2023 Q3 Photo Essay

RoSS FRANKLIN, Quarter 3 Judge

First Place: Nice drone work and the couple holding hands is such a great image.

Second Place: Again, nice variety of image, including various time of day timeline

Third Place: Variety of images helps this story.  Working and at home access helps this story’s scope.

HM1: Good story-telling images for this quick hit story.  Photog work at getting as much out of this as possible.

HM2: Maybe too many images of Joshua Trees, but there is enough here to warrant an HM.  Joshua Tree 06 is nice with side lighting.  Unsure of ending image of tortoise, especially with vehicle in frame.

---

First Place: david swanson, Agence France Presse

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_01.JPG

Residents shovel and fill sandbags provided by the City of Indio in a library parking lot as the path of Hurricane Hilary heads north toward southern California, in Indio, on August 19, 2023. Hilary brought heavy rains on August 19 to portions of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and the southwestern United States, as officials warned the powerful hurricane was likely to cause "catastrophic and life-threatening" flooding.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_02.JPG

The "Forever Marilyn" statue, designed by US artist John Seward Johnson II, is framed by storm clouds as Hurricane Hilary heads north toward southern California, in Palm Springs, California, on August 19, 2023. Hilary brought heavy rains on August 19 to portions of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and the southwestern United States, as officials warned the powerful hurricane was likely to cause "catastrophic and life-threatening" flooding.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_03.JPG

Eddie Jaramillo, framed by storm clouds, prepares to fly a kite near the Salton Sea shore in California on August 20, 2023. Hurricane Hilary weakened to a tropical storm on August 20, 2023, as it barreled up Mexico's Pacific coast, but was still likely to bring life-threatening flooding to the typically arid southwestern United States, forecasters said. Authorities reported at least one fatality in northwestern Mexico, where Hilary lashed the Baja California Peninsula with heavy rain and strong winds.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_04.JPG

Motorists deal with a flooded road and stuck vehichles during heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary in Palm Springs, California, on August 20, 2023. Heavy rain lashed California on August 20 as Tropical Storm Hilary approached from Mexico, bringing warnings of potentially life-threatening flooding in the typically arid southwestern United States.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_05.JPG

A man stands near floodwater as he prepares to cross an intersection as Tropical Storm Hilary heads north near Palm Springs, California, on August 20, 2023. Heavy rains lashed California as Tropical Storm Hilary raced in from Mexico, bringing warnings of potentially life-threatening flooding in the typically arid southwestern United States.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_06.JPG

A road is washed out as Tropical Storm Hilary heads north into Palm Springs, California, on August 20, 2023. Heavy rains lashed California as Tropical Storm Hilary raced in from Mexico, bringing warnings of potentially life-threatening flooding in the typically arid southwestern United States.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_07.JPG

A worker from the Coachella Valley Water Department surveys the debris flow following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, at Thurderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, on August 21, 2023. Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada on August 21, 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until this morning.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_08.JPG

An aerial image shows traffic being diverted on Interstate 10 due to flooding and mud crossing the highway following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, California, on August 21, 2023. Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada on August 21, 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until this morning.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_09.JPG

An aerial image shows no traffic on Ramon Rd. due to flooding and mud crossing the highway following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary, in Rancho Mirage, California, on August 21, 2023. Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada on August 21, 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until this morning.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_10.JPG

A car is pictured in a flooded street following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary in Cathedral City, California, on August 21, 2023. Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada on August 21, 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until this morning.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_11.JPG

Cathedral City Fire Department rescues residents in a bulldozer following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary in Cathedral City, California, on August 21, 2023. Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada on August 21, 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until this morning.

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_HURRICANE_HILARY_12.JPG

Cathedral City Fire Department rescues residents in a bulldozer following heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hilary in Cathedral City, California, on August 21, 2023. Tropical Storm Hilary drenched Southern California with record rainfall, shutting down schools, roads and businesses before edging in on Nevada on August 21, 2023. California Governor Gavin Newsom had declared a state of emergency over much of the typically dry area, where flash flood warnings remained in effect until this morning.

---

Second Place: david swanson, Agence France Presse

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_01.JPG

The Rabbit Fire burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_02.JPG

A vehichle burns as the Rabbit Fire burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_03.JPG

An aircraft drops retardant as the Rabbit Fire burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_04.JPG

A helicopter gathers water as the Rabbit Fire burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_05.JPG

A helicopter drops water as the Rabbit Fire burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_06.JPG

Fireman monitor the Rabbit Fire as it burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_07.JPG

The Rabbit Fire burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_08.JPG

A helicopter drops water as the Rabbit Fire burns over 3,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 14, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_09.JPG

Firefighters work as the Gavilan Fire burns over 250 acres in Perris in Riverside County, Californiana July 15, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_10.JPG

Firefighters work as the Gavilan Fire burns over 250 acres in Perris in Riverside County, Californiana July 15, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_11.JPG

Firefighters monitor and set a controled burn as the Rabbit Fire burns over 7,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 15, 2023 /

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_RIVERSIDE_COUNTY_FIRES_12.JPG

Firefighters monitor and set a controled burn as the Rabbit Fire burns over 7,500 acres in Moreno Valley in Riverside County, Californiana July 15, 2023 /

---

Third place: GINA FERAZZI, LOS ANGELES TIMES

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_01.jpg

THERMAL, CA - AUGUST 11, 2023: In July, the Coachella Valley experienced 16 days in which temperatures were 115 degrees or higher and 23 days with temperatures 110 degrees or above. These are extreme conditions for farm workers but they show up for work everyday. With the temperature well over 100 degrees, farmworkers wait in the shade after a long hot day in peach orchards on August 11, 2023 in Thermal, California.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_02.jpg

THERMAL, CA - AUGUST 11, 2023: With the temperature well over 100 degrees, farmworker Maria Chavez, 63, holds a water bottle containing a block of ice while working in the peach orchards on August 11, 2023 in Thermal, California.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_03.jpg

THERMAL, CA - AUGUST 11, 2023: With the temperature well over 100 degrees, farmworkers leave the fields after working a long hot day in peach orchards on August 11, 2023 in Thermal, California.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_04.jpg

THERMAL, CA - JULY 20, 2023: Date Palm trees and a broken basketball hoop line the dirt road in front of a trailer park in the 118 degree desert landscape on July 20, 2023 in Thermal, California.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_05.jpg

THERMAL, CA - JULY 20, 2023: Youngsters cool off in the 115 degree heat in the early evening outside their trailer on July 20, 2023 in Thermal, California. The children stay inside most of the day to avoid the extreme temperatures in the Coachella Valley. Their parents are farm workers.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_06.jpg

MECCA, CA - AUGUST 1, 2023: With temperatures well into triple digits, Jose Luis Arredendo, 50, wipes sweat from his brow while taking a break from using an axe to break up cement in his driveway late in the afternoon at the St. Anthony Mobile Home Park on August 1, 2023 in Mecca, California. Power outages happen frequently, especially on the hottest days, when every one in the park is running the AC, trying to stay cool. “When the power goes out it feels like you’re suffocating. It’s like an oven inside, he said.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_07.jpg

THERMAL, CA - AUGUST 1, 2023: Farmworkers protective arm sleeves hang on the fence to dry during extreme hot temperatures in the front yard of the Ramirez’s trailer at the Oasis Trailer Park on August 1, 2023 in Thermal, California. In July, the Coachella Valley experienced 16 days in which temperatures were 115 degrees or higher and 23 days with temperatures 110 degrees or above.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_08.jpg

THERMAL, CA - AUGUST 11, 2023: With her clothes and face covered in dirt and sweat, farmworker Maria Chavez, 63, waits for her ride after working in the peach orchards on August 11, 2023 in Thermal, California.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_09.jpg

THERMAL, CA - AUGUST 11, 2023: Farmworkers work under the shade of date trees to box yellow Barhi dates on August 11, 2023 in Thermal, California.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_10.jpg

THERMAL, CA - AUGUST 1, 2023: Farmworker Leticia Jimenez, 61, wipes sweat from her forehead as her window air conditioner struggles to put out cool air during extreme hot temperatures at the Oasis Mobile Home Park on August 1, 2023 in Thermal, California. In July, the Coachella Valley experienced 16 days in which temperatures were 115 degrees or higher and 23 days with temperatures 110 degrees or above.The EPA found unsafe levels of arsenic in the water there, so the residents use bottled water.

PHOTOESSAY_3107380134_Extreme_Heat_for_Farm_Workers_11.jpg

COACHELLA, CA - AUGUST 1, 2023: As dusk settles over Coachella Valley, workers toil in the fields in the evening to avoid the 110 degree plus temperatures on August 1, 2023 in Coachella, California. In July, the Coachella Valley experienced 16 days in which temperatures were 115 degrees or higher and 23 days with temperatures 110 degrees or above.

---

HM: Brandon Richardson, Long Beach Post

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_01.jpg

Hundreds of Special Olympic athletes and supporters gathered at Long Beach Airport Saturday, Sept. 23 for the 16th annual Plane Pull. During the event, dozens of teams competed to see which could pull a 124,000-pound Boeing 757 plane 12 feet the fastest, and raised $235,000 for Special Olympics Southern California.Hannah Gracian, 9, left, Shayna Maeder, 8, center, and Joelle Maeder, 11, cheer for their team, Ecology Transportation Services, during the 16th annual plane pull event at Long Beach Airport to raise money for the Spcecial Olympics of Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_02.jpg

Volunteers prepare for the 16th annual plane pull event at Long Beach Airport to raise money for the Special Olympics Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_03.jpg

"Riverdale" actor and Special Olympics Global Ambassador Charles Melton, right, warms up with with Special Olympics athletes Mark Wolffer, 30, dressed as Superman, and Marco Martinez, in red, ahead of the 16th annual plane pull event at Long Beach Airport to raise money for the Spcecial Olympics Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_04.jpg

Plane Pull Chair and former California Highway Patrol Lieutenant Adam Christin emcees the event at Long Beach Airport while the Inland Empire first responders team pulls a Boeing 757 to raise money for the Spcecial Olympics Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_05.jpg

A team pulls a UPS Boeing 757 at Long Beach Airport during an event to raise money for Spcecial Olympics Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_06.jpg

The Paklab Alchemy team pulls UPS's Boeing 757 at Long Beach Airport during an event to raise money for Spcecial Olympics Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_07.jpg

Maddie McCracken, a student in Azusa Pacific's physical therapy program, times the Los Angeles Police Department, Hollenbeck during the 16th annual plane pull event at Long Beach Airport to raise money for Spcecial Olympics Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_08.jpg

The Long Beach Police Department participates in the 16th annual plane pull event at Long Beach Airport to raise money for Spcecial Olympics Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

PHOTOESSAY_5628108346_PlanePull_09.jpg

The Parker Aerospace team pulls a Boeing 757 during the 16th annual plane pull event at Long Beach Airport to raise money for the Special Olympics of Southern California Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.

---

HM: david swanson, Agence France Presse

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_01.JPG

The York Fire has burned over 70,000 acres including Joshua trees and yucca in the Mojave National Preserve and crossed into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_02.JPG

Crane Valley Hotshots set a back Fire as the York Fire has burns over 70,000 acres, including Joshua trees and yucca in the Mojave National Preserve, and crossingh into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_03.JPG

Crane Valley Hotshots set a back Fire as the York Fire has burns over 70,000 acres, including Joshua trees and yucca in the Mojave National Preserve, and crossingh into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_04.JPG

The York Fire has burned over 70,000 acres including Joshua trees and yucca in the Mojave National Preserve and crossed into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_05.JPG

A burned Joshua tree smolders in the York Fire burning over 70,000 acres in the Mojave National Preserve, and crossingh into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_06.JPG

A burned Joshua tree smolders in the York Fire burning over 70,000 acres in the Mojave National Preserve, and crossingh into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_07.JPG

The York Fire has burned over 70,000 acres including Joshua trees and yucca in the Mojave National Preserve and crossed into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_08.JPG

A desert tortioise escapeas the York Fire which has burned over 70,000 acres including Joshua trees and yucca in the Mojave National Preserve and crossed into Nevada July 30, 2023

PHOTOESSAY_2672857189_MOJAVE_FIRE_BURNS_JOSHUA_TREES_09.JPG

---

Meet Our Judge, ROSS FRANKLIN

Ross Franklin; staff photographer with Associated Press in Arizona

2006-Present: Ross Franklin has worked for the Associated Press as Photojournalist and a Video storyteller for 18 years. Specializing in sports and news providing both stills and videos.  Including pro and college sports and local to national election/political coverage.

1987-2005 He worked at the Washington Times covering politics. 2000-2005 he worked as an adjunct profession for The Corcoran School of Art and Design in Washington D.C. 

In 1987, he graduated from Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. BS in photojournalism and a minor in history.  

AWARDS:

2018 Associated Press Photo of the Month---John McCain funeral 

2012-2016   Arizona Photojournalism Awards---Sports and News awards

2002            Pulitzer Prize runner-up as part of the staff of The Washington Times covering the DC Sniper story

1991-2004   White House News Photographers Association Awards---  Sports, News and Features awards

1986-2005 National Press Photographers Association---Sports, News, Feature