Big win for SGVN staff photographer Keith Birmingham

I'm sure you've noticed the number of times staff photographer Keith Birmingham has had the Photo of the Day. Turns out he got a bit more recognition than what I can do with this blog. The Press Photographers Association for Greater Los Angeles, PPAGLA, annual photo contest's sports category was swept by Keith over the weekend. He placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and he won the Andy Castle Award for the best Dodgers photo, an honorable mention for a UCLA photo, and 2nd place for spot news which was something he shot at a basketball game.

First Place, Sports
Caption: Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Mike Lieberthal, 14, is run over at the plate as Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's Nick Gorneault, 25, scores on a Juan Rivera double in the 8th inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Second Place, Sports
Caption: Sacred Heart beat Santa Barbara in three games including the final 25-11 to advance to the finals. Sacred Heart's Katie Condon, 10, celebrates with her teammates during a volleyball match against Santa Barbara in the semifinal CIF Division 1A volleyball match at Sacred Heart Academy in La Canada-Flintridge.

Third Place, Sports
Caption: Dodgers right fielder Matt Kemp, 27, leaps into the outfield padded wall off of Astros Carlos Lee, 45, double in the second inning.

Best Dodgers Photo
Caption: Dodgers Olmendo Saenz, 8, celebrates after a hitting a two run walk off home run off Blue Jay's Jermy Accardo, 49, as Tony Abreu, 6, scored in the 10th inning to beat the Blue Jays 4-3.

Honorable Mention, Best UCLA photo
Caption: UCLA's Matthew Slater ,18, is all smiles as UCLA beat Oregon 16-0.

Second Place, Spot News
Caption: Fans fight during a prep volleyball match at San Dimas High School as Bonita beat San Dimas 15-5 in the fifth and final set in San Dimas.

Feel free to congratulate Keith by sending him an e-mail.