The National Press Photographers Association has announced a new category in their annual photography contest ‘to recognize the best work being produced by publicly accessible journalism web sites.’ Rules are here. Last year’s winners are all online here, including an environmental picture story reporting on the impact of the Blue Ridge Parkway by photographer Josh Meltzer who works with my friend Natalee Waters in Roanoke, VA. This includes not only sites affiliated with traditional journalism outlets but also independent journalism sites. The NPPA contest has represented the very best of newspaper and magazine photography for years, so this really represents a watermark moment by this type of organization recognizing the value and quality of independent photoblogging. Now, I have to look long and hard to see if something in my gallery might be worthwhile…