Judges Comments

I love the impressionistic feel of this photograph. The time of day for this portrait was picture perfect. The lighting is very subtle and helps separate this graceful bride from the magnificent sky. The color is captivating emphasizing the purity of the white dress.

Photographers are often described as "painters of light." This image presents itself like a painting. The balance of light and subject is beautiful in this portrait that replicates the broad latitude of our eyes and combines it with a moment. I studied this image for a long time. I traced the graceful lines with my eyes, became caught within its intelligent composition and was left with a museum experience. This is a beautiful image masterfully "painted."

This image was my first choice because it was the most beautiful as a standalone image.

Judges Comments

Absolutely fantastic image and excellent execution. The lighting is great, the concept is great. I love all the little detail including the puddle splashing off of the womans foot. GREAT JOB!

What good sports to actually pose in the rain! Beautiful moment and the backlight is spectacular highlighting this couple as they splash water and kiss. Also the orange glow of lights behinds them add depth to the image. Nice texture of rain throughout.

Judges Comments

Wow. I've done my share of strobed time exposures and never accomplished anything as well done. It's safe to say that I've also seen few, if any, images in this genre done as well as this. If you've tried this kind of exposure then you'll appreciate its technical complexities but that's not enough reason to give it an award. Every image must also communicate effectively. I think this image meets that goal with ease.

Great execution of a solid wedding photo.

Judges Comments

I kept coming back to this image. I was captured not only by the scene but also by the beauty of the lighting. This is a technically difficult lighting situation. I could write several paragraphs about that one subject alone as it relates to this image but none of that matters if the image doesn't communicate. I find it interesting that lighting is a servant to content. In other words, when all is said and done, the only thing that matters is how well a photographer communicates the moment. This image is a beautiful example of how complexity and a challenging lighting situation takes backseat to purpose. There's no grandstanding here, no need for applause or a pat on the back. Light serves. The result is a portrait as monumental as the setting.

Judges Comments

Another fantastic image. The light painting works very well and the composition, color and light are dramatic. GREAT JOB!

Judges Comments

The light on this umbrella made this standout from the other umbrella image.

Judges Comments

Very graphic and great composition.

Judges Comments

Magnificent and dramatic stairwell photograph! Side lighting adds beautiful separation and highlights their faces as the sky adds drama. Pink stairwell frames them graphically. Love the flowing veil on the bride.

Judges Comments

The moon, the sky, a lake and a very sweet moment all combined make this a beautiful image. Photographer successfully uses light to just highlight their faces as the rest of the image fades into the moonlight.

Judges Comments

The mirror image and the lighting work very well. Excellent execution.

Judges Comments

A very nice bride portrait.

Judges Comments

It's interesting how the reflections and ambient light in this photo creates a scene that adds to the moment, never leaving us to wander aimlessly among what could have been distracting elements. This is the work of good photography and lighting because, besides composition, that added pop of a strobe, backlighting their faces brings it all home.

Judges Comments

I like the simple elegance of this photograph. The graphic red square behind her helps separate the dress and bring focus to her face as she strikes a graceful pose.

Judges Comments

Another image using a mirror effect with dramatic color and light and equally good composition.

Judges Comments

Everything is in order here. The light, shadows that form graphic elements, the painting on the wall, the darkness surrounding the couple - accentuated by lens choice, angle and lighting - all work to communicate the moment of a kiss.

Photographer's Comment

I took this photo outside on a bright day right after Yasmine and Adam's ceremony. I knew in my head what I wanted it to look like. To take the image, I asked my second photographer to hold a flash for me, which was set up on a radio slave (a remote triggering device) The second photographer went directly behind the couple, and pointed the flash right back in my direction. I used a high power setting combined with a fast shutter speed to light the portrait that you see here! It was one of the couple's favorite images from the day! You can see a detailed breakdown of the picture on my website here: http://www.brentfosterphotography.com/2010/12/how-i-took-it-part-3/