Lisa DeJong from The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer has been chosen ONPA Ohio News Photographer of the Year for 2008. Finishing second was Michael E. Keating from the Cincinnati Enquirer and third was Gus Chan from The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
DeJong also won the James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award for her entry “Survivor’s Journey” which told the story of a rape victim’s journey to find out about the life of her attacker.
Diego James Robles from Ohio University won the Student Photographer of the Year award.
Best of Show was won by Andy Morrison for his image of Hillsboro wrestler Dustin Carter competing at the state tournament despite having lost parts of all of his limbs.
Contest results and galleries of all of Fridays winning images are posted on the ONPA Web site. Click on the 2008 Pictures of the Year link for a complete winners list and galleries.
Galleries for picture story and portfolio winners are quite large and will take 30 seconds or so to load so be patient.
Quick link to results from the annual still contest judging. A video of the judging can be viewed with this link.