AG|WPJA The Artistic Guild of the WPJA

Judges Comment: This image certainly illustrates emotion. I like the toning and crispness of the image. Normally, I would bring down the whites a bit but I like the contrasty nature of the image. This is the tops for me based on the category: Emotion. Toning works for me. It’s just a really strong image. Enough said. Pure raw emotion between two men, reflecting a closeness and depth of relationship. Makes your heart ache with a bittersweet joy and sadness to look at his face. A great, tender moment of manly men crying amidst their wiskers. Love the subtle duotone technical here, too. My favorite image in this competition. The tight framing provides information with impact. The warm tones and texture make it even more appealing.

Judges Comment: This is just a nice clean image. The juxtaposition of the tears is a nice touch. A pure and simple powerful reflection of the big day. So nice to see what looks like a longer lens move to the core of the action.

Judges Comment: Another really strong, captured moment in time. One could question how much blurring is in-camera or Photoshop but in either case, it works. The strong tones really help the image. I could crop out 15%+ of the right frame and lose nothing important. I’m actually OK with the white space that exists but the story is in closer. I don’t see the advantage of that in the frame. Ah, innocence. Delightful expression on the boy in contrast to the solemn couple makes for a fun frame. Although I wish the focus was sharper on the boy, this is a wonderful moment that was anticipated well by the photographer. The high contrast and clean background add to its impact.

Judges Comment: This is a very strong image with great emotion. It is truly a nice moment. The image is a bit too magenta in the skin tones and might be helped by using Vibrance in Lightroom as opposed to saturation. Still it is a very strong image. There are photos of the ubiquitous “toast” and then, there are PHOTOS of the ubiquitous toast. It made me want to grab a glass of vino and join in the fun. These photos are lost within their moment and the photographer has brought us all to the fun. Pure fun! Great composition. The glasses all standing up straight and the heads framing the action. Nice angle, nice moment of spontaneity.

Judges Comment: This works based on the category and it does appear to be a genuine captured moment. The lady is a tad soft and some judiciously applied sharpening might help a bit. Either side of the frame could use a crop tweak (more on the left side).

Judges Comment: It’s quite a fun image. It works and almost looks like a stock shot. If not, get an agent for this one. The light is really nice. I’d Photoshop that “thing” in the lower left corner of the frame with the rest of that nice wood desk. If that mass of wires on the floor was gone, I’d KNOW this was a setup, stock shot. It adds authenticity to the idea of a captured moment. Looks easy, but it isn’t. The photographer had to be ready for this spontaneous outburst because I am sure it was gone in a millisecond. This is a diligent, hard-working photographer. It’s all here in this photo. It’s fun and playful. Even the disorderly room, which provides a lovely compositional frame, wants to join in the gaiety. The photographer captures childlike joy and innocence. In a highly symbolic image, the bride is leaping off the bed in a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood.

Judges Comment: I love the reaction of the little girl and love the hand and arm through the glass. It is a great moment and a strong image but I might suggest straightening the image a bit to make it cleaner.

Judges Comment: This is an adorable image. I think it might be more about ambiance than emotion but I think it is a really great image. I might suggest bringing the whites down a bit so that there is more detail in the clothing on the girl. Perhaps a bit too technique heavy yet that Norman Rockwell moment is to be remembered.

Judges Comment: This is a frame I missed on the first run through. It grew stronger with every look. Every bit of body language and expression adds to its quiet drama.

Judges Comment: Carefree instant of wedded bliss surrounded by pleasant landscape. Border around photo blends well with scene.

Judges Comment: The angle is a little awkward because it leaves too much open space on the left. But it does provide a clean background for a terrific moment. Wish the man’s shoulder and side of his face were toned down.

Judges Comment: The photographer positioned themselves well to capture this amazing moment. The whole scene feels very real. But the white ceiling is a little distracting. It would not have hurt to crop a little off the top.

Judges Comment: I’m feelin’ the love. Classic and clean. The image bespeaks of a marriage that will likely last.