Best of Photojournalism 2009: Video News Photography: Winners

Clips from the Video News Photography and Editing winners in the Best of Photojournalism 2009 are now viewable at Poynter Online.

Chat with Al Tompkins and the BOP TV judges — live each day at 12:00 EST. Ask the judges questions and hear what they love and have learned from the entries they have seen each day.

NPPA Photojournalism Award for Reporting Finalists

(In Alphabetical Order)

NPPA Photojournalism Award for Reporting Runner Up

Joe Fryer, KARE/Minneapolis

NPPA Photojournalism Award for Reporting Winner

Boyd Huppert, KARE/Minneapolis

Judges’ Comments

Terry Bulger

We had 7 or 8 great entries here that we considered as finalists, and we worked to whittle them down to a final three.

The final three were Brad Huppert, Joe Fryer and Jason Moore.

I wish we could have just called it a tie.

Each reporter brought his unique style, but all are masterful storytellers. The stories deliver not only information and character but real emotion. It isn’t syrupy and forced. Instead of telling you how to feel, you just do. It’s a quality lacking in most stories I get the chance to see.

I also wanted to see diversity of coverage in the stories entered and all three finalists did that, spot news, feature, and general news were sprinkled throughout each tape.

We judged all these reporters by looking at three stories, that may not give the full picture, but I’m confident it gets us in the ballpark. I’m sure they strive for excellence every day, and often achieve it.

Thanks to all, who invited me to watch and learn.

Jon Knorr

Boyd Huppert is the consummate wordsmith. The level of his talent has been evident all week. His superior writing skills and versatility were apparent all week.

In “RNC Protest” Boyd and his photographer captured the essence of the riots getting caught between the protesters and the police.

“The Duck in the Truck” was hilarious; it was a great feature story. But the most impressive story on his tape, “Leaving Kittson County”, capture the atmosphere of a rural county in decline. He could have substituted any of these with any of the other stories of his that we saw and still could of won. Yet he was still challenged by Joe Fryer and Jason Moore. They are all very talented, they all deserved to win.

Shane McEachern

Boyd Huppert is the king of reporting in this contest this week. His stories were on the top of many of the individual categories, and we all felt like his work was, yet again, the one to beat. All of his work is required viewing if you are interested in learning about writing in this business... there really is nobody like him. Great job! It has been a blast to watch Boyd’s stuff all week long.

Joe Fryer had a phenomenal tape as well. Nice writing to video, attention to detail, quality storytelling through and through. “No Regrets” is a story which gets better and better with repeated viewings.... and the reporter’s dedication really stood out above the rest. KARE is very fortunate to have reporters like this.... they raise the bar every year. Good job guys.

Some of the other notables in this category: Chris Vanderveen’s tape was phenomenal a perfect blend of words and sound. Brad Woodard is special - with stories like “The F-Bomber” and “No Home on the Range”. Kyle Clark is definitely one to watch, and Jason Moore did a great job with the entries on his tape, his very subtle style carrying the stories along nicely.

Thanks for making this experience so enjoyable.... and keep up the good work.

Tom Sharkey

All of the finalists are wonderful master storytellers and deserve the attention of their viewers, and the judges here. Of all the finalists Boyd Hupperts work showed-up through out the week in one category or another. The way he can magically take a plain rock, turn it over and let us see it from from a different angle and in a new light is an ability few can match. Each story is a wondrous journey with enough twists and turns to keep us engaged in the moments. “RNC Protest” and “Leaving Kittson County” had some of the best lines in them I have heard in a long time.

Joe Fryer also has that ability to keep us engaged in the storyline. Like a master carpenter he builds the story using all the tools he has available. He also knows when to lay-off when he needs to. In “No Regrets” he had a powerful central character and could have talked the story to death but instead he let the kid explain his own story.

Congratulations to these guys and all of the finalists because these are the kind of reporters good photographers will work their butts off for.

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