POY RJI | Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute

POY79 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. 10 photographs maximum per entry.
3 - General News
Single photographs from a news event or social issue for which planning was possible.
4 - Impact 2021: Covid-19, Year 2
A documentary, narrative picture story based on coverage related to the coronavirus. Story may include images from 2020 and 2021. Images from 2020 are limited to 40% of the story (8 out of 20 images). A maximum of 20 photographs per story.
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 (singles)
A single photograph that reflects a strong sense of a person’s identity or narrative. Respect for the dignity of the person is important.
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.

(Note: A picture story can only be entered once, but it can also be included in a portfolio entry.)
10 - Issue Reporting Picture Story
A narrative picture story that explores an important social, economic, or political issue. 10 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 narrative picture story that reflects the everyday human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is essential. 10 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
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 - 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 2021.
14 - 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 2021.
15 - 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.
16 - Olympic Action
Single photographs that capture the peak action of individual or team competition in the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. Jubilation, dejection, and reaction photographs should be entered in the Olympics Life category. Note: Must be taken during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan between July 23-Aug. 8, 2021, or during the Paralympic Games Aug. 24-Sept. 5, 2021. Action from pre- or post-Olympic contests, such as the various Olympic trials should be entered in the Sports Action category #13.
17 - Olympic Life
Single photographs that increase the understanding and appreciation for the experience of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The photograph should spotlight emotion, celebration, jubilation, dejection, and reaction among athletes and fans. Note: Must be taken during the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan between July 23-Aug. 8, 2021, or during the Paralympic Games Aug. 24-Sept. 5, 2021. Images from pre- or post-Olympic contests, such as the various Olympic trials should be entered in the Sports Life category #14.

Sports Photographer of the Year is listed in the Premier Division.
18 - Documentary News Reporting
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 — up to about 15 minutes). Longer stories should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism.”
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 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 — 20-45 minutes approximately).
21 - Online Storytelling: Daily Life
A single news story or issue presented on any single online platform. It may be based on coverage of an issue, everyday human experience, 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 20-45 minutes).
22 - Online Storytelling: News Reporting
A single news story or issue presented on a single online platform. It may be based on coverage of a news topic or daily news.
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 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.
26 - Visual Editor of the Year
This premiere category awards editing excellence to one person. The portfolio should only represent work of an individual in which they served as the lead editor on a story or package.

Newspaper, Magazine and Online visual editors may enter this category. An editing portfolio may consist of content published on multiple platforms, from apps to online stories and print publication stories. A portfolio entry may include up to 10 stories, either in print or online. A converged print-and-online version of a specific story will count as one story. The print version may include one or more pages (.jpg files).

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.

Team entries should be submitted in the "Angus McDougall Excellence in Editing Award.”
27 - Photographer of the Year, International
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 not required, but they may be included.

Submit a maximum of 50 photographs (not including title slides).
28 - Photographer of the Year, Local
Formerly called Newspaper Photographer of the year, 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 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 not required, but they may be included.

Submit a maximum of 50 photographs (not included title slides).
29 - Sports Photographer of the Year
This premier category is open to all photographers — independent, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers. All photographs must be taken during 2021.

A portfolio should include single pictures and at least one multiple-picture story. Stories are not limited to 10 images. At least three different sports should be represented. Submit a maximum of 30 photographs.

Contestants also may enter Photographer of the Year category #27 or #28, with images and/or stories from their Sports portfolio.
30 - Documentary Storyteller of the Year
Stories must have been first published or broadcasted during 2021.

The portfolio must be the principal work of one individual photojournalist who shot most of the visual content (video and/or still photographs). Stories in the portfolio may be produced and edited by additional people.

A portfolio should include at least three stories up to a maximum of five documentaries.

Each story in the portfolio may have a run time up to about 15 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.

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 majority of the photos must have been taken during 2021. A few 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 2021.
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 2021. A few 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 2021.
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.

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 2021.

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 2021.
34 - 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.

Only one portfolio entry per organization. A portfolio entry should present no more than 10 individual stories. All stories must be published in 2021.

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. Each story may be a print, online version, or a converged print-and-online version of single-story topic.

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.

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

The online version of stories may include web pages, apps, downloadable PDFs, mobile optimized websites, or other platforms. Submit a single URL link for each online story. Make sure the online links are active and the required usernames and 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.
35 - Photography Book of the Year
Suspended for POY 79. It will return in POY 80. Books published in 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be eligible.

Documentary Criteria (Categories 18, 19, 20)

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 2021.

Entries should be presented in a linear format 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 through a 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 during 2021. However, the entry may include content shot in previous years.

Submit a single URL link for each story. Make sure the links are active. Include required usernames and passwords. Do not upload video files.

Each documentary may be entered three times: as a single entry, included as part of an Online Project of the Year entry and as part of a portfolio for Documentary Storyteller of the Year.

Documentaries entered in previously years 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.

Online Storytelling Criteria (Categories 21, 22, 23)

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

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

Portfolios, business promotions, agency catalogs, or personal websites are not eligible. Stories that feature the funding organization as the primary subject are not allowed.

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

If a story is published on multiple platforms, choose the one platform that best represents it.

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

Projects must have been either been created or published during 2021. Updated versions of the originally posted story are acceptable.

Picture Editing Criteria (Categories 24, 25, 26)

These categories are intended to appraise storytelling on the printed pages through the effective use of photojournalism, captions, headlines, and typography. Entries consist of the print version of a story and may be one or more pages. A single story may include up to three consecutive issues.

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

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.

A story may be submitted only once. All stories must be published in 2021. Stories that feature business promotions, branded content, personal portfolios, or the funding organization as primary subjects are not eligible.

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