CA wins award for photo project

The Commercial Appeal’s photojournalism project on South Memphis titled “What Obama Didn’t See” has won first place for picture editing in the 2013 Pictures of the Year International journalism competition.

The POYi photojournalism awards, now in their 70th year, are recognized as the world’s oldest and most prestigious photojournalism contest.

“What Obama Didn’t See,’’ which was published last September in The Commercial Appeal, explores life in South Memphis through the eyes of Chris Dean, the Booker T. Washington High student who introduced President Barack Obama at the school’s 2011 graduation.

Staff photographer Alan Spearman spent the summer walking the streets of South Memphis with Dean, who grew up in the neighborhood and still has family there. Dean wrote journal entries to accompany Spearman’s photographs.

The entire package of photos and words was designed and edited for print and online by The Commercial Appeal’s art director Kim Coleman and Visuals editor John Sale.

“What Obama Didn’t See’’ won first place in the POYi News and Issue Story Editing category.

Second place went to The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk. Third place went to The New York Times.

“This outstanding visual report speaks to the quality of journalism that our staff can produce,’’ said Chris Peck, editor of The Commercial Appeal.

“‘What Obama Didn’t See’ was a creative, courageous work of journalism that gave Memphis a view of life in this city that is difficult to see but important for all to understand.’’