A picture of a “found” situation with strong human interest, or a fresh view of an everyday scene.
First Place
Carolyn Kaster, The Associated Press
Joint Service Drill-Off: The U.S. Navy Drill Team, led by Lt. Stephan Acevedo, performs during the Joint Service Drill-Off at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022.
Second Place
Claire Harbage, NPR
Afghan Coal Miners: A group of workers at the coal mine take a break after a 10 hour shift, a mix of adults and children. Boys earn between $3 and $8 for a day's work in the coal mines. Nahrin, Afghanistan, Monday, October 10, 2022.
Third Place
Matt McClain, The Washington Post
Lake Leap: George and Sarah DeWald of Buffalo, NY leap into Lake McDonald following their wedding on Friday September 16, 2022 in Glacier National Park, MT. George lost his ring during the jump, but was able to retrieve it because of the crystal clear nature of the lake water. A large portion of what is now Glacier National Park was ceded to the federal government by the Blackfeet Tribe.
Award of Excellence
Carol Guzy, Independent Photojournalist
A UKRAINIAN LOVE STORY: Sgt. Misha Varvarych, 28, an 80th Assault Brigade commander and his fiancé Ira Botvynska, 19, cuddle in their tiny room at Truskavets City Hospital in western Ukraine on November 23, 2022. They navigate an altered destiny after he lost both legs fighting during the Russian invasion amid a growing number of war wounded amputees. Their unflinching romance speaks not of life interrupted but rather adapted and embraced. In an age-old adage, love indeed transcends adversity.
Award of Excellence
Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters
Untitled: Miles K. Hubbert, a 4th grader from The Kent School in Baltimore, Maryland, asks for more information about the word he needs to spell during a preliminary round of the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Maryland, U.S., May 31, 2022.
Award of Excellence
Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images
In It Together: Plebes struggle to lift each other up during the annual Herndon Monument Climb at the U.S. Naval Academy on May 23, 2022 in Annapolis, Maryland. The annual climb is the culmination of the plebe year at the Naval Academy where the class works together to climb the greased monument, remove the plebe "dixie cup" hat and replace it with an upperclassman's hat. This year's class accomplished the task in 3 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds.
Award of Excellence
Matt McClain, The Washington Post
Gun Safety Participants: Aliyana Stokes, 10, and her brother, Bryson Stokes, 5, right, take part in a gun safety class for children with replica firearms as people gather at Choppa Community gun range on Sunday July 10, 2022 in Welcome, MD. Choppa Community gun range has become a place for African American gun owners and others to assemble to learn gun safety, self-defense and have a place to target practice. Many are from nearby Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD and have been affected by gun violence. The rates of gun related crimes in large metropolitan cities across the United States has been on the rise. This has caused many people to obtain guns as a means of personal protection.