A picture that exploits the graphic or aesthetic qualities of the subject with emphasis on composition.
First Place
Kevin Lamarque, Reuters
Balcony Reader: A man reads a book while sitting on his balcony amid a sea of balconies at an apartment building in Arlington, Virginia, October 13, 2021.
Second Place
Tasos Katopodis, UPI
Mens Swimming Finals at the Tokyo Olympics: Member of the Japan Navy hold the American flag during thee mens 100m backstroke medals ceremony at the Tokyo Aquatics Center, during the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on Tuesday July 27, 2021.
Third Place
Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press
Street Light: The wings of an adult cicada are silhouetted by a distant street light in Chevy Chase, Md., Thursday, May 13, 2021.
Award of Excellence
Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA
Shipping Containers: An image made with a drone shows shipping containers at the Seagirt Marine Terminal, Port of Baltimore, Maryland, USA, 18 October 2021. While Baltimore’s marine terminal is not dealing with the same backups as shipping ports in California, the US is facing a supply chain crunch.
Award of Excellence
Jim Lo Scalzo, EPA
Backyard Brood: An adult Brood X periodical cicada dries its wings after shedding its exoskeleton in Washington, DC, USA, 14 May 2021. After molting, the cicada’s body hardens and darkens—then the 17-year-old bug looks for a mate. Trillions of Brood X cicadas are emerging in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US.
Award of Excellence
Astrid Riecken, Freelance for The Washington Post
Pandemic Memorial: "In America - Remember" art installation of more than 600,000 white flags at the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., October 3, 2021, to remember the more than 700,000 victims of Covid-19. More than 830,000 have died in the US by the end of 2021.
Award of Excellence
Brendan Smialowski, Agence France-Presse
Untitled: A Marine awaits Marine One with US President Joe Biden at a landing zone in Brandywine Creek State Park October 8, 2021, in Wilmington, Delaware.
Award of Excellence
Matt McClain, The Washington Post
Beach Reflection: People are reflected in mirrors along a staircase at a business on Venice Beach on Monday August 16, 2021 in Venice, CA. The area is known for eclectic performers and artists.