Attack on America (News Photo) judging criteria:
A single image documented on the September 11th. A single image that captures the harsh reality and magnitude of the Terrorist attacks in the United Statesand/or military response. (Newspaper and Magazine)

Attack on America Feature judging criteria:
A single image made on or since September 11th. A single image that captures the emotion/magnitude of any event relating to the Terrorist attacks in the United States and/or any military response. (Newspaper and Magazine)

Attack on American Picture Story judging criteria:
A picture story made on or since September 11th. A series of images (maximum of 12) that captures the emotion/magnitude of any event relating to the Terrorist attacks in the United States and/or any military response.

International News Single judging criteria:
A picture that captures an aspect of the subject's character.

International News Picture Story judging criteria:
A series of pictures, taken outside of the United States, that depicts a story line or single theme. This story may be spot news, general news or issue reporting. Twelve images maximum per story. (Newspaper)

Domestic News Picture Story judging criteria:
A series of news pictures, taken in the United States, that depicts a story line or single theme. This story may be spot news, general news or issue reporting. 12 images maximum per story. (Newspaper)

Feature Single judging criteria:
A picture of a "found" situation that features strong human interest, or a fresh view of an everyday scene. (Newspaper)

Feature Picture Story judging criteria:
A series of pictures that depicts a story line or single theme. This picture story category is for non-news essays. Twelve images maximum per story. (Newspaper)

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

Concept Image Newspaper & Magazine judging criteria:
In this powerful age of computer imagery and technology, the time has come to reward the creative and dramatic work that graces the pages of newspapers and magazines that use photographs as the source material. This category is for digitally created images. (Newspaper and Magazine)

Computer Illustration Newspaper & Magazine judging criteria:
When illustrating, the idea is key. We seek to reward outstanding execution, without digital means, for an idea that raises the bar on creativity and execution in this area of the illustrative. (Newspaper and Magazine)

Best Use of the Web judging criteria:
Entrants had to demonstrate a mastery of photographic storytelling in an online environment. Content, interface design, navigation and interactivity were all evaluated to find sites that attempted to further the evolution of web-based photojournalism.

Best Picture Story judging criteria:
The best use of still photographs where the content of the images is presented in the most direct and easily accessible way possible. Animation can be used only to advance from one image to another and audio, where appropriate, can be used to enhance the storytelling.

Best Multimedia Package judging criteria:
Highlights the use of audio, video and animation in the presentation of web-based stories. Special attention was paid to content, usability and interactivity, as well as to the use of available technologies to complement and enhance the art of visual storytelling.

Best Event Package, Attack on America, judging criteria:
Web presentations, packages or series devoted to in depth coverage of the attacks in the U.S. on September 11, 2001 and their aftermath. Key elements for the judges to consider were how well sites integrated content, design and usability to provide information that was both comprehensive and easily accessible.