15 Points, a trophy and $43.50 Cash

JUDGE'S COMMENTS:

Funny, goofy picture. Everyone had to be ready, especially photographer.

Nice use of color and sense of humor to this photo.

Nice use of humor and action to make a boring group shot fun.

Great facial expressions on the wedding party make this a terrific image.

SECOND PLACE - David Jay / California

10 Points and $29.00 Cash

JUDGE'S COMMENTS:

Nice, thin black and white with bodies positions nicely. Unpredictable wedding party photo.

Very good attempt at a different type group portrait. It would have been more effective if the people and the background were spaced better.

Unusual and well executed idea. I love the symmetry of this photo. It looks like it could be an albulm cover if they were musicians!

Striking composition, unusual pose.

SEVENTH PLACE - Melissa Mermin / Massachusetts

JUDGE'S COMMENTS:

Well done with a little fun included. Having the bride held up in the air was a good idea.

EIGHTH PLACE - Mike Moreland / Georgia

JUDGE'S COMMENTS:

This is a classic and elegant portrait.

NINTH PLACE - Bradley Hanson / Washington

JUDGE'S COMMENTS:

Simple yet fun image.

TENTH PLACE - Matt McGraw / North Carolina

JUDGE'S COMMENTS:

A toast for the wedding party! Nice use of hands, glasses for artsy photo.

JUDGES FOR THIS WPJA CONTEST:

1. Bruce Moyer - Picture Editor - The Hartford Courant (CT). In 2004, for the third year in a row, Moyer was named Newspaper Picture Editor of the Year by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA). Numerous other NPPA awards..

2. Suzette Moyer - Director of Graphics and Design at the Hartford Courant newspaper. Director of Region 1 for the Society for News Design. She has been a designer for more than 16 years, working at publications in Florida, Washington and North Carolina. She has won numerous awards from the Society of News Design, Print magazine and the National Press Photographers Association.

3. Ami Vitale Ami is based in India and her photographs and stories from events in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, India and Asia have appeared in publications including Time, Newsweek, Smithsonian Magazine, The New York Times Magazine, The Telegraph Sunday Magazine, Le Figaro Magazine and USA Today among others. She has won numerous awards for work including:
World Press Photos 2003, Third place General News Story
NPPA Best of Photojournalism 2003:Magazine photographer of the year
NPPA Best of Photojournalism 2003:Third place International News Story
Photographer of the Year International: Third place Magazine Division / General Reporting.

4. Sean D. Elliot - Chief Photographer/Photo Assignment Editor - The Day (CT). Currently is the National Secretary for the National Press Photographers Association - NPPA. Past director of Region One for the NPPA. Sean was 1994 Rookie of the Year from the New England Press Association and was NEPA's 2000 Photographer of the Year.