“This devastates the hell outta me,” said Kevin Dillard while draining a pool that was the location of the drowning of his toddler neighbor in Virginia Beach, Va., on Saturday, April 2 , 2016. On Friday, April 1, 2016, a toddler was reported missing on the 1800 block of Old Ridge Road in Virginia Beach, Va., shorty after, she was found in the pool in Dillard’s backyard. ÒThey have to look at that pool every day,Ó he said. ÒIÕm not doing that to them. IÕm not doing that to me.Ó

Ameyah Graves (far left) couldn’t believe that her mother’s car was totaled by a fallen tree during Thursday night’s storm. She and neighbors along Patrick Avenue lost their power. From left: Ameyah Graves, Jamya Mobley (11), Aquan Mobley (7), their mother Audreyel Mobley and Audreyel’s husband, Jonas Baptist. June 17, 2016.

LYNCHBURG, VA – MAY 15: Benjamin Melin, 2, squeezes the face of his father, Captain Ben Melin, left, Company Commander of HHC 1-116 Infantry, Army National Guard, after a ceremony for the deploying unit at Monument Terrace on Sunday, May 15, 2016 in Lynchburg, Va.

Maverick Johnston, 7, Naomi Lankford, 6, and Lydia Lankford, 10, reenact Norman Rockwell’s painting titled “Art Critic,” at the Taubman Museum on Wednesday. American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell is on exhibit at the museum until June 12. The homeschoolers from Botetourt County attend the museums children program and recreated scenes from the exhibit and even used props provided by the museum.

Wearing his superman attire, Brody Allen, 8, of Virginia Beach, Va., flies a kite during the 12th Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront in Virginia Beach, Va., on Saturday, April 30, 2016. ” If kites were going to be flying in the air I knew my cape would too, said Allen of his outfit choice.

Jonathan Elcewicz from Auburn, Maine, plays the tuba with the Navy Fleet forces Band on the Roanoke City Market during Navy Week in the Roanoke/Lynchburg metro areas.

York’s Max Poelker heads the ball away from Tabb’s Andrew Lenfant, right, during Friday’s Conference 27 final at Bailey Field on May 27, 2016.

The front wheel came off of Susan Malburg’s stroller and tipped over but the baby and Malburg were not hurt as both were quickly cared for by other runners in the IRON 5 K Race on Sunday.

Kecoughtan players celebrate after defeating Bethel in overtime during Thursday’s Conference 10 final on May 26, 2016.

Maggie Walker’s Ryan Buscaglia, who finished fourth in the mile at the Southern Track Classic last week, receives a hug from Douglas Freeman’s Waleed Suliman, who won the race at the Southern Track Classic track and field meet on Friday May 13, 2016. Buscaglia’s father died suddenly earlier that week and he received an outpouring of support from the local track community. His father, Bruce, has been planning on going to the doctor for bruising on May 9, was diagnosed with acute leukemia, which he didn’t know he had and passed away May 10.

Julia Manherz, 94, poses in her living room in Wintergreen. Manherz was an actress and modeling coach is her early years.

Northampton’s Makayla Wilson poses for a portrait in the home dugout at Northampton High School’s softball field on Thursday, April, 14, 2016. Wilson is the team’s leading hitter and one of its vocal leaders on the diamond.

Rhiannon Hartman poses for a photograph after winning the 2016 Daily Press reader poetry contest with her poem “Birth” while at her home in Williamsburg on Friday, May 27, 2016.

Bradley Garner, center, and Frankie Garner stand beside their father, Jim Garner, while he lies in bed at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Hampton as Karen Garner responds to messages on her phone Thursday evening March 24, 2016. Jim died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016. Jim was diagnosed by the National Institute of Health in 2011 with “mild cognitive impairment,” the precursor to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The genetically pre-determined disease has devastated his family–his mother died of the disease at age 61, his older brother at 52.

Karen Garner comforts Jim as he lies in bed at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Hampton Saturday March 26, 2016. Jim died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016. Jim was diagnosed by the National Institute of Health in 2011 with “mild cognitive impairment,” the precursor to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The genetically pre-determined disease has devastated his family–his mother died of the disease at age 61, his older brother at 52.

Karen Garner comforts Jim as he lies in bed at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Hampton Saturday March 26, 2016. Jim died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016. Jim was diagnosed by the National Institute of Health in 2011 with “mild cognitive impairment,” the precursor to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The genetically pre-determined disease has devastated his family–his mother died of the disease at age 61, his older brother at 52.

Shelly Simonds plays guitar for Jim as he lies in bed at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Hampton Monday afternoon March 28, 2016. Jim died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016.

Bradley Garner hugs his father, Jim, as he lies in bed at Commonwealth Assisted Living in Hampton Thursday evening March 24, 2016. Bradley spent time discussing plans for his birthday the following day.

Karen Garner, right, is comforted by family and friends during a Celebration of Life service for Jim Garner at the Mariners’ Museum Wednesday evening April 13, 2016. Jim died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016.

Frankie Garner stares off into the distance as a slideshow of pictures of her father, Jim Garner, plays during a Celebration of Life service at the Mariners’ Museum Wednesday evening April 13, 2016. Jim died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016.

Karen Garner eats dinner with Bradley and Frankie Tuesday evening April 26, 2016. Jim Garner died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016.

Frankie Garner, center, sits on her porch as Karen Garner stands in front of their of house Tuesday evening April 26, 2016. Jim Garner died from Alzheimer’s April 2, 2016.

Volunteer Ally Nigro helps Jordan East put on his tap shoes during Forest Dance Academy’s Superhero Dance Camp. The week long camp is for students with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, in wheelchairs, down syndrome and autism. It focuses on different types of dance, movements and rhythm. “I think they are getting some great therapy both physically and emotionally and they don’t even know it because they are having a blast doing it,” said director Michelle Thomas.

Participants go through an obstacle course on during the camp with the help of a volunteer.

Madison Rodgers walks with her mom Amber (right) and volunteer Jennifer Younce during the Superhero Dance Camp for children with special needs at the Forest Dance Academy. Rodgers has cerebral palsy and has to use a walker to get around on her own.

Volunteer Zoie Younce dances with Emily Woodall during Superhero Dance Camp.

Kaleigh Laughon dances with a ribbon during Forest Dance Academy’s Superhero Dance Camp.

Volunteer Ally Nigro helps Jordan East perform a dance move during Superhero Dance Camp.

Madison Rodgers performs a dance routine the group learned during camp.

Gracie Barber, Kaleigh Laughon, Emily Woodall and volunteer Zoie Younce take a break during the Forest Dance Academy’s Superhero Dance Camp.

Participants practice their favorite super hero moves during Forest Dance Academy’s Superhero Dance Camp.

Emily Woodall blows bubbles at the end of camp on Wednesday. Woodall, who suffers from a brain tumor, prefers to keep a mask on her mouth and nose but the play time with bubble moved her to be comfortable enough to take it off.

Michelle Thomas hugs the participants after camp.

SFC Justin Little gets the U.S. flag packed into his chute as the Golden Knights prepare for their opening show at the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show at Langley AFB Saturday April 23, 2016.

The Golden Knights parachute team performs a dry run of the show they will put on after jumping form their aircraft at around 12,000 feet.

Specialist Jason Wenger gets a high-five as he boards the aircraft for the Golden Knights’ first performance Saturday April 23, 2016. Duirng the summer months the team travels the country doing their show almost every weekend.

As their plane reaches altitude the Golden Knights parachute team does a final check of their equipment as they prepare to jump at the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show at Langley AFB Saturday April 23, 2016.

As SFC Brian Karst gets a look at the drop zone another plane from the air show flies in formation with the Golden Knights’ aircraft Saturday April 23, 2016 at Langley air show. Before the team can jump they have to measure the wind speed to ecsure they are able to hit their target.

Sargent First Class Justin Little is the first Golden Knight out of the aircraft during their first jump to open the Air Power Over Hampton Roads air show at Langley AFB Saturday April 23, 2016.

Kate Bredimus hooks on a pair of overalls on Brandon Brehony while her husband Matt Brehony gets James Brehony ready on Wednesday morning April 27, 2016. Brandon and James are triplets and the boys are the first kids for parents Kate and Matt.

Kate Bredimus brushes Brandon Brehony’s teeth while Finnegan waits in the bathroom Wednesday morning April 27, 2016. The boys are triplets and the first kids for parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony. Both Matt and Kate work full time and weekday mornings include getting the boys ready for daycare.

(From left) Finnegan, James and Brandon Brehony eat breakfast on Wednesday morning April 27, 2016. The boys are triplets and the first kids for parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

Kate Bredimus plays with the boys Brandon, Finnegan and James Brehony while they get ready for the day on Wednesday April 27, 2016. The boys are triplets and the first kids for parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

Finnegan Brehony followed by Brandon and Kate Bredimus walks down the stairs to eat breakfast Wednesday morning April 27, 2016. For breakfast, the boys yelled out for “strawberry cereal” in unison. The boys are triplets and the first kids for parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

Brandon (center) and Finnegan (right) help dad Matt Brehony with dinner preparations on Sunday April 17, 2016. The boys are triplets to first time parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

(From left) Finnegan, Brandon and James Brehony bounce on a mini trampoline on their back porch on Sunday April 17, 2016. The boys are triplets to first time parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony. On the weekends the parents let the kids dress as their favorite super hero, and each boy has his specific favorite character.

Brandon Brehony presses his hands up against the netting of a mini trampoline on Sunday April 17, 2016. He shouts out that he wants the Spiderman theme song to be played while they jump on the trampoline. Brandon is a triplet to first time parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

Brandon Brehony snacks on a few grapes on Sunday April 17, 2016 while his brothers run outside. Brandon is a triplet to first time parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

(From left) Brandon, James and Finnegan Brehony are soaped up during bath time on Sunday April 17, 2016. The boys are triplets to first time parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

James Brehony screams out in pain while Kate Bredimus extracts a splinter from his toe on Sunday April 17, 2016. James is a triplet and the boys are the first kids for parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony.

(From top) Brandon, James and Finnegan Brehony wrestle in their beds after bath time on Sunday April 17, 2016. The boys are triplets to first time parents Kate Bredimus and Matt Brehony. Kate says the boys’ bedroom turns into a bit of a frat party at night when they go to sleep, with wrestling and yelling coming from their room.

Second quarter clip contest results, 2016

Judges: The News & Observer
Scott Sharpe, Director of Multimedia and Photography
Chuck Liddy, photojournalist
Robert Willett, photojournalist
Jill Knight, photojournalist

News:

General comments on the category: ­ There were several really nice photos that probably could have done well in a features category. Judges were uncomfortable with the multiple exposure news photo.

1st, Kristen Zeis,The Virginian-Pilot
A very powerful image where the photographer captured a different emotional moment from a tragic incident. Hands down the best of the selections.

2nd, Kevin Morley, Richmond Times-Dispatch
A strong image made better by all of the different expressions of the family members.

3rd, Jay Westcott, The News & Advance
A nice simple moment shot nice and tight.

Feature:

General comments on the category: ­ There were several strong images in the category that could have been stronger with better attention to cropping, sharpness and toning. Judges commented on several that the photographer just needed to get closer.

1st, Heather Rousseau, Roanoke Times
Excellent juxtaposition here. The girl’s expression is great and that it mirrors the painting behind her makes for an even better frame. Nice content on the edges of the frame makes for a strong, and energetic composition that directs the viewer through layers of good content.

2nd, Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot
Perfect angle for this shot to achieve great separation between kites and the sky.

3rd, Stephanie Klein-Davis, The Roanoke Times
Great reflection in the instrument. Would have been great to stick with the composition until the cheeks were puffed out with the air.

Sports:

General comments on the category: ­ The vast majority of the entries would benefit from some very aggressive cropping. Many were cropped much too loosely. Would love to see more off-­the-field storytelling. As an aside, quite a few captions suffered from errors in grammar and/or punctuation. In the online world, there are often far fewer layers of editing between the photographer and the reader. Attention to detail in this area is essential.

1st, Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press
Nice peak action, the expressions of each player and the composition of the action make for a winning photograph. A good crop would enhance the image and strengthen the elements for the audience.

2nd, Lee Luther Jr, Amherst New Era-Progress, freelance
An unusual situation captured at the peak moment, great reaction by the photographer.

3rd, Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press
A clean background and the right lens selection helped make this celebration stand out from others. Pure joy. Experimenting with a crop could help enhance the connection with the audience.

HM, Shelby Lum, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Nice use of lens selection, and paying attention to happening after a sporting event produced a nice moment between winner and loser.

Portrait:

General comments on the category: ­ Some very nice winners here and a couple of shots that would have been stronger contenders with stronger, more aggressive crops.

1st, Jill Nance, The News & Advance
This is a wonderful photography that captures both moment and personality. I look at this photo and I want to meet this woman. Excellent composition, lens selection, and use of limited depth of field. To nitpick, a slight crop from the left would have eliminated a distracting bright vertical light near the edge of the frame.

2nd, James Diem, Eastern Shore news
We’re all presented with run­and­gun situations for portraits that aren’t always that dynamic. Nice use of the chain link fence to create a compositional element that helped compensate for a less than dynamic situation.

3rd, Aileen Devlin, Daily Press
Getting the assignment to photograph your winner of your newspaper’s reader poetry contest might not be the highlight of a photojournalist’s day, but this photo is excellent. Nice thought and execution including cropping. It’s great when you have a portrait subject that’s game to try something different and this photographer made the most of it with a simple but impactful photo.

Multiple:

1st, Jonathon Gruenke, Daily Press
A nice package of photos on the death of a man who had suffered from Alzheimer’s. There are some very strong images here and as a whole, the package would be stronger with some tighter editing. Obviously, a very tough story to shoot, but the photographer captured images that show love and dignity.

2nd, Jill Nance, The News & Advance
Some very nice moments in this package, and once again, tighter editing would help a great deal. The photographer did a nice job in varying camera angles and capturing moments. Nice crops throughout.

3rd, Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press
A short and simple package on the Golden Knights done well despite having to shoot much of it in the very tight confines of the jump plane. Nice moments and clean compositions really made the difference here.

HM, Shelby Lum, The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The photographer captured some very nice moments here, but here’s another piece that needed tighter editing. The focus seems to be more on the triplets, which may have been the story line, but we really wanted to see more of the parents and the impact of three kids of the same age on them. This would also help bring up the string of happy kid moments.