2026 Q1 Singles
Khai Le
Points for Q1 PPAGLA Quarterly Contest 2026
Keith Birmingham 180 Points
Thomas Cordova 180 Points
Mindy Schauer. 170 Points
Cristina Salvador Klenz 160 Points
Nancy Newman 140 Points
Jeff Gritchen 100 Points
Terry Pierson 70 Points
Ringo Chiu 70 Points
Ghawam Kouchaki 70 Points
Ted Soqui 70 Points
Jill Connelly 70 Points
J.W. Hendricks 50 Points
Robert Hanashiro 40 Points
Cayo Seals 40 Points
Gina Ferazzi. 20 Points
Quarter 1 judges: Kevin Clark, Erika Schultz, James Gregg
General News
In the 1st place image judges were impressed with all the complex elements working together in a single frame. Getting a specific composition of the background scene is very skillful, and the expression from the driver and lighting in both arenas is very effective to tell a complete story in one image. In 2nd place, a unique moment outside of the obvious from a protest — the costume is quirky but the moment is really what sets this apart with the expressions from the woman and the officer escorting her. A lighter moment in an otherwise serious event. The power of the moment makes 3rd place a winner — raw motion, strong composition, and background, mid-ground and foreground. Honorable mention is a very complex scene with many faces and expressions all working together to create a dynamic scene.
Feature
Judges comments: A touching moment1st place was a quick winner for the judges. Touching moment with the father and daughter, strong composition, and the background content of other pairs dancing really gave a sense of being there in a tender moment. 2nd place has subtlety that makes this a picture to look at for a long time — every detail adds to a sweet moment. 3rd place and honorable mention produced some debate amongst the judges. 3rd place ultimately won with its content-rich background, an intimate moment in the foreground, as well as access and attention to detail in the composition. Honorable mention was an unexpected moment from a photographer really paying attention to what’s behind them — a great layer to coverage.
Portrait
First place shows a real intimacy with the subject — dignified as well as engaging, all about the relationship to the subject. The photographer obviously established a genuine connection. 2nd place is dreamy — great use of color and contrast, the cool tones really make the little girl’s eyes pop and everything working together makes imagination feel real. Third Place: Beautiful light and contrast in a tough setting made us want to know more. Honorable Mention: Good reporting going on in this image about a pedestrian auto crash and a person who lost their friend. An undeniable connection that this person has to their loved one.
Pictoral
First Place: Rich use of color, character, and quirky vibes. Second Place: Sophisticated use of detail and contrast in the landscape make the 2nd place image pleasant and lasting. Third Place: The pattern evolved — the birds really attracted the judges. Honorable mention has a calm use of color that would make a good wall hanger.
Spot News
1st place has it all. Clean composition, all the storytelling elements necessary to make this chilling scene last — it’s timeless. 2nd place easily could have taken first if not for stiff competition — a terrifying image of the realities that some people face in these situations on both sides. Third Place: Sticking with the chaos to find people impacted most earns 3rd place. Honorable mention has the subtle expression of what it’s like to be in the middle of a situation like this.
Entertainment
1st place was a delightful surprise for the judges — it’s both nostalgic and fresh, good expressions, sound composition in a clean pattern. 2nd place shows great access and emotion in layers. The juxtaposition between the reactions opposite of each other in front with the mundane background adds to the dimension of the picture. 3rd place is a clean composition and a different way of seeing a scene that is performed in front of an audience. Honorable mention has a nice paper doll effect and monotone feel with a great moment giving an aesthetic appeal to the graphic nature of the positioning of each of the characters.
Sports Features
1st place is a heads-up find from the photographer to pay attention to the little things off the court — a storytelling peak expression that’s easily missed if you’re not looking for that nuance. 2nd place: Great use of exposing for the highlights and creating dimension for an aesthetic picture. 3rd place: Awesome reaction from the whole gymnastics team — composition at the bottom held this one back from rising higher. Honorable Mention: Fun moment right in the middle of it all — it’s a little off peak but the hustle for the photographer to get there is good enough for honorable mention.
Sports Action
First Place: Peak action involving the opponents intersecting at the apex with the ball in hand makes this the best action of the bunch — nice bonus of some flying dirt as well. 2nd place makes good use of a remote for fresh perspective. 3rd place has great elevation on the player and good moment of breaking the plane. Honorable Mention: Clean background and peak contact between the defender and their opponent make honorable mention an impactful photo and solid action.
Fire
1st place wins with pure emotion. 2nd place with composition. 3rd place for being on the spot.
Meet our judgeS
Kevin Clark
Erika Schultz
James Gregg
Kevin Clark is a photojournalist at The Seattle Times, where he specializes in capturing compelling images of life in the Pacific Northwest. Before landing his first full-time staff position at The Washington Post, he crisscrossed the country five times, interning at various newspapers including The Seattle Times, The Times-Picayune and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Prior to joining The Seattle Times in 2022, he was a photojournalist for The Everett Herald. He is a graduate of the University of Washington. In 2025 he was named as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for local reporting as part of a team investigation into Washington’s spending on failed construction projects.
Erika Schultz is a staff photographer for The Seattle Times and a member of their Climate Lab team. As a photographer and videographer, she focuses on news and longform stories about human connection and community, health, climate change and the environment. Her visual storytelling has been recognized by Pictures of Year International, the Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism, National Edward R. Murrow Awards and the ASNE Community Service Photojournalism awards. Supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation, her immersive digital stories exploring asylum, deportation and women’s rights on the U.S.-Mexico border earned a National Emmy, an Online Journalism Award and recognized by NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism. She also was part of The Seattle Times’ 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning team for Breaking News Reporting. Erika has taught photo and video storytelling at University of Washington, Photographic Center Northwest and coached at Mountain Workshops. She is also an FAA Part 107-certified drone pilot.
James Gregg is the director of photography at The Seattle Times, where he oversees a staff of photojournalists and editors as well as the production and publishing of photography and video on all platforms. He was recently named Best of Photojournalism’s Editor of the Year for local/markets. Before arriving in Seattle in 2024, he worked in newspapers as a staff photographer and video journalist and was the deputy director of photography and video at the Austin American-Statesman. Previously, he worked on the express and live desks of The New York Times as a photo editor and taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University and San Diego State University. He is a fluent Spanish speaker and a graduate of the University of Kansas.