AG|WPJA The Artistic Guild of the WPJA

Judges Comment: It would be difficult to find a more powerful moment of a bride and groom dancing. The scene was there. The moment appeared and the photographer was positioned in the perfect place.

Judges Comment: What’s not to like about an image that speaks to the eternal power of love and commitment? The bride with her shiny new wedding ring, embraces her husband as the two create memories of their wedding day, elder couples dance around them, caught in their own moments of love, romance and memories.

Judges Comment: What an amazing image of lovers. Their title as bride and groom shrinks before the larger banner of romance. They become stars upon the stage of life, embracing one another on a day that seems inconsequential to the power of the moment they share.

Judges Comment: In an image that evokes the classical beauty of dance and romance even the colonial statesmen reaches his arm forward as though to take his turn on the dance floor. As bride and groom swirl beneath beams of light that appears almost like fairy dust, attendees watch from the side as though this dance will never end.

Judges Comment: A quiet moment is gracefully exposed by a soft light that mirrors not only the gentility of the environment but the gentle moment itself - beautifully composed like a baroque opus.

Judges Comment: The light and color surrounding the bride ensures that she remains the central subject of the image. But, compositionally leading lines of the outstretched arm at right and the woman’s arm at left provide an entry into the photo and also function as frame.

Judges Comment: The action and grimace frozen by the camera capture the oft chaotic moments found at receptions. Their coats and ties are removed, garter gripping a leg while a hand grips a beer tells a common story. But don’t forget the subtle irony of the background subjects at left and right paying no heed to the scene.

Judges Comment: The symmetry of the people lining the background creates an rather incongruous backdrop for the scene in the foreground where bride and groom find their own symmetry in dance.

Judges Comment: This image holds the requisite content but challenges us to consider color as a major storytelling element in the image. But if not for the press of the shutter at the right moment as the dancer passes in front of the glow of a yellow light the image would not have been what it is. The photographer used a combination of light, color, composition and timing to produce a delightful image.

Judges Comment: There is magic in this image as though bride and groom gathered their joy only to spin it across the room like a child spinning a kaleidoscope.

Judges Comment: The dance floor never seemed as alive as subject and scene spin together in a dizzying twirl of light and color. This is an excellent use of a super-wide lens, the right amount of strobe lighting and a shutter speed maximized with a little twist.

Judges Comment: The bride dances against a backdrop of frivolity as men clap to the beat of the music. One can almost hear the din of the moment just by looking at this photo. But we are left to wonder about the kneeling man at left. A style of dance perhaps? If not, then we can only hope it is her husband.

Judges Comment: Attendees dance in a circle around the bride as she enjoys the moment of being lifted above the scene. The photo achieves its purpose, to reveal a moment, but then goes further to suggest the laughter - and likely, a squeal or two.

Judges Comment: Her eyes, the posture of her lips, her hands pressed high upon her husband’s back tell a story of adoration and thankfulness. The moment was likely little more than a “whisper” on the crowded dance floor until the press of a shutter gave the scene a “voice” loud enough for all to hear.

Judges Comment: The other dancers appear frozen by the image on the fine line between surprise and laughter as the bride leans backward limbo style with a rhythm only she apparently hears. Nonetheless she seizes her day, and the moment, with her joyful dance.

Judges Comment: The bride’s bright red lipstick accentuates her smile. The wind sends her short veil into a dance of its own in a scene reminiscent of a 1930's train station. It’s a fitting mental image as groom and bride embark on their journey as husband and wife.

Judges Comment: It may be a common scene but the light bursting from behind the soaring groom produces a heavenly appearance to this moment. His pants reflect the light and shadows like feathers fluttering against the wind. One could imagine wings sprouting from his back. However, in summary, this is a nice image with wonderful light captured at the decisive moment.

Judges Comment: Here is another good use of a super-wide lens where all the elements of the image work together to bring our eyes directly to the joy shared between bride and groom. It’s festive and fun.

Judges Comment: The confetti falls with celebratory abundance, obscuring those who watch from the edge of the dance floor as a newly married couple dance and kiss. The photographer aptly chooses to compose the image with the couple centered in the frame, furthering accenting the seemingly endless swirl of paper hearts.

Judges Comment: The contrast of her dress against the surrounding dark leads the viewer to the groom's hand as they lean into a romantic moment isolated by both love and light.