For the Feature Event picture story, the feature event was defined as: A candid, unposed story or essay of a significant planned or unplanned event that does not qualify as “hard news” or focus on “social issues.” Examples are: Michael Jackson’s death and memorial, President Barack Obama’s inauguration, spiritual celebrations or pilgrimages, cultural festivals, or any number of other event-based experiences.
Caption (from the First Place picture story): WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: Barack H. Obama holds in a crowded hallway backstage at the Capital moments before walking out to be sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th president of the United States on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States.
I mentioned the definition because there were several good stories that were eliminated because they didn't fit the definition of what category it was entered in. One such story was Tomas Van Houtryve's essay, The Great Leap Backwards.
Caption: A portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong is seen reflected in wet pavement in "The East is Red" square (Dongfanghong square) of Nanjie village in Henan province, China on 31 October 2009.
As only 12 images were allowed for an essay, the ones entered are #1-6, 8, 16-20. Because it didn't seem to be of a specific event (as per the caption and story summary), say the anniversary of Mao's death, it was disqualified, even though the judges liked the story and the images. One comment that sticks out to me from their judging: "It's interesting to think of the Communist government as a brand name."
