2024 Winners
First Place - 2024 General News
An injured Ukrainian soldier lies in a bed onboard a military evacuation train transporting Ukrainian servicemen wounded in frontline areas to hospitals, in an undisclosed location, Ukraine, on October 18, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP
First Place - 2024 Feature
Erica Grieg kisses a beloved iconic cherry blossom tree named Stumpy that bloomed for the final time at the Tidal Basin in Washington DC on March 20, 2024.
Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky wrote poet Kahlil Gibran.
His final bloom was glorious with admirers bidding a sorrowful farewell as a renovation project for the eroding sea wall was set to begin by the National Park Service. Approximately 300 trees will be removed, including Stumpy, a cautionary tale of climate change. He became a symbol of resilience, a miracle in our midst, blooming his little heart out despite the frail weathered condition of his fragile shell. He captured our imaginations, inspiring those who feel broken to transcend adversity.
Stumpys destiny was dictated by NPS with no regard to the pulse of the people. Citizens overwhelmingly voiced their desire to Save Stumpy as a national treasure. There were petitions. Many believed at least giving him a chance by transplanting was appropriate. Just try, they said. Another viable alternative was a Smithsonian request for preservation in the permanent museum collection. It too was rejected.
People refer to Stumpy as he. Sometimes she. Seldom it. Some wrote love notes as an act of protest against his removal. Others left memorial flowers and in one case, a bottle of Makers Mark. At this troubled time in our world, he offered promise. Something a fractured partisan nation could rally around.
People saw him as an underdog, a symbol of hope, a metaphor for our democracy. Mommy why are they killing him? said one little girl. A lady remarked: They always try to cut us down when we get older.
Psychologist Evelyn Sawhill made an origami crane and tucked it into Stumpys peeling bark, whispering, Dont be afraid. She pondered existential questions: Do trees have emotions? Feel pain? Do they have a soul that moves on somewhere in this mystery called life? She believes Stumpy felt the love by those who stayed so he wouldnt be alone. Offering recognition and comfort and solace and understanding to any living thing is important. People who have come to do that for Stumpy have benefited more than we think. And it is an honor, she declared.
The final days were bittersweet and poignant. A rainbow appeared as if all of nature was offering Stumpy a grand goodbye.
This tale has greater meaning than the fate of one little tree. It is about our capacity to care and nurture rather than destroy so much in our path. When you erase beauty, it is an affront to the soul. And yes, many found this misshapen marvel a magnificent work of art.
Under a veil of secrecy, shrouded by black mesh fencing and amid the carnage of other felled trees, Stumpy met his demise. He was so little, it took mere minutes.
On this last sunrise, birds flocked near the isolated cage. One could imagine them bidding him farewell. Nature has an intricate language that humans have long forgotten.
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy said, Theres no place like home. National parks are part of our collective home to nurture and protect. No one questions the need for renovation, simply the decisions made by NPS with no regard for the will of the people. Perhaps American citizens deserve a more compassionate steward of our land. There is now an empty space where beauty once lived. One can imagine Stumpy somewhere over that rainbow, tall and majestic with eternal blooms.
Rest now Stumpy your journey is over. We will miss you dear little one. You were loved.
Carol Guzy
First Place - 2024 Sports Action
Up and Down Play
San Francisco 49ers Jauan Jennings catches a pass for a 45-yard gain against New England Patriots Marcus Jones in 4th quarter during NFL game at Levis Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, September 29, 2024.
Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
First Place - 2024 Sports Feature
A group of cowboys line up to watch the steer roaring events at the Georgia High School rodeo at Davis Cattle Fram in Ringgold, Georgia. Friday, May 4, 2024
Billy Weeks
First Place - 2024 Portrait
Republican presidential nominee and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a Make America Great Again Rally in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, October 19, 2024.
Brian Snyder / Reuters
First Place - 2024 Olympics or Paralympics Sports Action
Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's 110m Hurdles Round 1 - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 04, 2024. General view of athletes jumping hurdles in heat 1, Olympic rings can be seen.
Fabrizio Bensch / Thomson Reuters
First Place - 2024 Olympics or Paralympics Feature
PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 03: Luoyao Guo of Team Peoples Republic of China plays a forehand during the Wheelchair Tennis Women's Singles Quarterfinal against Diede De Groot of Team Netherlands on day six of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Roland Garros on September 03, 2024 in Paris, France.
David Ramos / Getty Images
First Place - 2024 Domestic (U.S.) Spot News
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., July 13, 2024.
On July 13, 2024 Trump survived an assassination attempt while speaking at the open-air campaign rally. Trump was shot and wounded in his upper right ear by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who fired eight rounds from an AR-15style rifle from the roof of a nearby building. Crooks also killed one audience member and critically injured two others. He was subsequently shot and killed by the United States Secret Service's Counter Sniper Team.
Evan Vucci / Associated Press
First Place - 2024 International Spot News
A bomb dropped from an Israeli jet hits a building in Ghobeiri, Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
Bilal Hussein / Associated Press
First Place - 2024 Domestic (U.S.) General News Picture Story (Excerpt)
Former president Donald Trump stands with wife Melania and newly named vice presidential nominee JD Vance after accepting the nomination at the Republican National Convention with political party faithful at the Fiserv Forum during the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee WI on July 18, 2024.
Carol Guzy
First Place - 2024 Feature Picture Story (Excerpt)
Paraguay a few months ago launched an operation to address some of the many problems plaguing its prison system, including internal gang control, but one problem in particular has proven difficult to deal with: overcrowding. The South American nation has 18 prisons with a capacity for almost 10,000 inmates, but the current population exceeds 17,600, according to the latest figures provided by authorities which go until the end of 2023.
A country of more than 6 million inhabitants, Paraguay is considered a regional drug trafficking hub.
Prisoners peer from their group cell in the late afternoon, to be unlocked in the morning, as another prisoner prepares to enter another group cell to be locked for the night at the Regional Penitentiary in Villarica, Paraguay, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024.
Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
First Place - 2024 Sports Picture Story (Excerpt)
The Portuguese bullfighter Joaquim Ribeiro CUQUI bullfighting in Barrancos (Portugal). Barrancos , the only arena in Portugal where bulls can be slaughtered by a law of exception that authorizes it from August 29 to 31. CUQUI came out victorious that afternoon cutting off two ears in a magnificent performance.
Jordi Cohen
First Place - 2024 Olympics or Paralympics Picture Story (Excerpt)
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 03: Remco Evenepoel of Team Belgium attacks in the breakaway to win passing through the Cote de la butte Montmartre while fans cheers during the Men's Road Race on day eight of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at trocadero on August 03, 2024 in Paris, France.
David Ramos / Getty Images
First Place - 2024 Domestic (U.S.) Spot News Picture Story (Excerpt)
On July 13, 2024 former president Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt while speaking at an open-air campaign rally in Butler, Pa. Trump was shot and wounded in his upper right ear by Thomas Matthew Crooks, a 20-year-old man from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, who fired eight rounds from an AR-15style rifle from the roof of a nearby building. Crooks also killed one audience member and critically injured two others. He was subsequently shot and killed by the United States Secret Service's Counter Sniper Team.
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives for a campaign rally, Saturday, July 13, 2024, in Butler, Pa.
Evan Vucci / Associated Press
First Place - 2024 Chris Hondros Memorial International News (Excerpt)
Ukrainian servicemen operate an armoured military vehicle in the Sumy region, Ukraine, near the border with Russia, on August 14, 2024.
Roman Pilipey / AFP
Below is a list of the winners from the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar's 2024 photo contest. Thank you to everyone who entered and participated in the contest, and congratulations to the winners!
Click on category titles to view images from those categories.
- Jordi Cohen (Sports Picture Story)
- Luis Tato / Agence France-Presse
- Luke Johnson / George Washington University
- First Place – Roman Pilipey / AFP
- Second Place – Odelyn Joseph / Associated Press
- Third Place – Andres Kudacki
- Honorable Mention – Roman Pilipey / AFP
- Honorable Mention – Ramon Espinosa / Associated Press
- First Place – Carol Guzy
- Second Place – Vadim Ghirda / Associated Press
- Third Place – Laura Bilson
- Honorable Mention – Aaron Favila / Associated Press
- Honorable Mention – Matias Delacroix / Associated Press
- First Place – Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
- Second Place – Erin Hooley / Associated Press
- Third Place – Carolyn Kaster / Associated Press
- Honorable Mention – Bernat Armangue / Associated Press
- First Place – Billy Weeks
- Second Place – Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
- Third Place – Luis Tato / Agence France-Presse
- Honorable Mention – Jamie Squire / Getty Images
- Honorable Mention – Ashley Landis / Associated Press
- First Place – Brian Snyder / Reuters
- Second Place – Brett Phelps
- Third Place – Matt McClain / The Washington Post
- Honorable Mention – Andres Kudacki
- Honorable Mention – Alan Berner / Self-Employed
- First Place – Fabrizio Bensch / Thomson Reuters
- Second Place – David Ramos / Getty Images
- Third Place – Jamie Squire / Getty Images
- Honorable Mention – Sascha Fromm
- First Place – David Ramos / Getty Images
- Second Place – Ryan Pierse / Getty Images
- Third Place – Jamie Squire / Getty Images
- Honorable Mention – Rob Carr / Getty Images
- Honorable Mention – Daniel Mullan / Getty Images
- First Place – Evan Vucci / Associated Press
- Second Place – Noah Berger / Associated Press
- Third Place – Joe Raedle / Getty Images
- Honorable Mention – Joe Raedle / Getty Images
- Honorable Mention – Joe Raedle / Getty Images
- First Place – Bilal Hussein / Associated Press
- Second Place – Luis Tato / Agence France-Presse
- Third Place – Abdel Kareem Hana / Associated Press
- Honorable Mention – Fatima Shbair / Associated Press
- Honorable Mention – Fatima Shbair / Associated Press
- First Place – Carol Guzy
- Second Place – Matt McClain / The Washington Post
- Third Place – Brian Snyder / Reuters
- Honorable Mention – Andres Kudacki / TIME Magazine
- Honorable Mention – Matt McClain / The Washington Post
- First Place – Rodrigo Abd / Associated Press
- Second Place – Arvin Temkar / Atlanta Journal Constitution
- Third Place – Roman Pilipey / AFP
- Honorable Mention – Joseph Scheller
- First Place – Jordi Cohen
- Second Place – Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
- Third Place – Scott Strazzante / San Francisco Chronicle
- Honorable Mention – Luke Johnson
- Honorable Mention – Daniel Cole / Associated Press
- First Place – David Ramos / Getty Images
- Second Place – David Goldman / Associated Press
- Third Place – Alexander Hassenstein / Getty Images
- First Place – Evan Vucci / Associated Press
- Second Place – Carol Guzy
- First Place – Roman Pilipey / AFP
- Second Place – Odelyn Joseph / Associated Press
- Third Place – Luis Tato / Agence France-Presse
- Honorable Mention – Luis Tato / Agence France-Presse
- Honorable Mention – Fatima Shbair / Associated Press