The Best of Photojournalism 2012: Web Site Rules

The goal of this contest is to recognize the best visual journalism being produced online.

Rules and Limits

All entries will be judged on the quality of their:

Good luck to all!

Changes to the 2012 contest

Audio slide shows and video stories are now combined under single-story entries.

Individual entrants may enter a total of four single multimedia stories in any combination of categories and one multimedia project.

Again this year, all web categories between the television photojournalism and web site contests are combined to eliminate overlap with entries. All web-first television entries should be entered in the web site contest.

Contest Categories

Visual Column, recurring series or visual blog

A visual column, recurring series or blog that appears on a regular basis that present visual journalism to their audience. No more than four examples of this material should be submitted. This should represent consistent visual quality, editing and exceptional visual journalism and communication.

Multimedia Stories

An entry is defined as a single story except multimedia project categories. Any combination of photos and video may be used.

Stories in all categories must have been posted on a web site first, before airing on any broadcast outlet.

Individual entrants may enter a total of four single multimedia stories in any combination of categories.

News multimedia story / 48 hours
This category is open to a story that covers a planned or unplanned news event or a subject of general interest and importance. It can be spot news, or a follow-up or side bar to spot news. The event should be timely. The entry should contain no music, except where it's part of the natural sound of the story. Stories must have been shot, edited, and posted to the web within 48 hours cycle.
Feature multimedia story
This category is open to a story presents feature/human interest story where the photojournalist has put considerable time and effort into the production of the entry. Stories that are illustrations, or controlled situations, must be entered in this category.
Sports multimedia story
This category is open to a story about the preparation for, analysis of, or audience reaction to a sport, or coverage of a sporting event.
Documentary multimedia story
This category is open to a planned story about a subject of general interest and importance, where the photojournalist has put considerable time and effort into the production of the entry. This is anticipated to be an in-depth project on a single topic.

Multimedia Package

Highlights the use of audio, video and animation in the presentation of web-based stories. Judges will pay special attention to the use of available technology to complement and enhance the art of visual storytelling.

Entries may include single galleries, slideshows or video, as well as packages that include multiple elements that were grouped and published together as a single story or theme. This multimedia packages may be news, feature, issue, lifestyle or sports. Content, usability, and interactivity are key to this celebration of cutting-edge storytelling.

Only one multimedia package maybe entered by an individual entrant. Please coordinate entries from large organizations and teams, so that duplicate entries are not received.

Tablet/Mobile Delivery Project

A magazine, photographic story or project developed for tablet or a mobile application delivery that highlights photographic storytelling.

Entries will be judged on how well the project or app uses visual journalism, along with ease of use, navigation and design.

Entrants must be able to supply the judges copies at no cost if it is a paid app.

Only one tablet/mobile app package maybe entered by an individual entrant. Please coordinate entries from large organizations and teams, so that duplicate entries are not received.

Special Award: Best Use of the Web

The winning organization will demonstrate a mastery of photographic and visual storytelling in an online environment. Content, interface design, navigation, and interactivity all will be evaluated to find the site or multimedia team that best furthers the evolution of online visual journalism.

How to Submit Entries

All entrants must fill out the online Contest Registration Form (available once the contest opens in January) to get their Contest ID Code. The Contest ID Code is used to identify your entries in the contest judging database.

Website entrants must submit a working URL for each entry. Entries must be submitted via the online entry form, which will likewise be available once the contest opens.

URLs that are not active during the judging will be disqualified.

Your entry will be viewable as soon as you submit the form. The appearance of the entry in your entry list is your confirmation. If you do not see your entry appear in the list, please email NPPA or call 919-383-7246 ext. 16.


Questions? email the Contest Coordinator; view the Privacy Policy.