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.