MPPA News

Congratulations to all our winners and to this years Multimedia POY Eric Seals!! Please join me in thanking Richard Koci Hernandez for graciously judging the contest.

MULTIMEDIA POY

1ST PLACE-Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press

This portfolio was held together by a strong sense of style. The editing was tight, all the shots were rock solid, with beautiful compositions. The overall diversity of the portfolio really made it stand out. It went from serious to fun in a variety of styles. Everything a portfolio of work should be. In the end it was the ability of this photographer to let her/his subjects tell the story with the need for the ‘voice of god’ reporter narration. It’s a challenge to create pieces with the proper (reporting) context, without title cards and narration. There is a very cinematic feel to this portfolio.

2ND PLACE-Brian Kauffman, Detroit Free Press

Really strong narrative pieces in this portfolio. Again, nice variety, it was a very close second. This portfolio shares many of attributes of the first place winner, but lacks the sense of cinematic style to it’s narratives. In simple terms, this portfolio felt more scripted (TV style) and lass narrative based (cinematic style). Did I say it was a hard choice- very close.

3RD PLACE-Donna Terek, Detroit News

There are some stunning moments throughout this portfolio. There is a strong sense of storytelling in this portfolio. I would caution against the constant reliance on music to drive the pieces. Less is more. Pay a little more attention to detail in your edits and ease up on the pans/zooms and overall camera movement. Finally, less iMovie-esque titles. Use simple typography. This person is on their way to winning first place one day.

News Story

1ST PLACE-Brian Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, “Grayling”

Outstanding visuals, one of the best edited and visually compelling pieces in this category.

2ND PLACE-Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press, “Montford Marines”

Very cinematic, powerful storytelling. Great use of archival footage and an original approach overall.

3RD PLACE-Donna Terek, Detroit News, “Recycle Here”

Some wonderful visual and audible moments caught on ‘tape.’ They took what could have been a boring ‘daily’ and spun an entertaining piece.

Feature Story

1ST PLACE-Sean Procter, “Livin’ on Love”

The visual/photographs in this piece are by far the best images of the entire contest! Subtle, cinematic, intimate access, STRONG narrative.

2ND PLACE-Kimberly P. Mitchell, Detroit Free Press, “Reading Works”

A piece that makes you care about the subjects. Solid production, tight editing, strong moments, especially the moment she gets her test results.

3RD PLACE-Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press, “Mud Day”

FUN and novel approach to something normally caught from the sidelines. A few sound bites would have elevated this piece. Great edit!

Multimedia Special Project

1ST PLACE-Brian Kaufman, Kathy Kieliszewski, Detroit Free Press, “Asian Carp”

It’s hard to beat “Mid-West Sword Fishing” I thought this was a well reported visual stunning project. Fresh and original approach.

2ND PLACE-Max Ortiz, Detroit News, “911 Ten Years Later”

The effort and scope of this project is to be applauded. Great research in finding subjects. The production values suffered from too much use of the Ken Burns and other IMovie-eque effects.

3RD PLACE

NONE AWARDED

Dear MPPA members:

We regret to inform you that some entries from two separate photographers were accidentally omitted from the 2011 contest judging this past weekend. The judges were made aware of the omissions and both photographers work was included in the portfolio judging. As co-contest chairs, we hold ourselves fully responsible for this mistake and are taking steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We’ve spoken with both photographers and expressed our remorse about the error. Please know that we take this mistake very seriously and that the fairness and best interest of the contest, organization and its members have continually been on our minds while handling this unfortunate situation.

As both of us are long-time members of the MPPA, we take great pride in the high level of professionalism all our members show on a daily basis, and we regret the oversight.

Our apologies,

Erik Holladay, President and Cory Olsen, Vice President
Michigan Press Photographers Association

MPPA SEMINAR SCHEDULE

semiAll events are at the Quality Inn. Schedule subject to change.

Friday, February 24

9:00am to noon: Single picture judging.
Noon: Lunch break.
1 p.m.: Jack Gruber speaks.
2-5:30 p.m.: Single picture judging.
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Break for dinner on own.
9pm: Informal gathering at Quality Inn Lansing including portfolio reviews for students.

Saturday, February 25

All day: Vendors showing wares.
9am-noon: Picture stories and portfolio judging.
Noon: Lunch break for judges.
Noon: MPPA business meeting
1 p.m.: Sol Neelman speaks.
2-5 p.m.: Portfolio and Edmonds judging.
6pm-7pm: Cocktail hour, cash bar.
7pm-8pm: Dinner
8pm: Danny Wilcox Frazier speaks
9pm-10pm: MPOY awards.

Come join the conversation about 2012 MPPA Seminar on our Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MembersMPPA/

The Seminar Registration Form is available. Please download it

http://www.mppa.org/file_download/28/2012+seminar.pdf

. Remember deadline for that is February 17th, 2012!!!

I apologize for the delay but we just confirmed our judges. This year will be Jack Gruber of USA Today, Danny Wilcox Frazier a contributing photographer for Mother Jones Magazine and creator of the short films Driftless: Photographs from Iowa, and Barbara Davidson of the Los Angeles Times.

Looking forward to seeing you all in East Lansing February 24-25!

Rules and information regarding the 2011 MPPA Pictures of the Year Contest are now available on this page. Please review this page before preparing your submission, as there are some rule changes for this year’s contest.

Please also remember that your membership must be current in order to be eligible for the contest. You can join the MPPA or renew your existing membership using our online membership application. Payments by check or PayPal are accepted.