When processing less is more.
Stick to clean well processed images with good color. Expecially just starting out.
Find better settings for the photos.
Work in progress, keep at it.
I like #2 better than #1--whole dress is more pleasing to my eye
#3 really like that background. INcluding the ring is always nice. I'd take a little of the head room off above. I would also play around with that background--maybe add saturation and contrast.
#4 i see a lot of cool symbolism in this one--her looking at the curvy road ahead, him looking straight ahead. very clever. I might play with a little higher black point or contrast, maybe a tad more vibrance.
#5/6 I like the process better in 5 than 6, but that is a matter of taste. I would get rid of all the space above the head in both cases. crop a little tighter
good solid work for your first time out. post lots on here; you will learn a ton.
Both dress shots are beautiful but the #2 draws my eye a little more.
#3 is a winner! nice processing, maybe crop a little off the top for a tighter look? Also, pump up that red just a tad!
Try cropping number 4 a little closer. I am a little distracted by the green on both sides and I think less of that would make this a better shot. Bring them a little lower in the frame so they aren't so centered? Maybe even crop vertical?
I enjoy 6, better then 5, but the rail kinda kills both shots. maybe crop them a lot closer so you lose most of it? Just a thought.
Great job again. And remember this is just my opinion
Actually, neither is my wife...and she's not to fond of the walking down the highway shot...she says it's not flattering to the bride.
FYI...I usually defer to her tastes...and include her opinion on my processed shots...after all, it's the women that you have to please.
Just thought I'd let you know.
Remember, no one may want you to take pictures, but they all want to see them. Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.
It appears as though every shot posted was taken from the same perspective.
Get lower, get higher, do SOMETHING to make them more dynamic.
1,2(same shot more or less) and 3 are the best of what you posted. Id lose the black part of the image in 1 even if it meant losing some of the lower part of the dress. You didnt get the full length any way so....
I like the dress shots. Probably #1 best of them. #3 is a nice shot, except a little too traditional of a pose going on...for my taste. I would recommend getting them in that same basic pose, then have them interact somehow, and catch a few shots that way to loosen up the posey thing.
The highway shot is ok, but I would have definately had them walking, not standing. It would look much more natural, and you'd get a better photo. Personally I would have shot them farther down the road too, making them a bit smaller in the frame.
The guard rail shots are a definate no go. Guard rails don't belong in wedding photos. At least not as a big factor in the photos, like here.
Looks like your overall photography skills are good, with exposures and such. Trust me, I've seen some BAAAAAD first wedding photos. You are going to do well I think.
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Matthew SavilleRegistered Users, Retired ModPosts: 3,352Major grins
edited July 7, 2010
A.) Lose the soft focus, it's kinda 1990. If you're desperate to soften wrinkly skin, and it doesn't look like this is a problem, then maybe play around with certain effects here and there, but as a whole its' just not necessary. No offense, but when someone does an effect like this, it's usually an attempt to spice up an otherwise boring photo. An image should be able to stand on it's own two feet, straight out of the camera. I'm all in favor of processing as part of your art, and many world-class photographers work serious magic in photoshop. But in this case, I'd say lose it, and just focus on a little more compelling composition next time.
B.) #4 could stand a bit of different processing as well, not sure if there's softening going on but if so then lose that as well, but also, the tones just look kinda weird. Her skin is kinda dark, the rest of the image is kinda flat; I'd re-process from scratch and try and find a way to place more emphasis on the bride.
In general, as others have pointed out, you're off to a great start but you definitely need to work the composition a little more. Try and get more compelling images straight out of the camera. This will involve improving your skills in composition, timing, lighting, (or seeing light) ...and posing. (or seeing a flattering angle etc.) These are the core aspects of ANY portrait; without at least one or two of them, an image is just not worth the click. Fortunately, I will say you're doing great and these images are certainly way better than mine were at MY first wedding. :-)
It might have been cool to have them holding hands - running down the road, away from you...Like running towards their future...
My suggestions when posing a bride and groom facing each other (5&6), you should try to get the bride to turn more so that you see more of the dress. It almost looks like she's hiding behind his jacket or something. You might be able to still save those shots (the one of them holding hands and smiling at each other is precious!), by cropping in and cutting out the guard rail.
Jasa Wolfrey www.sweetscenephotography.com
Gear: Canon 7D & Rebel XSi
Lenses: 18-55mm, EF 50mm F/1.8 II, 75-200mm, 28-135mm, 75-300mm
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Comments
Stick to clean well processed images with good color. Expecially just starting out.
Find better settings for the photos.
Work in progress, keep at it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21695902@N06/
http://500px.com/Shockey
alloutdoor.smugmug.com
http://aoboudoirboise.smugmug.com/
#3 really like that background. INcluding the ring is always nice. I'd take a little of the head room off above. I would also play around with that background--maybe add saturation and contrast.
#4 i see a lot of cool symbolism in this one--her looking at the curvy road ahead, him looking straight ahead. very clever. I might play with a little higher black point or contrast, maybe a tad more vibrance.
#5/6 I like the process better in 5 than 6, but that is a matter of taste. I would get rid of all the space above the head in both cases. crop a little tighter
good solid work for your first time out. post lots on here; you will learn a ton.
Las Cruces Photographer / Las Cruces Wedding Photographer
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Both dress shots are beautiful but the #2 draws my eye a little more.
#3 is a winner!
Try cropping number 4 a little closer. I am a little distracted by the green on both sides and I think less of that would make this a better shot. Bring them a little lower in the frame so they aren't so centered? Maybe even crop vertical?
I enjoy 6, better then 5, but the rail kinda kills both shots. maybe crop them a lot closer so you lose most of it? Just a thought.
Great job again. And remember this is just my opinion
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I'm not sure why you'd include both #1 and #2 -- you are the photographer, select the better of the two and only give that.
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Actually, neither is my wife...and she's not to fond of the walking down the highway shot...she says it's not flattering to the bride.
FYI...I usually defer to her tastes...and include her opinion on my processed shots...after all, it's the women that you have to please.
Just thought I'd let you know.
Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.
Ed
I like the idea of #4, but I think I would have liked a different perspective, very near the ground perhaps. Something to ponder, anyway.
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Get lower, get higher, do SOMETHING to make them more dynamic.
1,2(same shot more or less) and 3 are the best of what you posted. Id lose the black part of the image in 1 even if it meant losing some of the lower part of the dress. You didnt get the full length any way so....
...I agree with zoomer on processing.
Jeff
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The highway shot is ok, but I would have definately had them walking, not standing. It would look much more natural, and you'd get a better photo. Personally I would have shot them farther down the road too, making them a bit smaller in the frame.
The guard rail shots are a definate no go. Guard rails don't belong in wedding photos. At least not as a big factor in the photos, like here.
Looks like your overall photography skills are good, with exposures and such. Trust me, I've seen some BAAAAAD first wedding photos. You are going to do well I think.
My Weddings Website • Blog •
#4 and #6 look weird to me. they look too soft.
B.) #4 could stand a bit of different processing as well, not sure if there's softening going on but if so then lose that as well, but also, the tones just look kinda weird. Her skin is kinda dark, the rest of the image is kinda flat; I'd re-process from scratch and try and find a way to place more emphasis on the bride.
In general, as others have pointed out, you're off to a great start but you definitely need to work the composition a little more. Try and get more compelling images straight out of the camera. This will involve improving your skills in composition, timing, lighting, (or seeing light) ...and posing. (or seeing a flattering angle etc.) These are the core aspects of ANY portrait; without at least one or two of them, an image is just not worth the click. Fortunately, I will say you're doing great and these images are certainly way better than mine were at MY first wedding. :-)
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
My suggestions when posing a bride and groom facing each other (5&6), you should try to get the bride to turn more so that you see more of the dress. It almost looks like she's hiding behind his jacket or something. You might be able to still save those shots (the one of them holding hands and smiling at each other is precious!), by cropping in and cutting out the guard rail.
www.sweetscenephotography.com
Gear: Canon 7D & Rebel XSi
Lenses: 18-55mm, EF 50mm F/1.8 II, 75-200mm, 28-135mm, 75-300mm
Extras: Sigma EF-530 DG Super Flash, Gary Fong (white)
Paint Shop Pro 6, Adobe Photoshop Elements 8, Adobe Lightroom 2