And here we go!
in this together by
- PhotoSmith -, on Flickr
As shot.
1D Mark III, EF 50mm f/1.4 @ f/8
Click through for strobist info.
This first image is quite powerful. I get a really strong bond feeling between the two people. It feels like a serious, we're in this together, whatever happens, bonding happening. I like how their hands seem to merge together in the shadow. I only have a couple of minor criticisms, which are pretty nitpicky details. I'm a little distracted by the small bit of encroaching tattoo on the woman's right shoulder. I feel it should be cloned out only because there's so little of it there. There's also that one stray hair across her cheek that stands out that I also think should be cloned out. Otherwise, it's a really strong start to the theme.
I'm surprised there's only one wedding shot in the submissions. You can't get much more romantic that a wedding day photo. Framing them in the opening works well to set them apart from the background. I'm getting a bit of a strange vibe from the couple, though. It looks like the groom is pulling her in, but she's holding back for some reason. The separation between them, even though they're kissing, is taking something away from the romance of the overall scene. I wonder if they were just nervous about the pose for the photograph.
Leading lines! They're everywhere! They're coming to get me!
Well done on the framing and leading lines to the couple. I only wish they were a little closer. And... that there wasn't a telephone pole growing out of one of the heads... But maybe that's what the other person finds attractive.
LA Pride (West Hollywood) 2012
Pride is all about the rainbow. I like that the woman on the left has a rainbow bag that compliments the pride flag in the background. And, the woman on the right echoes some rainbow colors on her wrist. My minor complaint is the telephone pole partially separating them.
This image projects a different romance message. So far we've had obvious romance between two people in the image. This one says romance is waiting for the viewer from one (or maybe both!
) of the subjects. I like the contrast between the two ladies, too. The dark hair with the white top that contrasts with the light hair and dark top. And yet they both have that "bad girl" feel to them. Come be my valentine... if you dare!
Out having fun on a cold, snowy day. Having fun together is definitely part of romance. Unfortunately, this image is a little too much "snapshot" for my taste.
(sorry, no thumbnail image for this one)
Old love is some of the best love. This is the kind of image that really brings out what love and romance is and how it survives over the years. It's simple and expresses the feeling very well.
Old, faithful love.
The old city by
DigitAl3x, on Flickr
And here we have another old couple together. I like the monotone treatment of this one. Comparing this one to the previous shot, I wish this couple had been holding hands, too. That would have expressed more romance between them. It also seems that including the tree was deliberate, especially since the couple is on one side of it. For me the tree isn't really working since it divides the image in half. I'd like to know your reasoning and thoughts on the tree.
I was fortunate to capture these beautiful children while visiting Guadalajara, Mexico. Romance at any age is beautiful, happy Valentine's day.
(also missing the quoted image)
Now we have the opposite of old love with a very young couple. As I look at them I want to know more - what are they looking at? The building they're coming out of is dark - what is inside? As far as the quality of the photo, it also falls on the "snapshot" side, though it is more in the street photography category as well.
So now I must come to the winners. Once again it is tough picking. I'm looking for the images that speak to me the most.
First the almost-there's...
3) acearchie
2) deep_diver
And the winner, which has such a strong feel that I just keep going back to it.
1) mustang_dvs