Canadian photojournalists honoured

VANCOUVER, April 6 /CNW/ - Images are one of the most powerful forms of communication - a single image can motivate a nation, convey the unspoken heart of an event, reveal great truths or expose transgression. Photojournalism is visual storytelling, a tangible documentation of life, which transcends culture and language.

Today, the News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) is pleased to recognize the excellence represented in submissions by 125 of Canada's outstanding photojournalists in announcing the nominations in the fourth annual National Pictures of the Year (NPOY) awards competition.

More than 1000 images and 28 multimedia projects from across Canada were entered in this year's competition, representing a spectacular body of work.

The NPOY photojournalism judging committee, made up of some of the most prominent and visionary photographers, editors and educators in visual journalism in North America, were tasked with judging the entries.

    
    The still photo category judges are:
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Alain-Pierre Hovasse, a long-time photographer and photo editor who has worked in the Canadian newspaper industry for major news organizations both in Canada and overseas. For the past two years, he has worked for VANOC, planning the photographic coverage for the 2010 Winter and Paralympic Games.

Christopher Morris, who shoots regularly for several magazines as well as being a contributor to Corbis and Redux Pictures. For the past eight years, he has also been teaching photojournalism at Langara College and The Vancouver Institute of Media Arts.

Bob Carroll, this legendary photo editor spent most of his career with UPI and UPC. Though recently retired, Bob is still active in the photo community and was hired as one of the venue Photo Managers during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

    
    The multimedia category judges include:
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Ken Gigliotti, a veteran award-winning, NNA-nominated photojournalist and 2001 CP Photographer of the Year, Winnipeg Free Press.

Cecil Rosner, another veteran journalist and managing editor for television and radio at CBC Manitoba.

Jeff Peeler, President and Executive Producer at Frantic Films.

Kyle Irving, award-winning producer and Vice-President of Production for Eagle Vision, Meeches Video Productions and Century Street Distribution.

Images were submitted and judged in 13 different categories, including Canadian Photojournalist of the Year and Canadian Photograph of the Year.

The winners will be announced during the NPAC's National Pictures of the Year Gala event, which will take place at on April 24, 2010 at The Thompson Landry Galley in Toronto. Tickets can be purchased online at www.npac.ca.

The 2009 Canadian Photojournalist of the Year and 2009 Canadian Photograph of the Year will each be awarded a $2000.00 top prize (Sponsored by The Canadian Press and Reuters, respectively). Other category winners will be awarded $500.00 for First Place, $200.00 for Second Place and $100.00 for Third Place.

About the National Pictures Of The Year Awards:

The National Pictures Of The Year awards competition was created by NPAC to recognize excellence in Canadian photojournalism. NPAC is a volunteer-run, non-profit association comprised of professional and student photojournalists in Canada and they champion quality and ethical photography in journalism.

    
    The News Photographers Association of Canada's (NPAC) 2009 National
    Pictures of the Year (NPOY) Nominee List:

    Number of entrants: 83 photographers
    Number of entries: 1012 (includes 51 Multimedia entries)

    Spot News - sponsored by The Camera Store
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    Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press
    Helicopter pilots watching controlled fire burns on Mount McLean.

    Carlos Osorio / Toronto Star
    Family members mourn a drowning victim on the shore of Moon River.

    Steve Russell / Toronto Star
    Street brawl on Richmond Street.

    General News - sponsored by CNW Group
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Dan Riedlhuber / Reuters

Gabriel Leahy drags his father's duffle bag for his father, Cpl. John Leahy, after arriving at Edmonton Garrison following his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Rafal Gerszak / Aurora Photos

U.S. Army Sergeant Chris Nelson takes a nap during Operation Pirates Cove in Shamal district, Khost province, Afghanistan.

John Lehmann / The Globe and Mail

Coxswain of the Canadian men's eight senior rowing team holding the Olympic torch and returning to the shell before heading across Elk Lake, just outside Victoria, B.C.

Louie Palu / ZUMA Press

A Canadian army medic gently closes the eyes of a young Afghan man after he was caught in crossfire and fatally shot during a battle between the Afghan army and Taliban insurgents.

    
    Feature - sponsored by The Winnipeg Free Press
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Don Denton / Victoria News

Seven-year-old Olivia Brown makes a face at herself in the mirror as she stretches during her dance class.

Leah Hennel / Calgary Herald

Dogs patiently waiting for their owners at a dog parking lot.

John Lehmann / The Globe and Mail

Aurora, a Beluga whale at the Vancouver Aquarium, swims through a cloud of afterbirth with her baby girl.

    
    Social Issues - sponsored by Headshots
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Paul Galipeau / Xtra! Magazine

Lucy Chapman (right), her partner and their daughter remain locked in a group hug during Guerilla Freeze, an event meant to desensitize passers-by to the sight of same-sex displays of affection.

Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press

After being diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1964, Catherine Moise was taken from her northern community to a sanatorium, where she gave birth to a daughter named Agnes. The baby was taken from her and died shortly after. For 45 years Catherine didn't know Agnes was buried until she was shown last summer; this was her first visit.

Louie Palu / ZUMA Press

The shadow of a Canadian soldier looms over a bound and blindfolded suspected insurgent during three days of fighting in the insurgent stronghold of Siah Choy in Zhari District, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

    
    Pictorial - sponsored by Canon Canada
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Mark Blinch / Reuters

Buildings are seen inside the financial district in downtown Toronto.

Peter Bregg

Sea gulls fly in formation above water near the island of Thassos in northern Greece.

Ric Ernst / Vancouver Province

Jennifer Lange of Vancouver cools off in a spray hose at Deer Lake Park during the Virgin Festival 09.

Jason Franson / Edmonton Sun

John Percy Page High School student Cory Womacks walks past a hoarfrost-covered tree on a cold February morning.

    
    Portrait / Personality - sponsored by Beau Photo
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Darren Calabrese / The Canadian Press

Portrait of political satirist and TV personality Rick Mercer.

Andy Clark / Reuters

Don Fleming, 82, sits on the bench while taking part in a geriatric hockey tournament. Players gathered for the three-day tournament for those 75 years and older.

Christopher Pike

Ed 'Junkie' Loughary drives along the shore of the Mississippi River in Festus, Missouri, with his son Clayton sleeping in his lap.

    
    Sports Action - sponsored by Nikon Canada
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Amber Bracken / Edmonton Sun

Dustin Thompson gets run over at Bulls for Breakfast during Big Valley Jamboree.

Mike Cassese / Reuters

Minnesota Twins batter Justin Morneau fouls a ball off his cheek during the first inning of their Major League Baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Stuart Gradon / Calgary Herald

Ontario skip Glenn Howard celebrates a final rock victory over Saskatchewan at the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier.

Todd Korol / Reuters

Allie Hann-McCurdy holds on to partner Michael Coreno of B.C. after she slipped during their routine in the senior dance free program at the Canadian Figure Skating Championships.

    
    Sports Feature
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Andy Clark / Reuters

Sweden's back-up goalie Kim Martin fixes her hair after slipping her arms out from the sleeves of her padded jersey while sitting on the team bench during play against Finland at the Hockey Canada Cup.

Jonathan Hayward / The Canadian Press

Canadian skier Emily Brydon celebrates her second-place finish following the Lake Louise Women's World Cup Downhill race.

Leah Hennel / Calgary Herald

Calgary Flames' Jarome Iginla was greeted by some fans from the Prairie View Colony.

Steve Russell / Toronto Star

Fans reach for a ball during batting practice before the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 5-3 at Roger's Centre.

    
    Picture Story - sponsored by Vistek
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    Deborah Baic
    Fielding Smith

    Phillip Cheung / The National
    Kandahar, Afghanistan

    Aaron Vincent Elkaim
    Moroccan Jews

    Sami Siva
    Maoist Naxalites

    Single Multimedia - sponsored by The Globe and Mail
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    Don't Blink
    John Lehmann / The Globe and Mail

    In Their Eyes: Voices from the Eastside
    John Lehmann / The Globe and Mail

    Seth: The Sweet Vanished Past
    Peter Power / The Globe and Mail

    Wheelchair self-defense
    Bernard Weil / Toronto Star

    Centreville sits silent
    Bernard Weil / Toronto Star

    Team Multimedia
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    Jharia Coal Fields
    The Globe and Mail
    Photography & video - Brent Foster & Poul Madsen
    audio/reporting - Line Wolf Nielsen
    editing - Brent Foster

    Lianne's Story
    Toronto Star
    video & photography - Pawel Dwulit
    editing - Pawel Dwulit, Scott Simmie
    original music - Randy Risling
    reporter - Isabel Teotonio

    William and the Windmill
    Toronto Star
    Lucas Oleniuk & Randy Risling

    Photojournalist of the Year - Sponsored by The Canadian Press
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    Nominees:

    Mark Blinch / Reuters
    Andy Clark / Reuters
    Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press
    Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press
    Wendell Phillips

    Picture of the Year - Sponsored by Reuters
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    To be announced at the NPAC 2009 National Pictures of the Year Awards:

    Student Portfolio of the Year - sponsored by SAIT
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    To be announced at the NPAC 2009 National Pictures of the Year Awards:
    

For further information: Media Contact: Laura Ballance, [phone], [phone] (cell), [email protected]