lucky shot - how to improve?

Kinkajou

The couple had hired professional photographers and I was there as a guest. I got this shot while one of the photographers was behind the couple and I happened to catch their flash.

Here is the original with some adjustment in levels:



Here's a crop with some of the background removed:



Any advice on how to improve this image further would be greatly appreciated.

I haven't decided what to do with the body of the photographer behind the couple. In one image I tried burning her in a little bit, in on I tried dodging her, but neither seems right. I tried taking her out completely, but that looked really contrived.

Thanks!

Per some suggestions...

The crop removing the table and keeping the guests in BW with moderate contrast:

FedererPhoto

Kinkajou wrote:

The couple had hired professional photographers and I was there as a guest. I got this shot while one of the photographers was behind the couple and I happened to catch their flash.


I haven't decided what to do with the body of the photographer behind the couple.

Not to be a jerk, but that photographer is probably saying the same thing about how to get you out of the shot.... From the pro's perspective, YOU are the one "behind the couple" - directly in between them, actually. (except you are just in the way, whereas at least she was adding light and such to give you a unique image... ;0) )

As it is, I actually like the original cropping better.

mpriest13

FedererPhoto wrote:

Not to be a jerk, but that photographer is probably saying the same thing about how to get you out of the shot.... From the pro's perspective, YOU are the one "behind the couple" - directly in between them, actually. (except you are just in the way, whereas at least she was adding light and such to give you a unique image... ;0) )

As it is, I actually like the original cropping better.

Come on now...it looks to me like he is sitting at his table during the reception. Doesn't look like he was wondering around getting in the way...

Either way...I agree that the original is better. I like the people in the background looking at the couple. It adds to the "story".

FedererPhoto

mpriest13 wrote:

Come on now...it looks to me like he is sitting at his table during the reception. Doesn't look like he was wondering around getting in the way...

Perhaps I was a bit harsh... but I just wanted to point it out.

zoomer

Crop from the left take the table out, make it a black and white and take out some of the contrast.

Kinkajou

black and white was my next idea.

federer - i hadn't thought of that, it is a good point! for the record, i was trying to be an unobtrusive shooter; i was not using flash and was squatting on the ground but, it was a tiny venue and everyone and their mother (literally!) was photographing them at that point, so there were a lot more people in the way than just me!

i'll try the left crop and BW

thanks for the comments!

FedererPhoto

Kinkajou wrote:

.... so there were a lot more people in the way than just me!

Oh, I'm sure. Any many times, I purposely include people with cameras. But someone with a big SLR crouching on the floor doesn't "blend in" and "add to the story" quite like a line of octogenarians on the sidelines with their P&S's.

Either way, best of luck with the image...

cj99si

try a portrait crop with just them, B&W, and more contrast.