KEY DATES

Registration opens:
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019

Deadline for entries:
Friday, Jan. 24, 2020,
11:59 p.m., U.S. Central Standard Time (5:59 a.m. GMT)

Judging dates:
News, Feb. 10–14
Sports, Feb. 17–19
Reportage, Feb. 21–25
Team, Feb. 28–March 3


CONTACT

Pictures of the Year International
Phone: 573-884-2188
Email: info@poy.org
Web: www.poy.org

Mailing address:
Pictures of the Year International
Missouri School of Journalism
109 Lee Hills Hall
Columbia, MO 65211


THE POY RISING STAR SCHOLARSHIP

AWARDS

$1,000 cash prizes & Tiffany crystal trophy::
• Photographer of the Year, International
• Photographer of the Year, Local
• World Understanding Award
• Community Awareness Award
• Environmental Vision Award

Tiffany crystal trophy::
• Sports Photographer of the Year
• Documentary Storyteller of the Year
• Online Storytelling Project of the Year
• Photography Book of the Year
• Visual Editor of the Year
• Documentary Journalism

Angus McDougall Excellence in Editing Award:
Winner hosts a sterling silver trophy for one year and receives free tuition to the Missouri Photo Workshop

Individual category winners:
1st — Engraved plaque awards
2nd, 3rd, and AE — Certificate awards


QUICK ANSWERS
  • Publication is not a requirement for entering photographs in any category.
  • Anyone may enter. However, most entrants are at a “professional” level.
  • Photographs entered must have been taken or published for the first time between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2019.
  • Photographs must include captions with the date the photograph was taken or first published.
  • If the exact day is not known, include the month (i.e. "Photo taken in May, 2019.")
  • Each person submitting an entry must have an individual registration.

POY 78 is Going Virtual!

As 2020 comes to a close, we are preparing to virtually host the 78th annual Pictures of the Year International. While we would love to gather with members of our POY family to discuss great documentary work in person, like so many families, we will be meeting virtually instead. And, although we are adjusting our format, we are committed to maintaining the integrity of POY and recognizing the incredible dedication of photojournalists this past year.

We will be begin accepting entries at the end of 2020 and are hosting several specialized categories addressing the coronavirus. We will post the category list and judging schedule soon.

Like POY, the College Photographer of the Year competition is also virtual. The judging will begin on Oct. 22, 2020. Please check CPOY’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages (@CollegePhotog) for updates.

Watch Virtual Conversations with award winners from this year’s POY & CPOY

Four Photographers of the Year cover COVID-19

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

As COVID-19 sweeps across the planet, we talk to four Photographers of the Year who are covering the outbreak in their own community as they work and live on different points of the virus timeline. Our panelists are Alon Skuy of the Sunday Times in South Africa, Barbara Davidson in Los Angeles, Fabio Bucciarelli in Italy, and Marcus Yam of the Los Angeles Times, who spent the first months of 2020 traveling to and from Hong Kong. The moderators are Regina Boone, POY judge and staff photographer at the Richmond Free Press, and POY Director Lynden Steele.

From Student to National Geographic Photographer

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Graham Dickie was named the 74th College Photographer of the Year in 2019. The honor comes with Nikon camera equipment from CPOY’s Co-Sponsor Nikon Inc, a scholarship from the National Press Photographers Foundation and an opportunity to form a relationship with National Geographic. Graham's winning body of work spans 4 years. He discusses with National Geographic Picture Editor Alexa Keefe and CPOY Director Jackie Bell how his student project is now becoming a book.

Innovative Storytelling and Supertrees from Vox

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Three extraordinary tree species are protecting our climate from collapse. Can we protect them? With support from the Pulitzer Center, a Vox team traveled to Brazil, Indonesia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to report this story, which won first place in Online Storytelling: News Reporting in Pictures of the Year International. In this joint presentation with the Smith/Patterson Science Journalism Lecture and the Missouri School of Journalism, Vox reporter Umair Irfan and visuals editor Kainaz Amaria discuss their storytelling approach with Mizzou professor Sara Shipley Hiles and POY judge Jarrad Henderson, Senior Multimedia Producer in the Investigative and Enterprise Video Team at USA Today.

Photographer of the Year International Michael Robinson Chavez

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

Michael Robinson Chavez of the Washington Post was named the 2019 Photographer of the Year, International. He and Washington Post international picture editor Chloe Coleman discuss their partnership in creating the meaningful stories in his winning portfolio, which includes stories on climate change in Siberia, the economic collapse in Venezuela, the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, and recovery in Liberia. Michael also shares lessons from a career that has spanned more than 25 years and taken him to more than 70 countries. Moderated by POY Director Lynden Steele.

POY Rescinds First Place and AOE award for photographer

It has come to our attention that there is an issue regarding a photographer who was awarded during this year’s judging of Pictures of the Year International.

Suvra Kanti Das was awarded first place in Local News Picture Story for his coverage of the demise of cinema houses in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and an award of excellence in National/International News Picture Story for his coverage of deadly fires taking place throughout the city.

While there are no ethical concerns regarding the reporting or photography in these two stories, there is an issue with social media posts made by Mr. Das that targeted a fellow photojournalist. Beginning in 2018, Mr. Das posted comments that began with criticisms of published work that escalated to personal remarks about the person’s gender and race.

The posts made by Mr. Das violate a standard listed in the National Press Photographers Association’s Code of Ethics: Do not engage in harassing behavior of colleagues, subordinates or subjects and maintain the highest standards of behavior in all professional interactions.

Pictures of the Year follows the NPPA Code of Ethics. It is stated on the POY web site that all participants should adhere to these standards. A link is provided on the POY entry page: https://nppa.org/code-ethics.

Therefore, we are rescinding his awards and vacating the award placements.

We have discussed the issue with Mr. Das, the person who was targeted by the posts as well as POY judges and advisors. We appreciate their attention on this matter.

Thank you,

Lynden Steele
Director, Pictures of the Year International

Welcome to the 77th annual Pictures of the Year competition

POY is the oldest and most prestigious photojournalism program and competition in the world. Each year, POY recognizes excellence in photojournalism, multimedia, and visual editing. It is committed to engaging citizens worldwide with great documentary work by hosting educational programs and public exhibitions. POY believes it is critical for people to experience your coverage of news events and social issues facing our world. When you enter Pictures of the Year, your work is recognized worldwide and becomes part of our collective visual history.

See This Year’s Judges and Moderators

POY77 judges and moderators

POY judging will be held at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., Monday, Feb. 10, to Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Livestreaming of the judging will be available.

POY77 Judging Video Archives

Missed any of the judging sessions for POY77? You can view all the videos from the judging sessions here on Facebook.

Entry, Registration and Category Descriptions

How to Register and Upload

The online system offers a user-friendly registration and uploading process.

STEP 1: Create an account
Select “Login” to create a new account or re-login to add or edit your entries.
STEP 2: Registration Info
Fill in the online form with your information.
STEP 3: Build Your Entry
Select categories via the drop-down menus, then “browse” to upload your files.
STEP 4: Review Entry
The system allows you to re-login to add, replace, or rearrange photos and entries.
STEP 5: Submit
Once your entire entry is ready, the page will direct you to “go to check out.” Here, you will pay the entry fee. Entries are not editable once you have checked out.

Welcome to the 77th annual Pictures of the Year International

Pictures of the Year International is the oldest and most prestigious photojournalism competition in the world. Each year, POY recognizes excellence in photojournalism, Online Storytelling, and visual editing. POY is committed to engaging citizens with great documentary work by hosting educational programs and public exhibitions. When you enter Pictures of the Year, your work is recognized worldwide and becomes part of our collective visual history.

All are welcome to attend the POY judging at the Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, Mo. Livestreaming of the judging will be available.

Spirit of the Competition

The mission of Pictures of the Year International is to recognize excellence in the photojournalism disciplines of documentary photography, documentary film and visual editing in print and online platforms.

“Show truth with a camera,” remains the guiding principle as articulated by POY founder Cliff Edom in 1943.

POY follows the National Press Photographers Association Code of Ethics. All captions and story summaries must meet journalistic standards for accuracy and ready-for-publication requirements.

POY Entry Standards

Photographs entered must have been taken or published for the first time, either in print or online, between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2019.

Documentary entries should be true representations of a news scene or candid moment. Photographs cannot be posed, set up or staged. Portraits may be posed.

The content of the submitted work must not be digitally manipulated or altered through post-production processing. Routine post-production processing of images for exposure correction, white balance and color toning is acceptable. Adding, altering, or removing elements is not permitted. Excessive saturation or desaturation is also not allowed.

POY accepts two photographic modes: color and black and white.

Black and white images should be bi-tonal and display a full grayscale range of 256 intensities from deep-shadow blacks to highlight whites. Black and white image files that artificially impose a color shift, such as sepia or cyan tones, will be disqualified.

ENTRY TIP! Heavily edited images turn off judges. Color images should replicate what the human eye experiences. Flagrant pre- or post-production effects that use excessive tonal aberrations, textures, vignettes, color saturation or other artistic manipulations may be disqualified. Compare your entry to the original file.

Photos from smartphone cameras are eligible. However, the use of software capture filters that artificially impose on the integrity of the scene with excessive tonal aberrations, textures, vignettes, or other artistic manipulations will be disqualified.

Digitally manufactured photo illustrations, double exposures, in-camera multiple exposures, added masks, borders, backgrounds, text, handwritten notes, or other artistic effects are all prohibited.

Diptychs and triptychs are not eligible.

Film edges will be allowed if the original photograph was shot on film (negative or transparency) or Polaroid and the border is the true nature of the medium.

POY staff reviews every still photograph entry in advance of judging. We will contact photographers whose images seem to conflict with these standards and provide them with the opportunity to resubmit the photograph before judging begins. Once judging begins, judges have the discretion to disqualify entries that they think over manipulate the image.

ENTRY TIP! Judges often review the category rules when looking at images. Consider your category decisions carefully. During the pre-judging review process, POY staff has the discretion to move entries from one category into another category that are more suitable to the content. If we think your entry needs to be moved, we will try to contact you first. Judges cannot move entries.

Photographs with content specific to a themed year-specific category must enter the submissions into that category.

Images submitted into single-photo categories cannot be copies, scans, or a photograph of other photographs or documents. A photograph of a photograph can serve as a detail image as part of a larger picture story or project, but they may not comprise a majority of the story.

Each photograph must include a caption embedded in the .jpg file's IPTC metadata description field that meets journalistic standards for accuracy and ready-for-publication requirements.

ENTRY TIP! Captions are read in the final rounds of each category. Well-written captions with relevant details strengthen your entry and stand apart from entries with weak captions.

Each caption should include a date, or an approximation of the date. For example, “The photo was taken on Feb. 4, 2019,” or “The photo was taken in February, 2019.”

Photographs with captions that are inaccurate or falsely represent the scene or subject may be disqualified.

All photographs entered in the still photography categories must be the taken and credited to a single photographer. Team entries are not allowed.

POY will request the original RAW or JPG image files from a random selection of up to 20 percent of the photographs voted to final places by the jury, plus any images that the jury members or POY staff request. POY will examine and verify each of these selected files for authenticity. Any photographs that do not meet these standards will be disqualified.

Single Images and Picture Stories

ENTRY TIP! Picture Story entries should have a clearly defined structure with each image contributing unique information. In the final rounds, the judges often focus on the quality of the edit. Eliminate weak and redundant images.

A single photograph may be submitted only once among the single-picture categories.

A single photograph entered as a single photograph and included as part of one picture story.

A picture story consists of 3–12 photos and counts as one entry. Do not re-edit photos from the same story and then submit it as a different story.

Photographers may enter a maximum of 15 submissions in any combination of categories.

“15 Submissions” Defined

A single submission is defined as:

  • One picture in a single-picture category
  • One picture story (3-12 photographs)
  • One project (up to 40 photographs) in any of the following premier categories: Environmental Vision Award, Community Awareness Award, World Understanding Award
  • A single portfolio in the Photographer or Visual Editor of the Year categories.

File Specifications

File naming
Your files are automatically renamed when you submit. It is not necessary to rename your files.
Picture stories
The order or sequence of images you create upon entering will be preserved. You may change the sequence after you upload the images. POY will not change the order of the pictures after you submit the entry. A title slide for each story is automatically created using your submitted headline. The judges will see the title slide at the beginning of the story.
Still photography specifications
File type: .JPG
Image Size: 3,000 to no more than 5,000 pixels on the longer side — width or height.
Resolution: 300 dpi, minimum.
Video and URL entries
Submit a single URL via an active link.
Do not attempt to upload original .mov, mp4, m4v, or .swf files.
Include needed passwords to access the URL content.
Please do not send password-protected Vimeo links.

For print publication stories: PDF.
Quality: “High Quality Print.”
Pages: Submit each page as a separate .PDF file. Do not group pages or embed files together. A doubletruck or spread (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .PDF file.

Registration Guidelines

On Dec. 14, 2019, POY opens for online registration and entry. Follow the “77th POY Entry” links at www.poy.org.

Deadline is Friday, January 24, 2020, 11:59 p.m., U.S. Central Standard Time. (5:59 a.m. GMT)

Each entering person must create an individual login. Past registrations are not saved. For the Team Division categories, organizations may create a single “team” registration.

Organizations may enter work on the behalf of photojournalists, but the organization’s contest coordinators must create an individual registration for each person or team whose work is entered.

ENTRY TIP! Avoid duplicate entries between photo agency and photographer. Please check in with each other.

Photographers may enter a maximum of 15 submissions in any combination of categories.

Upload files into appropriate categories. You will be able to sequence your images afterwards.

$50 Entry Payment

Online payments accepted: Visa, MasterCard, Discover or America Express. The online registration form provides for proxy payments. Organizations may sponsor multiple entrants with a single combined payment.

Enter payment of $50 (U.S. dollars) for each registration: photographer, editor or team.

Confirmation receipts are automatically emailed.

Two premier categories require an additional $50 payment. Please note, if a contestant is only entering one of the following categories, then only a single $50 payment is required.

  • Online Storytelling Project of the Year
  • Photography Book of the Year

Winner Notification

Winners will be posted to social media soon after the judges make their decisions. All winners will be contacted after the results are announced. An official announcement will be made after the competition ends and the results are verified.

For winning entries, POY requires high resolution copies of the images and digital files of the films and online entries.

Still Photography Categories

1 - Science and Natural History
Single photographs that increase understanding and appreciation of science or the natural world. Studio scenes that are arranged by the photographer are not eligible.
2 - Science and Natural History Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that increases understanding and appreciation for science or the natural world. Studio scenes that are arranged by the photographer are not eligible. Twelve photographs maximum per entry.
3 - General News
Single photographs from a news event or social issue for which planning was possible.
4 - Impact 2019 - Immigration Status
Single photographs from the coverage of issues related to the movement of families and individuals across borders, whether by choice or through displacement, as well as issues related to integrating in a new environment. Photographs must be taken during 2019.
5 - Spot News
Single photographs of breaking news or events in which no planning was possible.
6 - Daily Life
Single photographs, candid and un-posed, that reflect the human experience, celebrate life, or chronicle a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important.
7 - Portrait
A single photograph that reflects a strong sense of a person’s identity or narrative.
8 - Portrait Series
A series of photographs that reflects a strong sense of identity or narrative. Twelve photographs maximum per series.
9 – National/International News Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series based on daily coverage of general news or breaking news that is primarily of interest to an entire nation or the world, usually created with the intent to share nationally or internationally. Twelve photographs maximum per story.

(Note: A picture story can only be entered in one picture story category, but it can also be included in a portfolio entry.)
10 - Issue Reporting Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that explores an important social, economic, or political issue. 12 photographs maximum per story.

(Note: A picture story can only be entered once, but it can also be included in a portfolio entry.)
11 - Daily Life Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that reflects the everyday human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. Twelve photographs maximum per story.

(Note: A picture story can only be entered once, but it can also be included in a portfolio entry.)
12 - Local News Picture Story, formerly called Newspaper Local Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series based on daily coverage of general news or breaking news that is of primary interest to a local audience from the media organization or photographer’s primary geographic market. In other words, a hometown story. This category is open to all (it was previously restricted to staff photographers).
13 - Sports Action
Single photographs that capture the peak action of individual or team sports. Jubilation, dejection, and reaction photographs should be entered in the Sports Life category.

Photographs must be taken during 2019.
14 – Sports Life
Single photographs that increase understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports. The photographs should spotlight emotion, celebration, jubilation, dejection, and reaction among athletes and fans. Photographs must be taken during 2019.
15 - Recreational Sports
Single photographs that celebrate the role of community leagues, amateur enthusiasts, or intramural contests in individual and team sports, and among participants and fans. The spirit of this category is to encourage attention to the small events that are often overshadowed by sports in the top-tier spotlight. Photographs must be taken during 2019.
16 - Sports Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that increases the understanding of the role that athletics play in the lives of athletes and their community. The story may focus on sports as a catalyst of change in gender, race, politics, and cultural issues. The work may feature professional or amateur athletes, their fans, families, or any aspect of a community that is changed by its connection to sports. Twelve photographs maximum per story.
17 - Sports Portrait
A single image that reflects a strong sense of a person’s identity or narrative as it relates to their connection with athletics.

Sports Photographer of the Year is listed under the Premier Division.

Team Division

To more accurately reflect the collaborative work in video and online storytelling, we have changed the name from “Multimedia” to “Team Division.” However, individuals, either independent or affiliated with a news organization, may enter. There are three groups:

  • Documentary — linear video production, formerly called Multimedia
  • Online Storytelling — non-linear, interactive web pages, formerly called Online Publications
  • Picture Editing — print editing, formerly called Print Publications

Documentary

The term “documentary” in this context is defined as a non-fiction, moving picture narrative, relying on visual evidence to report real situations or events involving real subjects. The photographer should follow the concepts of observational and direct cinema techniques.

All documentary entries should adhere to strict journalistic ethics. The content should represent the news, issues, or cultural trends of 2019.

The entries should be presented in a linear format, edited in a timeline sequence, and presented in a web-based video player. In other words, the viewer clicks "play" and the story runs from start to finish.

These categories are intended to appraise storytelling using any combination of videography, still photography, informational graphics, and audio.

ENTRY TIP! The goal is to “show” the story rather than have an interviewee or on-camera commentator “tell” the story.

Not allowed are fictional stories, staged reenactments, docu-dramas, or television news reports where an on-camera commentator tells the story. Stories that feature business promotions, branded content, personal portfolios or the funding organization as primary subjects are not eligible.

Documentaries must be published online or shared publicly via broadcast or festivals, for example, during 2019. However, the entry may include content shot in previous years.

Submit a single URL link for each story. Make sure the links are active. If password access is required, submit a working password. Do not attempt to upload original .mov, mp4, m4v, or .swf files.

Each documentary can be entered as a single entry and as part of an entry for Online Project of the Year and as part of a portfolio for Documentary Storyteller of the Year.

Documentaries entered previously are not eligible.

Multiple-chaptered stories or projects that include layered content should be entered in the premier category Online Storytelling Project of the Year.

18 - Documentary News Reporting, formerly called Multimedia News & Issue Reporting Story
A single story based on coverage of general news or breaking news, or an essay that explores a social, economic, or political issue (flexible length - about 10 minutes). Longer stories should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism.”
19 - Documentary Daily Life, formerly called Multimedia Feature Story
A single story that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important (flexible length — about 10 minutes). Longer stories should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism.”
20 - Documentary Journalism
This premiere category recognizes excellence longform Documentary Journalism. Based in a video format, this is a single story the focuses on news, events, social issue or a cultural trend. Do not enter shorter versions of the same story in other categories. This may be a team entry. (flexible length – 10 to about 40 minutes).

Online Storytelling

Entries in these categories are intended to award the online version of a specific story. The intent is to recognize excellent visual editing and management in multiple-chaptered stories or projects on an online platform, primarily websites.

Open to everyone — teams or individuals, either independent or affiliated with media organizations such as newspapers, magazines, photo agencies, media companies, NGOs or specialty advocacy organizations.

Portfolios, business promotions, agency catalogs, or personal websites are not eligible. Also, not eligible are stories that include the funding organization as the primary subject.

These categories are intended to appraise storytelling through the effective balancing of photography, video, audio, interactive content on any online platform. Clarity of focus and user experience will be the guiding criteria for the judges.

For websites, provide a single URL link to the project’s primary web page during registration.

If a story is published across multiple platforms, choose the one platform that creates the best representation for that specific story.

Web pages that present only a single video should be submitted in the documentary categories.

Projects must have been either shot, produced, or published during 2019.

Updated versions of the originally posted story are acceptable.

21 - Online Storytelling: News Reporting
An entry representing a single news story or issue on any single online platform. It may be based on daily coverage of general or breaking news, or coverage of an issue that explores an important social, economic, or political issue.
22 - Online Storytelling: Daily Life
A story or essay that reflects everyday human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend on any single online platform. Web page entries should be a single story.
23 - Online Storytelling Project of the Year
This Premier category is open to teams or individuals that best utilize online platforms. It is intended to appraise in-depth visual journalism that explores social, economic, or political issues as a special report, a series, or with multiple chapters. There is no length limitation. It may encompass multiple web pages, etc.

Picture Editing

Entries in these categories include the print version of a story and may consist of one or more pages. A presentation of a single story may include up to three consecutive issues.

Open to everyone – teams or individuals, either independent or affiliated with media organizations such as newspapers, magazines, or specialty advocacy organizations.

These categories are intended to appraise storytelling in the printed pages through the effective use of photojournalism, captions, headlines, and other display typography.

Page design should reflect consideration for the reader and respect for the vision of the photographer. Design and presentation of inside pages and section fronts will be evaluated.

ENTRY TIP! An entry may be comprised of a single page, a doubletruck, or multiple pages. Remove weak display or type-heavy pages. Judges often compare entries based on the weakness of the edit.

Submit each page as a separate .PDF file. Do not group pages or embed files together.

A doubletruck (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .PDF file.

A story may be submitted only once. All stories must be published in 2019. Portfolios, business promotions, catalogs, or personal publications are not eligible. Also, not eligible are stories that include the funding organization as the primary subject or narrative.

24 - Newspaper Picture Editing
A news, issue or feature story based on daily coverage that is printed in a general circulation newspaper. A single story may include one or more pages from up to 5 consecutive issues. Magazines published by a newspaper or other media organization should be entered in the category "Magazine Picture Editing.”
25 - Magazine Picture Editing
A news, issue or feature story based on coverage that is printed in a magazine or specialty publication. A single story may include one or more pages from up to 5 consecutive issues.
26 - Visual Editor of the Year
This premiere category awards excellence in individual editing portfolios. Newspaper, Magazine and Online visual editors may enter this category.

Editing portfolio may consist of content from multiple platforms, from apps to online stories and print publication stories. A portfolio entry should present no more than 10 individual stories, either in print or online. A converged print-and-online version of a specific story will count as one story. The print version of stories may include one or more pages.

Visual Editor of the Year portfolios may be submitted only by an individual editor. Team editing entries should be submitted in the "Angus McDougall Excellence in Editing Award.”

Portfolio Entries

All premier categories are open to everyone.

It is not necessary to insert a blank black .JPG file (black slide) between photo stories. The uploading program will automatically insert a slide with the title of your story at the beginning for separation.

The entry must be summarized in a single paragraph (2,000 characters or less) in the story summary field of the online registration form.

All photographs must include captions. You are encouraged to use the caption field to expand on story details as they pertain to the individual image.

Picture stories are not limited to 12 images.

Entries need not have been published, but the majority of the photos must be taken in 2019 or the entire project must be first published in 2019 (Exception: World Understanding Award has no time restrictions).

Single images within the portfolio should not be repeated in a picture story in the portfolio.

Arrange your single images and picture stories in the order you wish them to be reviewed. Judges will view singles first, then stories.

ENTRY TIP! Photographers are encouraged to also enter single image and picture story categories so judges are familiar with the work before portfolios are judged.

POY staff will not separate a portfolio and enter the images into individual categories. If you wish to enter work from your portfolio into single or picture story categories, you must upload separate entries into those categories.

27 – Photographer of the Year, International
Formerly known as Photographer of the Year, we have changed the designation to reflect the spirit of this award.

This Premier category is open to all photographers — independent, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers.

The work represented in this category should be of primary interest to a nation or the world, usually created with the intent to share nationally or internationally. Newspaper photographers who cover national or international stories should enter portfolios in this category.

Photographers may submit a portfolio into either portfolio category, #27 or #28, but not both.

A portfolio must include at least two multiple-picture stories.

Single images are no longer required, but may be included.

Submit a maximum of 50 photographs.
28 – Photographer of the Year, Local
Formerly called Newspaper Photographer of the year, this Premier category is now open to all photographers — independent, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers.

The spirit of this category is to honor photographers documenting their own community. Therefore, it is required that a majority of their portfolio must consist of local and/or regional coverage from their residence or organization’s primary geographic market.

If the portfolio consists mostly of national or international stories from outside the organization's primary geographic market, then it should be entered in the Photographer of the Year, International category.

Only one national or international story is allowed.

Photographers may submit a portfolio into either portfolio category, #27 or #28, but not both.

Single images are no longer required, but may be included.

Submit a maximum of 50 photographs.
29 - Sports Photographer of the Year
This premier category is open to all photographers — independent, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers.

All photographs included in the Sports portfolio must be taken during 2019.

Contestants also may enter Photographer of the Year category #27 or #28, with images and/or stories from their Sports portfolio.

Submit a maximum of 30 photographs. At least three different sports should be represented.

A portfolio should include single pictures and at least one multiple-picture story. Stories are not limited to 12 images.
30 – Documentary Storyteller of the Year, formerly called Multimedia Photographer of the Year
Stories must have been either shot, produced, or first published during 2019. The portfolio must be the work of one individual photojournalist who shot the principal visual content (video and/or still photographs), but the stories in the portfolio may be produced and edited by different members.

A portfolio should include at least three stories up to a maximum of five documentaries. (as URL address links).

All members of the production and editing team will be credited and recognized in the Winners List and Winners Gallery.

Each story in the portfolio may have a run time up to about 10 minutes.

A portfolio may be a mix of linear (video) stories and non-linear (user experience) online stories. It may include entries from the Online Storytelling categories.
31 - Environmental Vision Award
This Premier category recognizes a photographer’s long-term story, project, or essay that explores issues related to the environment, natural history, or science. This could include a facet of human impact on the natural world, scientific discovery, coverage of plant or animal habitat, climate concerns, or similar topics.

This is not a category for coverage of human medical issues or natural disasters, unless they are a proven result of environmental impact. The project may include a few studio scenes that are arranged by the photographer. However, studio scenes should not comprise a majority of the images within the project.

Submit a maximum of 40 images.

A majority of the photos must have been taken during 2019. Historic or establishing images shot in previous years may be included as supporting or transitional material.

Winning entries from previous years may not be resubmitted.

Single images and picture stories from this category are encouraged to be entered in Science/Natural History categories #1 and #2.

Portions of the essay may be part of a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or published in 2019.
32 - Community Awareness Award
This Premier category will recognize a photographer’s extended story or essay that demonstrates an understanding of and appreciation for everyday life of the people who make up a community. The purpose is to encourage attention to the small events in life that are often overshadowed by the news of the day, and to celebrate those images that reflect the work and dreams of humankind.

A “community” may be defined as a neighborhood, a town, a small commune, a rural agricultural area, a city subdivision, or socioeconomic region.

Submit a maximum of 40 images.

Entries need not have been published.

A majority of the photos must have been taken during 2019. Historic or establishing images shot in previous years may be included as supporting or transitional material.

Winning entries from previous years may not be resubmitted.

Portions of the essay may be part of a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or published in 2019.
33 - World Understanding Award
This Premier category will recognize a photographer’s long-term story, project, or essay that focuses on the human condition and portrays a sense of justice or insight into difficult problems. This could include a facet of human relations, a mutual concern for world conflict, social injustice, or any number of other topics. The project may include a few portraits that are arranged by the photographer. However, portraits should not comprise a majority of the images within the project.

Submit a maximum of 40 images.

Entries need not have been published.

There are no subject requirements.

There are no time restrictions. Photos need not have been taken during 2019.

Previous World Understanding entries may not be resubmitted for five years.

Winning entries from previous years may not be resubmitted.

Portions of the essay may not be entered in single or picture story categories. Portions of the essay may be part of a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or published in 2019.
34 - Photography Book of the Year
Book entries must rely on documentary photography and have been published within the last three years (2017, 2018, or 2019). Previous entries are not eligible.

Photographs may be the work of one or more photographers.

The photographer and the publishing house should coordinate to avoid duplicate entries.

Mail or ship by courier (FedEx, DSL, UPS, or postal mail) only one print-bound copy of the book and include a note inside the cover with your name and the publishing house.

Ship the book to:
Pictures of the Year International
Missouri School of Journalism
109 Lee Hills Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

NOTE: It is not necessary that the book entry arrive by the contest deadline, Jan. 24, 2020, as long as the shipment is post marked on or before Jan. 19. Standard shipping with any courier such as FedEx, DSL, UPS, or postal mail is sufficient. However, the book must arrive by the time judging begins in February.

The trophy will honor the photographer(s). The publishing group will be recognized with a plaque, listing the editors and photographers involved.
35 - Angus McDougall Excellence in Editing Award
The spirit of this category is to recognize the very best editing by a media organization’s visual reporting team across all platforms.

This category is open to all news organizations, media groups, newspapers, magazines, or specialty advocacy organizations.

Personal portfolios, publications or websites are not allowed. Business promotions, catalogs, branded content or stories in which the funding organization is also the primary subject are not allowed.

A visual editing team portfolio may consist of online and print publication stories. Editing should demonstrate sensitivity for the selection and organization of documentary photography. Design should reflect consideration for the reader and respect for the vision of the photographer.

Judges will recognize overall excellence in use of visual journalism, still photojournalism, video, interactive design, user experience, and multimedia storytelling.

A portfolio entry should present no more than 10 individual stories. The stories may be a print or online version or a converged print-and-online version of single-story topic.

Only one portfolio entry per organization.

A single-story topic may be submitted only once. All stories must be published in 2019.

The print version of stories may be of one or more pages, from no more than three consecutive issues, on coverage of a single-story topic.

Submit each page as a separate .PDF file. Do not group pages or embed files together.

A doubletruck or spread (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .PDF file.

The online version of stories may include web pages, apps, downloadable PDFs, mobile optimized websites, or other platforms. Submit a URL single primary link for each story. Make sure the online links are active and the needed passwords are included.

The winning organization will host a sterling silver trophy for one year, receive a plaque, and tuition to the Missouri Photo Workshop.

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COPYRIGHTS & USAGE STATEMENT

I declare that I am authorized by the holder of the copyright (or the right to copyright) to submit photographs to the 75th annual Pictures of the Year International (POY) competition. Pictures of the Year International (POY) recognizes and respects that copyrights are held by the photographer and/or news organization. I grant permission to Pictures of the Year International and the Missouri School of Journalism to use my submitted photographs in exhibitions, in publications, and in promotions of the competition itself, and for educational, research, and historical record purposes concerning Pictures of the Year International. This usage includes, but is not limited to, slides/tapes, television film/tapes, videodisc, DVDs, CDs, websites, and any other type of mechanical, electronic, or digital dissemination system. Winning photographs, published tearsheets, editing displays, multimedia productions, and other images selected for historic significance become part of the permanent POY Archive. By entering, I declare that the photographs were taken or initially published during the calendar year of 2017. (The time period does not apply to the World Understanding Award.)

Pictures of the Year International is a program of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. The University of Missouri is a public, tax-exempt educational institution of the State of Missouri. POY provides an educational mission for career development and student advancement, without profit. To achieve the educational mission of the competition, POY requests $50 (U.S. dollars) compensation from participants to cover the costs associated with operation of the competition.