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.
The year listed is the one in which the award was given. All awards are for work done during the preceeding year.
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