AG|WPJA The Artistic Guild of the WPJA

Judges Comment: Occasionally all of the details required for a beautiful mo-ment occur inexplicably. Everything in this image works together to complete the whole. The disciples gather around the smiling face of bride and groom, attendees watch with affectionate approval as a violinist plays and if that wasn’t enough, even the upcoming banquet awaits in reflection.

Judges Comment: There is a wonderful juxtaposition in this photo - the somber looks of the attendees and those two hands grasping the back of a pew. The adults appear half interested, or, at the least, combined communally by an event but individually lost within their own thoughts. But for this child, the world is invisible and the event (at least for the moment) is elevated to a playground (at least for this child). One wonders if the adults might have preferred the same.

Judges Comment: The confetti falls through the air like a parade on main street. The thrill of the crowd surrounds bride and groom but all he sees is his new bride. The image remains as record of the colorful world of a couple in love.

Judges Comment: She is the center of attention, adorned with a shower of color that could as easily radiate from her smile as from the air around her. She is transformed to a princess a princess on this day. Even the composition of the image speaks to her reign on center stage.

Judges Comment: The wedding party practically disappears in this image as they become part of the architecture surrounding them. The high contrast adds to the illusion yet, ironically, forcing us to consider this private moment.

Judges Comment: The simple composition combined with the sepia tones records a universal moment that reminds us of the passage of time and tradition.

Judges Comment: Bride and groom wait on the precipice of their new life together. In mere moments they will likely break through the banner like gridiron heros to claim their home field advantage. The groom stands ready with a stance akin to an athlete while the bride prepares for their entry with two fingers waiting to rip the home spun banner.

Judges Comment: Hands reach for the face of the bride who appears almost angelic in the soft light of the day. But it is her demur acceptance of the moment that elevates her upon her imaginary wings.

Judges Comment: At first glance the photo appears all wrong, a terrible failure and a moment failed by a slow shutter. But, within moments we see it is an illusion created by glass and reflection. And who is the man at upper left watching the ceremony with an expression that suggests reflection of heart and soul? But does it matter who he is in this intriguing image? I think not.

Judges Comment: Love is contagious. The kiss of bride and groom is mirrored by the kissing couple in the foreground. It’s easily assumed that they are the parents of either the bride or groom not only by proximity and age but also by the gentle touch of the groom on a shoulder. Thus it becomes a cyclical story of life that likely began with a similar kiss between mother and father at their own wedding decades before this day.

Judges Comment: Bride and groom and all attending this wedding have become like the ornate structure that envelops them with history, art and spiritual yearning. The wedding party is transformed to the structure like gilded metal a reminder of our fleeting moment in time.

Judges Comment: It’s difficult to persevere the anxiety of the day, the bachelor parties, the lengthy ceremonies, the hundreds of smiles greeting you at the reception to follow. Even the dancing can become tortuous physical feats - not to mention the confines of a tuxedo. But the groom must prevail for few would desire the disapproving look of their bride for a stifled yawn.

Judges Comment: It’s common for images of bride and groom to be so connected to their wedding day that every moment belongs to them. They may be surrounded by dozens or hundreds of well-wishers but each moment, every vow, greeting, toast and dance is reserved for them alone. But in this photo, bride and groom share a private moment - so private that only the photographer noticed.

Judges Comment: Bride and groom use a quick glance and a Cheshire smile that not only speaks of their new status as husband and wife but of the simple joy of sharing a moment together. It’s a simple moment - and that is all this image needed to be.

Judges Comment: The power of a moment seen in a simple gesture transforms the scene as equally as it transfixes us all. Such is the power of a storytelling moment that even a minuscule detail changes all.

Judges Comment: The effusive joy of the bride mirrors the celebratory confetti as though her own heart has burst into paper hearts cut from red and white. Even better that they are isolated in the scene but for two young girls who look downward as the hearts layer the ground. One can imagine that as the girls grow they will slowly look skyward and maybe one day their own heart will create a rain of cutout hearts at the feet of another child.

Judges Comment: Notice how everyone is poised in the moment - each sharing a moment between bride and groom. Thus we are all joined through storytelling moments - particularly those that speak to universal experiences such as love.

Judges Comment: The airiness of the composition combined with the women in uniform grey dresses bathed in light could be a scene from a 70’s science fiction film like Logan’s Run but for the context provided by red flowers. In fact, if not for the flowers and the expressions of the women there would be little else. Yet again, the smallest details can matter the most.

Judges Comment: One would think the sign is the primary element in this image. Well, you would be right about that. However, words appearing in any image should speak not only to the event, surroundings or circumstance but should also be composed to clearly make the case. The photographer has managed this not just by shooting the image with the sign prominently displayed but has composed the image so that all elements in the image lead us directly to it.

Judges Comment: The attendees laugh and yell out congratulations to the new bride and groom. All eyes are focused on them, as they should be for this is their special day. The end result is an image that also places the moment at front and center.