4th place in Lit Portrait

Illinois, United States

Justin Runquist

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Wedding photographer Justin Runquist, was awarded 4th place for photo 456161 in the Lit Portrait category for the WPJA's 2010 Q3.

The WPJA contest judges presented Justin Runquist, a Illinois, United States wedding photographer, with this Master Piece Award as recognition for top wedding photojournalism in the industry.

The leading documentary wedding photographers in the world enter their best photos to the Wedding Photojournalist Association's photography competitions. They want their wedding reportage photographs to be evaluated and selected by some of the most notable and respected working picture editors and photojournalists in the news industry (these are not wedding photographers or other WPJA members judging their work). Winning these competitions is a true accomplishment for a wedding photographer.

Judges

  • I kept coming back to this image. I was captured not only by the scene but also by the beauty of the lighting. This is a technically difficult lighting situation. I could write several paragraphs about that one subject alone as it relates to this image but none of that matters if the image doesn't communicate. I find it interesting that lighting is a servant to content. In other words, when all is said and done, the only thing that matters is how well a photographer communicates the moment. This image is a beautiful example of how complexity and a challenging lighting situation takes backseat to purpose. There's no grandstanding here, no need for applause or a pat on the back. Light serves. The result is a portrait as monumental as the setting.

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