Antigua Wedding

countcount Registered Users Posts: 2 Beginner grinner
edited May 22, 2009 in Weddings
Looking for comments and suggestions.

http://www.riddickphotography.com/gallery/7947644_Jfg7R#518023909_AfcqS

Thanks,
Count

Comments

  • Jeremy WinterbergJeremy Winterberg Registered Users Posts: 1,233 Major grins
    edited May 21, 2009
    Well, there are a few things that I liked, but a lot of things you need to work on.

    There were like 2-3 pictures that you took on the beach that were very nice.

    But you need to work on flash technique... You used waaaay too much flash during the ceremony, and also in some of the "formal" pictures. Fill flash is meant to fill in the shadows a little bit, and not be the main light source. Personally I say no flash during the ceremony.. really its all up to the couple, and the minister performing the ceremony. If they're all cool with it, I use it.

    Also, alot of the pictures have distractions in them. aka trees sticking out of their heads... Random people sitting on beach chairs right behind the couple staring into the picture... shooting over the minister's shoulder... background is in focus when it should be out of focus... etc... all stuff you as the photographer need to pay attention to when taking photographs.

    The pictures that you have a vignette on. way overdone. Your vignettes need to be subtle, almost like they're not there. you can see where it starts on yours, you need more of a feather on it so it slowly fades into it.

    I see on your profile that you use a D50... what lenses were you using for this shoot? Also what flash were you using? If your answer is the kit lens and the onboard flash built into the camera... thats the first thing you need to upgrade. Get an SB600 or SB800 (Nikon Flash Models). Get a new lens, somewhere in the 70-200 f/2.8 region (I shoot Canon so I'm not sure about the Nikor lenses entirely)

    I'm not sure if this is your first wedding, or your 1000th... but theres what you could work on for the next one.

    I may sound a tad harsh, but I'm just trying to help out, so that you can progress as a photographer into something great someday!
    Jer
  • Candid ArtsCandid Arts Registered Users Posts: 1,685 Major grins
    edited May 21, 2009
    I'm gonna have to agree with what Jeremy said. Another thing to add to that as well, is that in every photo (almost) what ever your subject matter is in that photo is near dead center in the frame...in every photo. That's not a good thing to do, and a sign of a beginner. You need to work on your composition the most I think over everything. You have some really great ideas on the posing and subject matter that you're shooting (i.e. w/ the rings, sandals, etc...), they just need to be executed better. Plus, I think it was #21, the B&G is not in focus at all, but the background is sharp, doesn't make for a good wedding photo, where the Bride is the focus, all day...

    However, #48 I think is my favorite shot. On the beach, nice exposure, couple off center, good composition, good color saturation, good focus, good framing, etc... That's where you have your potential. Keep shooting with ideas like that and you'll go far.

    Thanks for putting your work up too, It's good to see what other people are doing and learn from others'.

    *Just a little side note, you will probably get more responses to your photos if you actually put some of the photos in the thread vs just a link. It's really easy, just click the share button for the photo you want, select the link for the Large size, and put the link [img][/img]RIGHT HERE. That's about all you need to do.
    Candid Arts Photography | Portland Oregon | Fine Art
    OneTwoFiftieth | Portland, Oregon | Modern Portraiture

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  • FlyingginaFlyinggina Registered Users Posts: 2,639 Major grins
    edited May 21, 2009
    You have gotten some excellent advice on how to develop your wedding photography skills to the next level, but I just wanted to chime in and say that I think the bride and groom are going to be very happy with these. The bride is beautiful and you caught a lot of very nice moments. I enjoyed looking at the pictures, which is more than I can say for the results from some weddings!

    I'm not a wedding photographer, so I am certainly no expert. I just don't want you to be discouraged. People on this forum know what they are talking about and many of them have struggled with the same issues that were pointed out to you. We can all get better, but I think you did a good job.

    The beach shots are your real winners. I have to say, though, that I didn't mind the flash at all in the earlier shots.

    Virginia
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    "A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know." Diane Arbus

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  • Jeremy WinterbergJeremy Winterberg Registered Users Posts: 1,233 Major grins
    edited May 21, 2009
    Candid Arts wrote:
    ...I think it was #21, the B&G is not in focus at all, but the background is sharp, doesn't make for a good wedding photo, where the Bride is the focus, all day...

    However, #48 I think is my favorite shot. On the beach, nice exposure, couple off center, good composition, good color saturation, good focus, good framing, etc... That's where you have your potential. Keep shooting with ideas like that and you'll go far...

    #22 is the one thats out of focus... But I agree that number 48/49, cause they're the same picture, is my favorite as well.
    Jer
  • JulieLawsonPhotographyJulieLawsonPhotography Registered Users Posts: 787 Major grins
    edited May 21, 2009
    I can't add anything that the others haven't...but I did want to mention that the vignetting is a little on the dark side. I prefer a more subtle vignette. I really really love the beach shots the most. Everything about them made me smile..good job. :)
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  • smurfysmurfy Registered Users Posts: 343 Major grins
    edited May 22, 2009
    I think you caught emotion in #'s 38 & 43 that have more undeveloped potential. Both would benefit by further pp. If they were part of my workflow, I'd try tilting # 38 in photoshop, then applying a b&w filter to it. His hand on her chin is a bit of a distraction, but a tilt to the left might help it become more natural looking and lead diagonally to her eyes, the focus of this shot.

    # 43 also seemed like it would be more emotionally powerful as a black and white, or partially desaturated. The color is gorgeus, but in B&W, the image sometimes shows more powerfully. This was my favorite, because you captured romance and emotion. Nothing wrong with taking the same photo, and giving a true color version, along with a romantic, soft-focused black and white or partial desat. Your couples will no doubt appreciate that they can hang the B&W next to grandparents wedding pics on the wall, but have the color version in their album or on their thank-you cards...

    Both images, and many of your others, could then be cropped to obey the rule of thirds, as others mentioned. That will make a huge difference.

    I think you are off to a good start, and hope this helps.
    Thanks for sharing!
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