2007 Q4 Contest
Toasting
-
Judges Comments
Compositionally, this could have been a better shot, but I love the emotion of the couple in the foreground so it stays in my top five. This photo worked on a lot of different levels, good composition, moment, emotion, nice detail in the hand written speech. The photographer gave us some breathing room to capture the moment into a strong picture. Pretty straight forward. A photographer in position to combine all of the elements to make a first prize photograph. The combination of the capture of the emotion and the information to tell the viewer how the emotion came about makes this a first place winner. This is what it's all about—a story told in one photograph.
-
2nd Place: Noah Wolf from Minnesota, United StatesJudges Comments
I loved this toast. The bride's head on her groom's shoulder and his hand on her lap came together in a great, heartfelt moment. The backround added a welcome layer to the photo. Quiet moment in a sea of motion. Perfectly composed. I like the strobe blur. Excellent depth of field decision. Good lens choice.
-
Judges Comments
Beautiful light and moment of this couple embracing. Shot from a distance where the glasses of champagne are all highlighted. The composition in this photo makes it stand out. The white wine in the glasses and sunset are perfectly exposed. Backing off and using the window frames, captures the simplicity of a toast in high fashion.
-
4th Place: Stephen Loh from Singapore, SingaporeJudges Comments
I like that the photographer went behind the subject instead of the safer angle in front. A risk that worked out nicely. The flashes in the background balance the picture nicely as do the glasses reflecting the light.
-
5th Place: Buffy Goodman from Alberta, CanadaJudges Comments
Nice emotion captured here with several layers of champagne glasses from the foreground to the bride and groom. To me, this picture was about the joy of the toasting. Loved the framing with the glass in the foreground.
-
Judges Comments
A fleeting moment in time. This is a nice heads up by the photographer to capture this crying bride. The fact that the black background is clean and contrasts well with the white dress helps tremendously especially in a black and white photo.
-
7th Place: John Zich from Illinois, United StatesJudges Comments
Bride has great expression here but it's nicely composed with the groom looking on and the person toasting behind her. The depth of field adds to the impact of the photo. Also like the Love sign in the foreground.
-
8th Place: Lauren Rutten from Virginia, United StatesJudges Comments
Very good moment here. It is a picture you feel. Perhaps a father and son in a moment. If so, the family will love to have this photograph to remember the moment.
-
9th Place: Julie Ambos from Florida, United StatesJudges Comments
This is a beautiful photo. The rim lighting is in all the right places. The chandelier lights give it a sense of place.
-
10th Place: Leda Zych from Minnesota, United StatesJudges Comments
A photographer telling the story. This photograph is part of the toast of this particular wedding. The photographer is up close and personal which is a great talent. The ability to get in position to make good photographs and not be obnoxious. Any photographer in business has spent time covering a meeting or an event. The same principles apply to a wedding. You have to get in position to make the best photograph, but you cannot become a distraction. It is a talent—especially if you are using multiple strobes. As in meetings that I have photographed, many of the people in the room are watching you, (for good or bad), and could be future clients.
-
11th Place: Scott Juarez from Northern Texas, United StatesJudges Comments
This picture brings you into this group's inner circle. Almost like you are one of the group toasting with them. A great use of a wide angle lens.
-
Judges Comments
The side angle, faces and black and white tones work together to make this a winner. This is documentary photography at its finest.
-
13th Place: Brooke Lagstein from New Jersey, United StatesJudges Comments
A nice intimate moment between this group. The use of the window light works very well here. Everyone is in the right place. The subtle colors of the flowers add to this as well.
-
14th Place: Matt Adcock from Quintana Roo, MexicoJudges Comments
A beautiful couple caught at the right moment with great light. This looks like it has the sharpness of strobes, but it could be just lights for wedding video.
-
Judges Comments
Graphic, timeless. Funny. The light streaming in from the window works better than any strobe could have. Capturing only half of the girl's face to the right adds intrigue.
-
16th Place: Brian Ho from Singapore, Singapore -
-
18th Place: Eric Cousineau from New Mexico, United StatesJudges Comments
Good focus on the right moment.
-
19th Place: Julie Ambos from Florida, United StatesJudges Comments
This was a funny picture. The expression on the groom is priceless.
-
20th Place: Anthony Ku from Central Texas, United StatesJudges Comments
Her eyes are priceless, full of shock and awe. Strobe is effective but primitive – but I appreciate that there was lots going on, making it difficult to strobe subtly. The guy in the middle of the frame looking right at the camera is what kept it from ranking higher
