CATEGORY DESCRIPTION
In diverse communities and small towns we see the spirit and
celebration of everyday life. Our goal is to recognize award
winning photographic storytelling about rural and ethnically
diverse people – under-covered communities in America. Acknowledging
the effectiveness of Cliff Edom's approach and passion for
teaching, we move his vision forward. A portfolio of no more
than 25 images.
Cliff Edom (1907-1991) began his experiment in photographic
education in 1943, his purpose was to provide access to the
community life of a small town for photographers so that they
could hone and develop photojournalistic skills.
1st Place Jamie Francis
St. Petersburg Times
Jamie Francis, St. Petersburg Times
“I’m absolutely thrilled, I have so many people to give thanks
to. This work has been so meaningful to me. With all of my international
traveling it has been a humbling experience all around, but
to win this award for a project that I shot just down south
of the office is great.”
Sue Morrow, Assistant Managing Editor
“It is an honor to work with such a committed journalist who
understands community journalism. He thrives on that and his
goal is to find the heart of the story whether down on 22 street
(in St. Petersburg) or in Syria, Iraq, Jordan or Turkey. His
success is based upon his understanding and knowledge of all
of the different communities that we experience and cover.”
Cliff Edom's ‘New America Award’
Jamie Francis, St. Petersburg Times
Honorable Mention Michael Williamson, The Washington Post
JUDGES' COMMENTS "That was a unanimous winner. There was no question
after going through the entire entry. That story embodied
the spirit of the Cliff Edom Award." BETH A. KEISER, Photojournalist
"We just have one regret. It was the first entry we saw
in this category and we still had to go through 50 more!" JEAN-FRANCOIS LEROY, General Manager, Visa
Pour L’Image International Photojournalism Festival, France
"This guy got it. He totally got it. He covered his community.
It’s like he covered his backyard the way National Geographic
would cover a foreign country." ROBERT SEALE,
Staff Photographer, The Sporting News
"A lot of photographers didn't even come close." MICHAEL D. SARGENT, Vice President/News
Services, Getty Images
"I met Cliff Edom. I worked with him. And let me tell
you, Cliff would have been very pleased to see this work.
It would have pleased him a whole lot. And boy, he was picky!"
HORACIO VILLALOBOS, Director of Photography,
Diario Popular, Argentina
