The Los Angeles Examiner Exhibit and Contest Collection consists of 207 photographs in two parts: (1) thirty-five mounted news photographs submitted to Kent State University School of Journalism’s Short Course in News Photography tenth annual National Press Photography Contest (nine of which were selected for an exhibition that took place March 20-23, 1951) and (2) enlarged news photographs (both bound and unbound) originally published in the Los Angeles Examiner submitted to the William Randolph Hearst annual photography competition among staff photographers from Hearst-owned newspapers. The photographs document local Los Angeles news stories covering a variety of subjects, including human interest, celebrities, children, pets, sports, natural disasters, accidents, crime, domestic disturbances (abuse, custody battles), suicides and murders, and the bereaved.

The Los Angeles Examiner was a daily newspaper founded by William Randolph Hearst in 1903. It ran from December 12, 1903 until January 7, 1962 when it merged with the Los Angeles Herald-Express and became the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. In 1934, Hearst began an annual photo contest among staff photographers at all his newspapers. A photographic trophy was awarded to the “best illustrated Hearst newspaper.” Individual prizes were also awarded. In 1956, the annual contest was changed to include writing and photography contests. There were also monthly photographic contests among Hearst’s newspapers. Kent State University School of Journalism’s short course in news photography, in existence from 1938 to 1962, was one of the earliest professional workshops of its kind. The three-to-five day courses included lectures and presentations by leaders in the field of photojournalism. It also sponsored a national photography contest, with cash and other prizes awarded and photographs exhibited during the course (excerpted from: Kent State University Special Collections Finding Aid: https://www.library.kent.edu/special-collections-and-archives/school-journalism-short-course-news-photography-records).

5 boxes in collection (12.25 linear ft. or 1.25ft. stacked)

This collection is stored on-site at the Central Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. It is open for research by appointment only.