The judges' choice of the best entry from the contest overall, whether that be a single image, a picture story, or a portfolio.

A portfolio of work created for a publication with over 115,000 circulation. All Wire services, Agencies and Magazines are part of this group.

See the Portfolio Rules for further details.

A portfolio of work created for a newspaper with less than 115,000 circulation. Portfolios of work created for Wire services, Agencies and Magazines should be entered in the large-market Photojournalist of the Year category, OPY.

See the Portfolio Rules for further details.

In urban communities and rural towns, the spirit of diversity is celebrated and witnessed in everyday life. Our goal is to recognize award winning photographic storytelling about communities, groups, and issues in America that are often under-covered in the media. Acknowledging the genius and effectiveness of Cliff Edom’s vision, approach, and passion for teaching, we ask you to contribute your entries.

Cliff Edom (1907-1991) began his experimentation in photographic education in 1943, his purpose was to provide access to the community life of a small town (and local communities) for photographers so that they could hone and develop photojournalistic skills.

This category is designed to celebrate a meritorious body of work that has been documented, vetted and published for an audience in the classic journalistic tradition. The story should be compelling and relevant to the viewing and reading audience.

A story published by a newspaper with less than 115,000 circulation. Pictures created for Wire services, Agencies and Magazines should be entered in the large market Best Published Picture Story category, OPS. Pictures created for non-traditional publishers should be entered in the Non-Traditional Photojournalism Publishing category, NTP.

This category is designed to celebrate a meritorious body of work that has been documented, vetted and published for an audience in the classic journalistic tradition. The story should be compelling and relevant to the viewing and reading audience.

A story published by a publication with over 115,000 circulation. All stories published by Wire services, Agencies and Magazines should be entered in this group.

Pictures created by a newspaper with less than 115,000 circulation should be entered in the small-market Best Published Picture Story category, UPS. Pictures created for non-traditional publishers should be entered in the Non-Traditional Photojournalism Publishing category, NTP.

A series of photographs of an event outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico that depicts a story line or single theme centered around a spontaneous event. This may include spot news coverage or issue reporting.

Photographs of news stemming from natural disasters such as storms or earthquakes should be entered in Environmental Picture Story.

A non-news picture story or essay on a single theme. Stories that use humor or focus on the lighter side of life are well suited to this category.

A series of pictures created for a publication with over 115,000 circulation. All stories created for Wire services, Agencies and Magazines should be entered in this group.

This category is designed to celebrate a meritorious body of work that has been documented, vetted and published for an audience via new methods of delivery. The story should be compelling and relevant to the viewer, and push the boundaries of the craft.

A story published by an organization that is not a traditional news publisher: independent publishers, boutique wire services, photojournalism agencies, and so on.

Pictures created for traditional news publishers should be entered in one of the Best Published Picture Story categories, OPS or UPS.

A non-news picture story or essay on a single theme. Stories that use humor or focus on the lighter side of life are well suited to this category.

A series of pictures created for a newspaper with less than 115,000 circulation. Pictures created for Wire services, Agencies and Magazines should be entered in the large market Enterprise Picture Story category, OES.

A series of news pictures recording events in the U.S., Canada or Mexico that depicts a reporting line or single theme where the reporting instincts and skill of the photographer are manifest. This story may be spot news or issue reporting.

A picture story that focuses on the natural world and its components: landscapes, flora, fauna, weather, and more.

That appreciation does not mean that the story can only cover pristine environments: Environmental Picture Stories can also depict the destruction, neglect, or recovery of natural resources; or the human impact of a natural disaster.

A photograph of a ‘found situation’ that features strong human interest elements, or a fresh view of an everyday scene. A picture that uses humor or focuses on the lighter side of life is well suited for this category.

A photograph of a spontaneous news event outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico with global impact that was created without advance knowledge, planning, or preparation.

Photographs of news stemming from natural events such as storms or earthquakes should be entered in Natural Disaster.

A single image that captures and communicates the devastation wrought by a natural disaster.

Natural Disaster Single recognizes coverage of the human or physical impact of this year’s hurricanes, mudslides, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other destructive natural events.

Picture stories covering natural disasters should be entered in Environmental Picture Story.

A single photograph that captures a unique aspect of a local figure’s character and personality. This should not be a public figure who is regularly covered in the news, but rather a local heroine, hero, or community member.

Portraits of public figures should be entered in the News Portrait category, NPP.

Recognizing that much of the daily news coverage is planned in advance, we seek to reward outstanding achievement based on creativity and timing at organized events such as general meetings, promotional events and staged coverage opportunities.

Coverage of breaking news or issue coverage from outside a planned event should be entered in International or Domestic News, as appropriate.

A news photograph from an event in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. An event that is not planned, so the photographer must react on instinct and news judgment. This picture may be of a breaking news event, or a part of issue coverage.

Coverage of planned events should be entered in General News.

A picture that captures the aesthetic and graphic qualities of nature and wildlife with an emphasis on dramatic composition.

This category recognizes the time-honored tradition of portraiture as a vital mode of storytelling. The unifying theme must be held together by a narrative thread, consistent photographic style and/or compelling environment with an obvious connection between the individuals being documented.

A photograph that evokes the phrase “that’s entertainment” — and captures a dramatic quality, theatrical grace, or poetry of motion that is pleasing and soothing to the viewer.

A portfolio of individual sports images, plus an optional Sports Picture Story.

See the Portfolio Rules for further details.

Any sports oriented subject portrayed in a multiple-picture photographic story structure. All of the pictures should be related to convey a singular story line, point of view or reporting theme related to a sports endeavor.

A sports related Feature picture that depicts the jubilation of victory or the agony of defeat. The event covered should be separate from the game action or outside of the field of play.

A picture that captures a unique aspect of the character and personality of a public figure, celebrity, or elected official who is regularly featured in media coverage.

A peak action picture that captures the spirit of a sports competition—either on the part of an individual or an athletic team.

In this powerful age of computer imagery and digital mastery, the time has come to reward the creative and dramatic works that grace the pages of publications that blend the best of traditional darkroom skills, human imagination, and computer technique.

A photograph may be used as source material for the conceptual illustration, or the concept may be totally artificially produced.