2021 Qtr. 4 Singles
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Quarter 4 judges, Randy L. Rasmussen & Don Ryan
General News
First Place: Patrick T. Fallon, Agence France-Presse
Supporters of the FreeBritney movement rally in support of musician Britney Spears for a conservatorship court hearing, outside the Stanley Mosk courthouse in Los Angeles, California on November 12, 2021. - A Los Angeles judge on Friday formally approved the process of ending the controversial guardianship that has controlled pop star Britney Spears' life for the past 13 years.
Second Place: Patrick T. Fallon, Agence France-Presse
In an aerial image, environmental response crews clean up oil that flowed near the Talbert marsh and Santa Ana River mouth, creating a sheen on the water after an oil spill in the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach, California on October 4, 2021.
Third Place: Patrick T. Fallon, Agence France-Presse
A Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launches on December 11, 2021, in West Texas near Van Horn. - The NS-19 mission will take Laura Shepard Churchley, eldest daughter of famed NASA astronaut Alan Shepard, Television talk show host Michael Strahan and paying passengers Dylan Taylor, Evan Dick, Lane Bess and Cameron Bess into space/
Feature
First Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
Manhattan Beach, CA - October 20: A pre-dawn surfer is seen with the setting Hunter’s full moon, behind the Manhattan Beach Pier, in Manhattan Beach, CA, Manhattan Beach Pier, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021.
Second Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Employee Jeffery Flores holds some of the different varieties of marijuana Catalyst the first legal marijuana dispensary in El Monte on Thursday, November 4, 2021.
Third Place: SCOTT MITCHELL, Zuma Press
A young girl having fun on the beach during the Fifth Annual Pacific Air Show 2021, Huntington Beach, CA, USA, October 1 & 2, 2021
Honorable Mention: Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times
FOREST FALLS, CA - DECEMBER 28, 2021: Matthew Eastman, 15, of Forest Falls sleds off a jump he built at the end of his driveway after Monday’s winter stormed blanketed the San Bernardino Mountains on December 28, 2021 in Forest Falls, California.
Honorable Mention: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
Hermosa Beach, CA - November 29: A pair of surfers ending their day pass by the Christmas Tree on Pier Plaza in Hermosa Beach, CA, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.
Portrait
First Place: Amy Gaskin, Freelance
California Angel, a thoroughbred, is a juvenile two year old filly sired by Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome. Purchased for just $5,500, she was the surprise winner at the Jessamine Stakes, held at the Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, which automatically qualified her to run in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Said her trainer George Leonard III, “I liked her eyes, how alert she was and athletically made. I liked her pedigree. I was amazed we got her for the price we did.” Thursday, November 4, 2021 in Del Mar, Calif.
Second Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles, CA - December 13: Actor Ben Affleck is photographed during a day of promotion for his new film, “The Tender Bar,” at Four Seasons hotel, in Los Angeles, CA, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. The George Clooney-directed film, has Affleck portraying an uncle, becoming an unconvential mentor to his nephew
Honorable Mention: Amy Gaskin, Freelance
Third Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
West Hollywood, CA - October 29: Actress Kristen Stewart is photographed in promotion of her new film, “Spencer,” at The London in West Hollywood, CA, Friday, Oct. 29, 2021. In the film, directed by Pablo Larraín, Stewart portrays Princess Diana, during a Christmas holiday in 1991, when Diana decides to leave Prince Charles.
Horse trainer George Leonard III at the race. “I was disappointed and gratified at the same time. I really wanted to win. But I was also very grateful to be there at all. Just a few months ago it would have been hard to imagine one of the biggest days was coming. Just being there was an accomplishment. Angel was a lot more nervous. She was over excited. She broke decent and she made a good run in the end. It wasn’t her best day at the races.” Leonard is the first person of any color to start in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. His horse, California Angel, was purchased for just $5,500 in a sport where horses are sold often for millions. A filly sired by Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome, California Angel finished a disappointing 11th place in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. He still dreams of going to the Kentucky Oaks. Friday, November 5, 2021 in Del Mar, Calif.
Pictorial
First Place: Patrick T. Fallon, Agence France-Presse
A Canadian Pacific railway locomotive pulls train cars with shipping containers along a rail line at Morant's Curve near Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada on November 29, 2021.
Second Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
Manhattan Beach, CA - December 21: A surfer is silohuetted, as the sun sets and the Christmas lights twinkle on the Manhattan Beach Pier in Manhattan Beach, CA, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021.
Third Place: Aude Guerrucci, Freelance
Lava, from the Kilauea’s eruption of 2018 is cutting a road on Big Island, November 27, 2021.
Honorable Mention: Patrick T. Fallon, Agence France-Presse
People walk along a fence after crossing the border from Mexico at the US Customs and Border Protection Paso del Norte Port of Entry along the US-Mexico border between Texas and Chihuahua state on December 9, 2021 in El Paso, Texas.
Honorable Mention: Amy Gaskin, Freelance
The lake at Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area on Saturday, October 23, in Los Angeles, Calif.
Spot News
First Place: Aude Guerrucci, FREELANCE
Firefighters tries to extinguish flames in Venadeto Canyon near the 101 highway in Santa Barbara County, California, U.S., October 12, 2021.
Second Place: Thomas R. Cordova, Long Beach Post
Long Beach Firefighter Paramedic Will Montgomery carries Dip to the owner's car as Firefighter Paramedic Michael Thurston talks to one of the owners Adela Najarro as they transport the dogs to a local veterinarian after the firefighters gave the dogs oxygen after firefighters pulled the two dogs out of a burning apartment In Long Beach Thursday, October 28, 2021.
Third Place: Aude Guerrucci, Freelance
Firefighters work on a ranch in Aguajito Canyon in Santa Barbara County, California, U.S., October 12, 2021.
Entertainment
First Place: AUDE GUERRUCCI, Freelance
Becky G, winner of the Favorite Female Latin Award, poses in the press room during the 2021 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, U.S., November 21, 2021. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Second Place: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
Hollywood, CA - November 10: June Spencer,6, daughter of cinematographer Alice Brooks, right and Sam Spencer, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Opening Night Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “tick, tick…BOOM!,” at TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021.
Third Place: AMY GASKIN, Freelance
A Marilyn Remembered fan club member wins a white elephant gift at the holiday luncheon hosted by the club at El Coyote Mexican restaurant on Saturday, December 11, 2021 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Honorable Mention: Jay L. Clendenin, Los Angeles Times
Hollywood, CA - November 13: Actress and director Halle and Shamier Anderson, have a photo taken of them by Anderson’s brother Stephan James, right, on the red carpet of the 2021 AFI Fest Gala Premiere of Netflix’s, “Bruised” at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.The film, Halle Berry’s directorial debut, following an aging mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter, played by Berry, who accepts an offer to fight the top female MMA fighter, while also dealing with the return of a son she given up for adoption.
Sports Features
First Place: Paul Rodriguez, Orange County Register
With his team following close behind, Loyola High School coach Erik Healy launches himself into the pool as Loyola wins the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1 water polo championship over Oaks Christian High School in Irvine, California on Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Second Place: Amy Gaskin, freelance
Pepe Ontiveros and his horse, “Kilo,” whom he purchased about 6 months ago. "I've been doing this all my life. He was a little wild at first, but now we have a bond and we get along real good." Kilo is a former race horse but Ontiveros doesn't know his original racing name. Kilo is about 8 or 9 years old. At Santa Anita Park on Saturday, October 30, 2021 in Arcadia, Calif.
Third Place: SCOTT MITCHELL, zuma press
Honorable Mention: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
LA Galaxy goalkeeper coach KEVIN HARTMAN on the pitch before the match as The Los Angeles Galaxy and FC Dallas played to a 2 to 2 draw at the end of a very physical match at the Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson, California, USA, October 23, 2021. Hartman appears to be caught in the middle of a heavy rain but actually was behind the sprinlers which were readying the field for play.
Head coach Bruce Rollinson of Mater Dei Monarchs is hoisted on the shoulders of his players after defeating the Serra Padres 44-7 during a 2021 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Game at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo on Saturday, December 11, 2021.
Honorable Mention: Amy Gaskin, freelance
George Leonard III is the first trainer of any color to compete in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. He purchased California Angel, a filly sired by Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome for only $5,500, in a sport where horses are frequently sold for millions of dollars. California Angel was a surprise come from behind winner in the Jessamine Stakes race to qualify for entry in the World Championships. “I am the first man of color to ever start in the Breeders’ Cup. It’s not fair on a lot of fronts. That’s a whole other conversation. There’s never been anybody of any color. The Breeders’ Cup is for rich people. They spend millions and spend big money for better bred horses. We don’t fit in the mold of being elite and wealthy. The ones with the most money have better horses. Occasionally a horse like Angel slips through the cracks.” Thursday, November 4, 2021 in Del Mar, Calif.
Honorable Mention: Taya Gray, Palm Springs Desert Sun
Paula Badosa of Spain reacts altering winning the women's final at the BNP Paribas in Indian Wells, Calif., on October 17, 2021.
Honorable Mention: Katharine Lotze, Getty images
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 31: Goalkeeper Angelina Anderson #00 of California reacts after a goal as UCLA celebrates in the second overtime period at Wallis Annenberg Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Sports Action
First Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Chloe Nussbaum #10 of La Canada dives for a shot against South Pasadena in the first game of a prep volleyball match at South Pasadena High School in South Pasadena on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.
Second Place: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Wide receiver Tahj Washington #16 of the USC Trojans catches a pass and dives for the first down against the Brigham Young Cougars in the second half of a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 27, 2021.
Third Place: Paul Rodriguez, FREELANCE
Northwood High School quarterback Eugene Miyata, right, has his helmet ripped off before being brought down by Righetti High School Elias Martinez, left, in the California Interscholastic Federation Southern California Division 5-A state championship football game in Irvine, California, on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Righetti was called for a facemask penalty.
Honorable Mention: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson #1 of the UCLA Bruins leaps over Isaac Taylor-Stuart #6 of the USC Trojans for a touchdown in the fourth quarter during a NCAA football game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 20, 2021.
Honorable Mention: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Wide receiver Kenny Golladay #19 of the New York Giants drops a pass in front of cornerback Chris Harris #25 of the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of a NFL football game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in Inglewood on Sunday, December 12, 2021.
Honorable Mention: KEITH BIRMINGHAM, PASADENA STAR-NEWS
Defender Josip Corluka #2 of Bosnia-Herzegovina with the header over Defender Brooks Lennon #2 of the United States in the first half of a friendly soccer match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson on Saturday, December 18, 2021.
Honorable Mention: Apu Gomes, Freelance
Gervonta Davis (r) punches Isaac Cruz during their WBA World Lightweight Championship title bout at Staples Center on December 05, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Fire
First Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Long Beach firefighters attack a blaze on a two-story building during a two-alarm fire at an abandoned house near Downtown, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Fire investigators have one person in custody on suspicion of starting a significant fire at an abandoned two-story Victorian house on Long Beach Boulevard near Downtown, the Long Beach Fire Department says.
Second Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
Firefighters work to extinguish a 2nd alarm fire at an abandoned house near Downtown, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Fire investigators have one person in custody on suspicion of starting a significant fire at an abandoned two-story Victorian house on Long Beach Boulevard near Downtown, the Long Beach Fire Department says.
Third Place: Thomas R Cordova, Long Beach Post
A Long Beach firefighter stands in the water runoff after putting out a two-alarm fire at an abandoned house near Downtown, Monday, Oct. 11, 2021. Fire investigators have one person in custody on suspicion of starting a significant fire at an abandoned two-story Victorian house on Long Beach Boulevard near Downtown, the Long Beach Fire Department says.
Judges’ Notes & Bio
Comments from the Judges
When viewing the contest entries in their totality, the judges became aware or several basic photo editing elements that could have made mediocre photos, better and good photos contest winners. The main element is cropping. Even contest winners often could have been elevated in the standings with some simple cropping changes.
The second is timing. In that, the judges noted that several very strong images could have been stronger if taken a second before or after the contest image. It could have been something as simple as choosing a frame or two before or after the submitted image. We don’t know if that is the case, but you will see what we mean with some of the examples included here.
The third element is mis-categorizing your image. The judges took the liberty of taking a very strong image from a photo essay and putting it into the Spot News category.
Here are suggestions from the judges (click images to read comments):
Meet our judges, Randy L. Rasmussen & Don Ryan
Randy L. Rasmussen is a career photojournalist, beginning in high school working as a lab-tech and photographer for The Missoulian. From there, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a staff photographer for the Orange County Register and then as a staffer for the LA bureau of the Associated Press (and a member of PPAGLA).
He moved to The Oregonian where he worked in variety of jobs, including staff photographer, magazine photographer/photo editor, news graphics editor, assistant director of photography and acting photo director. He left the paper in 2016, after 35 years, to freelance, which he continues to do occasionally. You can contact him at rlrx@yahoo.com.
Don Ryan spent 35 years as a staff photographer for The Associated Press based in Portland, OR. Ryan also spent three years as staff photographer at the Port Angeles Daily News in Port Angeles, WA and three years as staff photographer at the Gresham Outlook in Gresham, OR. He is now enjoying retirement in King City, OR.
Ryan graduated from Oregon State University in 1976 with a Major in Technical Journalism and Minor in Business Administration. His love of photography and photojournalism began in high school when he developed his first black and white photo and never looked back.