CONTACT

Pictures of the Year International
Phone: 573-884-2188
Email: info@poyi.org
Web: www.poyi.org

Mailing address:
Pictures of the Year International
Missouri School of Journalism
109 Lee Hills Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

AWARDS & PRIZES

$1,000 cash prizes & Tiffany crystal trophies for top Premier winners:
• Photographer of the Year
• Documentary Project of the Year
• World Understanding Award

$500 cash prizes & Tiffany crystal trophies for top Premier winners:
• Newspaper Photographer of the Year
• Sports Photographer of the Year
• Multimedia Photographer of the Year
• Environmental Vision Award
• Community Awareness Award
• Best Photography Book Award

Individual category winner:
1st — Engraved plaque awards
2nd, 3rd, & AE — Certificate awards

KEY DATES

Online registration opens:
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014

Deadline for entries:
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015,
11:59 p.m. (U.S. Central Standard Time)

Judging in Columbia, Mo.:
Feb. 2 - 25, 2015

RULES ON DIGITAL PROCESSING
AND "APP" FILTERS

POYi accepts two photographic modes: color and black & white. For color images, the goal is to replicate what the human eye experiences. Routine image correction for color toning, white balance, and exposure is acceptable. Flagrantly desaturated or over saturated images may be disqualified. Black & white images should display a full grayscale range from deep-shadow blacks to highlight whites.

Photos from mobile-device cameras are eligible. However, the use of software capture filters (Hipstamatic, CameraBag, Instragram) that artifically impose on the integrity of the scene with excessive tonal aberrations, textures, vignetting, or other artistic abstractions may be disqualified.

Judges will disqualify entries that they feel over manipulate the image or exploit the process.

Digital manipulation or alteration of content, manufactured photo illustrations, double exposures, in-camera multiple exposures, added masks, borders, backgrounds, text, handwritten notes, or other artistic effects are all prohibited.

Diptychs, triptychs are not eligible.

Film edges will be allowed if the original photograph was shot on film (negative or transparency) or Polaroid and the border is the true nature of the medium.

PICTURE STORIES

Picture stories for News, Issue Reporting, and Feature categories are open to all photographers — independent, freelance, self-employed, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers.

This year the “Freelance/Agency” distinction is removed and now welcomes all photographers' stories, including newspaper photographers who cover national and international outside their organization's primary geographic market. Newspaper staff photographers are encouraged to enter a stories of local or regional coverage in the Newspaper picture story categories #11, #13, and #15.

"Newspaper" photo story categories are only open to photographers employed as staff members for a regularly published newspaper, either in print or online. A new requirement for "Newspaper" picture stories is that coverage should focus on local and/or regional subjects and people from the organization's primary geographic market. Newspaper photographers may also submit picture stories in the open pictures story categories for coverage of national or international stories. Part time or “stringers” may enter the "Newspaper" categories if their freelance agreement is "exclusive" to one newspaper.

Guidelines state that entries “must have been taken or published for the first time during 2014.” A few pre-2014 images are acceptable, if they are an integral part of a story and have not been published before. Please consider your purpose for submitting pre-2014 images.

There is a 200 character limit for the story summary field when uplaoding pictures stories in the entry platform. The caption fields for each individual photo provides for 2,000 characters. You are encouraged to use the caption field to expand on your story details as they pertain to the individual image.

Entries should have a clearly defined structure with each image contributing something different. Literal, chronological stories and thematic essays are both acceptable; logical organization, however, is essential. Edit tightly. Eliminate weak and redundant images.

A picture story may be entered only once. Do not re-edit photos from the same story then submit as a different version.

VISUAL EDITING

POYi is proud to launch the new "Visual Editing Division" for 2014. This is a significant year for POYi's editing and multimedia categories. In previous contest years, editing and multimedia categories were in two separate divisions — the Picture Editing Division and the Multimedia Division. Now, these two divisions are restructured as one division in an effort to redefine and reflect today's visual storytelling.

POYi acknowledges that the "judging" of this restructured division will rely on interpretation by the jury members. Accordingly, POYi will invite a panel of visual leaders with expertise in various platforms -- online, video, and print. These panel members who will convene in February will conduct a "juried review" of the submitted content, rather than a traditional "judging." The jury panel's mission will be to recognize the very best visual editing across all platforms, with the freedom to interpret category boundaries and platform distinctions.

POYi's new Visual Editing Division includes two category groups:

• Motion Photojournalism Editing and Production – categories #21 - 24

• Visual Journalism Editing and Presentation – categories #25 - 34

QUICK ANSWERS

• Publication is not a requirement for entering photographs in any category.

• Anyone may enter. However, most entrants are at a "professional" level.

• Photographs entered must have been taken or published for the first time between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2014.

• Photographs must include captions.

• All captions and story summaries must meet journalistic standards for accuracy and ready-for-publication requirements.

• Each photographer must have an individual registration.

• Deadline: Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 11:59 p.m (U.S. Central Standard Time).

HOW TO REGISTER & UPLOAD

The online system offers a user-friendly registration and uploading process.

• STEP 1: Create an account
Select “Login” to create a new account or re-login to add or edit your entries.
• STEP 2: Registration Info
Fill in the online form with your information.
• STEP 3: Build Your Entry
Select categories via the drop-down menus, then “browse” to upload your files.
• STEP 4: Review Entry
The system allows you to re-login to add, replace, or rearrange photos and entries.
• STEP 5: Submit
Once your entire entry is ready, the page will direct you to "go to checkout."

WELCOME

Welcome to the 72nd annual the Pictures of the Year International competition.

POYi is the oldest and the most prestigious photojournalism program and competition in the world. Each year, POYi recognizes excellence in photojournalism, multimedia, and visual editing. POYi is committed to engaging citizens worldwide with great documentary photography by sponsoring educational public exhibitions. POYi believes it is critical for citizens to experience your documentation of the news events and social issues facing our world. When you enter Pictures of the Year International, your work reaches out to citizens worldwide and becomes a part of visual history.

SPIRIT OF THE COMPETITION

The mission of Pictures of the Year International is to recognize excellence in documentary photography and photojournalism, within still photography, visual editing, and video journalism formats.

“Show truth with a camera,” is still the guiding principle established by the founder of POYi, Cliff Edom, in 1943.

Photojournalism images entered in this competition should:
• reflect the human experience,
• capture the moment,
• balance aesthetics and journalistic content, and
• report the news events and social issues with respect for the integrity of the scene and the intent of the moment.

Scenes that are set up or staged by the photographer do not honor the essence of documentary photography. Portrait categories are the only exceptions.

Color toning and exposure correction should replicate what the human eye experiences. The content of a photographic scene should not be digitally manipulated or altered.

Story summaries and caption information should meet journalistic standards for accuracy and ready-for-publication requirements.

The goal of POYi is to review and honor the very best work from this past year — 2014.

Please respect the spirit of the competition.

'VISUAL EDITING' REDEFINED

POYi is proud to launch the new "Visual Editing Division" for 2014.

POYi recognizes the changing mediums and presentations of photo editing and multimedia. For the past 12 years, the categories in the Editing Division have seen few changes. And in today's online visual world, we can debate the term "multimedia."

During the past several months, POYi has conducted a critical evaluation of the Editing and Multimedia Divisions with key leaders in visual editing. Our discussions centered on the huge growth of online visual editing, in contrast with the current state of publication-based print photo editing.

Some of the key questions for this discussion were:
• Should we create a new Visual Editing Division that merges entries from both print and online presentations?
• Should there be a continued distinction between newspapers and magazines?
• How do newsrooms structure their print vs. online editing roles?
• Should video (linear editing) and online galleries/interactives (non-linear editing) be separated?

As a result of this evaluation, POYi is restructuring both the Editing Division and Multimedia Division as one division in an effort to redefine and reflect today's visual storytelling landscape, so as to continue providing recognition of the best work being produced. Details on the realignment may be found under the divisional heading "Visual Editing Division."

Please note that the still photography categories are not affected.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Still photography entries must be the work of only one person with a single credit line. A photo story submission must be the work on one photographer.

• All photographs must be true representations of the scene and cannot be posed, set up, or staged by the photographer. Portrait categories are the only exceptions.

• A photograph’s content and subjects must not be digitally manipulated or altered.

• Color toning and exposure correction should be routine adjustments that attempt to replicate what the human eye experiences. Please review “Digital Processing” rules in the left column.

• Photographs cannot be in-camera multiple exposures. Time exposures are acceptable.

• Images submitted into single-photo categories cannot be copies, scans, or a photograph of other photographs or documents. A photograph of a photograph can serve as a detail photo as part of a larger photo story or extended project, but several of these may not comprise a majority of the story.

• Photographs entered must have been taken or published, either in print or online, for the first time between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2014.

• Each photograph must have a caption, and each picture story must include a summary, that meets journalistic standards for accuracy and ready-for-publication requirements.

SINGLES & PHOTO STORIES

• One image per .JPG file. No diptychs.

• A single photograph may be submitted only once among the single-picture categories.

• A single photograph may appear as part of a picture story, but in no more than one story.

• A picture story may be entered only once.

• A picture story consists of 3 to 12 photos.

FREELANCE & NEWSPAPER REDEFINED

• The “Freelance/Agency” distinction is removed from photo story and portfolio categories. News, Issue Reporting, Feature and Photographer of the Year portfolio categories are open to all photographers — independent, freelance, self-employed, agency, wire service, including newspaper photographers who cover national and international outside their organization's primary geographic market.

• “Newspaper” photo story and portfolio categories are only open to photographers employed as staff members for a regularly published newspaper, either in print or online. A new requirement for "Newspaper" categories is that coverage should focus on local and/or regional subjects and people from the organization's primary geographic market. Newspaper photographers may submit photo stories and a portfolio in the open categories for coverage of national or international stories. Part time or “stringers” may enter the “Newspaper” categories if their freelance agreement is “exclusive” to one newspaper.

FILES SPECIFICATIONS

• File naming
Your files are automatically renamed when you submit. It is not necessary to rename your files.

• Still photography files
File type: .JPG Image Size: 3,000 pixels or larger, on the longer side — width or height. Resolution: 300 dpi, minimum.

• Visual Editing files

For online page editing and videography stories: URL single primary active link.
Links: Active through judging dates.
Secured: No password-protected Vimeo links.
Files: Do not attempt to upload original .mov, mp4, m4v, or .swf files.

For print publication stories: PDF.
Quality: "High Quality Print."
Pages: Submit each page as a separate .PDF file. Do not group pages or embed files together. A doubletruck or spread (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .PDF file.

REGISTRATION & ENTRY

POYi features electronic online entry and registration. To submit entries:

• Access the POYi website on or after Dec. 17 at www.poyi.org and follow the "72nd POYi Entry" link.

• Create a login and register online.

• Upload files into the appropriate categories.

• Enter payment of $50 (U.S. dollars) for each registration — photographer or editing team.

• Confirmation receipts will be emailed.

• Deadline is Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Central Standard Time).

PARTICIPATION LOGINS

• Each photographer whose work is entered must create an individual registration login.

• Photographers may enter a maximum of 15 submissions in any combination of categories.

• Organizations may enter work on behalf of photojournalists, but the contest coordinators must create an individual registration for each photographer whose work is entered.

• Avoid duplicate entries between agency and photographer to not enter the same work.

• For the Visual Editing Division categories, organizations may create a single "team" registration and enter multiple editors’ work up to 15 submissions.

• Entries will not be reclassified or moved to another category by the judges. Entries may be moved before judging begins.

15 "SUBMISSIONS" DEFINED

Of 15 total, a single "submission" consists of:

• One photo in a single-picture category.

• One picture story (12 photographs).

• One project (40 photographs) in any of the "Premier" award categories:
Environmental Vision Award, Community Awareness Award, World Understanding Award, or Documentary Project of the Year.

• An entry in a category in the Visual Editing Division (#21 - 34)

• A "Photographer of the Year" portfolio.

$50 PAYMENT

Online payments accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. No American Express, please. Organizations may sponsor multiple entrants with a combined payment. The electronic registration form provides for proxy payments.

There is an extra $50 for:

• Entries in the "Best Publications" Division (#35 - 36).

• Multimedia Photographer of the Year.

• Documentary Project of the Year — provides for three submitted projects.

• Exception for “Best Photography Book” (#36). If a contestant is only entering a single print book and no other submissions, then a single $50 is all that is required.

WINNER NOTIFICATION

Winners will be posted Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. All winners will be contacted immediately after the results are announced.

• • •

Categories

STILL PHOTOGRAPHY

1 - Science & Natural History
Single photographs that increase understanding and appreciation of science or the natural world.

2 - Science & Natural History Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that increases understanding and appreciation for science or the natural world. Twelve photographs maximum per entry.

3 - General News
Single photographs from a news event or social issue for which planning was possible — distinct from breaking spot news.

4 - Impact 2014 – Human Conflict
Single photographs depicting human conflict in 2014. Images themed as “human conflict” may be defined with a broad characterization. Example includes, but not limited to, the Israeli-Gaza Conflict.

5 - Impact 2014 – World Health
Single photographs of an acute health crisis or pandemic disease affecting a global population. Example includes, but not limited to, the Ebola virus outbreak.

6 - Spot News
Single photographs of breaking news or unplanned events taken during daily coverage.

7 - Feature
Single photographs, candid and unposed, that reflect the human experience, celebrate life, or chronicle a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important.

8 - Portrait
Single photographs of a person that reveal the essence of the subjects' character.

9 - Portrait Series
A themed series of portraits of people that reveals the essence of the subjects' character. Seven photographs maximum per series.

10 - News Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series based on daily coverage of general news or breaking news. Twelve photographs maximum per story.
(Note: Same story cannot be entered in more than one multiple-picture story category.)

11 - Newspaper News Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series based on daily coverage of general news or breaking news. Twelve photographs maximum per story.
"Newspaper" photo story entries should focus on local and/or regional subjects and people from the organization's primary geographic market, and are only open to photographers employed as staff members for a regularly published newspaper, either in print or online.
(Note: Same story cannot be entered in more than one multiple-picture story category.)

12 - Issue Reporting Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that explores an important social, economic, or political issue. Twelve photographs maximum per story.
(Note: Same story cannot be entered in more than one multiple-picture story category.)

13 - Newspaper Issue Reporting Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that explores an important social, economic, or political issue. Twelve photographs maximum per story.
"Newspaper" photo story entries should focus on local and/or regional subjects and people from the organization's primary geographic market, and are only open to photographers employed as staff members for a regularly published newspaper, either in print or online.
(Note: Same story cannot be entered in more than one multiple-picture story category.)

14 - Feature Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. Twelve photographs maximum per story.
(Note: Same story cannot be entered in more than one multiple-picture story category.)

15 - Newspaper Feature Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. Twelve photographs maximum per story.
"Newspaper" photo story entries should focus on local and/or regional subjects and people from the organization's primary geographic market, and are only open to photographers employed as staff members for a regularly published newspaper, either in print or online.
(Note: Same story cannot be entered in more than one multiple-picture story category.)

SPORTS DIVISION

16 - Sports Action
Single photographs that capture the peak action of individual or team sports. Jubilation, dejection, and reaction photographs should be entered in the Sports Feature category #17.

17 - Sports Feature
Single photographs that increase understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports. The photographs should spotlight emotion, celebration, jubilation, dejection, and reaction among athletes and fans.

18 - Winter Olympics 2014
Single photographs that capture individual or team competitions in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia during Feb. 7 – 23, 2014. Entries may be either action or feature photographs. Picture stories from the Sochi Games should be submitted to Sports Picture Story, category #20.
(Note: Must be shot during Sochi Games only. Photographs from pre- or post-Olympic contests, such as the various Olympic trials or Paralympics, should be entered in either Sports Action category #16, or Sports Feature category #17.)

19 - Recreational Sports
Single photographs that celebrate the role of community leagues, amateur enthusiasts, or intramural contests in individual and team sports, and among participants and fans. The spirit of this category — "recreational sports" — is to encourage attention to the small events that are often overshadowed by sports in the top-tier spotlight.

20 - Sports Picture Story
A multiple-picture story, essay, sequence, or series that increases understanding and appreciation for individual and team sports and/or the role that athletics play in the lives of amateur and/or professional athletes and fans. Twelve photographs maximum per story.

Sports Photographer of the Year is listed under the Premier Division.

VISUAL EDITING DIVISION

Pictures of the Year International is proud to launch the new "Visual Editing Division" for 2014. This is a significant year for POYi's editing and multimedia categories. In previous contest years, editing and multimedia categories were in two separate divisions — the Picture Editing Division and the Multimedia Division. Now, these two divisions are restructured as one division in an effort to redefine and reflect today's visual storytelling.

POYi acknowledges that the "judging" of this restructured division will rely on interpretation by the jury members. Accordingly, POYi will invite a panel of visual leaders with expertise in various platforms — online, video, and print. These panel members who will convene in February will conduct a "juried review" of the submitted content, rather than a traditional "judging." The jury panel's mission will be to recognize the very best visual editing across all platforms, with the freedom to interpret category boundaries and platform distinctions.

POYi's new Visual Editing Division includes two category groups:
• Motion Photojournalism Editing and Production – categories #21 - 24
• Visual Journalism Editing and Presentation – categories #25 - 34

Motion Photojournalism Editing and Production

Linear video journalism storytelling

Entries in these categories should be narrative stories presented in a linear format, edited in a timeline sequence, and presented in a web-based video player. In other words, the viewer clicks "play" and the story runs from start to finish.

Entries are not intended to be web pages or interactive visual content. Stories that are presented on web pages with interactive visual content are not eligible in these categories, and should be submitted in the Visual Journalism Editing and Presentation categories. A motion photojournalism story entered in these categories also may be embedded on a web page as part of a Visual Journalism Editing and Presentation categories #25 - 34.

• The visual content of each linear video story may be a composed of motion video, still photography, and graphics.

• Open to everyone — teams or individuals, either independent or affiliated with an organization.

• Motion photojournalism stories should conform to a documentary approach with journalistic standards. These categories are intended to appraise storytelling in still and/or video with audio, using observational and direct cinema techniques. The goal is to "show" the story rather than have an interviewee "tell" the story. News value, visual aesthetics, audio, as well as overall narrative structure will be the guiding criteria for the judges.

• Not fitting this definition are fictional allegories, staged reenactments, docu-dramas, or television news reports where an on-camera commentator tells the story. Stories that feature business/organization promotions or personal portfolios are not eligible. Also not eligible are stories that include the funding organization as the primary subject or narrative.

• Motion photojournalism stories must be either shot or published online during 2014. Stories previously entered in the 71st POYi competition are not eligible.

• Submit a URL single primary link for each story. Make sure the online links are active. Do not attempt to upload original .mov, mp4, m4v, or .swf files.

• Enter each story only once, except as part of entries for Multimedia Portfolio and Documentary Project of the Year.

21 - News Story
A story or essay based on coverage of general news or breaking news. Each entry should be a single news story or essay with a short run time (flexible length up to about eight minutes). Stories of greater length should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism,” category # 24.

22 - Issue Reporting Story
A multimedia story or essay that explores an important social, economic, or political issue. Each entry should be a single issue-related story or essay with a short run time (flexible length up to about eight minutes). Stories of greater length should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism,” category # 24.

23 - Feature Story
A multimedia story or essay that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Respect for the dignity of the subject is important. Each entry should be a single feature story or essay with a short run time (flexible length up to about eight minutes). Stories of greater length should be entered in the “Documentary Journalism,” category # 24.

24 - Documentary Journalism
A story or essay that adopts the concepts of documentary film using observational and direct cinema techniques with an extended length up to 35 minutes. Stories should conform to a documentary approach with journalistic standards that focus on the news events, social issues, or cultural trends of 2014. The term “documentary” in this context, is defined as storytelling grounded in truth, relying on visual evidence to report real situations or events involving real subjects who present themselves as themselves. Not fitting this definition are fictional allegories, staged reenactments, docu-dramas, or television news reports where an on-camera commentator tells the story. Stories that feature business/organization promotions or personal portfolios are not eligible. Also not eligible are stories that include the funding organization as the primary subject or narrative.
(Note: A shorter, edited version cannot also be entered in multimedia categories #21 - 23.)

Multimedia Photographer of the Year, and Documentary Project of the Year are listed under the Premier Division.

Visual Journalism Editing and Presentation

Non-linear photojournalism storytelling online web pages and in print publications.

Editing entries in these categories include either the online version or the print version of a story. The intent is to recognize visual editing in both mediums. Web page entries that only present a single video on the page in linear form are not eligible in these categories, and should be submitted in the Motion Photojournalism Editing and Production categories #21 - 24.

• Open to all online and/or print "publications" — news organizations, newspapers, magazines, or specialty advocacy organizations.

• Editing and presentation should demonstrate sensitivity for the selection and organization of documentary photography.

• Presentation design should reflect consideration for the reader and respect for the vision of the photographer.

• Judges will consider the effectiveness of the pages' still photography, captions, headlines, photo galleries, embedded videos, interactive content, and users experience.

• Aggressive local coverage and imaginative editing of wire and syndicated photos are important.

• For the web page stories, submit a URL single primary link for each story. Make sure the online links are active.

• For the print-publication stories, submit each page as a separate .PDF file. Do not group pages or embed files together. A doubletruck or spread (two facing pages) should be submitted as a single .PDF file.

• A published story may be submitted only once.

• All stories must be published in 2014.

• Portfolios, business promotions, catalogs, or personal websites are not eligible.

News & Issue Story Visual Editing categories
A published news story or essay based on daily coverage of general news, breaking news, or an issue-related story or essay that explores an important social, economic, or political issue. Web page entries should be an online version of a single story.
Updated versions of the originally posted story are acceptable.
Print publication entries may be of one or more pages, from contiguous issues, on coverage of a single story topic.

25 - Online Web Page Editing -- Newspaper category
26 - Print Publication Editing -- Newspaper category
27 - Online Web Page Editing -- Magazine / Media category
28 - Print Publication Editing -- Magazine / Media category

Feature Story Visual Editing categories
A published feature story or essay that reflects the human experience, celebrates life, or chronicles a cultural trend. Web page entries should be an online version of a single story.
Updated versions of the originally posted story are acceptable.
Print publication entries may be of one or more pages, from contiguous issues, on coverage of a single story topic.

29 - Online Web Page Editing -- Newspaper category
30 - Print Publication Editing -- Newspaper category
31 - Online Web Page Editing -- Magazine / Media category
32 - Print Publication Editing -- Magazine / Media category

Visual Editing Portfolios
A visual editing portfolio may be submitted by an individual editor, a team, or both. A visual editing portfolio may be a combination of both online web page stories and print publication stories. Edit tightly. A portfolio entry should present no more than 10 individual stories, either in print version or online version. You may submit a converged print-and-online version of specific story, and it will count as one story.

33 - Newspaper category
34 - Magazine / Media category

A visual editing portfolio may be submitted by an individual editor, a team, or both. A visual editing portfolio may be a combination of both online web page stories and print publication stories. Edit tightly. A portfolio entry should present no more than 10 individual stories, either in print version or online version. You may submit a converged print-and-online version of specific story, and it will count as one story.

BEST PUBLICATIONS DIVISION

35 - Best Publication
This is a new Premier category for POYi that is the confluence of "Best Magazine," "Best Newspaper," and "Best Website" categories. The winning organization will receive a Tiffany engraved trophy.
The spirit of this category is to recognize the very best visual editing across all platforms of a single organization -- from online to mobile to print publication. This is open to all news organizations, media groups, newspapers, magazines, or specialty advocacy organizations. Judges will recognize overall excellence in use of visual journalism, still photojournalism, motion photojournalism, interactive design, user experience, and multimedia storytelling on websites and in print publications produced by independent teams, individual journalists, or media companies.

• Only one entry per organization.

• Entries in this category are encouraged to submit both the organization's online and print versions of the publications, and also may include apps, downloadable PDFs, mobile optimized websites, or other digital publishing forms.

• The judges will review the website’s overall home page; the photo gallery / multimedia page; and three specific multimedia stories. Provide URL links to Provide URL links to:
1.) the organization’s website home page
2.) the photo gallery and/or multimedia page
3.) and three specific multimedia stories. Stories may be from a larger project.

• The judges will review the print version of the publication of the three best issues from any dates during 2014. Mail three complete issues to:

Pictures of the Year International
Missouri School of Journalism
109 Lee Hills Hall
Columbia, MO 65211

• Portfolios, business promotions, catalogs, or personal websites are not eligible.

36 - Best Photography Book
Note: This is a Premier Award category.
Book entries must rely on documentary photography and have been published sometime within the last three years (2012, 2013, or 2014). Photographs may be the work of one or more photographers.

• The photographer and the publishing house should coordinate to avoid duplicate entries.

• Previous entries are not eligible.

• Mail or ship by courier (FedEx, DSL, UPS, or postal mail) only one print-bound copy of the book and include a note inside the cover with your name and the publishing house.

• The trophy and cash prize will honor the photographer(s). The publishing group will be recognized with a plaque, listing the editors and photographers involved.

• An extra $50 per entry for each book entered in this Premier category. If a contestant is only entering a single book and not entering any other category, then just a single $50.

PREMIER DIVISION

37 - Photographer of the Year

This Premier category is open to all photographers — independent, freelance, self-employed, agency, wire service, or newspaper photographers. This year the “Freelance/Agency” distinction is removed and now welcomes all portfolios, including newspaper photographers who cover national, international, and/or local stories. Newspaper staff photographers are encouraged to enter a second portfolio of local or regional coverage in the Newspaper Photographer of the Year category #38.

• Submit a maximum of 50 photographs.

• A portfolio should be diverse with single pictures and at least two multiple-picture stories. Stories are not limited to 12 images.

• Singles within the portfolio should not be repeated in a picture story in the portfolio.

• Arrange your singles and picture stories in the order you wish them to be reviewed. Judges will view singles first, then stories.

• It is not necessary to insert a blank black .JPG file (black slide) between photo stories. The uploading program will automatically insert a slide with the title of your story at the beginning for separation.

• Photographers should enter single and picture story categories so judges are familiar with the work before portfolios are judged.

• POY will not separate a portfolio and enter the images in individual categories. If you wish to enter work from your portfolio into single or picture story categories, you must upload separate files into those categories.

38 - Newspaper Photographer of the Year

This Premier category is only open to photographers employed as staff members for a regularly published newspaper, either in print or online. A new requirement for "Newspaper Photographer of the Year" is that coverage should focus on local and/or regional subjects and people from the organization's primary geographic market. Newspaper photographers may also submit a second portfolio in the open "Photographer of the Year" (category #37) that includes additional coverage of national or international stories. Part time or “stringers” may enter the "Newspaper" categories if their freelance agreement is “exclusive” to one newspaper.

• Submit a maximum of 50 photographs.

• A portfolio should be diverse with single pictures and at least two multiple-picture stories. Stories are not limited to 12 images.

• Singles within the portfolio should not be repeated in a picture story in the portfolio.

• Arrange your singles and picture stories in the order you wish them to be reviewed. Judges will view singles first, then stories.

• It is not necessary to insert a blank black .JPG file (black slide) between photo stories. The uploading program will automatically insert a slide with the title of your story at the beginning for separation.

• Photographers should enter single and picture story categories so judges are familiar with the work before portfolios are judged.

• POY will not separate a portfolio and enter the images in individual categories. If you wish to enter work from your portfolio into single or picture story categories, you must upload separate files into those categories.

• Contestants also may enter Photographer of the Year category with images or stories from their Newspaper portfolio.

39 - Sports Photographer of the Year

This Premier category is open to everyone.

• All photographs included in the Sports portfolio must be taken during 2014.

• Contestants also may enter Photographer of the Year category #36 or #37, with images or stories from their Sports portfolio.

• Submit a maximum of 30 photographs.

• A portfolio should be diverse with single pictures and at least one multiple-picture story. Stories are not limited to 12 images.

• Represent at least three different sports.

• Singles within the portfolio should not be repeated in a picture story in the portfolio.

• Arrange your singles and picture stories in the order you wish them to be reviewed. Judges will view singles first, then stories.

• It is not necessary to insert a blank black .JPG file (black slide) between photo stories. The uploading program will automatically insert a slide with the title of your story at the beginning for separation.

• Photographers should enter the various Sports categories #16 - 20, so judges are familiar with the work before portfolios are judged.

• POY will not separate a portfolio and enter the images in individual categories. If you wish to enter work from your portfolio into single or picture story categories, you must upload separate files into those categories.

40 - Multimedia Photographer of the Year

This Premier category is open to everyone.

• Stories must have been either shot, produced, or published during 2014.

• The multimedia portfolio must be the work of one individual photojournalist or videographer who shot the principal visual content (video and/or still photographs).

• The various stories in the portfolio may be produced and edited by different members.

• All members of the production and editing team will be credited and recognized in the Winners List and Winners Gallery.

• A portfolio should represent a diversity of work from throughout the year.

• A portfolio must include multimedia stories entered in at least two categories in the Visual Editing Division, and may be a combination of either images within web pages or individual videos.

• A portfolio should include at least three stories up to a maximum of five multimedia stories (as URL address links).

• Each video story or essay within the portfolio should have a short run time (flexible length up to about eight minutes).

• An extra $50 per entry for this Premier category.

41 - Environmental Vision Award

This Premier category will recognize a photographer's long-term story, project, or essay that explores issues related to the environment, natural history, or science. This could include a facet of human impact on the natural world, scientific discovery, coverage of plant or animal habitat, climate concerns, or similar topics. This is not a category for coverage of human medical issues or natural disasters, unless they are a proven result of environmental impact.

• Submit a maximum of 40 images.

• Entries need not have been published.

• A majority of the photos must have been taken during 2014. Historic or establishing images shot in previous years may be included as supporting or transitional material.

• The project essay must be summarized in a single paragraph (200 characters or less) in the story summary field of the online registration form. The caption fields for each individual photo provides for 2,000 characters. You are encouraged to use the caption field to expand on your story details as they pertain to the individual image.

• All photographs must include captions.

• Winning entries from previous years may not be resubmitted.

• Singles and picture stories from this category are encouraged to be entered in Science/Natural History categories #1 and 2.

• Portions of the essay may be part of a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or published in 2014.

42 - Community Awareness Award

This Premier category will recognize a photographer's extended story or essay that demonstrates an understanding of and appreciation for everyday life within a community. A “community” may be defined as a neighborhood, a town, a small commune, a rural agricultural area, a city subdivision, or socioeconomic region. The purpose is to encourage attention to the small events in life that are often overshadowed by the news of the day, and to celebrate those images that reflect the work and dreams of humankind.

• Submit a maximum of 40 images.

• Entries need not have been published.

• A majority of the photos must have been taken during 2014. Historic or establishing images shot in previous years may be included as supporting or transitional material.

• The project essay must be summarized in a single paragraph (200 characters or less) in the story summary field of the online registration form. The caption fields for each individual photo provides for 2,000 characters. You are encouraged to use the caption field to expand on your story details as they pertain to the individual image.

• All photographs must include captions.

• Winning entries from previous years may not be resubmitted.

• Singles and picture stories from this category are encouraged to be entered in other categories.

• Portions of the essay may be part of a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or published in 2014.

43 - World Understanding Award

This Premier category will recognize a photographer's long-term story, project, or essay that focuses on the human condition and portrays a sense of justice or insight into difficult problems. This could include a facet of human relations, a mutual concern for world conflict, social injustice, or any number of other topics.

• Submit a maximum of 40 images.

• Entries need not have been published.

• There are no subject requirements.

• There are no time restrictions. Photos need not have been taken during 2014.

• The project essay must be summarized in a single paragraph (200 characters or less) in the story summary field of the online registration form. The caption fields for each individual photo provides for 2,000 characters. You are encouraged to use the caption field to expand on your story details as they pertain to the individual image.

• All photographs must include captions.

• Previous World Understanding entries may not be resubmitted for five years.

• Winning entries from previous years may not be resubmitted.

• Portions of the essay may not be entered in single or picture story categories.

• Portions of the essay may be part of a Photographer of the Year portfolio entry if the photos were taken or published in 2014.

44 - Documentary Project of the Year

This Premier category is open to teams or individuals that best utilize online multimedia components to investigate or explore social, economic, or political issues.
The Documentary Project of the Year category is intended to appraise visual journalism storytelling as a special report, a series, or with multiple chapters. The project should employ the right mix of still photography, motion photography (video), audio, and graphics to visually communicate the story. In addition, news value, writing, audio, as well as overall organization, design, clarity of focus, and user experience will be the guiding criteria for the judges.

• Open to everyone — Production and editing teams; individual photographers, editors, or producers; independent journalists; photo agencies; news organizations; media companies; newspapers; magazines; NGOs or other advocacy organizations.

• There are no length criteria.

• Personal web portfolios, agency catalogs, or business promotions are not eligible.

• Projects must have been either shot, produced, or published during 2014.

• Provide a URL to the project’s primary web page during registration. The judges will review the work as it appears online, so make sure the URLs are active and current.

• An extra $50 for this Premier category that includes up to three project submissions. If a contestant is only entering projects in this category, and not entering any other category, then just a single $50.

• Three projects — Up to three different projects may be entered, which count as just one "submission" in POY. Each individual project will be judged separately. There is no limit on the number of times that a team or individual may enter, but counts toward the 15 total possible submissions in POY. For example, if a contestant wishes to submit six projects, they could submit three projects for the first $50, then submit three more for another $50.

Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award

No entry required. Judges will select one organization that demonstrates excellence in photo use across all editing and multimedia divisions. Winner will host a sterling silver trophy for one year, receive a plaque, and tuition to the Missouri Photo Workshop.

• • •

STATEMENT

I declare that I am authorized by the holder of the copyright (or the right to copyright) to submit photographs to the 72nd annual Pictures of the Year International (POYi) competition. I grant permission to Pictures of the Year International and the Missouri School of Journalism to use my submitted photographs in exhibitions, in publications, and in promotions of the competition itself, and for educational, research, and historical record purposes concerning Pictures of the Year International. This usage includes, but is not limited to, slides/tapes, television film/tapes, videodisc, DVDs, CDs, websites, and any other type of mechanical, electronic, or digital dissemination system. Winning photographs, published tearsheets, editing displays, multimedia productions, and other images selected for historic significance become part of the permanent POYi Archive. By entering, I declare that the photographs were taken or initially published during the calendar year of 2014. (The time period does not apply to the World Understanding Award.)

Pictures of the Year International is a program of the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. The University of Missouri is a public, tax-exempt educational institution of the State of Missouri. POYi provides an educational mission for career development and student advancement, without profit. To achieve the educational mission of the competition, POYi requests $50 (U.S. dollars) compensation from participants to cover the costs associated with operation of the competition.