This photo published on the University of Maryland's daily news site shows hundreds of students at a campus vigil honoring the victims of the Oct. 27 mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. A nighttime vigil by definition has poor light, and a blowing wind was changing the effect of the small candles held by students. I climbed the side of the large staircase to the university's main library to scan the dense, dark crowd for an individual or several who evoked the emotion of the event. I was fortunate to see a Jewish student wearing a Maryland-themed kippah, which effectively connected the tragedy of this event to our community.
From the Judges
This is an example of excellent editorial photography capturing the sadness at an intimate candlelight vigil in response to a mass shooting at a synagogue. The dramatic lighting and beautiful composition evoke the somber mood of the event. The photographer pushed past technical limitations of low light and high winds to execute the shot. What makes this image unique is that it keenly focuses in on an individual student with his hand over his heart, who is wearing a University of Maryland-branded kippah, connecting the tragic event to the Maryland community. The photo was well done and perfectly timed.
