Judges Comments

This is a timeless picture, great moment and composition. It's more than a wedding picture. It's a photograph that can be hung on a wall as art. I love the way the photographer stood back, quietly took in the scene, absorbed the moment and the surroundings. It has so many layers of information - many photographs in this one frame. I love bride and groom's body language - they stand like as if they are gods, position of hands, position of birds near the hands - all of this in the context of the wedding guests all looking up at the birds' release, in the context of beautiful near the ocean landscape.

A beautiful interpretation of an old classic. Black and white photography coupled with a graceful moment and nice composition set this image apart.

Judges Comments

Shallow depth of field, contrast, lens selection and framing made this work.  Shorter glass would have completely changed the message. No clutter, confusion, or misdirection here.  Very straightforward and pure.  You really want to know what she is thinking and feeling.

Eyes are important in photographs. Eyes often reveal subjects emotions, soul and character. I love the way the bride's eyes are framed in layers - first between two men, second through the veil. Looking at the bride's eyes, you know which one of the two men is the groom. You also get a sense of religion. Framing makes the composition in this photograph.

Judges Comments

The lines lead right to the penultimate emotion, which is why I choose this image. It is a wonderful moment and the photographer used focus and composition to take me straight to it.  The inclusion of the hand of the person doing the service in the upper right hand corner was the touch that made the final difference.   The shallow depth of field was perfect.  The high contrast helped eliminate some of the ceiling, a distraction that I think could have been avoided only by 1) the use of artificial light--which would have helped with the background but probably would have ruined the moment or 2) getting slightly higher to take the image which would have helped with the ceiling but could have meant compromising the “hand” and also would have moved the bride’s parents into a different background, again defeating the purpose.  

Judges Comments

Perfectly composed moment that told a story. The shallow depth-of-field offered the impending arrival of the bride and her father (assumed) to the altar where the groom was obviously worried about not goofing up his vows. Great image.

Judges Comments

This image is a delight, taking a step into the past. The photographer was able to capture the beauty of this quiet moment while using dramatic light and the graphic of the windows. All the elements of making good pictures were used here, moment, light, and composition.

Judges Comments

Great expressions, a moment that offers a glimpse into this couple's big, nervous moment. The black-and-white image allows the viewer to go straight to the faces and interlocked hands without getting sidetracked by color. Nice, elegant photograph.

Judges Comments

This barren brick wall and singular window/sign was a great backdrop for the perplexed bride and young attendant. This image jumped off the page for me when I saw it. It made me laugh out loud as I looked at the bride placed perfectly against the window of the rustic scene, her temperment obvious to the reader. Focus might be a small issue here.

Judges Comments

Lens selection and where this photograph was taken from allowed the photographer to emphasize the joy of the couple leaving the service.  Brilliant.  The soft color palette is perfect.   My only criticism of this image is that it could have been cropped a little--very little--tighter eliminating some unnecessary information at the top of the frame.  About a quarter inch down and this picture, already strong, becomes even stronger because it completely focuses the attention where it should initially be, on the couple.

Judges Comments

Great use of selective focus here. The photographer’s attention to detail was used expertly as well as good composition, and moment between the couple.

Judges Comments

If the photographer had moved a step to the left when taking this, the chandelier could have been blocked by the bride’s head and it would have been easier to see the man making the “okay” symbol.   Or in the alternative, I would have personally selected the image could have been cropped into a much tighter horizontal image.   In either case the moment would have been enhanced and the important real estate of the image increased.  Too much dead space currently.  When negative space works to focus attention it’s beautiful.  Here it’s just dead space. I selected this image because the emotion of the moment is so charming.

Judges Comments

Brides emotional face makes this picture. A very emotional moment after the ceremony. The rest of frame is slightly blurred but her face is sharp so you are immediately drawn to her face. The bride holding groom's hand adds to the picture. A nice tender moment after the ceremony.

Judges Comments

It's nice the way the brides face is meshed with the reflection of the church and the way her eyes are looking out of the window. This photographer was thinking, they went beyond just photographing the bride waiting in limo, but thinking about incorporating the surrounding, the church in this case with bride inside the limo. Exposure is little too light, it needs to be darker.

Judges Comments

Simply a great moment of a father (assumed) giving his daughter, the bride, away to another man. A very intimate moment. The composition feels a little too bulls-eyed, but a great moment can oftentimes cure anything.

Judges Comments

The photographer used the unexpected moment of the brides blowing veil to their advantage. Family and friends watching as the couple left the church was framed beautifully captured through her blowing veil. I wish the photographer had gotten lower to show at least one full face.

Judges Comments

You've gotta love a guy crying and his new wife wiping his tears. Sweet moment. Decent light and color, but again, moments are the key to any great image and this one definitely succeeds there.

Judges Comments

Nice classic picture after the ceremony of walking down the aisle. I love the position of the flower, petals flying everywhere, and bride's arm tells you of celebration and is the focal point of the picture. The man on the left tossing flower petals adds to the energy of the picture, very nice light and color.