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March 20, 2002

Portrait and Personality
First place: Matt Detrich, Indianapolis Star

While surrounded by white farmers at a local cattle auction, Ronnie Armstead sometimes draws strange stares because of being the only black farmer in the room. "This is nothing new to me. If you walk in before me no one thinks twice because you fit in. When I walk in heads turn," said Armstead of the color of his skin.

Portrait and Personality judging criteria:
A picture that captures an aspect of the subject's character.

First place: Matt Detrich, Indianapolis Star
Second place: Michael Chow, Arizona Republic
Third place: Romain Blanquart, Naples Daily News
Honorable mention: Mitsu Yasukawa, Star-Ledger; Rod Lamkey Jr, Washington Times; John Burgess, Press Democrat; Dale Guildan,
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Winner's Comments:
"This is the first contest I've ever placed in at all. This is a great surprise. This picture is a single I pulled from a picture story I did about the last few black farmers in Indiana. I just wanted to show the struggle that it is for some of these black farmers to stay farmers."

-- Matt Detrich

Overall judges' comments:
"It made us look at the category in a way we didn't expect. It was a very telling comment on society. The interaction between the people, one man against the world. Very strong emotion."

-- Michele Stephensen

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