AP monthly staff photo contest

Each month The Associated Press honors photographers for outstanding coverage while on assignment.

The winners for the January 2021 AP Photo Contest are J. Scott Applewhite for News Photography Single Image, for his dramatic photo of security forces drawing their guns as rioters try to break into the House of Representatives chamber at the Capitol in Washington.

Manuel Balce Ceneta, Andrew Harnik and John Minchillo for News Photography Story, for their series on protests in Washington in early January as Congress prepared to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

Aaron Favila for Feature Photography Single Image, for his telling photo of the remains of the Alas-as elementary school seen in the middle of patterns of erosion in volcanic ash deposits at the Taal volcano almost a year after it erupted in the Philappines.

Jae C. Hong for Feature Photography Story, for his series on hospital chaplains during the pandemic in Los Angeles.

Julio Cortez for Sports Photography Single Image, for his photo of Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke diving to score a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebackers Kevin Minter and Lavonte David during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Landover, Md.

Matias Delacroix for Sports Photography Story, for his series on Venezuelan motorcycle stuntman Pedro Aldana.

Congratulations to all the photographers for their outstanding work. This month’s winning images, judged by Leslie Mazoch, are featured below.

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News Photography Single Image | J. Scott Applewhite

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Capitol Attacked

Security forces draw their guns as rioters try to break into the House of Representatives chamber at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. The mob, loyal to President Donald Trump, stormed the Capitol disrupting the Electoral College process. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

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News Photography Story | Manuel Balce Ceneta, Andrew Harnik and John Minchillo

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Electoral College Protests

Trump supporters participate in a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud. The president is expected to address a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Electoral College Protests

Trump supporters participate in a rally Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his baseless claims of election fraud. The president is expected to address a rally on the Ellipse, just south of the White House. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Electoral College Protests

Violent protesters gather outside the U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, Jan 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Electoral College Protests

Violent protesters, loyal to President Donald Trump, storm the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. It's been a stunning day as a number of lawmakers and then the mob of protesters tried to overturn America's presidential election, undercut the nation's democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Electoral College Protests

Trump supporters gather outside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. As Congress prepares to affirm President-elect Joe Biden's victory, thousands of people have gathered to show their support for President Donald Trump and his claims of election fraud. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Electoral College Protests

Supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Electoral College Protests

Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, center, confront U.S. Capitol Police in the hallway outside of the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Electoral College Protests

Members of Congress shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Electoral College Protests

U.S. Capitol Police with guns drawn stand near a barricaded door as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Electoral College Protests

Members of congress shelter in the House gallery as rioters try to break into the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Electoral College Protests

U.S. Capitol Police hold rioters at gun-point outside the House Chamber inside the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Electoral College Protests

A police line moves a protestor outside of the Capitol, Wednesday night, Jan. 6, 2021, after a day of rioting protesters. It's been a stunning day as a number of lawmakers and then the mob of protesters tried to overturn America's presidential election, undercut the nation's democracy and keep Democrat Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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Feature Photography Single Image | Aaron Favila

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Philippines Volcano Anniversary

The remains of the Alas-as elementary school are seen in the middle of patterns of erosion on volcanic ash deposits at the Taal volcano almost a year after it erupted on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021 in Batangas province, Philippines. A popular tourist destination just south of Manila because of its picturesque setting in the middle of a lake, Taal erupted on Jan. 12, 2020. The eruption displaced thousands of villagers living near the area and delivered an early crisis this year for one of the world???s most disaster-prone nations a couple of months before the COVID-19 pandemic broke in the country. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

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Feature Photography Story | Jae C. Hong

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Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Chaplain Kristin Michealsen holds the hand of a deceased COVID-19 patient while talking on the phone with the patient’s family member at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. “I have never seen this much of death and suffering,” said Michealsen, who has been a chaplain for 13 years. “I often tell families that I’m holding their loved one’s hand when they can’t and that I am with them when they are dying when they can’t be.” (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Chaplain Kevin Deegan places his hand on the head of a COVID-19 patient while praying for him at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. Deegan’s job, and that of his fellow chaplains at the 377-bed Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, is to minister to every one of them and also their loved ones.So each day for the past 11 months he has been entering the rooms of the sick and dying clad in a face mask, face shield, gloves and full body cover to pray with them, hold their hands, gently brush their foreheads and reassure them there is nothing to fear. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Sonya Rodriguez wipes her tears after seeing her father via video chat arranged by chaplain Kevin Deegan in a COVID-19 unit at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Transporters Miguel Lopez, right, Noe Meza prepare to move a body of a COVID-19 victim to a morgue at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Chaplain Kristin Michealsen holds the hand of a deceased COVID-19 patient while talking on the phone with the patient’s family member at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. “I have never seen this much of death and suffering,” said Michealsen, who has been a chaplain for 13 years. “I often tell families that I’m holding their loved one’s hand when they can’t and that I am with them when they are dying when they can’t be.” (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Chaplain Nancy Many holds a pyx containing hosts while waiting in a COVID19-unit to offer communion to a patient at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

With her hands on the chest, registered nurse Bilma Pellissery, left, prays with chaplain Nancy Many after receiving communion in the hallway of a COVID-19 unit at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. “I prayed for all the patients and for my own sanctity,” said the nurse. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Chaplain Elias Mena, left, prays for a COVID-19 patient placed on comfort care as registered nurse Nikki De La Cruz, foreground, monitors the patient at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. As families are barred from visiting loved ones to curb the disease's spread, chaplains often are there to act as surrogates, holding the hands of the dying, praying with them and carrying iPads into hospital rooms to provide a real-time connection with grieving families. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Chaplain Kevin Deegan, left, and registered nurse Michelle Stephens comfort each other in a COVID-19 unit at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. “He is my friend. He is a trusted co-worker. He is my partner in crime. We absolutely have been through a lot together,” said the nurse. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Transporters Miguel Lopez, right, Noe Meza move a body of a COVID-19 patient to a morgue at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

A patient holds an Our Lady of Guadalupe card in his bed while talking to chaplain Nancy Many at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. As families are barred from visiting loved ones to curb the disease's spread, chaplains often are there to act as surrogates, holding the hands of the dying, praying with them and carrying iPads into hospital rooms to provide a real-time connection with grieving families. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Virus Outbreak Hospital Chaplains

Maintenance technician Richard Martinez prays in an empty chapel at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the Mission Hills section of Los Angeles Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. Martinez said he prayed for all the patients and for the hospital to continue to have its doors open to allow as many patients as possible. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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Sports Photography Single Image | Julio Cortez

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Dive for the TD

Washington Football Team quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) dives to score a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebackers Kevin Minter (51) and Lavonte David (54) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

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Sports Photography Story | Matias Delacroix

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Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Stuntman Pedro Aldana performs a wheelie on his motorcycle during an exhibition in the Ojo de Agua neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. The motorcycle trick rider and adrenalin junkie who prefers the nickname "Crazy Pedro," draws masses of Venezuelans starved for entertainment to his shows across the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Awards and medals won by motorcycle stuntman Pedro Aldana sit on a wall at his home in the Catia neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. The 33-year-old makes a living with his shows inspiring his young fans who flock to his shop, where he teaches them to change the oil and tune up their bicycles. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Motorcycle riders gather to see stuntman Pedro Aldana do an exhibition performance in Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. The 33-year-old makes a living with his shows inspiring his young fans who flock to his shop, where he teaches them to change the oil and tune up their bicycles. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Reflected in a motorcycle side mirror, stuntman Pedro Aldana performs a wheelie on his motorbike during an exhibition in the Ojo de Agua neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. “This is my passion and my work,” he said. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Motorcycle stuntman Pedro Aldana fixes his brakes during an exhibition in the Ojo de Agua neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. The 33-year-old makes a living with his shows, inspiring his young fans who flock to his shop, where he teaches them to change the oil and tune up their bicycles. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Motorcycle stuntman Pedro Aldana performs a wheelie on his motorbike during an exhibition in the Ojo de Agua neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. The motorcycle trick rider and adrenalin junkie draws masses of Venezuelans starved for entertainment to his shows across the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Motorcycle stuntman Pedro Aldana waits for his friends for an exhibition in the Ojo de Agua neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. The motorcycle trick rider and adrenalin junkie who prefers the nickname "Crazy Pedro," draws masses of Venezuelans starved for entertainment to his shows across the country. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Motorcycle stuntman Pedro Aldana cleans motorcycle parts with his daughter Alanis as his young neighbor and admirer, 6-year-old Milan Sandoval Ramos, watches from a chair outside their home in the Catia neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. Of Aldana's two children, 4-year-old Alanis is the only one interested in his work, who he plans to teach her how to ride a motorcycle. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Venezuela Motorcycle Stuntman

Motorcycle stuntman Pedro Aldana performs a wheelie on his motorbike as he rides to an exhibition along the old highway from Caracas to La Guaira, Venezuela, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. Aldana, who prefers his show name “Crazy Pedro," dares to beat the odds and put on exhibitions of speed and agility with a crew of like-minded daredevils atop their motorcycles. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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