2023 Q4 Photo Essay

DEAN RUTZ, Quarter 3 Judge

First Place: What distinguished first was the breadth of coverage that spanned both sides of the issue, but also generated exceptional images from a host of circumstances..

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First Place: david swanson, Agence France Presse

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Thousands of demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and signs denouncing "Israeli apartheid" march in support of Palestinians in Los Angeles on October 14, 2023. Thousands of Palestinians sought refuge on October 14 after Israel warned them to evacuate the northern Gaza Strip before an expected ground offensive against Hamas, one week on from the deadliest attack in Israeli history.

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Supporters of Israel demonstrate with national flags in Beverly Hills, California on October 10, 2023, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. The death toll in Israel has surged to more than 800 after a surprise attack by Hamas, while about 150 "prisoners" were being held by the militant group, the Israel government said October 9, 2023. The death toll in the Gaza Strip rose to 687 on October 9, 2023, the health ministry in the Palestinian enclave said, as Israel pounded Hamas targets for the third consecutive day.

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Two men scuffle after an American-Israel flag was grabbed as pro-Palestinian supporters disrupt shoppers during Black Friday sales at The Grove, a high end shopping center, in Los Angeles, on November 24, 2023. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in response to the October 7 attacks which Israeli officials say killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians in southern Israel, and saw about 240 people taken hostage. Hamas on November 24 freed a first batch of hostages seized in the deadliest attack in Israel's history under a deal that saw a temporary truce take hold in war-ravaged Gaza

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Two men scuffle after retrieving an Israeli-American flag that had been seized by pro-Palestinian supporters disrupting shoppers during Black Friday sales at The Grove, a high end shopping center, in Los Angeles, on November 24, 2023. Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in response to the October 7 attacks which Israeli officials say killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians in southern Israel, and saw about 240 people taken hostage. Hamas on November 24 freed a first batch of hostages seized in the deadliest attack in Israel's history under a deal that saw a temporary truce take hold in war-ravaged Gaza.

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A LAPD helicoper flies over demonstrators waving Palestinian flags during a march in support of Palestinians in Los Angeles on October 14, 2023. Thousands of Palestinians sought refuge on October 14 after Israel warned them to evacuate the northern Gaza Strip before an expected ground offensive against Hamas, one week on from the deadliest attack in Israeli history.

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Israel counter protesters taunt pro-Palestinian protesters gathered during the "Black & Palestinian Solidarity for a Ceasefire this Xmas" by the Beverly Center shopping center in Los Angeles on December 23, 2023. More than 200 people were killed in 24 hours of Israeli strikes, Gaza officials said December 23, and Israel announced the death of five soldiers after the UN failed to call for a ceasefire. Eleven weeks into the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli forces pressed on with their offensive, a day after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for more aid to flow into the besieged Gaza Strip.

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LAPD Police officers stand in formation by the Beverly Center shopping center as protesters rally during the "Black & Palestinian Solidarity for a Ceasefire this Xmas" in Los Angeles on December 23, 2023. More than 200 people were killed in 24 hours of Israeli strikes, Gaza officials said December 23, and Israel announced the death of five soldiers after the UN failed to call for a ceasefire. Eleven weeks into the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli forces pressed on with their offensive, a day after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for more aid to flow into the besieged Gaza Strip.

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Supporters of Israel demonstrate with national flags in Beverly Hills, California on October 9, 2023, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. The death toll in Israel has surged to more than 800 after a surprise attack by Hamas, while about 150 "prisoners" were being held by the militant group, the Israel government said October 9, 2023. The death toll in the Gaza Strip rose to 687 on October 9, 2023, the health ministry in the Palestinian enclave said, as Israel pounded Hamas targets for the third consecutive day.

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Guests walk on a driveway splattered with fake blood by demonstrators protesting in support of Palestinians in Gaza, amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, at a fundraiser event expected to be attended by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 20, 2023.

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A protestor waves a Palestinian flag as people rally in support of Palestinians in Los Angeles, California on October 21, 2023, amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

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Pro-Israel supporters gather gather and march in defense of the conflict with Palestine in Los Angeles, California.

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Supporters of Israel demonstrate with national flags in Beverly Hills, California on October 9, 2023, after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack on Israel. The death toll in Israel has surged to more than 800 after a surprise attack by Hamas, while about 150 "prisoners" were being held by the militant group, the Israel government said October 9, 2023. The death toll in the Gaza Strip rose to 687 on October 9, 2023, the health ministry in the Palestinian enclave said, as Israel pounded Hamas targets for the third consecutive day.

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Second Place: Eric Thayer, Freelance

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A migrant at a fire at the US-Mexico border in Lukeville, Arizona, US, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2023. An influx of migrants crossing the border unlawfully around remote Lukeville, Arizona, has overwhelmed US border officials causing them to close the official port of entry in order to direct resources to processing the unlawful arrivals.

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Migrants after crossing over from Mexico in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

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Migrants after crossing over from Mexico in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

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Migrants after crossing over from Mexico in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

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Migrants gather around a fire at the US-Mexico border in Lukeville, Arizona, US, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2023. An influx of migrants crossing the border unlawfully around remote Lukeville, Arizona, has overwhelmed US border officials causing them to close the official port of entry in order to direct resources to processing the unlawful arrivals.

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Migrants walk along the border fence at the US-Mexico border in Lukeville, Arizona, US, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2023. An influx of migrants crossing the border unlawfully around remote Lukeville, Arizona, has overwhelmed US border officials causing them to close the official port of entry in order to direct resources to processing the unlawful arrivals.

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Migrants after crossing over from Mexico near Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.

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US Customs and Border Protection officers prepare to transport migrants at the US-Mexico border in Lukeville, Arizona, US, on Monday, Dec. 12, 2023. An influx of migrants crossing the border unlawfully around remote Lukeville, Arizona, has overwhelmed US border officials causing them to close the official port of entry in order to direct resources to processing the unlawful arrivals.

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Migrants after crossing over from Mexico near Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.

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TUCSON, ARIZONA - DEC 15: Migrants at a US Border Patrol processing facility December 15, 2023 in Tucson, Arizona.

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Migrants after crossing over from Mexico in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

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Migrants after crossing over from Mexico near Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023.

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Third place: David Swanson, AFP

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Protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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A moptorist screams from their car as protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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A protester places a symbolic flame atop a menorah demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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Protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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Protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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Protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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A scuffle breakes out as protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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Motorcyclists pull through a sit in as protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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Protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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Over 50 arrests are made as protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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CHP officer removes a menorah as protesters demanding a ceasefire and an end to U.S. support for Israel's attack on Gaza block morning traffic on the 110 Freeway, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., December 13, 2023.

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Meet Our Judge, DEAN RUTZ

Dean Rutz is a 35-year veteran of The Seattle Times, joining the newspaper in 1988 as Picture Editor. His ability to see the potential of images in print saw his job evolve into page design and headline writing, and during those years The Seattle Times routinely finished among the top three newspapers in NPPA’s Best Use of Pictures contest.

Rutz’s ability to coordinate photographers in the field saw him work increasingly remotely on major sporting events, first building darkrooms, and later organizing on site production in the early days of digital cameras.

From there it was a straight line back into photography with Rutz either editing or shooting nine Olympic Games, and countless sporting championships. Today he is the Times’ lead sports photographer and was recently honored by the Seattle Sports Commission with the Keith Jackson Media Excellence Award, the only photographer to have received that honor.

He lives in Lake Forest Park with his wife, Karen – also a staff photographer at The Seattle Times – and their dogs.

Previously, Rutz was a staff photographer at the Washington (DC) Times, the Palm Beach (FL) Post, and the Cincinnati (OH) Enquirer.