Sheridan Media’s photojournalist and correspondent Clint Wood placed in the 2025 Wyoming Press Association Photography Pacemaker awards contest while working for the Sheridan Press. He won first places in the Spot News Photo category for his photograph of a RV Fire, in the General News Photo class for a goat tying leap photograph and for in the Feature Photo division of a chess board reflected in a chess player’s glasses, and he placed second in the Sports Feature photo category of an airborne bareback just a few feet away from a downed rider during the Sheridan College Rodeo.
Wood also was instrumental in the Sheridan Press in placing second in Deming division’s Photo Excellence and the Best Use of Photos. The Deming division is for the newspapers with the highest circulations in the state.
Wood said he arrived at the RV fire before Sheridan Fire-Rescue after observing the billowing smoke driving down West 11th Street. Judges’ comments included “Strong image with good timing on part of the photographer.” Wood said he ensured that the young cowboy’s hat which could be seen hitting the arena dirt was in the cropped photograph at the Sheridan County rodeo. This also impressed the judges. Wood said for the chessboard photograph, he always looks for reflections in sunglasses which has become a cliche photograph over the years. He was surprised he could see the reflection of the board in the young boy’s glasses which is something you don’t see often. The judge’s comment was “this expressive photo of a child playing chess with the chess board reflected in his glasses shows a creative photography opportunity well captured.” As far as the bareback photograph, Wood said it was definitely a unique photo of a bareback and received many comments. “I saw it happen in the viewfinder not the monitor but was not sure the bareback would have been in focus or airborne, Wood said.
Mike Harkins
February 10, 2026 at 6:13 pm
Great pictures Clint, glad you received the awards and hope you keep showing us your pictures on Sheridan Media.
Natalie Perkins Falkis
February 11, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Congratulations Clint!
Well deserved. Thank you for all your time, energy, and creative perspective.