POY78 Categories

1 - Science & Natural History: A single photograph that increases the understanding and appreciation of science or the natural world. Studio scenes that are arranged by the photographer are not eligible.
2 - Science & Natural History Picture Story: A narrative 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. 10 photographs maximum per entry.
3 - General News: Single photographs from a news event or social issue for which planning was possible.
4 - Impact 2020: Election Season: A single photograph from coverage of news or an issue related to any one of the dozens of elections being held this year around the world. Photographs must be taken during 2020.
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 - Impact 2020: Protests and Movements: A narrative picture story from the coverage of the news, people or issues related to social or political movements. 10 photographs maximum per entry.

From the Black Lives Matter movement and protests against police brutality; to political rallies for candidates and rallies against government actions around the globe; to demonstrations over Covid-19 policies and restrictions, people have taken their passions to the streets. We invite photographers to go beyond the single news image of the day and share stories that reflect the nuances and emotional depth of those taking action on behalf of their beliefs in 2020. The dignity of the subject must be respected.
8 - Portrait Series: A series of photographs that reflects a strong sense of identity or narrative. 10 photographs maximum per entry.
9 – National/International News Picture Story: A narrative picture story based on daily coverage of general or breaking news that is of primary interest to an entire nation or the world. It is usually created with the intent to share nationally or internationally. 10 photographs maximum per story.
10 - Issue Reporting Picture Story: A narrative picture story that explores an important social, economic, or political issue. 10 photographs maximum per story.
11 - Daily Life Picture Story: A narrative picture story that reflects the everyday human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. 10 photographs maximum per story.
12 - Local News Picture Story: A narrative picture story based on daily coverage of general or breaking news that is of primary interest to the local audience from a media organization or the photographer’s primary geographic market. In other words, a hometown story. 10 photographs maximum per story.
13 - COVID-19 News Picture Story: A narrative picture story based on daily coverage of general or breaking news related to the coronavirus. 10 photographs maximum per story.
14 - COVID-19 Personal Expression: An interpretive project that reflects the personal experiences, feelings and thoughts related to COVID-19. It may be conceptual or artistic. Alternate processes and digital manipulations are allowed. 20 images maximum per story, only one entry allowed per entrant.
15 - Sports Action: A single photograph that captures peak action of an individual or team sport. Jubilation, dejection, or reaction images should be entered in the Sports Life and Recreational Sports category. Photographs must be taken during 2020.
16 - Sports Picture Story: A narrative picture story 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. It may feature professional or amateur athletes, fans, families, or any aspect of a community that is changed by its connection to sports. 10 photographs maximum per story.
17 - Sports Life and Recreational Sports: A single photograph that celebrates the role sports play in the community. Image may show the emotional highlights of players on the field or the reactions of fans. The sport may be a professional, amateur or intramural competition. Photographs must be taken during 2020.
18 - Local Team Picture Story of the Year *NEW PREMIERE CATEGORY: This premiere category recognizes the collaborative effort of a photo staff covering a single topic that is important to its local audience. It is a narrative picture story or series that is comprised of pictures taken as part of a team or staff effort to cover a local issue or news story. Entries are limited to one entry per news organization. 20 images maximum per story.
19 - Documentary Daily Life: 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 – up to about 15 minutes). Longer stories should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism.”
20 - Documentary News Reporting: A single story based on coverage of general or breaking news, or an essay that explores a social, economic, or political issue (flexible length — up to about 15 minutes). Longer stories should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism.”
21 - 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 — approximately 16 minutes or longer).
22 - Online Storytelling: Daily Life and News Reporting: A single news story or issue on any single online platform. It may be based on coverage of an issue, daily news, everyday human experience or a cultural trend. Web page entries should consist of a single story.
23 - Online Storytelling Project of the Year: This Premier category is open to teams or individuals. It is intended to appraise in-depth visual online journalism that explores a social, economic, or political issue through a special report, series, or presentation with multiple chapters. There is no length limitation.
24 - Newspaper Picture Editing: A news, issue or daily life 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.”

We cannot accept .pdf files. Please convert all .pdf files to .jpg files.

Submit each page as a separate .jpg file. A doubletruck (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .jpg file.
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.

We cannot accept .pdf files. Please convert all .pdf files to .jpg files.

Submit each page as a separate .jpg file. A doubletruck (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .jpg file.
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. The portfolio should only represent work of an individual in which they served as the lead editor on a story or package.

An editing portfolio may consist of content published on 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 (.jpg files).

Team entries should be submitted in the "Angus McDougall Excellence in Editing Award.”

We cannot accept .pdf files. Please convert all .pdf files to .jpg files.

Submit each page as a separate .jpg file. A double truck (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .jpg file.
27 – Photographer of the Year, International: This premier category is open to all photographers — independent, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers. The work 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.

Please create a blank, black slide (.jpg). Fill out the IPTC title and caption fields with the story title and description. Place the slide it at the beginning of each story. Do not title the slide.

Single images may be included but are not required. A portfolio must include at least two narrative picture stories (5 or more images). 50 images maximum (not including black slides).

Photographers may submit a portfolio into either portfolio category, #27 or #28, but not both.
28 – Photographer of the Year, Local: This premier category is 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 or regional coverage from their home 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 enter in the category: Photographer of the Year, International.

Please create a blank, black .jpg slide. Fill out the IPTC title and caption fields with the story title and description. Place the slide it at the beginning of each story.

Only one national or international story is allowed. Single images may be included but are not required. A portfolio must include at least two narrative picture stories (5 or more images). 50 photographs maximum (not including the black slides).

Photographers may submit a portfolio into either portfolio category, #27 or #28, but not both.
29 - Sports Photographer of the Year: This premier category is open to all photographers — independent, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers. A portfolio should include single pictures and at least one narrative picture story. Stories are not limited to 10 images.

All photographs included in the Sports portfolio must be taken during 2020. Submit a maximum of 30 photographs. At least three different sports should be represented.

Please create a blank, black slide (.jpg). Fill out IPTC title and captions with story title and description. Place the slide it at the beginning of each story. Do not title the slide.

Entrants may also enter Photographer of the Year category #27 or #28, with images and/or stories from their Sports portfolio.
30 – Documentary Storyteller of the Year: The portfolio must be the work of one person 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. Stories must have been either shot, produced, or first published during 2020.

A portfolio should consist of a minimum of three stories and a maximum of five documentaries (as URL links). It may be a mix of linear (video) stories and non-linear (user experience) online stories. It may include entries from the Online Storytelling categories. Each story in the portfolio may have a run time up to about 15 minutes.

All members of the production and editing team will be credited in the winners list and gallery.
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 minimum of 12 images). Entries need not have been published. Winning entries from previous years are not allowed. A majority of the photos must have been taken during 2020.

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 2020.
32 - Community Awareness Award: This Premier category recognizes a photographer’s extended story or essay about the 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 (a minimum of 12 images). Entries need not have been published. Winning entries from previous years are not allowed. A majority of the photos must have been taken during 2020.

Portions of the essay may be part of a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or first published in 2020.
33 - World Understanding Award: This Premier category recognizes 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 may 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; however, the portraits should not comprise a majority of the images within the project.

Submit a maximum of 40 images (a minimum of 12 images).

Entries need not have been published. There are no subject requirements.

There are no time restrictions. Photos need not have been taken during 2020.

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

Portions of the essay may not be entered in single or picture story categories.

Portions of the essay may be included in a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or first published in 2020.
34 - Photography Book of the Year: This category recognizes the best documentary visual storytelling in a book.

Book entries must rely on documentary photography and have been published within the last three years (2018, 2019, or 2020). 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.

Submit 1-10 images of the book (include the cover) and mail a physical copy by courier (FedEx, DSL, UPS, or postal mail). Include a note 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. 19, 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: All files must be .jpg format

The spirit of this category is to recognize the very best in visual editing by a media organization across all platforms. Judges will recognize excellence in use of photojournalism, video, interactive design, user experience, and multimedia storytelling.

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 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.

The print version of a story may be composed of one or more (.jpg) pages, from no more than five consecutive issues on the coverage of a single topic. The online version of a story may include web pages, apps, mobile-optimized websites, or other platforms.

We cannot accept .pdf files. Please convert all .pdf files to .jpg files. Submit each page as a separate .jpg file. A double truck (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .jpg file.

Only one portfolio entry per organization is allowed. Include up to 10 individual stories. The stories may be a print or online version or a converged print-and-online version of a single topic. All stories must be published in 2020.

Submit a URL single primary link for each story. Make sure the online links are active and the needed passwords are included.

Documentary Criteria (Categories 19, 20, 21)

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 2020. Documentaries entered previously are not eligible.

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.

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

Documentaries must be published online or shared publicly via broadcast or festivals, for example, during 2020. 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 upload video 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. Multiple-chaptered stories or projects should be entered in the category Online Storytelling Project of the Year.

Online Storytelling Criteria (Categories 22, 23)

The intent of these categories is to recognize excellent visual editing and management in multiple-chaptered stories or projects on an online platform, primarily websites.

Open to all — 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.

If a story is published across multiple platforms, choose the one platform that creates the best representation for that specific story. Updated versions of the originally posted story are acceptable.

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 2020.

Provide a single URL link to the project’s primary web page during registration.

Picture Editing Criteria (Categories 24, 25, 26)

These categories are intended to appraise storytelling in the printed pages through the effective use of photojournalism, captions, headlines, and other display typography. Entries 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 all — teams or individuals, either independent or affiliated with media organizations such as newspapers, magazines, or specialty advocacy organizations. 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.

Please convert all .pdf files to .jpg files. Submit each page as a separate .jpg file. A double truck (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .jpg file.

A story may be submitted only once. All stories must be published in 2020.