Dispatch, “Sending Help


Top 10 Point standings 
1st - Chris Russell, The Columbus Dispatch - 214
2nd - Marshall Gorby, Springfield News-Sun -176
3rd - Tracy Boulian, The Plain Dealer -116
4th - Eric Albrecht, The Columbus Disptch - 114
5th - Barbara Perenic, Springfield News-Sun, 96
6th - Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer - 86
7th - Kyle Lanzer, Sun Newspapers - 76
8th - Phil Masturzo, Akron Beacon Journal - 74
9th - Karen Schiely, Akron Beacon Journal - 72
10th - Bill Lackey, Springfield News-Sun - 66
            Shari Lewis, The Columbus Dispatch - 66

Full standings available on the ONPA Web Site

Remembering Ramón Owens

Our sympathy to the family and friends of Ray Owens, who worked with many of us in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He died last Thursday of a heart attack in Oregon, where he had recently moved. He was 48. His obituary follows…

Ramón Mena Owens
Nov. 3, 1960-May 21, 2009

Ramón Mena Owens passed away May 21, 2009, of a heart attack. His friends and family are shocked and saddened and trying to find a way to smile through this grief, knowing he is at peace… and that Ramón was always so loving and happy that he would want nothing but smiles. His big heart, kind eyes, and warm smile were his calling card in this life, and he had the remarkable gift of actually being able to see people as only a photojournalist could and empathize with them. He also knew how to love, forgive, joke, and laugh. He was a wonderful soul who will be missed; his heart was as big as the sky, but God made it weak so that he would not suffer the world’s cruelties which baffled him, like war and poverty, or lesser fools for too long.

Ramón was born in Tillamook, Oregon, where his father was stationed in the Air Force. Ramón had recently returned to Oregon and was living in Bend with dear friends, where he was starting an environmental journalism reporting web site. He told his friend Matthew it felt as if he was going home.

After his birth and a few years in Oregon, Ramón’s family returned to Madrid, Spain, where Ramón grew up under the regime of Generalissimo Francisco Franco. He spent many a happy day in “el campo,” as he called it—the village of Andujar in Jaen, which was the birthplace of his mother. Andujar was home in his heart, but he had many homes in his heart, and in the end, home was where his friends and family were. He was a traveler and a free spirit.

As a child in Spain, Ramón said he felt left out because he was not allowed to join the “Boy Scouts” with the other little boys. When he was older Ramón learned that the organization was for young fascists and he was excluded because he was American. He had a good chuckle over that. Ramón retained a deep affinity for Spain his whole life, spoke fluent Spanish, and even considered getting a Spanish citizenship over the past few years. He returned to Spain in 2000 after not seeing his family for more than 20 years. It was a thrilling and happy time for him to reunite with his numerous cousins and devoted Aunt, Joaquina.

Ramón was a veteran of the Navy, which he called “the Nav,” and he would have smiled knowing he died on Memorial Day Weekend. He was stationed in Key West, Florida. He attended Cuyahoga County Community College in Cleveland, Ohio and Ohio University School of Journalism in Athens, Ohio. Prior to becoming a photojournalist, he was a trained electrician, and wired navigation equipment for Navy jets.

After becoming a photojournalist, Ramón excelled. He traveled to El Salvador and Honduras in the 1980s, starting a career in international journalism and hardening his resolve against war and for peace. Injustice bit at him, and he was driven to document that and make the world a better place. Ramón won numerous awards in his lifetime, including a Best of Gannett Award in 2005 for his coverage of Hurricane Katrina, an AP Photographer of the Year Award in Ohio, a Ford environmental photography fellowship from the International Center for Journalists in Ecuador (2003), and a Knight Fellowship in Armenia (2003). He also earned fellowships in environmental journalism from the Society for Environmental Journalists in Baltimore, Maryland, and Atlanta, Georgia. His work appears in the Smithsonian Museum of American History from the Americanos project, in which he documented the lives of Hispanics in America; and several book projects, including a book about The Ohio State University, Americanos, and a book about Ecuador’s wildlife and ecosystems.

Ramón started his career as an intern at The Boston Globe, went on to work as an intern and then a photojournalist at The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch, before heading to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. In 1998 he moved to Colorado and started a full-time freelance photography business. In 2004 Ramón was the photo editor at the Greeley (Colorado) Tribune. He volunteered for the Navajo Times, and had a deep affinity for Native peoples, their traditions, and beliefs. In 2005 he headed to Palm Springs, California, where he worked for the Desert Sun and covered Hurricane Katrina, the wildfires and their impact on the people and wildlife of the desert, and homelessness in the California desert communities. Ramón then worked as a photographer in Riverside, California, at the Press-Enterprise. After downsizing last September there, Ramón started Back in Green, a blog for environmental reportage. The earth and the environment were big concerns for Ramón, and he headed to Bend in his hybrid car to build Back in Green and bring attention to the environmental issues facing the world to try to effect change.

Ramón was preceded in death by his father, Amos Owens, a paternal uncle Ross, a paternal aunt Nelly, his paternal grandparents, a maternal aunt Maria in Spain and his maternal grandparents. He is survived by his mother, Mercedes Owens, Maple Heights, Ohio, and his younger brother and his wife, Francisco Owens and Camille Evans, Los Angeles, and their daughter and Ramón’s niece, Sophie. He is also survived in Spain by his Tia (Aunt) Joaquina, his Tio Antonio, and numerous cousins and second cousins.

Ramón’s father was of African-American and Seminole heritage. Ramón was thrilled when Barack Obama won the presidency and wished his father had lived to see that historic moment. We are all glad that Ramón did.

Ramón enjoyed hiking, running, and biking, in his words, “on trails overlooking mountain views.” He adored animals and the companionship of his dog, Lilly, sustained him. After her death he spent time volunteering at a local animal shelter in Palm Desert. He loved music and reading, and died in love with life and doing what he loved. We can all find solace in that.

On his facebook page he wrote “About Me: On the path to find the goodness and meaning to this life.” His favorite quote was an Irish blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”

After a cremation in Oregon, a private memorial service is being held in Los Angeles, California. Memorial services are being organized in Palm Desert, Ohio, and Colorado and arrangements are pending.

Ramón was an advocate for the homeless, animals and was touched by the plight of Hurricane Katrina victims. Donations to local homeless shelters or food kitchens, The Humane Society, and the American Red Cross would honor Ramón’s memory.

Friends and family are creating a tribute site for Ramón. In the meantime you can share your memories of Ramón by becoming a fan at Ramon Mena Owens: A Tribute in Green on facebook.

May we all work to create the goodness and meaning that Ramón sought in life. Godspeed.

You can see Ramon’s work at backingreen.com, rmophoto.com and on the Press Enterprise Web site

Link to an additional obituary on Cleveland.com

The Shot - The Original

Former Akron Beacon Journal photographer Ott Gangl reminds us all of how the unexpected can happen, especially when photographing sports.

Gangl was covering the Cavs - Bulls playoff game when Michael Jordan hit the shot that Cleveland Cavaliers fans and basketball historians will never forget. 

Only seconds earlier Gangl shot what he thought was the game winner by the Cavs' Craig Ehlo. He left his position to go to the other end of the floor during a timeout to shoot Cleveland celebration photos. In anticipation of that Gangl put on a wide angle lens. It wasn't his intention but it resulted in a story telling image that included the scoreboard.

The rest as they say is history. 

Lesson of the day - expect the unexpected

The Shot - The Sequel

With apologies to Gary Harwood I'm tired of seeing him taking Michael Jordan's picture after "the shot"  at the Coliseum in Richfield. Of course as a  Cleveland sports fan the scene is burned into my brain after all these years. Perhaps "The Chosen One" has now eased my pain. 

I may still need to see Jordan's shot from time to time but at least now it will probably be shown with LeBron James buzzer beater against the Orlando Magic in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

If you missed the game you had to have lived under a rock Saturday not to have seen the sequel to "The Shot".  ESPN couldn't go more than 10 minutes without replaying it and every newspaper in Northeast Ohio has some version of it on the front page.

I happened to be working the picture desk Friday night and a roar went up in the newsroom when the ball ripped through the net.

We weren't the only newsroom that erupted as the clock struck zero. ABC affiliate WEWS-TV in Cleveland happened to be signing off their 11 pm newscast when LeBron hit the shot. Even the video of this was shown as part of  the ESPN LeBron mini series Saturday. I won't ruin it for you if you haven't seen it. Its short but sweet.

Enjoy and  Go Cavs

First quarter television results and winning videos

Photographers from WBNS-TV in Columbus captured all but two of the places in the first quarter of the ONPA Television Quarterly Clip Contest. 

Jeff Ritter from WBNS is the points leader after the first quarter. Only three points behind in second are Nate Van Sickle from WBNS and Billy Muhhamed from WJW-TV in Cleveland.

Contest chairman David Bradford reminds all the the deadline for second quarter entries is July 15.

Winners can be viewed online

First quarter results

Spot News

1st - Nate Van Sickle, WBNS-TV, "New Year's Loss" 

2nd - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, "I was expecting the worst" 

3rd - Steve Maguire, WBNS-TV, "Historic Arson Victim" 



General News

1st - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV, "Even if we're bored to death, we'll wait" 

2nd - Steve Maguire, WBNS-TV, "Rebuilding Kids Lives" 

3rd - Nate Van Sickle, WBNS-TV, "I'm not a football fan"
HM - Rich Yedlicka, WBNS-TV, "Reynoldsburg Basketball Player dies" 



News Feature
N/A
 
In-Depth
1st - Billy Muhammed, WJW-TV, "Dan's New Job"
2nd - Bill Reagan, WBNS-TV, "OHP Ticket Quota"
3rd - Billy Muhammed, WJW-TV, "Job Fair"
 
Standings
1st - Jeff Ritter, WBNS-TV - 20pts
2nd - Nate Van Sickle, WBNS-TV - 17pts
3rd - Billy Muhammed, WJW-TV - 17pts
4th - Steve Maguire, WBNS-TV -14pts
5th - Bill Reagan, WBNS-TV - 8pts
6th - Rich Yedlicka, WBNS-TV - 2pts

Judged at WNDU-TV, South Bend, Indiana

Who is that man in the pink boxers

Even the headline on the New York Times' Lens blog pokes a little fun at the situation. Behind the Scenes: Man in the Pink Boxers. Its worth a click, not often we get humor from the front lines of the battle field. 

The  humor supplied from the lens of AP photographer David Guttenfelder who captured Specialist Zachary Boyd, who rushed to the front line from his sleep when his unit came under attack in Afghanistan wearing body armor and his I Love NY boxers.

The 15 minutes of fame was followed by Boyd's hometown paper the Fort Worth Star-Telegram who followed the story. Boyd's mother said she was not at all surprised saying, "He has always been an interesting little character."

Plain Dealer newsroom opts for paycut over layoffs

Newspaper Guild covered employees at the The Plain Dealer have ratified an agreement that calls for economic concessions as a way to stave off further staff reductions. The one-year agreement calls for a an 8.1% pay reductions as well as 11 days of unpaid furlough. While the agreement is in place there will be no layoffs.

Full story on Crain's Cleveland Business

Vacation catch up

A week away from home, work and newspapers is gone in a flash. 

Having been forced to take two unpaid weeks off this year working at a Gannett property Matt Detrich asked me what kind of vacation I was on. My reply - the old fashion kind - paid. We haven't gotten to that point in Akron so that is good news. Catching up with my e-mail after a week I see there is very little other good news to share.

Following the lead of their sister paper in Warren the Lisbon Morning Journal has cut the photo staff to one person forcing Aaron Rudolph to the unemployment lines after eight years at the paper.  Rudolph was a consistent winner in the clips and year-end contests during his time at Lisbon so this wasn't a case of poor performance. As it had in Warren, Ogden Newspapers has elected to pass out digital cameras to reporters to replace staff photography. We wish nothing but the best for Rudolph whose second daughter was born earlier this month.

It appears GateHouse Ohio Media doesn't consider its photographers as journalists. That coming from Kevin M. Kampman, publisher of The (Canton) Repository commenting on the paper's agreement with the city of Canton to publish its quarterly magazine.  Kampman is quoted on the newspaper's Web site that, “This business relationship does not involve our newspaper newsrooms and will not shape the independent coverage decisions made by GateHouse Ohio journalists”.

The story goes on to say that the city is responsible for all of the written content and has final approval before the pages are printed and that GateHouse Ohio Media will supply the photography and artwork for the publication. 

Repository staff photographers routinely do work specifically for the city and this has been going on even before this new arrangement to produce the quarterly magazine for the city. Well Mr. Kampman I'm probably not the first to tell you this, but your staff photographers are journalists and have no business in doing any sort of work for the city of Canton. The last time I checked photographers are part of the newsroom. Check with your managing editor, if he's got any guts he'll tell you the same thing.

An Akron reserve police officer is the latest to think his police powers extend to censoring legitimate news gathering. Richard Culp, a 12-year reserve officer working security at the Akron library deleted images and video made by Maurice Howard of rescuers working to free a 5-year-old who had become trapped between the library's revolving door and its enclosure. Full story on the Akron Beacon Journal Web site. 

Two more Ohio photographers have had images selected by editors at MSNBC for The Week in Pictures gallery. J.D. Pooley at the Sentinel-Tribune has a photo of an overturned tractor-trailer on U.S. 6, which was hauling meat byproducts, in the gallery. Jonthan Quilter of The Columbus Dispatch also has a feature photo selected. Quilter just recently returned to shooting full time after working as a photo editor the past few years. Apparently not a lot of dust gathered on the cameras.

The March clip contest results came in right before I left town and I will get those posted a soon as the points are tabulated. We are dealing with a bad judging chairman for the February contest. Contest chairman Neal Lauron was told over two weeks ago that they were judged and results would be coming. Right now we have no results and the individual is not returning my e-mail queries. Might be a good idea to get a national database started for contest chairs to let others know who is dependable or in this case, who is not.

The Akron Beacon Journal is currently looking at having the paper printed someone other than Akron. The obvious alternatives are Canton or Cleveland, both of which have a smaller web than currently in place at Akron. Apparently that is the driving force behind the decision to print elsewhere.  The paper had been looking at going to a tab format as an alternative to the smaller web, but apparently advertisers weren't receptive to the idea. It wasn't going over very well in the newsroom for that matter, but I'm sure the newsroom's opinion doesn't carry the same weight as the revenue arm. 

The New York Times launched a new photo blog today to showcase the paper's photography. Similar in format to Boston.com's The Big Picture the blog will showcase visual journalism from their own staff as well as the best of other newspapers, magazines and picture agencies. 

Portsmouth to drop Monday edition

Another newspaper has jumped on the bandwagon of dropping an edition to lower costs. This time it's here in Ohio where the The Portsmouth Daily Times is will no longer print a Monday edition of the newspaper as of May 11.

Full story

Pulitzer photographer and subject meet again

Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer John Filo and his subject, Mary Vecchio, were reunited Monday at Kent State University during the annual May 4 commemoration on campus. The reunion was only the third time they have been together since the Pulitzer image was made, and the first such reunion on campus.

Reunion story by Bill Lilley of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Ohio APSO Awards

Lisa DeJong of The Plain Dealer, William D. Lewis of The (Youngstown) Vindicator, Abigail Bobrow of the Sandusky Register, Sarah Wright of the Chillicothe Gazette and Mike Ullery of the Piqua Daily Call were named Best Photographers in the state Sunday in the annual Associated Press Society of Ohio newspaper competition.

General Excellence awards for 2008 went to The Columbus Dispatch, The (Canton) Repository, the Sandusky Register, The Marietta Times and the Wapakoneta Daily News.

Sixty-six daily newspapers submitted 2,908 entries in the contest, which featured news and sports stories, features, editorials, columns, graphics and photos from 2008. Entries were judged by editors from The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Division V; The Modesto (Calif.) Bee, Division IV; the Rome (Ga.) News-Tribune, Division III; The Daily Advance, Elizabeth City, N.C., and the Statesboro (Ga.) Herald, Division II; and The Daily Times, Maryville, Tenn., Division I.

A complete list of photography winners is on the ONPA Web site

Your next assignment: Preserve our history

A few weeks ago we shared the news about the passing of ONPA Life Member Don S. Mathews in this space. The post drew a comment from ONPA secretary Chris Parker asking about what might be done to preserve the history and experiences of our Life Members.

The first such effort at this was actually done in a video by Andy Morrison at The Blade when co-worker Herral Long retired. There are many others with stories worth telling and preserving and adding to the content of the ONPA Web site.

For the past few weeks I have been working on a new area of content for the Web site about the history of ONPA. These living histories could be the centerpiece for this content. Years ago George Smallsreed gave me a piece he had written about the first 20 years of ONPA. In years since others have passed on old newsletters and other items with much of our organization's history tucked inside. My goal was to be able to roll out a large portion of this content by the end of the summer before I pass on these archives to others as I step down. 

It will be up to other members to provide the living history content for the site, so the challenge is out there to both still and television members - capture and tell these people's stories. You don't need to wait for someone to retire to get their story. If we did that I might never see a piece on Ron Kuntz. 

There are also educators out there with their own stories to tell. There has to be someone at Ohio University who can sit down with Chuck Scott or Marci Nighswander for an oral history. Is there a Bowling Green graduate out there will to sit down with Jim Gordon?

Perhaps you find a shy one (although I know of none) who doesn't want the focus to be on them. Get them with another of their co-workers to tell the iconic story of the day that..........., which is told at every gathering of the staff. A certain film drop comes to mind in Akron.

I think its important that the finished products be posted to our own Web site and not be YouTube postings so we will have control of them going into the future. It would be good to have some quality standards set for these projects so I'd be interested in getting some feedback from those who produce such pieces already so we can come up with a standard for all to follow.

We go about our jobs daily and capture our images and video and don't give much thought that what we do today is tomorrow's history.  We now have a venue to share that history going forward with the Web. So give that former colleague or professor a call and share their story. You might even learn something about them you never knew before.

The first 100 days in pictures

Much has been made about the first 100 days of Barack Obama's presidency and the White House photo staff has now jumped in as well. White House photographer Pete Souza has unvelied a group of behind-the-scene images from the first 100 days on Flickr. 

Access is a wonderful thing. Having to weed through the photo ops on the picture desk everyday, it is refreshing to see so many real moments.

There is even a RSS feed to subscribe to, so one would assume images will be added going forward.

The softer side of spot news

The "King of Spot News" has once again showed his Mutual of Omaha side as Marshall Gorby of the Springfield New-Sun turns his camera from flames to feathers. 

Gorby's photo of a goose knocking on the door of a local business is one of the finalists for MSNBC's The Week in Pictures. 

Gorby needs your votes for the top prize. He's currently in third place behind the apparent runaway winner, a squirrel hanging upside-down drinking from a water faucet, shot by Jim Damaske of the St Petersburg Times. 

You can't make this stuff up. See for yourself and help Gorby out.  He keeps this up and he'll have his own "Wildlife Tricks" spot on David Letterman.

Diego James Robles attends Sports Shooter Academy VI

ONPA Student Photographer of the Year Diego James Robles wanted to improve his sports shooting skills and has learned some valuable lessons to do so at Sports Shooter Academy IV. 

Robles, a student at Ohio University, took advantage of free tuition grant from Nikon to attend the event earlier this month in Southern California.

Robles shares his experience in the current Sports Shooter newsletter. 

Sam Abell to present his work at Akron Art Museum

National Geographic photographer, Sam Abell will present his work, featuring images from his new book, "The Life of a Photograph," at the Akron Art Museum on Sunday, May 3 from 3 - 5 pm.

The presentation is open to the public and is hosted by the Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society and sponsored by Canon USA and the Explorers of Light Program. Tickets will be available at the door. The cost is $7 for Akron Art Museum and Cuyahoga Valley Photographic Society members, $10 for non-members. 

Life Member Don S. Mathews dies

ONPA Life Member Don S. Mathews died Monday in Newark at age 88.

Mathews worked at the Newark Advocate for eight years and was a reporter/photographer at The Columbus Dispatch for 25 years. Mathews obituary in the Newark Advocate today states that Mathews was the first newspaper journalist in Ohio to be granted permission to take pictures during court trials.

Mathews was one of the first on the scene at the collapse of the Silver Bridge in Gallipolis, Ohio, which killed 46 motorists according to a story in today's Columbus Dispatch.

He is survived by his identical twin brother David Mathews, who also worked at the Dispatch, and brothers John Mathews of Tiffin and Robert Mathews of Cleveland. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Eisnaugle-Lewis Funeral Home in Jackson, Ohio with burial to follow in the Fairmount Cemetery with military graveside services being conducted by the Disabled American Veterans chapter 45. Friends may call Friday, April 24, 2009 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Odds 'n ends on a Pulitzer Monday

The Pulitzer Prizes for Journalism were announced this afternoon. Patrick Farrell from The Miami Herald was the winner in Breaking News Photography for his photographs of Hurricane Ike's devastation in Haiti. Damon Winter from the New York Times was the winner in Feature Photography for his photographs of Barrack Obama's run for the White House.

The New York Times won five Pulitzers Monday, the second-most in history. Plain Dealer writers Diane Suchetka and Regina Brett were Pulitzer finalists for feature writing and commentary, respectively.

The Associated Press has a new feature on its multimedia page called Depth of Field, where AP photographers talk about their work around the world. You see their work and get the back story that goes with it.

Former ONPA member Michael King shares a mention of another former ONPA member, Pat Jarrett who was featured in a story about Gannett employees furlough house swap. Jarrett, now working at The News Leader in Staunton, Va. is looking to swap his Shenandoah Valley apartment for some New York City digs. 

Kings knows a thing or two about Gannett cutbacks as he was a victim of downsizing in Appleton, Wisconsin before landing a job at the Green Bay Press-Gazette, also a Gannett property.