2005 QCNA Newspaper Awards Friday May 19, 2006 - Page 23

B EST P H OTO ESSAY

A photo essay should tell a story easily, using minimal words and letting the photographs do the talking. Some of the photo essays submitted were cluttered, with photos overlapping, or butting up against each other, confusing the eye. A good photo layout usually features one or two dominant photos, supported by accessory photos. Too many photos on the page can cause clutter, creating a confusing, messy layout.

PERRY BEATON
The Record
There were a few photo essay entries of fires, but Perry Beaton's photos of the fire that destroyed a candle factory stood out because of his decision to get close up shots at the scene. He also chose to vary the size of the photos on the page, and allow white space between the photos, making for a cleaner layout.

2nd PLACE

MARK GAGN
Your Local Journal
Mark Gagn's was the hands-down winner with his photo essay on the funeral of firefighter James Peter Ratcliffe. This was an excellent example of good design married with great photos. The piece stood out from the crowd for its simplicity, and the emotions evoked by the photographs. Well done.

1st PLACE

DAVID ANDERSON & STEPHANE CHAMPAGNE

The Record
David Anderson and Stephane Champagne. There was no headline on this photo essay so I can only assume it was a military training exercise. Other than perhaps adding a headline or caption to explain what the photo spread was about, I felt this photo spread was well done. Good close ups and a good page design, good mix of vertical and horizontal photos as well. Honourable Mention: SHARON THOMPSON & BRENDAN JOHNS, The Eastern Door

3rd PLACE

Judge: Barbara Dean-Simmons, The Packet, Newfoundland Number of entries in the Best Photo Essay category: 11