Wow…what an amazing competition and the images were spectacular! Congratulations to our 2011 Q2 WPS Image Competition winners. We are placing the top 5 images from each category for you to view and enjoy! See you at the convention and don’t forget to register.
ARTISTIC
1ST | Michelle Gunton / Michelle Gunton Photography
- Absolutely love the softness of light and feeling in this image. The toning is perfect and the vignetting naturally falls into place. You see just enough detail in her hair, dress and face which is excellent lighting control by the photographer. This category was a strong one but this one is a winner.
- Simple yet pretty. Great use of ambient light.
- This light is perfect. In a dreamy setting, the light creates a timeless feel. Beautiful!
2nd | James Tarpley / Visio Photography
- Like this one… the composition more than anything. The umbrella clouds sent my eyes all over the photo
- Wow. The clouds and the sun streaking down on the bride makes for a dynamic image. The splash of color from the umbrella gives the images a little extra pop. Excellent!
3rd | Laura Simson / Laura Simson Photography
- Always appreciate when photographers think outside the box. The couple framed by leaves and trees makes this photograph great. (Would have placed higher if I could see his face)
4th Kristen Hill / Kristen Abigail Photography
- This photo jumped out right out of the gate… the bride is playing the guitar. But its an obvious distinction with the ring. I kept going back to this photo
5th Jim Coleman / Jim Coleman Photography
- A combination of light, composition, toning and tilt-shift makes this image a winner. The photographer grabbed the best of everything to make this image sing. It definitely stood out of the crowd…well done!
PHOTOJOURNALISM
1ST Hillary Mercer / Hillary Mercer Photography
- When I think of PJ, I almost always think of B&W. However, the colors in this shot have changed my mind forever. The moment, the motion and the colors all combined perfectly. I could almost hear the DJ in the back and the guys all screaming for him to jump. Very nice timing and capture by the photographer.
- Hilarious dance shot. Right place at the right time!
- Flipped through this category this shot jumped out above all of them… love the action!
2nd Jim Coleman / Jim Coleman Photography
- The focus on the Dad is a great choice. He is obviously taken back by seeing his daughter. This is a sweet moment that you can try to create, but this stands out as an authentic moment.
- Great moment… dad is speechless as the bride looks, turns around and there’s pops. I imagine a tear or two was dropped after this.
3rd Jenny Tarpley / Visio Photography
- This shot was good because the confetti I felt danced along with the couple and the couples faces were priceless. And its at the end of the night tie off shirt unbuttoned a bit.. they have a great night indeed!
- I went back and forth on this image a few times. In the end, it’s definitely worth ranking as all of the elements of a celebration are there. The expressinos, the confetti and even the off camera flash adds a carnivale feel. I would of liked to see more of the scene which is why it was not ranked higher.
4th Sarah Der / Sarah Der Photography
- This one jumped out at me. This photographer looked beyond the normal realm of the day and captured this kid beautifully
5th Laura Simson / Laura Simson Photography
- I love this moment and really puts m,e into the little girls perspective. Even though we can’t see her face, I can imagine her hands are clasped and almost a jealousy coming out because of how gorgeous the bride is. Well done!
SILHOUETTES
1ST Stephanie Kingston | Kingston Photography
- Depth is remarkable here. So dark and beautiful. It leaves you wondering and looking longer.
- Wow, talk about unexpected eye candy and vision. I can feel this image, the late afternoon sun, the brewing clouds and almost smell the water. The texture the light gives to the pool and concrete had my eyes dancing around for a solid minute taking in the entire scene. Exceptional toning and exection!
2nd Hilary Mercer / Hilary Mercer Photography
- The colors, the symmetry of the floats and the moment captured really had me wondering if it was posed or did the photographer simply have the foresight to wait for this moment. If the fish had nto been intersecting the groom’s head then it would of made choosing 1st place impossible. Well done!
- I like this shot… the tank fish simple kiss… works
- The rich blue with the dark silhouette of couple is perfect.
3rd A.J. Dunlap / A.J. Dunlap Photography
-Love the use of dj lights to silhouette this. I’m a big fan of silhouettes and this shot isn’t that easy to pull off… good job
4th Erin May / Erin May Photography
- This was really a tough choice for 3rd place. This image won out simply because it seemed well thought out, planned and executed very well. The muted colors in the sky merge well with the very fun moment between a dad & daughter. The photographer did well to freeze the motion of the moment.
5th Jenny Tarpley / Visio Photography
- I like this one because of the pose. The couple matches. The photographer l posed them this way and it worked… beautiful colors… see good point here. The silhouette was secondary to how the couple looked in the photo. We should always try to think of this when shooting.
TENDER MOMENTS
1st Jenny Tarpley / Visio Photography
- Great capture… the comfort on everyone faces is priceless. I have NEVER seen this at a wedding. and I can only imagine this moment lasted just a few moments.
- Assuming this is the Rabbi with couple during the ceremony…such a beautiful shot. If this isn’t a touching moment of tenderness, I don’t know what is!
2nd Erin May / Erin May Photography
- Great pic obviously… I think the best moment is the fact that 2 kids paused a bit here… you froze these kids in time. If I were a parent I’d blow this up huge and wall mount it.
- Babies! Eyelashes! Oh my! Of course this is tender, but it is also rich in tones of black and white.
3rd Christine Prisk
- The use of negative space really focuses the viewer onto the raw emotion of both the women in the frame. The choice to go B&W really enhances the moment and pushed this to a number 1 spot.
- I’m like this shot! The photographer went beyond the bride and groom at the alter. Part of me wants to throw this pic a little further to the top. Tough call. A great capture and great eye to look beyond whats happening at the alter.
4th Stephanie Kingston | Kingston Photography
- How many times at a wedding do we see just the one fleeting moment where the groom loses his composure. Capturing this moment definitely takes skill and the framing & composition adds a real closeness that amplifies the grooms emotion.
- The groom, I can tell was really trying to hold back the tears. Good composition in this photo.
5th A.J. Dunlap / A.J. Dunlap Photography
- I love the competiting emotions in the photo. You have the dad (I assume) unable to hold his face, the bride smiling lovingly at her daughter and the daughter really interested in the camera. The image has a raw feeling which really helps accentuate the emotion. Well done!
HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
1ST James Tarpley / Visio Photography
- The simplicity of this photo is what convinced me it should win. For a senior portrait, it captures all of the things we should be looking for – personality, style yet simple. This is a timeless photo that will age well and never go out of style. If this was a point system, the vignette is a tad heavy and may be a minor deduction but the photo is superb!
-This is what both parents and teenagers want in their senior portraits! It shows personality and style without being completely sexy like so many senior portraits.
- Simplicity won this one… photography is a passion and curiosity. The antique camera and the look on her face.
2nd Julia Wade / Julia Wade Photography
- Rule of thirds… live it be it… its what our careers are.. love the dress and hay bails. Looks like she grew up on a farm.
- The toning and coloring on this photo is really well done. Subtle enough to not be in your face, but enough to catch your eye. Good composition and repetition really make this photo stand out from the crowd.
-A great environmental portrait
3rd Jenny Tarpley / Visio Photography
- This image is really stunning and it was difficult to rank third instead of first. Everything, with one exception, was beautifully executed and the end result was stunning. The flash shadows from her nose falling onto her mouth and across her knee was the technical deduction that dropped its ranking.
- I like this one because the photographer I feel coached this bride. This is in her comfort element… Lighting is good, its tranquil, simple and love the green.
4th Stephanie Kingston | Kingston Photography
- I like this one because I’m going to guess the photographer found this place driving down the road. Its different than just a photo of the senior.
5th A.J. Dunlap / A.J. Dunlap Photography
Top 10 photographers though Q2
1. 31.6 points | Hilary Mercer
2. 29.9 points | Stephanie Kingston
3. 21.1 points | Michelle Gunton & Diane McKinney (tie)
5. 20.5 points | Jenny Tarpley
6. 19.8 points | Julia Wade
7. 17.7 points | Jim Coleman
8. 17.2 points | James Tarpley
9. 12 points | Sarah Der
10. 11.9 points | Nancy Thomas
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