The WPS Board is proud and honored to announce the first quarter WPS Image Competition was a huge success by any measure. With this being our first competition, we designed the competition to be something we would want to compete in. The results were, to say the least, outstanding with 98 entries and the process went very smoothly for submissions. The images submitted by you were, honestly, all outstanding work and its a prime example of the level of sheer talent in the wedding photographers community.
We had 3 judges for this competition all with varying photography backrounds to insure an unbiased and fair judging process. All names were removed from the images so the judges had no idea who each image was photographed by. The results are posted below:
Artistic Category
1st Place – Summer Gibbs
It has strong lighting and concept. Dreamlike, almost Disney princess-narcissistic (as a bride might feel), it goes overboard enough to standout enough as “artistic”. It shows a well thought out staging and execution.
Beautiful light on the bride but the reflection adds to the image. Both the photographer and bride took a risk on the wedding day but it paid off.
1st Place Artistic Category - Summer Gibbs - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Second Place – Leah Charbonneau
I love the choice of the photographer to go with available light and take a different image. The blur enhances the moment and gives the viewer a sense of what it was like to be there. Risks are not always rewarded but I’m glad he/she is willing to look outside the box.
2nd Place Artistic Category - Leah Charbonneau - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
THIRD PLACE – Cara Galati
Fabulous composition that takes the eye around and around the frame. The circular elements create a wonderful spiraling effect. The darkening of the photo’s edges and the muted colors give the image an overall somber mood which contrasts sharply, yet very peasingly, with the whimsical nature of the bride figure.
3rd Place Artistic Category - Cara Galati - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Fourth Place – Michelle Gunton
The repetition of the flowers draw my eye to the bridesmaid. I like the yellowish-red tones which the photographer opted to take with this image.
Fifth Place – Kevin Seifart
Geometric shapes, clever use of color, and strategic placement of the model make this photo exceptionally iconic. Thematically, the image can elicit several different interpretations. This is a simple illustration with a complex effect.
This image reminds me of Piet Mondrian’s work (painter). Mondrain’s most recognized works are abstract paintings of colored squares, rectangles, and thick black lines. The bride breaks up the grid but all lines converge on the bride who is stunning. Great vision by the photographer to notice and capture it.
Tears & Joy
First Place – J. KIM
Wow, what a moment! Love, love, love this image. Everyone is crying and wrapped-up in the moment with the bride. Access to a different angle also made this image work as well. I bet the bride will never forget this moment thanks to this photographer.
An exceptionally emotional photo where every face tells a story. The mixed light sources and candidness give the image an overall documentary feel, taking the photo to a whole ‘nother level.
- 1st Place tears and Joy Category – J. Kim – Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Second Place – Bianca Palmer
What a wonderful moment of the bride & groom before the ceremony. Their expressions are priceless and makes me wonder what was so funny.
A really fun and candid shot that clearly conveys wedding joy. It’s a very simple shot, even with a rather unremarkable background, but the photographer grabs the decisive moment of the couple’s glance and that is the key for me regarding transmitting “tears and joy”. It doesn’t work if it looks too contrived or inappropriate. This image avoids falling into those traps.
2nd Place Tears and Joy Category - Bianca Palmer - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Third Place – Nancy Thomas
They just look so happy to be married. This image makes me smile and I’m sure they have this hanging in their home. Wonderful image that captured the moment of the couple heading from the church to the reception.
Fun and fun with the bubble guns! This photo makes me smile and the bubbles make for an interesting design element. The shallow depth of field really helps to bring the bubbles out, too. I want to reach in and pop them.
3rd Place Artistic Category - Nancy Thomas - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Fourth Place – Leah Charbonneau
This is a nice candid shot of the bride and groom- very natural and effectively relays the intimate whispers during the couple’s dance.
Fifth Place – Summer Gibbs
Portraits
First Place – Nancy Thomas
More on the conventional side, however the location and vantage point really opens it up. The character of the couple is felt in this shot: light, airy, natural, fun.
Simple, clean and beautiful. The lower angle helps give you a sense of space and great use of available light on the couple. This is a photo which I know they are going to enjoy for a very-very long time. Well done.
First off, excellent exposure! The slight boost of light on the couple and the darkening of their surroundings lets the viewer know that, without question, this image is about the people; the depth of field seconds that motion. Now that it has 100% for technical merit, the people having the perfect pose and pleasing facial expressions puts this image into the realm of “ideal.”
1st Place Portraits Category - Nancy Thomas - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Second Place – Cara Galati
Fun and comical portrait. The faces take second row to the dogs, but this conveys a lot about the couple- perhaps the framing could be tighter, but it doesn’t diminish the overall effect of the photo.
2nd Place Portrait Category - Cara Galati - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Third Place – Bianca Palmer
This photo gets me to know the couple a little more. They are fun, different and don’t mind taking a little risk for the sake of fun. The photographer allowed them to be true to themselves which in turn made a wonderful image. Girl + heels + skateboard = fun
3rd Place Portrait Category - Bianca Palmer- Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Fourth Place – Katie Langley
The people’s fun expressions, the fall colors in the background, and the dutch angle of the camera make this photo appealing.
Fifth Place – Kittie Deemer
The color in this image pops and the repetition of lights nicely frame the kissing couple. I like silhouettes and very glad that the photographer paid attention to where the lights were when creating this frame.
Location
First Place – Mark Sobani
Some locations and architecture speak for themselves; but in this photo, the photographer/artist has found other ways to present the setting (in action) without making the human figures the main focus. By use of what appears to be available light, the people become silhouettes which then allows the building’s interior and all the details of special event (soon to take place) to shine… Bravo!!
This is just pretty to look at and it tells me a lot about the venue. The dark tones and the precision of the servers are key to the success of this image. My eye wonders freely yet still is pulled to the beautiful set table.
1st Place Location Category - Mark Sobhani - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Second Place – Jason Dail
Wonderfully intimate shot- I can imagine it being nice for the bride/groom see what is going on the sidelines of the commotion of the reception. It also gives insight to young girls anticipation/feelings of marriage (brides in a decade?).
2nd Place Location Category - Jason Dail - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Third Place – Katie Langley
The color in this image is great!. The photographer opted to step back and grab as much information as he / she can with a time exposure. All forms of light was used to create this image and it is stunning.
Fourth Place – Summer Gibbs
The location gives a magical and secret air to the couple’s moment.
Fifth Place- Kevin Seifert
This could be the poster child for “destination weddings,” in that it’s a great illustration of the theme. I applaud the level of difficulty, too, finding such a high angle to shoot in what is a usually flat environment.
Photo Journalism
First Place – J. KIM
This is a really fun photo. It expresses a lot about the couple- hip, urban, ecological, unconventional, and about marriage- a trip into the future (the blown out right is like the dreamy reality of a wedding, with the bike cab going into a more real future). A better framing would make it all the stronger.
Everything has consistent clarity and focus, nothing appears to be contrived, and the image has a lovely range of tones. This one screams “photojourn!” and the theme of “wedding” still resonates strongly. Great job.
1st Place PJ Category - J.Kim - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
Second Place – Nathan Clendenin
What a wonderful moment framed. My eye automatically goes to the bride, then Jesus, off to the left and back to the wonderful moment in the mirror. This is one of my favorite images in the entire contest. Well done and the bride needs to have this image framed somewhere.
2nd Place PJ Category - Nathan Clendenin - Q1 2010 WPS Image Competition
THIRD PLACE – Nancy Thomas
A candid moment that is both charming and compelling. The camera tilt is a nice touch.
Fourth Place – Mark Sobhani
Wow. Cute kids + nervous energy + impatience = an amazing photograph. Kudos to the photographer getting low and capturing this wonderful image. This is an image which will follow these children forever.
Fifth Place – Michelle Gunton
Shhhhh. You can tell the little boy was in the middle of a sentence but was interrupted with an aggressive hand. Nice job by the photographer to scan the space and look for images outside the box.
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