Watters' Photo Chosen As One Of The Top Ten

Everett photographer Della Watters competed in the World Photographic Cup.

Her photo "Showered with Blessings" was taken at a summer wedding in Bedford at the Community Light Fellowship Church.

Watters said the photo was a simple and pure wedding in the morning with a lunch reception. It was very similar to a church worship service with a sermon and hymns and was a reverent occasion.

In the photo, she said the just-married couple was exiting the church to go to their vehicle and the entire crowd had bird seed, and the couple was pelted by the bystanders.

Watters said that what makes the photograph special is that everyone in it has a look of joy on his or her face and was obviously excited for the couple. The onlookers cheered as the couple left the church, Watters said.

She said that the scene was a challenge to photograph because it was in middle of the day with full sun, which is a difficult condition for photography.

"That was a technical challenge to have my exposure set right to capture the light in their faces," Watters said.

Out of 35,000 photographers, she was one of 28 whose work was chosen to move on to the next round.

International judges from 42 countries participate. Each country gets one juror to evaluate the submissions from all of the countries. Judges are not allowed to vote for their own country. So, the other jurors selected Watters' photo as one of the top 10. The judges have already determined the medal winners and the top 10.

Watters said that she was ecstatic, yet, humbled when her photo was selected.

"This is monumental in the photography world. It is the equivalent of the Olympics," she said. "Many photographers work a lifetime and never receive this level of recognition."

Watters said that she has no doubt that more doors will be opened for her because of the attention her photo has received.

"I think for me, this picture is about the reverence and joy of being united in a ceremony," Watters said, "but it wasn't about the pomp and circumstance. It wasn't about the garishness of a big event to impress friends. It was pure joy. That's what stands out to me about this picture."