Top Photojournalists Recognized at Largest Competition in Canada

VANCOUVER, March 5, 2012 /CNW/ - A great photograph captures and commands attention. It can incite emotion and fuel imagination. It can provide a cause for celebration or a call to action. A photo has the ability to transcend language and cultural barriers. A great photograph can tell the story, in whole or in part, that mere words cannot.

The News Photographers Association of Canada (NPAC) is recognizing another year of excellence in Canadian photojournalism and multimedia by considering over 2,330 images submitted by 124 member photographers from across the country.

The winners will be announced during the 2011 National Pictures of the Year Gala event, which will be held Saturday, April 28, 2012 at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.

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, are tasked with judging the entries. From the winning entries, the 2011 National Photograph of the Year and Photojournalist of the Year, each sponsored by Reuters, will be selected and each awarded a $2,000 grand prize.

To view to the 2011 National Picture Of The Year Award nominated images please visit: www.npoy.ca.

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, championing quality and ethical photography in journalism.

The News Photographers Association of Canada's (NPAC) 2011 National Pictures of the Year (NPOY) Nominee List:

Feature - Sponsored by The Winnipeg Free Press

Dave Chidley / Independent
Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press
Carlos Osorio / The Toronto Star

General News - Sponsored by the CNW News Group

Joel Ford / The Bay of Plenty Times (New Zealand)
Benoit Gariepy  / Journal de Quebec
Lindsay Mackenzie / Independent
Rick Madonik / The Toronto Star
Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press

Sports Action - Sponsored by Nikon Canada

Mathieu Belanger / Reuters
Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press (2 nominations)
Lorraine Hjalte / The Calgary Herald
Steve Russell / The Toronto Star

Sports Feature - Sponsored by Lowepro Canada

Andy Clark / Reuters
Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press
Harrison Ha / Sing Tao
Ben Nelms / Reuters
Adrien Veczan / The Chronicle Herald

Social Issue - Sponsored by Headshots

Marco Campanozzi / Independent
Moe Doiron / The Globe and Mail
Phil Hossack / The Winnipeg Free Press
Dave Lucas / The Edmonton Journal
Matthew Sherwood / Independent

Portrait/ Personality - Sponsored by Beau Photo

Moe Doiron / The Globe and Mail
Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press
John Lehmann / The Globe and Mail
Jennifer Roberts / The Globe and Mail
Chris Young / The Canadian Press

Spot News - Sponsored by The Camera Store

Tyler Anderson / The National Post
Deborah Baic / The Globe and Mail
Rich Lam / Getty Images
Tijana Martin / Independent
Jason Payne / The Province & The Vancouver Sun

Pictorial - Sponsored by Canon Canada

Amber Bracken / The Edmonton Sun
Todd Korol / Reuters
John Lehmann / The Globe and Mail

Picture Story - Sponsored by Leica

Mark Blinch / Reuters
Paul Chiasson / The Canadian Press
Jason Franson / Independent
Jason Payne / The Province & The Vancouver Sun
Peter Power / The Globe and Mail

Single Multimedia - Sponsored by The Globe and Mail

Mark Blinch / Reuters
Leah Hennell / The Calgary Herald
Ryan Jackson / The Edmonton Journal
Melissa Tait / The Record.com (Kitchener)

Team Multimedia - Sponsored by Vistek

The Chronicle.com (Halifax) (2 nominations)
The Province.com (Vancouver)

Photograph of the Year - Sponsored by Reuters

To be announced at the NPAC 2011 National Pictures of the Year Awards

Photojournalist of the Year Finalists - Sponsored by Reuters

Mathieu Belanger / Reuters
Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press
John Lehmann / The Globe and Mail
Rick Madonik / The Toronto Star
Carmine Marinelli / 24 Hours
Steve Russell / The Toronto Star

To be announced at the NPAC 2011 National Pictures of the Year Awards

Student Photographer of the Year - Sponsored by SAIT

To be announced at the NPAC 2011 National Pictures of the Year Awards

Submission Deadline: April 1, 2012

Media Contact: Laura Ballance
604-637-6646
604-771-5176 (cell)
[email protected]