Judges Comments

They’re just having fun.  Using a wide angle up close and personal with no overpowering fill light allows the reader to feel comfortable and enjoy the moment.  Too much strobe or isolating the elements could have made this grotesque instead of funny.   The very tight crop works very well to draw the reader into the action as well.

Interesting contrast of well dressed groomsmen sloppily devouring the noodles.

Judges Comments

This would have held up well in the humor category too.  The beer in her hand while she drinks from the pouch is just funny. Like the tilt, just enough depth of field to keep her sharp and the object of attention, and enough to allow the subtle points of interest in the background to be studied with out them being overpowering . Only way this could have been done was with a wide angle, and keeping it from distorting could not have been easy in a moving conveyance with all of the mayhem.  Excellent job. The photographer also resisted the tempation to blast a flash which would have completely destroyed the moment causing unnecessary shadows, and too much contrast.

This image showed great use of layering and moment. It really conveyed the chaos and excitement of the situation.

Judges Comments

This one should have been sharper.  The lack of focus hurts it. It’s back focused.  This may not have been auto focus using the center focus spot, but it looks like the result that often happens when that setting is used.   It’s a funny, interesting moment.  Her apparent disgust as he inhales the food is classic, and the sense of place is strong. Even though it probably wasn’t physically possible backing up would have helped as well. It just feels jammed, and going wider probably would have caused a lot of distortion.  

You can't help thinking did they not get enough food at the wedding? Nevertheless, an interesting picture of the groom devouring and bride with look of disgust.

Don't know if this is the bride and groom, but her look is one of, "I just married this guy? Lord help me." He obviously loves his tacos. I won't call it a sweet moment, but it is a storytelling moment. The background also adds a lot of information to the image. This one should have been sharper. The lack of focus hurts it.

Judges Comments

Another picture of men really behaving very badly. Terrible that all that beer is wasted. I hope this guy got a nice shower. Seriously, it is a fun moment with great expressions.

Judges Comments

This is photojournalism in every sense. The photographer captured the scene of the meal preparation. I loved the intensity and off beat humor of the ominous moment of the pig to slaughter. The image was shot slightly loose and could use a crop off the top.

Judges Comments

Not fancy, but it says a lot. Granddad and the grandkids enjoying ice cream after the wedding. Nice light. Excellent composition. Helps that the boys are probably twins and offer a symmetrical element to the picture.

Judges Comments

Dancing and craziness on the dance floor, dancing with the bottle of wine. Tilted angle also adds to the energy of the moment. It's hard to get the right angle when people are dancing and moving constantly, the angle on this picture is perfect.

Judges Comments

Yeah, its just a picture of cake, but what a picture. The table's marred, worn surface offers a great background for the cake. They really match color-wise. And, to top it all off, the feet on the edge of the frame add a little context to the image. Give a sense of place. Nice storytelling.

Judges Comments

A very simple photograph, a detail photograph. The hand and food are nicely lit. It 's the light on hand that makes this picture. Not a literal food shot, but illustration of a party scene, hors d'oeuvres and serving.

Judges Comments

A great moment caught between bartender and guest. I really enjoyed the expressions and humor in this scene.

Judges Comments

Color. I admit it. I fell in love with the color. The shallow depth-of-field. The composition. The light. I love it all. Great found situation. After looking at all of the pictures in this category, I believe the key is not to photograph merely the food or beverages, but to look for said subjects being consumed or those moments, such as this, of the moments in between consumption. There were a ton of pictures of cakes and drinks, but most of them didn't offer much else. This picture does.

Judges Comments

Nice lens selection.  The little bit longer look, with the compression and the shallower depth of field is sweet.

Judges Comments

Simple piece of photojournalistic work.   Good seeing. Respectful, but with a touch of humor.   Like the ambient light, like the wide angle--if it had been taken about two feet further left it would have been cleaner and read a little better.

Judges Comments

This was a good detail signifying the close of the days/week’s events. Good thought process behind this image.

Judges Comments

Mmmm... meat. Funny little moment between a bride and her roast beef. Its hard to eat a slab of meat daintily. Nice catch by the photographer.

Photographer's Comment

I delight in the unexpected moments of a unique wedding day that ultimately become the most heart-felt, story-telling images of the day. The bride had mentioned that she was 'starving' prior to being introduced to the reception, so the staff brought some snacks for the bridal party. Trying to maintain a dainty dignity, the bride thought she was sneaking a quick bite only to be caught unexpectedly by my long-lens. She now laughs at how through the hustle of the day she barely had time to 'chow-down'!