Michael White and Isaiah Hill continue to fish near the Coleman Bridge in Yorktown as a series of thunderstorm cells move through the area Friday July 15, 2016.
Ryland Carter acts like he has been shot during a mock battle during Civil War camp on Thursday.
A standup paddleboarder glides across Assateague Channel before the 91st annual Chincoteague Pony Swim on Wednesday, July 27, 2016.
(8/25/16) – (Harrisonburg) A bee flies to a sunflower as the field of sunflowers sits next to the intersection of US 33 and Stone Spring Road on Thursday, August 25. (Austin Bachand / DN-R)
From left Orlando Storm’s Jackson Stephens, Tanner Reid, Tank Kelley and Nolan Juvers jump to catch a ball before the start of Tuesday’s opening ceremony of the Cal Ripken Southeast Regional baseball tournament July 12, 2016.
Heritage is on the sideline Friday September 9, 2016 to take on the Hampton Crabbers as the sun sets over Todd Stadium in Newport News.
JP Rutledge prepares for the Men’s 35+ race during Saturday’s Criterium at Oyster Point.
Angelica Garcia sits with her guitar on the box pews in the sanctuary of St. James Church in Accomac, Va. on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016. Garcia will have her debut album “Medicine For Birds” released on Sept. 30th. Garcia wrote the majority of her songs in the church’s nearby rectory and parish house. Her single “Orange Flower” has been featured on NPR.
Nichole Credle, is photographed at her Suffolk, Va., home on Wednesday, August 31, 2016. Credle signed a contract with Sea-Thru, a Virginia Beach, Va., window company in June 2016 and has yet to receive her windows. She’s battling the company in an effort to retrieve a $2,278 deposit for preach of contract. Credle’s current windows are leaking and she’s worried about the risk of mold, which she says would result in health issues for her children, who are asthmatic. Credle is photographed with her children, Collin Credle Jr., 5, and Hailey, 6.
Isaiah Burroughs, 9, of Bridgewater, and his grandfather Junior Knight, of Elkton, ride the fireball ride at the Rockingham County Fair in Harrisonburg, Va., on Friday, August 19, 2016.
While blocking Interstate 264 protestors of the local Blacklivesmatter757 put their hands up during a “Hands up, Don’t Shoot” chat in Portsmouth, Va., on Sunday, July 10, 2016.
Firefighters battle an apartment fire on Duiguid Drive on Sunday July 31, 2016 in Lynchburg, VA.
With his jumpsuit on his bed, Taylor Rodriguez gets ready for a performance at his home in Goode. ÒThey start about $2,000 and up,Ó Donna Rodriguez says about the cost of the jumpsuits. Ò[Overall] itÕs gotta be about $50,000. É You consider the shoes, the belts, the jackets. Rings – theyÕre anywhere from $150 and up.Ó
Taylor Rodriguez puts on his replica rings to the ones Elvis Presley wore while suiting up for a performance.
Taylor Rodriguez performs at Carriage Hill Assisted Living. The Assisted Living facility was the first assisted living to hire Rodriguez and he still tries to go back and perform often, sometimes once a month. ÒThey mean a lot to me too,Ó he says. ÒThe people there, IÕve known since I started. They saw me improve and improve – which I hope I am improving.Ó
While attending her friend’s 50th birthday party, Kathy Edwards poses with Taylor Robriguez for a photo at Snow Flex. ÒI would walk into a store or something – I do it today – I walk into a store and someone will be like, ÔHey, youÕre that Elvis guy,ÕÓ he says. ÒAnd IÕm like, ÔYeah, thatÕs me.ÕÓ
Taylor Rodriguez t-shirts and merchandise are sold after a show at Jefferson Forest High School.
Taylor Rodriguez records a song at Ham Bone Productions recording studio with Robbie Hiner. Rodriguez has recorded two albums, the latest one featuring two original songs. ÒI wrote ÔTribute to the King,Õ which is an Elvis tribute song,Ó he said. ÒSome people suggested that I send it to Lisa Marie and Priscilla [Presley]. ThatÕs what I plan to do. I think it would be pretty cool for them to hear it.Ó
Before the start of prom, Taylor Rodriguez and his girlfriend Ellee Evans meet with friends at to take photos together. Balancing Rodriguez’s Elvis career is not always easy. “When I am on stage, I try as much as I can to pay tribute to Elvis. When then when I come off stage, I am Taylor,” said Rodriguez.
Taylor Rodriguez prepares for a performance at Grance Memorial Church on New Hampshire Avenue.
Taylor Rodriguez performs at Lynchburg Music Festival at City Stadium.
Frieda Tarzia rushes the stage during a performance at Jefferson Forest High School. ÒI graduated high school in 1959, that brought back all good memories,” said Tarzia .
Rudy Shores waves to a passing boat while he works from his work shanty in the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 10. Local watermen make a living crabbing for Chesapeake blue crab in the summer and oysters in the winter.
Colored crab pot buoys hang from a line outside of the mayor’s work shanty off Tangier Island. The island is a working watermen village which draws leagues of tourists ferried in from the mainland every summer for fresh, locally caught Chesapeake blue crab and laid-back lifestyle. Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
A watermen aboard Jill’s Magic from Cambridge, MD organizes wooden barrels as the boat rides through Tangier Island on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
Town of Tangier mayor James “Ooker” Eskridge holds out one of the larger Chesapeake blue crabs from his catch on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
Seen from the ferry ride to the Tangier Island is a skyline of boats, crabbing shanties, the local church, and the iconic water tower on Wednesday, Aug. 10. Rapidly eroding shoreline, climate change and a rising sea level puts the island at risk to be completely underwater within the next 50 years forcing locals to abandon their way of life.
Owners Terry, left, and Lance Daley, right, stock cooler units at Daley & Son Grocery store on Tangier Island. The island has one grocery store and residents must place orders for specialty items to be brought in on the ferry. Friday, Aug.12, 2016.
Marsh grass grows through a sunken boat near the beaches of Tangier Island on Thursday, Aug. 1. Rapidly eroding shoreline, climate change and a rising sea level puts the island at risk to be completely underwater within the next 50 years forcing locals to abandon their way of life.
Church pianists and secretary Nancy Creedle stands by her piano inside Swain United Methodist Church on Tangier Island on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016.
Local Alona Charnock, 10, looks down at a fallen tombstone found on the Uppards island just north of Tangier. Uppards was once a bustling community but due to a rapidly eroding shoreline, climate change and a rising sea level the island became uninhabitable in the 1930s leaving behind gravestones, debris and other remains.
The sun sets behind a line of crab shanties off the shore of Tangier Island on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016.
A group of local children meet at the ice cream shop and walk over to the docks at 5 p.m. everyday. They spend the next few hours climbing and jumping off the wooden docks, swimming with the “water gulls” or jellyfish, hoping not to get stung. Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016.
Benjamin Patten-Dunivan, 11, swims with other children on the island on Thursday, Aug. 11. At five o’clock everyday the local children gather together at the ice cream shop and walk to the gas dock to play and jump in the water.
A star-filled sky is seen behind the iconic Tangier water tower on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016.
Christopher Newport student James Dennehy was born in India without arms and adopted by an American family in Ashland, Virginia. He’s adapted since birth to use his feet in place of his hands. Summary: Adopted when he was 2, James Dennehy learned to take care of himself at an orphanage in Bangalore, India. After coming to the United States 19 years ago, his mom said, he never stopped teaching himself how to do the same things as every other kid on his block — but with his feet. Dennehy was born without arms. “I forget sometimes that I am disabled, and my friends do, too, because I just do everything they do, just with my feet,” Dennehy said. “I just kind of live my life. Even with a disability, it’s not going to stop me from doing anything.” He throws a Frisbee, reaches for door handles, drives, writes, texts and even Snapchats with his feet.
During class James Dennehy takes notes during a class writing with his feet. Dennehy eats, dresses, drives and plays Playstation all with his feet. He credits his parents with encouraging him to learn and not giving him any special treatment.
Christopher Newport student James Dennehy gets his book ready for class in the dorm he shares with two other roommates.
Christopher Newport student James Dennehy sits with friends on the great lawn after classes Wednesday August 31, 2016. Dennehy is not shy when people have questions and often jokes about the fact he has no arms.
After lunch with friends James Dennehy heads off to class at Christopher Newport University Tuesday August 30, 2016.
Christopher Newport student James Dennehy walks to class with Meghan Casey and Kelly Duggan Tuesday afternoon August 30, 2016. James has taken an interest in politics and did an internship at the Whitehouse over the summer.
Christopher Newport student James Dennehy swipes the keycard for his dorm after classes. With small exceptions, everything a normal person does with their hands he can accomplish with his feet.
Christopher Newport student James Dennehy doesn’t let his lack of arms prevent him from doing things other people can do including driving. James drives an unmodified Ford Explorer using one foot on the wheel and one operating the pedals.
Cars take off from the starting line at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
Ronnie Huffman sits in his Chevrolet Bel Air as he waits for his turn on race at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
People sit in the stands watching drag races at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
A car speeds down the raceway at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
Cars line up in the staging area before racing at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
A driver sits in his dragster during races at New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
Shana Yeatts get situated before racing at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
Danny Mitchell stands in his dragster while in the staging area before racing at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
Jerry Wayne Queen adjust his beard as he gets situated in his dragster before racing at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
People watch drag races at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
A driver performs a burnout before racing at the New London Dragstrip on Sunday September 11, 2016 in Forest, Va.
Judges:
Kyle Grantham, Danial Sato, Suchat Pederson
The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal
FEATURE:
FIRST: Rob Ostermaier, The Daily Press
SECOND: Jill Nance, News & Advance
THIRD: James Diem, Eastern Shore News
HM: Austin Bachand, Daily News-Record
Strong category with some great frames. Lots of pictorials, of which the strongest rose to the top quickly. First place was well balanced and a good moment captured in silhouette. Second place another solid moment though we missed the kid’s leg. Third place another nice silhouette that needed some more room at the top of the frame to give the paddleboarder space to breath. Honorable mention to the Sunflower Bee. It needed something, we weren’t sure what – whether reframing or getting higher or lower. Just wasn’t quite there. Work that frame a little more.
SPORTS:
FIRST: Jonathan Gruenke, The Daily Press
SECOND: Rob Ostermaier, The Daily Press
THIRD: Jonathan Gruenke, The Daily Press
Surprisingly weak category that featured a LOT of routine photos. First place had nice light and was a good moment with good expression. Second place was a nice silhouette with great light but needed to give some room to breath to the subjects. Third place was a different angle on a biker and had strong graphic quality but needed a little more separation.
PORTRAIT:
FIRST: James Diem, Eastern Shore News
SECOND: Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot
THIRD: N/A
Very weak category with few entries. Was easy to knock down when looking for actual portraits to award. First place was well executed from a number of angles – framing, different viewpoint, lighting. It was very well done. Second place was well executed and framed as well but needed something in that second layer of reflection. We did not award a third place image.
NEWS:
FIRST: Austin Bachand, Daily News-Record
SECOND: Kristen Zeis, The Virginian-Pilot
THIRD: Lathan Goumas, News & Advance
Surprisingly weak category here. First place quickly rose to the top for it’s great moment and terrific execution. Well done. Second place has great light and a good moment but we cannot figure out where the focus point is. Looks like a hail mary that might have just missed. Third place was a good moment of an exhausted firefighter but we were hoping for a little more scene around him.
MULTIPLE:
FIRST: Jill Nance, News & Advance
SECOND: Aileen Devlin, Daily Press
THIRD: Rob Ostermaier, The Daily Press
HM. Lathan Goumas, News & Advance
Lots to choose from here but the winners rose to the top quickly. The Elvis tribute story was well worked, good moments and good execution. Tangier Island needed a tighter edit and a little more focus but the photographer really worked the assignment and gave us a sense of the place. The story on James was a good story to tell. Definitely needed a tighter edit, it got a little repetitive, but it was unique and executed well nonetheless. Honorable Mention to drag racing which just needed to be cut in half. Some great frames and some REALLY weak ones and unfortunately you’ll always be judged more by what you did include than what you didn’t.