Jessica Haney | Feb. 21, 2010
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| Photo by James Brosher |
| This photo was part of senior James Brosher’s portfolio, which earned him INPA’s College Photographer of the Year award. The group conducted its judging and annual conference at Ernie Pyle Hall Feb. 19-20. |
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The group met at the School of Journalism Friday and Saturday for its annual conference and photo contest, which included judging and presentations.
Brosher has worked in multimedia and as a photographer at the Indiana Daily Student and is an intern at the (Bloomington) Herald-Times this spring. Rumbach is picture editor at the (Jasper, Ind.) Herald. IU student Coline Sperling was runner up college POY.
Judges included Jay Janner of the Austin American-Statesman; documentary photographer Sarah Hoskins; and Josh Meltzer, Photojournalist-in-Residence at Western Kentucky University.
After Friday night’s meeting and member presentations, INPA judges gathered in the Ernie Pyle Hall auditorium Saturday to assess 1,800 photos to determine the winners. For two seconds, each of the images flashed on the screen. Then it was up to the judges to wave their paddles, granting photos an “in” or an “out.” The category submissions quickly dwindled from up to a hundred to fewer than 10 finalist photos.
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| Photo by Zach Hetrick |
| Senior James Brosher |
“The best pictures we’re looking at don’t need captions,” he said.
But it’s not always that simple. In order to reach agreement, the judges have to make a convincing case for their favorite photo. Sometimes, the captions are the deal breaker. Along the way, they learn from each other, said Hoskins, about what makes a great photo.
“Often, there’s a picture you like and you can’t explain why you like it,” said Meltzer. “In the end, you have to give and take.”
The 16 judging categories include multimedia projects, photo stories, individual photos and the newest contest, College Photographer of the Year. The judges reviewed seven portfolios from students at universities all over Indiana for the title, which went to Brosher.
What they’re looking for in all photos, said Meltzer, are storytelling, a compelling moment and an appealing composition.
AJ Mast, the INPA contest chairman, said the purpose of the contest is to recognize the best work done in Indiana. In a somewhat depressing newspaper environment, the contest serves as encouragement and inspiration to other photojournalists.
“Frankly, for other people, it’s a yardstick,” said Mast. It’s a way to measure progress and get new ideas about American photography, he said.
All winners and some slideshows and winning work are listed on the INPA Web site.
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