Digital Journal’s Photo Essay contest challenged Digital Journalists around the globe to capture moments inspiring awe in our readers.
Digital Journal was amazed at the dozens of photo entries from around the world, from Australia to the UK to British Columbia.
Covering a diverse range of subject matter, the contest winners’ reportage looked at fascinating corners of everyday life and adventure, while also layering essays with strong editorial focus on newsworthy events.
Out of all submissions, one photo essay was selected as a grand prize winner and will receive $100, and second place will take $75 and third place wins $50. Entries were judged on journalistic value, composition, clarity, realism, photographic skill, timeliness, and a flair for the unexpected.
We also want to highlight several compelling photo essays who earn honorable mentions.
The following is a list of winners, along with a link to each of their winning entries:
First Place — Anne Sewell
Photo essay: Multi-cultural Fuengirola in southern Spain
Why it won: Anne makes us feel like we’re right there in Fuengirola, Spain, as the lively costumes and multi-cultural characters give this street fair a very global feel. The perspectives of some shots were truly outstanding, too. This photo essays offers a true sense of fun and joy, evidenced by the many smiling faces Anne captured.
Second Place — Elizabeth Batt
Photo Essay: Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, the Healing Wall
Why it won: Did you know about the mobile version of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington? We didn’t before taking in Elizabeth’s moving photo essay, a work demonstrating her keen eye and warm sensibilities. The photos were dripping with emotion, especially the touching photo of the veteran in a wheelchair. This find was a true discovery we couldn’t help but honour.
Third Place — Igor I. Solar
Photo Essay: Out of this world scenery at ‘Valley of the Moon’
Why it won: Scanning the photos of this surreal landscape, we felt transported to another world, an alien place where our senses were gloriously distorted. Igor’s eye-popping images of Chile’s ‘Valle de la Luna’ carried a sense of awe we usually see in National Geographic photos, an example of how adventures to desolate areas can yield a quiet beauty rarely seen.
Honorable Mentions
Elizabeth Parker
Photo Essay: Ball’s Falls for family autumn hikes and festivals
Lesley Lanir
Photo Essay: Discovering Lanzarote the Canary Island of Fire
Joseph Boltrukiewicz
Photo Essay: On the movie set ‘Dibukk Box’
