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View Full Version : First wedding...2nd time with SLR-would love critique.

melissaandkris
25th of May 2011 (Wed), 17:04
So I did the engagement shots for my nephew with a borrowed Sony SLR- seen here... http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=946462
I was asked at the last minute, really like the week before but you get my drift to shoot their wedding! Could not say no but they know I am just an amature and said I'd do my best. Super small wedding party, reception, etc. Here are a few of the shots I got. Another friend of the family asked me to do her wedding next Spring. Still deciding...I do have my own SLR now I just bought a 50D. Any critique or comments would be appreciated!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3643/5759379925_77d1d0e1e4.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759379925/)
49 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759379925/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/5759386721_301e998f6d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759386721/)
100 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759386721/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2123/5759927492_fd3021f7ae.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759927492/)
79 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759927492/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5267/5759917196_cac7bf3cc3.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759917196/)
9 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759917196/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/5759915724_af5ff38262.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759915724/)
7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759915724/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/5759911664_829d9e7291.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759911664/)
2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759911664/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2129/5759368359_060d8e57f9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759368359/)
1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759368359/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/5759395615_a9c7e22a4d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759395615/)
81 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759395615/) by melissamcneesephoto (http://www.flickr.com/people/14473673@N03/), on Flickr
melissaandkris
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 09:29
Are they awful :(
rick_reno
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 10:09
Very nice, they look happy.
zelseman
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 11:17
They're not awful. It looks like you did really good considering the less than desirable venue.
The Framed Life
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 12:30
these are really nice, love the colors!
Red Tie Photography
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 12:51
You did a great job with your limited experience and short notice. These images are some they will treasure, and for that I applaud you.

Some critique since you asked for it. This is mostly nitpicking. but i think it may help.

1. Nice shot. Good timing, WB and exposure are nice, looks sharp and in focus. I may have gone out a bit wider to get the top of the flowers and some of her dress, but since it is still symmetric I dont mind it too much.

2. Put the space between them in the center next time. I know you went a little wider o get the dress, but the bride is centered, rather than the couple.

3. A bit stiff and snapshotty, but a great snapshot (if that makes sense).

4. Cute, good snap. Did you ask them to stop, or did they do that on their own? It may come off as a bit intrusive if you were directing them down the isle.

5. I dont think I like her veil flipping up like that. This could have benefited from less DOF to really separate the couple, but its a nice shot.

6. I really like this shot. Maybe a bit busy with the pearls, but its a nice shot.

7. The dark background makes it tough for this shot, making it look snapshotty. I know what you were going for, and a faster lens would have really helped to bring back that background.

8. Cute. Well exposed and a good shot. You didnt use direct flash - thank you.
Daship
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 14:37
Basically look like snaps. Not bad, but not worthy of $$.
scslmd
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 17:58
Ok, sarcasm aside, are you guys kidding me? Did you even read that he had to step in the last minute with a borrowed camera?:roll:
PixelMagic
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 18:24
Ok, sarcasm aside, are you guys kidding me? Did you even read that he had to step in the last minute with a borrowed camera?:roll:

Doesn't matter...Daship is correct; they are basically snapshots although I suppose they can be improved with some deft post-processing. Notice that no one commented for over three days.
phunhuan66
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 18:26
Very nice . Good shot
auroraskye
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 19:22
As appalling as the circumstances are, they aren't the worst I've seen. They are pretty snapshot like, I assume you had the camera on auto the whole time.. So the camera did a good job. I've seen people 'with experience' turn out worse photos.. but if you really want to shoot weddings I suggest you learn a lot. A whole lot.
DarthVader
29th of May 2011 (Sun), 20:47
+1. Some stuff to improve: background, f-stop, and focal length selection.

They're not awful. It looks like you did really good considering the less than desirable venue.
nicksan
30th of May 2011 (Mon), 12:49
I agree about the snapshot comment.

However, I think you captured some pretty nice moments and given the circumstances, you did a decent job.

I agree with all of the C & C offered up already. I would digest them and work on those aspects if you want to shoot another wedding.
amonline
30th of May 2011 (Mon), 23:53
They're good. You should tone down the orange flesh tones and not crop/shoot so tight. You're off to a great start. ;)
The Framed Life
31st of May 2011 (Tue), 00:39
As appalling as the circumstances are, they aren't the worst I've seen. They are pretty snapshot like, I assume you had the camera on auto the whole time.. So the camera did a good job. I've seen people 'with experience' turn out worse photos.. but if you really want to shoot weddings I suggest you learn a lot. A whole lot.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14473673@N03/5759379925/meta/in/photostream/

shot with a sony of all things...:lol:
kent andersen
31st of May 2011 (Tue), 11:33
You did a good work with the camera. You will definently grow more in youre skills if you follow the advices here.

None of the pictures are over the snap shot level, but they are all good enough to be kept as a great pictures from a great day. If you are planing to take the wedding shots for youre family members next year, I would recomend you to ask them to at least take some studio shots from a pro. That will give you less pressure on the day.
melissaandkris
31st of May 2011 (Tue), 19:03
Just wanted to thank everyone for the comments and advice. I appreciate the feedback. They were happy to have the pictures they got and after it was all over I was glad I did it. I could not afford a professional when I got married 13 years ago and a family member stepped in and did it for free so I kinda felt like I had to pay it forward. They pretty much look like these but hey at least I have photo's from the day. I've learned a lot from this forum and hopefully will learn a lot more now that I've got my own SLR to play with!