Looking for critique on a shot

MikeK

I'm hoping to get your opinions / suggestions for a wedding shot from this past weekend.

I attended a wedding with a most beautiful venue. It was under a large tent with an open side facing a lake scene. The wedding party had the nice outdoors scene behind them, but they were still under the tent. The difference in light on them vs. the background was 3-4 stops. The minister had decreed no flash photography, so as I sat in the audience I thought I'd take a 3-shot sequence and see if I could merge them later. I have done a number of HDR landscape images before that have come out quite well, but this stop range on people does not lend itself to a natural look when merged.

I decided that it is the wedding photographers problem to produce something traditional, so I'd embrace the lighting challenge and go for something different.

I have come up with the following.

I am not quite sure whether this is an abomination or a good look I should continue to refine.
Part of me really likes it, but is it too far out there for a wedding shot? :dunno

Opinions and suggestions welcomed.

Many thanks!

heatherfeather

Uhm yes... its too far and looks fake.

I realize she is his angel, but the halo around both of them has to go.

This looks like it would be a really good capture with different processing... great expressions and connection and you might be able to pull back a bit of the sky... Too bad about not being allowed flash.

MikeK

Thanks for the feedback Heather. Yes, it is most definitely fake looking, no question.

Thought I'd try something completely different. Some people I've shown it to really like it for the over the top colors. Other people have agreed with you that it is not a good look.

I did another quick take on it, and tried to keep it more reserved.

Sam

I kinda like it as a stand alone over the top artsy Image that no one else will duplicate.

I think the real question here is............does the couple like it?

Sam

Matthew Saville

MikeK wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback Heather. Yes, it is most definitely fake looking, no question.

Thought I'd try something completely different. Some people I've shown it to really like it for the over the top colors. Other people have agreed with you that it is not a good look.

I did another quick take on it, and tried to keep it more reserved.

This second version is much better because it looks a lot more natural, however in addition to brightening the highlights I would also add some more shadows, to once again make it just a tiny bit more realistic.

I hope you don't mind if I took the liberty...



It's not so much their faces that need to be darkened, so mostly what i did was just burn & dodge the lower areas moreso than the top. The one thing that makes people dislike the un-natural-ness of HDR images is the fact that they seem to have not just great shadow detail in the areas that matter, but in every last nook and cranny of the entire image. When in reality, an image often looks better if at least SOME part of it approaches the deeper shadow end of the histogram... :-)

Oh and I also warmed it up a touch; skin tone always looks better warm in the shade...

BTW, don't let us hold you back from delivering the first one to the couple as well. Snooty photographers may scoff at the latest trendy "looks" in post-production, but it's still cool to have at least a few images that are "all the rage" just as long as you also deliver something more timeless along side it.

MikeK

Thanks Sam.

I was purposely trying to do something the hired photographer was not likely to do.

You make a most wise point. The ultimate question is, does the couple (or any of their family) like it.

I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

MikeK

Matthew,

Thank you for the advice and taking the time to illustrate your points with a side-by-side.

I like what you've done and you made some excellent suggestions.

I'll work on another version incorporating these concepts.


Thanks all, this is awesome.

MikeK

OK, here's my latest version, incorporating my take on your excellent feedback.

I warmed their skin, and partially the bottom half of the pic.
I lightened their faces slightly, and darkened the bottom half to apply some shadow.
I didn't darken the dress as much, I didn't like loosing so much of the whiteness there.

How's it look now? Good, or a bit more shadow?
It's funny, the shadowing looks fairly subtle when you place them side by side, but was quite dramatic in PS as I turn that layer on/off.

Thx!

joshhuntnm

interesting look. it does look processed, but it is a pleasing look to me. I bet they will like it.

Silverbuckle

I love this shot! It looks stunning and fairytale-ish and I would love it if I was the bride.

Qarik

I will say this..it's not horrible!