Judges Comments

The light from the large center window guides the viewer to the couple standing half in light and half in shadow at the bottom of the photograph. The emensity of the building contrasts with the small size of the couple. I'm not sure what to say about this photograph except to notice the great use of light, the framing that gives us a sense of huge space and little people, and that the moment is small but perfect. The photographer's most important decision was to get way back and let the space breathe. Well done. What a great location! The lighting in this black and white photograph creates both drama and romance. The light from the large center window guides the viewer to the couple standing half in light and half in shadow at the bottom of the photograph. The emensity of the building contrasts with the small size of the couple. The man seems poised to kiss the woman. The viewer has the feeling that he's not supposed to be watching, but he can't turn away.

Judges Comments

I liked the simplicity of this image and the car coming down the road, creating all the dust was the extra element that elevated this from a nice image to one that was a moment. Another fine picture that relies on layering to give us depth and a sense of place. We enter that landscape by following a zigzag line that starts in the grass to the couples right, goes left to the dusty road, which it follows right to the line of trees, which end on the left side of the frame at a small road that takes us right and out of the frame. That's a cool bunch of layers that makes this picture seem bigger than it is. And there's the nice moment of the bride's cocked head and the look from Mr. Cowboy, too. Nice.

Photographer's Comment

Sometimes the most serene moments yield breathtaking images. I had just finished shooting on the side of this hill at the Paw's Up Retreat near Missoula, Montana. We called it a 'wrap' and the couple had turned and starting walking down toward the horses they rode in on, when her comes this truck barreling down the road below. My eye caught the potential of this image and I banged off 3 or 4 frames with delight. By far this was the best image of that hillside session. Yeehaw!!!!

Judges Comments

This image gave a great sense of place and was also a nice moment with the couple kissing. Calm amongst urban chaos.

Judges Comments

A beautiful (verticle) panorama. With this vista and this couple embraced in a kiss, how could any setting possibly be more romantic. This photograph contains strong composition and subject placement and beautiful, even lighting.

Judges Comments

I love the depth of this picture. I start at the bride, then move back into the picture to each of the many, many details in the layers behind the bride. Also, the photographer waited for a precise moment, when the bride's body language adds a sense of mystery, when one person looks at her over the shoulder, another person takes a picture, oblivious to the bride, and a conversation continues uninterrupted to the left of the frame. The panoramic frame help emphasize the broad sweep of the experiences of the people, and makes the angled buildings seem even more three-dimensional. A very complex, well-controlled photograph.

Judges Comments

This was a great image that gave a sence of the place. I really felt how small the couple juxtaposed against that great landscape.

Judges Comments

A panorama of backs but one of the few times when faces aren't needed to tell a story.

Judges Comments

The wide angle view of the plaza, the disinterested people and the happy couple kissing in the center of the frame create a romantic and interesting panorama in black and white. A sweet moment between a couple complemented by the looming sky.