Citizen photographer David Mah used his lens, and his eye, to capture a pair of B.C. Community and Yukon Newspaper Association Ma Murray awards Saturday night.
Mah won gold in the sports photo category (for circulation over 25,000) for his April 8, 2013 photo of a Prince George Gymnastics Club member mid-dismount off the balance beam.
He earned silver in the spot news category for his photo that captured the Sept. 7, 2013 attempted carjacking foiled by an RCMP officer and police service dog.
"It feels pretty good to be recognized in two different categories," said Mah.
Ben Gawletz of the Victoria News clinched silver in the sports photo category, while Roger Knox of the Vernon Morning Star earned bronze.
Mah's sports photo was shot during the B.C. Artistics Gymnastics Championships held at the Northern Sports Centre.
"When I was shooting the beam, I thought there had to be a better view than from ground level," said Mah. "The view from the running track was perfect. New, colourful mats and the timing of the gymnast's dismount all came together."
In the spot news photo category, Paul McGrath of the North Shore News captured gold, while Andrew Leong of the Cowichan News Leader won bronze.
Mah's timing of the attempted carjacking last fall was perfect.
"It was amazing how the situation escalated with the suspect running across the Home Depot parking lot," said Mah. "I was driving beside him, then it got really serious when he jumped into the back of the car. There was no place to go. The car was surrounded by police.
"Then the RCMP constable with the dog caught up and apprehended the suspect. It was the most intense crime situation I've photographed."
Citizen graphic designer Grace Flack and promotions executive Norm Coyne won bronze in the ad design, collaborative, category (for circulation over 25,000) for Charlie's Girl Christmas campaign.
Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News won gold in the category, while the Victoria News won silver.
The award winners were announced at the BCYNA gala in Richmond Saturday.
The BCYNA is a non-profit membership organization representing community newspapers throughout British Columbia and the Yukon.
