Pictures of the Year
The year listed is the one in which the award was given. All awards are for work done during the preceeding year.
From 1943 through 1951, the University of Missouri sponsored the
50-Print Exhibition of Spot News and Feature Pictures. The National
Press Photographers Association held its own contests beginning in
1948 and continuing through 1956. An NPPA co-sponsor was
Encyclopaedia Britannica. In 1957, the NPPA and the University
of Missouri merged their contests, an arrangement that lasted
through the 2001 contest. In 2002 the NPPA and the University
of Missouri conducted their own separate contests.
In 1963, TV judging was separated and moved to the University of
Oklahoma. Judging later took place at Arizona State University;
Fargo, N.D.; and Middle Tennessee State University.
In 1996, judging began at KARE-TV, Denver. In 2001, the judging
was moved to The Poynter Institute, St. Petersburg, Fla.
After 35 years, the National Press Photographers
Association returned to conducting its own photography, editing and
Web competition. Results of that competition can be found on the
main Best of Photojournalism site.
Beginning with the 15th competition, the University of Missouri and National Press Photographers Association contests were merged.
- 2002 / 59th Annual
- Brian Plonka, The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, VII, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Gail Fisher, Los Angeles Times, Community Awareness Award
- The Hartford Courant, Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award for Newspapers
- 2001 / 58th Annual
- Scott Strazzante, The Herald News/Copley Chicago Newspapers/City 2000
- Jon Lowenstein, The Beacon News/Copley Chicago Newspapers
- Tara McParland, The Florida tlimes
- Union, Jacksonville, 'Journey of Hope'
- John Lowenstein, City 2000, Fuji Community Awareness Award, 'A Home Away from Home'
- The Hartford Courant, Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award for Newspapers
- 2000 / 57th Annual
- Rob Finch, The Beacon News/Copley Chicago Newspapers, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Kari Rene Hall, freelance, Canon Photo Essayist Award, 'Henry: An Unlikely Hero'
- Brenda Ann Kenneally, freelance, Fuji Community Awareness Award, 'Real Life Stories from the Hip Hop Generation'
- The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash., Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award for Newspapers
- 1999 / 56th Annual
- Bill Green, The Boston Globe, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Chien-Chi Chang, Magnum Photos, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Tom Stoddart, IPG/Matrix in U.S. News && World Report, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Bradley E. Clift, The Hartford Courant, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Daniel A. Anderson, The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, Calif., Community Awareness Award
- The Seattle Times, Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award for Newspapers
- 1998 / 55th Annual
- Nancy Andrews, The Washington Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Eugene Richards, Freelance, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Eugene Richards, Freelance/Natural History, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Jacques Lowe, Jacques Lowe Photography, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Scott Lewis, Fox Valley Villages/60504, Community Awareness Award
- The Commercial Appeal, Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award for Newspapers
- 1997 / 54th Annual
- Carol Guzy, The Washington Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Yunghi Kim, Freelance/Contact Press Images, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Brian Peterson, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Don Doll, Greighto University, Omaha, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Gail Fisher, Los Angeles Times, Community Awareness Award
- Palm Beach Post, Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award for Newspapers
- 1996 / 53rd Annual
- Torsten Kjellstrand, The Herald (Jasper, Ind.), Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Eugene Richards, Freelance, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Anthony Suau, Time Magazine/New York Times Magazine, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Aileen and W. Eugene Smith, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Lauren Greenfield, Sygma
- National Geographic, Community Awareness Award
- The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Angus McDougall Picture Editing Award for Newspapers
- 1995 / 52nd Annual
- Michael Williamson, The Washington Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, Time/Magnum Photos, Inc., Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Gideon Mendel, Network Photographers (London), Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Flip Schulke, Freelance/Life Magazine, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Detroit Free Press, Angus McDougall Overall Excellence in Editing Award for Newspapers
- 1994 / 51st Annual
- Lucian Perkins, The Washington Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Anthony Suau, Freelance/Time magazine, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Larry Towell, Magnum, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Michael Williamson, The Washington Post, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- San Jose Mercury News, Angus McDougall Award for Overall Execellence in Editing for Newspapers
- 1993 / 50th Annual
- Carol Guzy, The Washington Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, Magnum, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, Magnum, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Stephen Shames, Matrix, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Anchorage Daily News, Angus McDougall Award for Overall Excellence in Editing for Newspapers
- 1992 / 49th Annual
- Randy Olson, The Pittsburgh Press, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Christopher Morris, Black Star for Time, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Eugene Richards, Magnum, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Eugene Richards, Magnum, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Sacramento Bee, Angus McDougall Award for Overall Excellence in Editing for Newspapers
- 1991 / 48th Annual
- Paul Kuroda, Orange County Register, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, Magnum, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Jane Evelyn Atwood, Contact Press Images, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Donna Ferrato, Black Star, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- Sacramento Bee, Angus McDougall Award for Overall Excellence in Editing for Newspapers
- 1990 / 47th Annual
- Carol Guzy, The Washington Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Eugene Richards, Magnum, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Stormi Greener, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Alon Reininger, Contact Press Images, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- 1989 / 46th Annual
- John Kaplan, Pittsburgh Press, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, Magnum, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Eugene Richards, Magnum, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- Charles Moore, Black Star, Kodak Crystal Eagle Award
- 1988 / 45th Annual
- Bill Greene, The Boston Globe, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Anthony Suau, Black Star, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Herman LeRoy Emmet, freelance, New York, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- 1987 / 44th Annual
- Bradley E. Clift, The Hartford Courant, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, Time, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Geoffrey Biddle, freelance, New York, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- 1986 / 43rd Annual
- Steve Ringman, San Francisco Chronicle, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Harry Benson, freelance for Life, Co-Magazine Photographer of the Year
- James Stanfield, National Geographic, Co-Magazine Photographer of the Year
- David C. Turnley, Detroit Free Press, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- 1985 / 42nd Annual
- Fred Comegys, Wilmington (Del.) News-Journal, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Steve McCurry, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Stan Grossfeld, The Boston Globe, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- 1984 / 41st Annual
- Steve Ringman, San Francisco Chronicle, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Nachtwey, Black Star for Time magazine, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Mary Ellen Mark, freelance for Life magazine, Canon Photo Essayist Award
- 1983 / 40th Annual
- William Frakes, Miami Herald, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Brandenburg, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Eli Reed, San Francisco Examiner, World Understanding Award
- 1982 / 39th Annual
- Dan Dry, Louisville, Ky., Courier-Journal and Times, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Harry Benson, Freelance, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Gordon Baer, Freelance, World Understanding Award
- 1981 / 38th Annual
- George Wedding, San Jose Mercury News, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Brandenburg, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Bryce Flynn, Providence (R.I.) Journal-Bulletin, World Understanding Award
- 1980 / 37th Annual
- Bill Wax, Gainesville Sun, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- David Burnett, Contact Press Images for Time magazine, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Ethan Hoffman, Freelance, World Understanding Award
- 1979 / 36th Annual
- Chris Johns, Topeka Capital-Journal, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James Sugar, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- George Wedding, Palm Beach Post, World Understanding Award
- 1978 / 35th Annual
- Michael Wirtz, Suburban Tribune, Hinsdale, Ill., Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- David Harvey, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Dean Conger, World Understanding Award
- 1977 / 34th Annual
- Bruce Bisping, Minneapolis Tribune, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Bob Madden, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Dan and Mark Jury, World Understanding Award
- 1976 / 33rd Annual
- Brian Lanker, Eugene Register-Guard, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Steve Raymer, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Ken Heyman, World Understanding Award
- 1975 / 32nd Annual
- Pat Crowe, Wilmington, Del., News-Journal, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Eddie Adams, Time, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- W. Eugene and Aileen Smith, World Understanding Award
- 1974 / 31st Annual
- Ron Smith, Bloomington, Ind., Courier
- Tribune, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Bruce Dale, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1973 / 30th Annual
- Kurt E. Smith, Lorain, Ohio, Journal, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Co Rentmeester, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1972 / 29th Annual
- Robert Madden, National Geographic, Photographer of the Year
- (Newspaper and magazine portfolios competed in one contest.)
- 1971 / 28th Annual
- Brian Lanker, Topeka Capital-Journal, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James L. Amos, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1970 / 27th Annual
- Gary Settle, New York Times, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- James L. Amos, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1969 / 26th Annual
- Perry Riddle, Chicago Daily News, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Wilbur E. Garrett, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1968 / 25th Annual
- Gary Settle, Chicago Daily News, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Bruce Dale, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1967 / 24th Annual
- Tom Colburn, Houston Chronicle, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Larry Burrows, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1966 / 23rd Annual
- Bill Strode, Louisville, Ky., Courier-Journal and Times, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- John Dominis, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1965 / 22nd Annual
- Ted Rozumalski, Houston Chronicle, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- George Silk, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1964 / 21st Annual
- Ted Rozumalski, Houston Chronicle, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- George Silk, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1963 / 20th Annual
- Lowell Georgia, Denver Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- George Silk, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1962 / 19th Annual
- George Honeycutt, Charlotte, N.C., News, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Dean Conger, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1961 / 18th Annual
- Don Sturkey, Charlotte, N.C., Observer, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- George Silk, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Arthur Uhlman, Milwaukee Journal, Special Recogntion, Sunday Magazine Photographer
- 1960 / 17th Annual
- Albert Moldvay, Denver Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Burt Glinn, Magnum, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- Gordon Converse, Christian Science Monitor, Special Recognition, Newspaper Magazine Photographer
- 1959 / 16th Annual
- Dean Conger, Denver Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Thomas J. Abercrombie, National Geographic, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1958 / 15th Annual
- Earl Seubert, Minneapolis Tribune, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Lisa Larsen, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
NOTE: From 1953 to 1957, the National Press Photographers Association and the University of Missouri held separate competitions
- 1957 / 14th Annual
- University of Missouri
- Albert Moldvay,Denver Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- John Sadovy,London, Freelance, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- National Press Photographers Association
- George Smallsreed Jr.,Columbus Dispatch, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Howard Sochurek, Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1956 / 13th Annual
- University of Missouri
- Dean Conger,Denver Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Leonard McCombe,Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- National Press Photographers Association
- Grey Villet,Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- No award was made in the newspaper competition.
- 1955 / 12th Annual
- University of Missouri
- Dean Conger,Denver Post, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Angus McDougall,Milwaukee Journal, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- National Press Photographers Association
- Earl Seubert,Minneapolis Tribune, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Leonard McCombe,Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1954 / 11th Annual
- University of Missouri
- Thomas Abercrombie,Milwaukee Journal, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Michael Rougier,Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- National Press Photographers Association
- Thomas Abercrombie,Milwaukee Journal, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Michael Rougier,Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1953 / 10th Annual
- University of Missouri
- Earl Seubert,Minneapolis Tribune, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Lisa Larsen,Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- National Press Photographers Association
- Hans Marx,Baltimore Sunpapers, Newspaper Photographer of the Year
- Yale Joel,Life, Magazine Photographer of the Year
- 1952
- Charles L. Scott,Binghamton, N.Y., Press, Grand Prize Winner
- 1951
- BEST OF SHOW
- Art Abfier,New York Mirror
- Roger Williams,Providence, R.I., Journal
- Joseph Costa,New York Sunday Mirror
- 1950
- Billy McMillan,Kosciusko, Miss., Star
- Herald,Best Picture of the Year (1949-50)
- 1949
- Russell Reed,Oakland, Calif., Tribune, Best Picture of the Year (1948-49)
- 1948
- Murray Becker,Associated Press, New York, Best Picture of My Life
- 1952 / 9th Annual
- Mark Kauffman,Life, Photographer of the Year
- 1951 / 8th Annual
- Alfred Eisenstaedt,Life, Photographer of the Year
- 1950 / 7th Annual
- Leonard McCombe,Life, Photographer of the Year (Missouri)
- 1949 / 6th Annual
- Barney Cowherd,Louisville, Ky., Courier-Journal, News Photographer of the Year
- 1948 / 5th Annual
- Johnny Thompson,Acme Newspictures, News
- Tom Johnson,Chicago Tribune, Feature
- Chester Gabrysiak,Chicago Tribune, Sports
- 1947 / 4th Annual
- Frank Cancellare, Acme Newspictures, Inc., News
- Eileen Darby, Graphic House, New York, Feature
- 1946 / 3rd Annual
- Charles P. Gorry, Associated Press, News
- Marion Carpenter, International News Photos, Feature
- 1945 / 2nd Annual
- Carmen Reporto,Chicago Sun, News
- Ferdie Olm, Los Angeles Examiner, Feature
- 1944 / 1st Annual
- William Pauer, Chicago Daily News, News
- David Man, Chicago Sun, Feature
- 2002
- Less than 100M: Anchorage Daily News
- Over 100,000: The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
- 2001
- Under 25M: The Herald, Jasper, Ind.
- 25-150,000: The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
- Over 150,000: The Seattle Times
- 2000
- Under 25M: Gurney (Ill) Sun / Sun Pub.,/ Copley Newspapers
- 25-150,000: Naples (Fla.) Daily News
- Over 150,000: The Providence (R.I.) Journal
- 25-150,000: Naples (Fla.) Daily News
- 1999
- Under 25M: Homer Sun / Sun Publications / Copley Newspapers
- 25-150,000: The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash.
- Over 150,000: San Diego Union-Tribune
- 1998
- Under 25,000: Fox Valley Villages/60504, Copley Chicago
- 25-150,000: Albuquerque Tribune
- Over 150,000: The Commercial Appeal, Memphis
- 1997
- Under 25,000: News-Review, Roseburg, Ore.
- 25-150,000: Spokesman-Review
- Over 150,000:Palm Beach Post
- 1996
- Under 25,000: The Reporter, Vacaville, Calif.
- 25-150,000: Naples (Fla.) Daily News
- Over 150,000: The Virginian-Pilot
- 1995
- Under 25,000: Journal Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- 25-150,000: Spokesman-Review
- Over 150,000: The Orange County Register
- 1994
- Under 25,000: Concord (N.H.) Monitor
- 25-150,000: The Phoenix (Ariz.) Gazette
- Over 150,000: San Jose Mercury News
- 1993
- Under 25,000: Journal Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- 25-150,000: Anchorage Daily News
- Over 150,000: Palm Beach (Fla.) Post
- 1992
- Under 25,000: Journal-Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- 25-150,000: Albuquerque Tribune
- Over 150,000: San Jose Mercury News
- Zone award discontinued
- 1991
- Under 25,000: Journal-Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- 25-150,000: Spokesman-Review/Spokane Chronicle
- Over 150,000: Hartford Courant
- Zoned Edition: Virginia Pilot/Ledger Star
- 1990
- Under 25,000: Journal Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- 25-150,000: Albuquerque Tribune
- Over 150,000: Virginian-Pilot/Ledger Star
- Zoned Edition: Orange County Register
- 1989
- Under 25,000: Journal Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- 25-150,000: Gazette-Telegraph, Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Over 150,000: Boston Globe
- Zoned Edition: Orange County Register Community News
- 1988
- Under 25,000: Journal Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- 25-150,000: Daily Breeze, Torrance, Calif.
- Over 150,000: Seattle Times
- Zoned Edition: Neighbors, Philadelphia Inquirer
- 1987
- Under 25,000: Neighborhoods (Courier-Journal)
- 25-50,000: The Providence Journal
- Over 50,000: Orange County Register, Santa Ana, Calif.
- 1986
- Under 30,000: Claremont (Calif.) Courier
- Over 30,000: St. Petersburg Times
- 1985
- Under 30,000: Journal Tribune, Biddeford, Maine
- Over 30,000: Orange County (Calif.) Register
- 1984
- Jackson Hole (Wyo.) News
- 1983
- Seattle Times
- 1982
- Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.
- 1981
- Evening Independent, St. Petersburg, Fla.
- 1980
- Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune
- 1979
- Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune
- 1978
- Claremont (Calif.) Courier
- 1977
- Claremont (Calif.) Courier
- 1976
- No award
- 1975
- Chicago Tribune
- 1974
- Post and Evening Times, West Palm Beach, Fla.
- 1973
- Chicago Tribune
- 1972
- Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.
- 1971
- The Paper, Oskosh, Wis.
- 1970
- The Herald, Arlington Hts., Ill.
- 1969
- Telegraph-Herald, Dubuque, Iowa
- 1968
- Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.
- 1967
- Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.
- 1966
- Miami (Fla.) News
- 1965
- Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.
- 1964
- Courier-Journal, Louisville, Ky.
- 1963
- Milwaukee Journal
- 2002
- New York Times Magazine
- 2001
- National Geographic
- 2000
- Aperture
- 1999
- U.S. News & World Report
- 1998
- National Geographic
- 1997
- National Geographic
- 1996
- Life
- 1995
- National Geographic
- 1994
- National Geographic
- 1993
- National Geographic
- 1992
- National Geographic
- 1991
- National Geographic
- 1990
- National Geographic
- 1989
- Life
- 1988
- American Photographer
- 1987
- National Geographic
- 1986
- Life
- 1985
- Life
- 1984
- International Wildlife
- 1983
- National Geographic
- 1982
- Geo
- 1981
- Geo
- 1980
- Geo
- 1979
- American Photographer
- 1978
- National Geographic
- 1977
- National Geographic
- 1976
- National Geographic
- 1975
- Time
- 1974
- Courier-Journal & Times
- 1973
- National Geographic
- 1972
- National Geographic
- 1971
- No contest
- 1970
- No contest
- 1969
- Look
- 1968
- Life
- 1967
- Life
- 1966
- National Geographic
- 1965
- Look
- 1964
- Look
