Judges Comments

I laughed so hard the first time I saw this image. One of the most unique bridal images I’ve ever seen. The bride swinging her bra while the older woman holds her dress and the bridesmaids are focused on her make this image. The layers in this image add to it. This photo advanced as my top choice every round. Very distinctive.

Judges Comments

Wonderful moment here. Just real tender emotion overtaking the bride. The photo went way past the typical bride getting dressed by her bridesmaids picture.

Judges Comments

A wonderful moment. Not only is the moment of anticipation captured between the bride and groom but the viewer anticipates the excitement and nervousness of the couple seeing each other for the first time dressed for their wedding day.

Judges Comments

We spend a great amount of time in our lives waiting for people and events. This photo is a great example of that waiting and how we deal with it. It is almost like five portraits of different individuals playing the waiting game. Great light, great detail, great scene with minimal lens distortion which can make us aware of the presence of the photographer. We have no sense that they are aware of the photographer. The photographer is a fly on the wall.

Judges Comments

Great expression. I really get a feeling that the dress was hard to get on. Calling on all hands for help! She just looks like a head floating around all of those arms and hands.

Judges Comments

This may not be the best composition in the world but it is a fine photograph. Those two individuals locking their eyes on each other just prior to the marriage is priceless. Sometimes photojournalism isn’t perfect. These photos aren’t made under conditions we have control over. But when push comes to shove we have to simplify and extract the essence of the moment. That is done well here. The woman’s hair and back are uneasily close to the edge of the frame and that causes a certain amount of tension that doesn’t add to the photograph. Nice photograph though.

Judges Comments

This picture is really intriguing. I can’t tell if the bride wants to kiss the woman and I’m curious to what everyone’s relationship is. The woman on the left, her expression makes me want to know what the story between them all is. The entire image also seems tense, from the pucker of the lips, to the way the bride is holding the jewelry box, to the woman’s expression, not your typical getting ready, 'everyone is happy' picture.

Judges Comments

I like this image. The little girl makes the image, especially for the category. I like the leading lines of the hallway, but I would crop it tighter, possibly making it a vertical and bringing the two closer together and emphasizing the tension.

Judges Comments

I loved the timelessness of this picture. A real interesting quiet moment out of the chaos.

Photographer's Comment

The atmosphere in the room where the bride is getting ready varies from pure excitement/anticipation to somber stillness and meditation. The brides father simply sat down to observe and take in the last moments before walking her down the aisle.

Judges Comments

The contrast and juxtaposition of the two faces is marvelous. This was a standout. This is a photo you can spend lots of time with wondering about life and feelings. If one were assembling a new family of man exhibition, this should be included.

The contrasts in the faces really told a story here. Like looking back in time.

Judges Comments

Interesting image that makes me wonder what the two girls are whispering about. I like the foreground framing with the bride, but I think you could crop it tighter to increase the impact.

Judges Comments

Unusual moment. Photographer must have been very quiet because groom looks as if he is so relaxed and has no idea that the photographer is in the room.

Judges Comments

Lovely radiant moment here and the composition is very harmonious with the veil framing the bride's face.

Judges Comments

I love the angle, the starkness and the dreamlike quality of this image. The focus on the spray of the perfume makes it. It feels almost alive. I can feel the movement, even though it’s a still image.

Judges Comments

This image grabbed me the first time I saw it and I laughed so hard. The tension is great and you have certainly captured the moment. The foreground framing lets the viewer feel as if they have almost intruded into the moment. The natural lighting is excellent and the exposure on the faces and narrow depth of field makes the image.

Judges Comments

The repetition of the legs and arms makes this picture for me. It's classic in how bridesmaids are supposed to all look the same and here they are composed perfectly in unison on the symmetrical staircase.

Judges Comments

Compelling moment, wanted a little shift to the left in the composition.

Judges Comments

A great peak expression, I love pictures that make me want to know more. Is she horrified about her hair? Did she just remember she left the rings somewhere? I love the moment and the intrigue.

Judges Comments

This entry makes a great statement about all the time, energy, products, money, angst and paraphernalia that goes into making sure that, on this one day, the bride can look her absolutely most appealing to her potential mate. A great study in humankind and the wedding preparatory ritual. Personally, this can be accentuated and strengthened a bit by cropping. I would come in on the right side to line the edge with the red drapes and keep two thirds or most of the black bag on the floor. I would also come down on the top, just leaving the smoke detector and two wall photos in the background. This shifts the emphasis to the left and accentuates the table covered in the necessary beautifying products, which are an important part of the photo.

Judges Comments

The photographer has captured the bride in what appears to be a mood of excitement and anticipation. The photo caught my eye the first time I went through the category. You have nailed the exposure. The tones are excellent throughout the image. The windowsill lines bring us right to the bride.