WedComp Competition Results are in!

I just received word that I have placed with some of my images in the Summer 2008 WedComp Competition! I’m honored to have had so many of my images chosen by some of the best photographers in the business to be a part of the super talented pool of winners! Click the link above to view all the winners, and judges comments.

There are four categories, Getting Ready, Portrait, Ceremony, and Reception. The judges chose 1st through 25th in each category, then chose the best image of the competition from the four first place winners.

I’m excited to say that this image won 1st place in the Portrait category, and was also chosen as the overall winner for the contest!! It was for this shot taken late last year at Kim and Yuri’s elopement in Big Sur:

Judge comments:

“Strong portraits are supposed to evoke emotion, and this one certainly does. Beautiful job controlling shadows and highlights. Bride and groom are along with each other and it’s beautiful. Congratulations on a fantastic, surreal-feeling image.”

My comments:

“This image was taken while covering an elopement with a fantastic couple Kim and Yuri, in Big Sur. We were headed to Pfeiffer Beach to take some portraits, when we drove up on this scene with this truly amazing light and mist filtering through the trees. Needless to say I hit the brakes. It was definitely one of those serendipitous moments when all the conditions align and you’re just screaming inside while pressing the shutter.”

Here are the other images that placed in order of placement. I’ll quote the judges comments for those images that made it to the top 10, and my comments for those that placed in the top 3:

2nd Place Ceremony: Lan and Kiyomi

Judge comments:

“Simple and clean composition! The photographer captured great lighting highlights. With the groom reaching over, the photographer effectively captured a frame around the candles, creating a strong visual element. With no clutter in the negative space behind them, your complete attention is drawn to the story.”

My comments:

“A quiet moment during the ceremony where their two flames become one. I love how tenderly Kiyomi reaches out to guide Lan’s hand, and how his arm helps frame the candles. I was really drawn to try and capture the subtle candlelight on their faces, keeping the image a little dark to pick up that rimlight.”

4th Place Reception: Stacey and Brian

Judge comments:

“Great action, great expressions, great light…This is not an easy shot to get, and everything came together for it.”

7th Place Reception: Heather and Mike

Judge comments:

“Nice shot of the groom, bride and a whole lot of other people dancing their worries away…love the choice of black and white.”

8th Place Ceremony: Leily and Nick

Judge comments:

“With hands raised and doves flying, this is a great action catch! I like the interesting use of a wide-angle lens. The preacher in the middle adds an interesting storyline element. She is framed perfectly within the bride and groom’s arms. I like the angle from the back of the bride and groom. It is a different view of a dove release than I am used to seeing.”

18th Ceremony: Leily and Nick

20th Reception: Leily and Nick

Thanks to all the fabulous couples in the images, Wedcomp and the judges!!

Cliff