The 2011 Pulitzer Prize for Photography Winner Barbara Davidson

Josue Hercules’ mother, Wendoly Andrade, says, ‘I do not know what will happen to my son’s life.’ Six months after the shooting, Josue’s father moved out, leaving his mother to balance Josue’s increased needs with those of her other four children. In this photo, from left, Josue, Katherine, Kevin, Kimberlin and Oscar share a one-bedroom apartment with their mother. (Barbara Davidson, Los Angeles Times - December 29, 2010)

The 95th annual Pulitzer Prizes in Journalism, Letters, Drama and Music, awarded on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board, were announced last week by Columbia University. More than 2,500 entries are submitted each year to the Pulitzer Prize competition and only 21 prizes are awarded.

The year-long process begins with the appointment of 102 distinguished jurors who serve on separate juries and make three recommendations in each of 21 categories. In twenty of these, each winner receives a certificate and a US$10,000 cash award. The winner in the public service category of the journalism competition is awarded a gold medal, which always goes to a newspaper, although an individual may be named in the citation.

For a distinguished example of feature photography in black and white or color, which may consist of a photograph or photographs, in print or online or both, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Awarded to Barbara Davidson of the Los Angeles Times for her intimate story of innocent victims trapped in the city’s crossfire of deadly gang violence.

Also nominated as finalists in this category were: Todd Heisler of The New York Times for his sensitive portrayal of a large Colombian clan carrying a genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer’s disease in early middle age, and Greg Kahn of The Naples Daily News for his pictures that show the mixed impact of the recession in Florida – loss of jobs and homes for some but profit for others.

“It’s just fantastically surreal,” Davidson said from the crowded Los Angeles Times newsroom, where reporters and editors greeted the news of The Times’ Pulitzers with cheers. The newspaper also was awarded a Pulitzer for public service for its reporting on the scandal in the city of Bell.

“I’m humbled by the honor,” Davidson said of her Pulitzer, “and hope that it will raise awareness of the issue of gang violence and it’s impact on innocent victims.”

Warning: This gallery contains shocking images of death and violence