COLUMBUS: Akron Beacon Journal staff photographer Ed Suba Jr. took top honors in the Sports Picture Story category in the annual Ohio News Photographer Association photo competition.
Suba took first place with his photo essay on the Soap Box Derby and an Award of Excellence for his picture entitled “Four More Years” in the Campaign 2012 category.
Akron Beacon Journal staff photographer Karen Schiely received an Award of Excellence for her illustration on grilling pizza.
Gus Chan from the Plain Dealer and Bill Lackey from the Springfield News-Sun were chosen Photographers of the Year for 2012 by the association. Chan won in the large market category and Lackey won the small market category.
The James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award was awarded to Gary Harwood, David Foster, Chelsie Corso, Matt Hafley, Caitline Bourque from Kent State University, for their entry “Tiger Legacy,” which told the story of the legacy of the Massillon Tiger football team.
Hannah Potes from Kent State University won the Larry Fullerton Photojournalism Scholarship. Steven Turville from Ohio University placed second in the category.
Chelsie Corso of Kent State University was awarded Best of Show in the contest for her entry, “Sisters.”
Seventy eight visual journalists from across the state submitted 861 entries in the 62nd annual news photography contest judged over three days at the Columbus Dispatch.
Judging the competition were: Liz O. Baylen, photographer at the Los Angeles Times, John Sale, AME/Visual at the Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., and former NPPA POY Scott Strazzante from the Chicago Tribune.
Judging multimedia and online entries remotely were: Garrett Hubbard of Garrett Hubbard Studios, David Leeson, staff photographer for the Dallas Morning News, and Emmy Award-winning video journalist Pierre Kattar from Washington, D.C.
Winning images and videos can be viewed at www.onpa.org.