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	Judges' Comments
	"Although at first glance the people caught up in the tragedy seem emotionless, a veteran photographer knows that the eyes are where emotion lies. He did a superb job of capturing the feelings below the surface."

Few photographers in the Cox group have been honored as often as Palm Beach Post veteran Lannis Waters.

He was Cox’s photographer of the year three times in the 1990’s -- in 1995, 1996 and 1999.

In addition, he and fellow Post staff member Greg Lovett were co-winners of the Best of Cox news photography category in 1995.

In this year’s contest, he and Rookie of the year Damon Higgins captured first places, yet it was considered something of an off year for the photo staff of the Post. It has been dominant in Best of Cox, winning Photographer of the year honors nine times.

A Florida native, Waters graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in computer science.

Before joining the Palm Beach Post, Waters was a staff photographer for the Lakeland, Fla. Ledger; Naples, Fla. Daily News; and Augusta, Ga. Chronicle, where he rose to chief photographer.

Waters was 1999 photographer of the year in the Southern Short Course in News Photography. He also was 2001 first-place winner in the General News category of the Pictures of the Year competition conducted by the National Press Photographers Association.