2007 BRIDES Contest
Kids
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Judges Comments
Iconic image. Boy's expression is priceless. Environment adds ambiance and has the feel of a Norman Rockwell painting. There are many little things that make this such an effective image. The boy's jacket so slightly tilting the sign that serves as an identifier for the action. The large leaf he so oddly holds (is it something he found on the ground and felt attached to?). His earnest questioning but patient and trusting look as his father (?) adjusts his collar. What a wonderful scene. The little boy is getting all dressed up to look so adult yet he is still holding a leaf. Despite his mature outfit he is still pouting and seems as if he just wants to go play. The photographer has included great details in the shot including the jacket hanging on the sign. Beautiful framing - priceless look caught on the little boy's face. The look on this little boy's face is priceless! You can tell he'd rather be in the woods than in a suit. The boy's face is so funny. This little jacket hanging on the sign is great too. Such a funny shot of a boy who's obviously miserable and a grown-up who looks past his misery to methodically get him dressed for the wedding.
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Judges Comments
You wait at great lengths for these types of moments. Really good lighting (the most successful type lighting, which emphasizes and supports the image and not the style of lighting). The photographer has shown how this child views a wedding. The child is standing around in her underwear and is making the bride and groom dolls hug. It is very innocent and sweet. I like the richness of the pattern against such a simple child. There's something sweet and innocent about this toddler gently bringing the wedding dolls into a hug position. I'd love to know what she's thinking.
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3rd Place: Kevin Quinlan from Maryland, United StatesJudges Comments
Perfect framing of a priceless moment. Vantage uses the dance floor as a clean backdrop, focus is flawless. Priceless! One can imagine the boy having been told, urged kindly or ordered to dance with the little girl, and now, on the floor with her, his eyes so surely express his amusement, or is it frustration, as he does his duty. His open hand - the girl grips it but he doesn't grip back - is another indicator that he's just doing what he's been told to do. And we can't see the girl's face, but the tilt of her neck suggests all the while she more than literally looks up to - admires - her older dance partner. The adults at the wedding must have enjoyed this moment. It made me laugh - priceless. Like every kid in a tuxedo has ever felt - totally mortified. Beautifully composed photo. The little girl looks up at the older boy with adoration, and he sheepishly is so pleased about it.
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Judges Comments
Eloquent image of a flower girl's terror. Slight tilt to the frame emphasizes her anxiety, as does inclusion of the sympathetic adult in the background – which would have been lost in a tighter shot. Intense emotion on the little girl's face evokes empathy. Makes you want to run up and console her. Cropping extraneous elements on edges of frame would have strengthened it and brought the focus to her expression more quickly to create more harmony in the photo. Besides the poor girl's face, I love the woman sympathizing behind her. The concerned, yet amused, expression on the woman with the corsage is so endearing and the little girl's expression of impending doom as she approaches the altar is priceless.
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5th Place: Nicole Wickens from Montana, United StatesJudges Comments
There were a few exhausted kids images in this grouping, many of which could have been a winner. This image elevated itself in the simple yet great composition that placed these two tired kids on one plane of focus, and interest, thereby emphasizing their condition and opinion of this adult event. There were numerous images of children sleeping at weddings. After all, children are almost always present and a wedding party can extend well past the normal bedtimes of a child. But this one rose above the others with good composition, wonderful lighting that accentuated the difficult nature of their predicament. The fact that they are still in full attire was the final coup de gras. Great composition. Very sweet image. Beautifully composed shot - love the dynamic overhead view. So funny that their hands and bodies are in almost the same position.
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Judges Comments
My two-year old son is addicted to his pacifier. So, I immediately connected with these three girls who obviously were refused access to their primary addiction. A thumb has to suffice and says, "We may be dressed like young adults but we're still babies." Thus, the juxtaposition of two colliding worlds discovered in a moment is a wonderful example of fine photojournalism. Nothing says childhood like sucking your thumb. Photograph demonstrates alertness to nuance in a scripted situation. A nice, candid shot. Not only are the girls sucking their fingers, they have removed their gloves to do so. I love that the littlest girl in the background is the only one not sucking her thumb yet she is the one you would expect. I love how intense these three little girls are. Sweet and soft moment. Adorable and yet...subversive.
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Judges Comments
Straightforward view of kids asleep captures the innocence of children. Intelligent composition – sweep of couch compliments the pose of absolute relaxation and haphazard drape of the kids. I love that the little girl is so tired that she has fallen asleep standing up. They are both exhausted yet it seems to still be daylight. The photographer has found a really sweet moment. So sweet - the little girl sleeping standing up is hysterical. Nice crop and light. It seems as though the photographer caught this duo at the moment they collapsed, making it seem very real.
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Judges Comments
Little girl juxtaposed in an adult moment. Very funny!
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Judges Comments
The girl has made the ceremony her playground. She seems to be the only person around and having so much fun. The photographer used a great shutter speed to freeze the action of the moment.
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Judges Comments
Could there be a more perfect scene of children at a wedding? In a nod to the famous image by renowned photojournalist, W. Eugene Smith, the photographer has transcended childhood play into a fairy tale land that even Disney couldn't improve.
