2006 Winter Contest
Creative Portrait
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Judges Comments
This is one of the best images I viewed in the whole competition. Amazing use of light, circumstances and composition to make a surreal portrait of this bride. Also creative in the use of the back of a head. Excellent!
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2nd Place: Jessica Johnson from Michigan, United StatesJudges Comments
I absolutely love this image. This is a perfect example of why the rule of thirds rule is not a rule at all. The dead-center framing – and then the environment around them. I can only sum it up with one word. Classic.
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Judges Comments
Pros: Incredibly good insight on the part of the photographer in seeing this, solving the technical/metering/focus issues and making it look so natural. Cons: I wonder about doing it in B + W or cropping a bit of the top 15% and the bottom 10% to keep the viewer's eyes on the subject and not wandering away too fast.
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Judges Comments
This image really stood out. It has sophistication and depth. It is clean and simple but rich with texture. I love the expressions and the body language. I feel like I learn something about this couple, not that they were just plugged into a “portrait formulaâ€. The light is subtle and revealing. Exceptional work.
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5th Place: Eric Dean from Florida, United StatesJudges Comments
This photo is exactly what this category is all about – CREATIVE portrait. We cannot see the people in this photo – but this image's success is not in revealing the character of the bride and groom but it is larger than that – it reveals character of their life and the things that surround them – at least that which surrounds them on their wedding day. I love the way the photographer made the strobe on the floor part of the picture as well. It helped make the subjects more visually acceptable.
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6th Place: Hassel Weems from Georgia, United StatesJudges Comments
Good composition, use of unique location and moment to make a memorable portrait of the couple. The use of silhouette is very effective in this case
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Judges Comments
So many photographers forget that portraits are moments too. Not this photographer though! Its great to have willing subjects and a clever concept. Catching him in mid-stride with the veil leading our eye right to him makes for a non-traditional portrait that you can keep looking at over and over again. Their expressions are great too. Way to make a dynamic portrait from a very simple scene.
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8th Place: Robin Shotola from Maryland, United StatesJudges Comments
Pros: Good seeing or anticipation on the photographer's part to get this and to get the groom's eyes just right in the mirror and looking so warmly. Cons: The reflection on the lower third makes it hard to find the bride's face and gauge her reaction, which is too bad, as it would add to the story being told.
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9th Place: Richard McDowell from Saskatchewan, CanadaJudges Comments
The placement of the couple in the lower right corner allows the monotone textured wall to create a moody atmosphere that enhances the intimacy of this portrait.
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10th Place: Bartosz Jastal from Silesia, PolandJudges Comments
The lean of the tree mimics the lean of the couple. The tension of the impending storm surrounded by the sensuality of the kiss. I think it works real well in B/W too. In color, I think it would have lost some journalistic qualities.
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11th Place: Elaine Soong from Alberta, CanadaJudges Comments
I love the mood in this photo, the gritty train tracks, the body language on both the bride and the groom, the composition and depth. I just wished the grooms feet weren't cut in half.
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12th Place: Javon Longieliere from Georgia, United StatesJudges Comments
The light from the right and the contrast between dark background and white-dressed bride works so well. Her body language also tells a story. The edge pew at the bottom and going toward the right side draw the viewer out of the frame, not in, which detracts a bit.
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13th Place: Nate Kaiser from California, United StatesJudges Comments
Very good use of negative space and composition to enhance the moment and make the character's silliness come out even more. Good use of side light as well. Well conceived and well executed.
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14th Place: Brent Calkins from Illinois, United StatesJudges Comments
The exact position of the sun and the kiss simply make this image sing. The backlight on the veil also helps immensely.
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Judges Comments
The repeated patterns---shape of her head, bustier of the dress, arcs of the chairs, and placement of hands---create a visual resonance that reinforces the bride's contemplative pose.
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16th Place: Meg Runion from Virginia, United StatesJudges Comments
Technically this picture suffers. It is more of the moment and the nostalgia of the mall photo both than it is a portrait. But I really love the interaction of the couple with the photo machine
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17th Place: Kenneth Paul Soong from Alberta, CanadaJudges Comments
Imaginative yet very simple/powerful use of the frame and the spacing to set them up as a couple, literally and especially visually.
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18th Place: Brett Carlson from Illinois, United StatesJudges Comments
I love the 'in your face' quality of this image. The grouping is well done and makes a bold statement about these guys. The ball against the blackness of the suits is excellent use of composition. The ball could have been a bit lower so as not to obscure the middle guy's face
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19th Place: Scott Schoeberl from Minnesota, United StatesJudges Comments
The strong backlighting and overexposure makes for a wonderfully ethereal bridal portrait. The details are there and it makes you want to just keep looking. More comes to the eyes the longer you stare
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20th Place: Miriam Doan from Illinois, United States
