Judges Comments

The two little girls in dresses almost the same color as the grass is a really nice accent. They aid the composition. Great job.

Who wouldn't want an image like this in their wedding album? It's a simple classic moment that speaks to the passage of time itself. For most of us, our wedding day turns back the clock and we become as joyous as two children chasing a horse and carriage. There's not much to say about an image that causes us to reflect.

Judges Comments

A fun image and I love that the bride is driving the scooter and the groom is behind.

Photographer captured a wonderful expression and body language on the groom from shooting from the side. Long lens keeps the couple in focus as a slight pan blurs out the background emphasizing their departure ride with a soft focus behind them. Great that the photographer captured both legs in the air as they are swept up in the moment!

Judges Comments

Great vantage point and angle.

Classic feel to a modern wedding.

Judges Comments

Photographer made a beautiful pictorial photograph giving us a sense of place and mood. The clouds add a surreal element to the frame along with the bride’s veil blowing in the wind. Very nice to back off and get an atmosphere photo at the event.

Great moment in what seems like an epic scene.

Judges Comments

This photograph has great energy and emotion as the groom lifts his bride in this peak moment of departure. Lens compresses the frame and highlights their same joyous expression! It’s perfectly framed with the groom holding her flowers and the band following behind.

Judges Comments

This is a beautiful moment, the look of the bride's eyes and the smile of the groom. We look upon such images with envy - not for the photo itself but for the moment. And that is the power of an image like this to allow a moment to speak to the universal experience of love, joy, peace and contentment. We linger over images like this as our minds wander to memories of our own moments and suddenly we are there - and smiling.

Judges Comments

This was the most exciting departure, very eye catching and made you feel like you were there.

Judges Comments

Very subtle but meaningful image. The subtle moments have a nice intimacy to them.

Judges Comments

Sometimes I look at an image, as a judge, and I don't want to say anything. I want to turn to the world and say, "This is a wonderful photo. Isn't it obvious?" But for the sake of understanding, there is very little not to like about this image with it's beautiful tones and rich compositional elements. I particularly like a wide angle image like this that is essential a detail. It's a macro view of a moment that actually IS the moment itself. I care little about their faces or the overall scene. All I see is an image that speaks of a repose echoed by the gentility of the photo itself.

Judges Comments

The backlight, composition and the gesture of the arms up in the air make this a really nice image.

Judges Comments

An image like this could be easily dismissed by those more accustomed to an "eye-burner" style that practically screams at viewers to "LOOK." But I was drawn to the complexity of this photo - an image that presents itself in such subtlety that if it were human it would play its role as the uncomfortable genius circling the fringe of a party. If they interest you - better grab another drink and buckle up because it's gonna' be a ride. Look at the shapes in this image. The accented angles of the architecture in the background can also be found in the mid-rift fold of the bride's dress and the shadowed lines of her collar bone. They are also mirrored in the groom's tie, the lower part of his vest and even the arc of his raised thumb touching his brow. His posture is also similar to the boy in front of him. All of this and we haven't even touched upon other elements in the image that work in similar ways. In summary, this image "works" because of its intricate complexity that begs to be known. Spend some time looking at it but have another drink first.

Judges Comments

Model airplanes make for a fun departure photograph. Photographer captures nice moment of the airplanes flying above the couple as they joylessly depart. Backlighting helps highlight the planes and give good separation to the image. Great expression!

Judges Comments

There's nothing about this image that isn't clearly obvious. Any shooter can quickly recognize the good use of light and composition, but it's also the moment itself that matters. All the elements of the image are here to serve the moment alone.

Judges Comments

Nice angle and joy.

Judges Comments

Can’t beat the expression captured on this couples faces. Just makes everyone want to smile! Just enough fill flash and ambient light to highlight the sparklers and their expression. I like the intimacy of the wide angle lens!