Open Competition

Judge: Kyle Keener

Website: https://jkylekeener.photoshelter.com

Bio: J. Kyle Keener has been among the most creative image makers in the American newspaper photojournalism community for the past four decades. He is a 5-time National Press Photographers Association Regional Photographer of the Year contest winner. He has been honored to receive multiple awards in the various national Pictures of the Year competitions. The International Society of News Design has given him their Gold Award for portfolio. In addition, Kyle has judged the National Pictures of the Year competition, the International Society of News Design competition as well as dozens of state competitions. He has lectured to students and professionals from around the globe on wide ranging topics like art direction, portraiture, lighting, photo illustration (conceptual studio work), and general photojournalism. Kyle has worked at the Kansas City Times and The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he covered global news stories and specialized in magazine work. Later, Kyle became  the chief photographer of the Detroit Free Press. Lastly, he was the one-person photo

department at the Pharos-Tribune in rural Logansport, IN. Today Kyle still freelances based out of San Antonio, Texas, where he also is a ranch hand, interior designer, found object sculptor, furniture re-purposer and historic home renovator.

Artist Statement: Kyle feels strongly that award winning photography must engage the viewer immediately. Capturing decisive moments and/or interactions between the people, wildlife, elements of nature and light, just to name a few, are the aspects that contribute to making a fine photograph. He also puts a premium on the classic principles of composition, originality as compared to imitation, and a photographer’s ability to see the world in a unique way. Showing him something that he has never seen before is the best way to appeal to his photographic eye and heart.