7th wedding done! Wintery scenes & indoors

[CyberPet]

OK, I'll start with disclaimers:

1. I was not in charge of how the shoot was going to be done. Mostly because the church (a cathredral) had to be booked for a photoshoot, and that was supposed to be "1st" since they had two children that they wanted in the picture as well. So during the most daylight I had to shoot indoors. *sic*

2. The lighting inside of the church was mad. They had major flood lights, casting shadows everywhere. I would not have been able to "kill" any shadows, so I worked with the knowledge that I would have shadows, wether I caused them myself or not.

3. The sun set at 4 PM, but it was a bit of a haze and cloudy (I did get some "sun" shining through the clouds though), so it's pretty flat light. We started shooting outdoors at about 2.30-ish and for an hour, in -15°C (that's about 5°F). *brrr*

4. When I was editing the images I've been doing that on an old monitor, since my "regular" monitor broke down. I have no clue how the images looks in "real life". So they might look odd to you, when they look decent to me. I need to send some samples to the lab before I do any serious printing, that's for sure.

5. Well, I'm still a beginner, so I see lots of things I did wrong after the fact, so don't kill me completely, but also give suggestions on things I might be able to improve (with these disclaimers in mind), both photographically and in post processing.

OK, here goes:

#1
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1333_283.jpg

#2
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1348_297.jpg

#3
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1356_309.jpg

#4
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1423_349.jpg

#5
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1447_371.jpg

#6
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1450_379.jpg

#7
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1458_409.jpg

#8
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1505_055.jpg

#9
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1513_435.jpg

#10
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1518_479.jpg

#11
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1518_485.jpg

#12
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1608_159.jpg

#13
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1614_197.jpg

#14
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1616_223.jpg

#15
http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1621_521.jpg

[WeCamps Photography]

Very Well Done CyberPet!
Look great exposure/color wise from my view (monitor) and your compositions are first rate!
Number four is my fav but the little boys expression and pose in number 14 is really cute.....
(just wondering what the image would have said if the focal point in the shot was the boy with the bride and groom OOF? There goes that creativity bug working on me again LOL)

We had a ring bearer once we could not keep from leaning on the groom (who was his father) in the formal group shots all through the shoot, but when those images were processed it turned out so cute it's now one of my favs from that wedding. Funny how that works....

Thanks for sharing them :-)

[CyberPet]

Thank you! Well that boy was a hoot. I don't think I'm a child photographer for sure... he was in his own little world. I took many pictures of him, since he really caught my eye, but I won't post that many to the B&G since it's their day.

http://petrahall.se/brudpar/johanna_mattias/images/060218_1610_167.jpg

[TSEE]

Petra, those are awesome!
I think your photos have been some of the better winter pictures I've seen. I like them all. Bra jobbat!!!

[Boko Ono]

the outdoor ones are gorgeous! very nice

[mackb]

Nice job! I love the winter scenes #5-11. You did great. I'm not in any position to critique, but as a beginner myself; I can tell you did a fantastic job.

[staciecd]

I wish that #4 was bit more centered. Other than that, I absolutely love your church shots and especially the ones in the snow. As a bride, I would've been thrilled with these shots.

Stacie

[CyberPet]

Thanks everyone!! :D

Carl, So you pay good? :D

I've been debating.. the orange boat is definately distracting, so that probably will go. I'm not sure of the people walking on the ice (it was a lot of people out walking or skating, since they've plowed walk & skate "roads" on the ice - pretty neat, but crazy since it's soo darn cold!).

Oh, and the reason why the bridge is in the picture a lot, it's the typical "skyline" of this town, that and the church this couple got married in (although there's no great views to get it in the church in the background).

[carl1645]

Absolutely gorgeous pictures, do you want to come and work for me?

I have taken the liberty of ammending just one of the pics, i have taken out the boat from the back of the grooms head and the person walking across the snow, i just feel it took your eye from the couple. Just my personal thoughts.

Carl

[Curtis N]

Disclaimers? You don't need any disclaimers! Great work!
Beautiful cathedral.
The bokeh in that last shot looks a little funky. What lens was that?

[supplier]

Petra,

The pictures are great. Next time please do not post you wedding picture same day as I post mine – I feel like I should never hold a camera again. Just kidding of cause,
:evil: Vlad

[mstemmer]

Hi Cyberpet,
Nice pictures. I got a warm feeling inside. I'm just wondering, what are the specs of the 1st picture. What shutterspeed and aperture did you use?

Matt

[queenbee288]

Cyber pet. I am so glad you posted these as I have heard you mention weddings but have never see any of your wedding shots. Thanks for posting. These are inspiring. The winter scenes especially. What a beautiful church.

[CyberPet]

Carl, yeah that sure gives it some punch. Thanks!! :D

Curtis, Thank you!!! It was actually the same cathedral I got married in myself, in june 2002. I love it!!! I think that last picture was taken with the Tamron 28-75/2.8 (I shot with two bodies and the other one had Canon 20-35/2.8 L on it).

supplier, Thanks... and I'm sorry! :D :D :D

mstemmer, Thank you!! The first picture I took with my Canon 20-35/2.8 L (on a 350D body) and I was laying on the floor, on my tummy, to take it. The specs are scary... f/2.8 at 1/50 s at ISO 400 at 20 mm. I shot it in Raw and since there was a mix of natural light and flood lights I changed the WB in ACR later.

queenbee, think I've posted wedding pictures in other parts of POTN before (in the People section), since this wedding forum is fairly new. Thanks for you warm words!

[cmM]

nice, clean images. I'm sure your clients liked them.
I'm not a big fan of traditional images, but that's really only a matter of style.

Keep it up !

[CyberPet]

Thanks cmM, well, there's not much one can do when you only shoot portraits and ceremony at the best here in Sweden. I would love to do a lifestyle wedding, with PJ stuff instead of formals... I can't say I love doing formals and stiff poses, but it's what is asked for. I hope to be more creative this summer when I will do a 6 hours shoot, with some pre-wedding stuff as well as some post-wedding stuff. :D

[scorpiojo]

Petra,
The shots are great. The nature pics were briliant. If I get married again , I'll do it in winter....

[berrylish]

i love the outdoor shots even though she kind of blends in.

[VanceW]

Great stuff Petra.

Very inspirational, and as I have my first wedding to shoot this weekend, you've helped to give me some additional ideas. :D

Stay warm!

[KevC]

Beautiful, Petra! Beautiful! Hey, whatever happened to you coming to Niagara?? :)

[Wazza]

Those are all great shots, and given me some hope for my first solo wedding tomorrow. :o

[CyberPet]

scorpiojo, nooo... get married in the summer... or spring, just when it's a bit warmer, please! :D

berrylish, yeah, white on white is a challenge for sure. I'm grateful she wasn't a blonde to add to that. Her red hair saved it. It would have been cool with a bright red dress, but maybe not on this girl. I love colors too!

VanceW, I'm glad I can help! Remember to breathe and have fun too... it *is* fun, even if it's also terrifying. :D

KevC, Thank you!! Well I did come and visit in november, but it was kind of hectic. So not much time for social life. Will be back next year, probably in july (as it seems now - when hubby's cousin is getting married - wanna assist?).

Wazza, Thank you! Like I said before breathe. Make sure your equipment is working, all batteries charged and packed and then BREATHE... once you get there and put the camera to your eye, you'll forget all about the nerves and it's like an auto pilot. Good luck!!!!

[BLINN]

nice job

[Mike T.M.]

i like them a lot. Good work are all the shots indoor natural light?

[CyberPet]

Thank you Blinn!

Mike, thank you! Well, the portraits indoors were a mix of huge flood lights (see my disclaimer - not my lights) and a flash as fill. During the ceremony there was no flash photography allowed, so all was natural light, all shot in 1600 ISO with two zooms (Canon 20-35/2.8 L and Tamron 28-75/2.8 ).

[thebrewer]

Petra,
Nice work! I really see the value of a 2.8 lens. Great job on the outdoor expoures. White on white is tough.

Rich

[sito]

Great pictures. I am having my first wedding in a couple of weeks and I appreciate your inspiring work. I know this is off the subject, but as I can see, CyberPet that you are so nice, I dare to ask here. How do you do in Photoshop to make these nice frames? Tack så mycket!!!!

[CyberPet]

Thank you Rich!! Oh yes, I swear by f/2.8. Actually in my circumstance I'd probably be better off with even faster primes. Luckily the 350D does a fairly good job in ISO 1600 if the exposure is right. Not as obvious noise then, even if there's noise to deal with.

sito, the frames are really nice to make. I've created an action for it, and here's the step-by-step to do your own:

1a. Make sure the image is flatten as a Background layer. Resize the image as you like it (or add this as your action too - but then you probably need to make one for landscape and one for potrait orientation).
1b. Add Unsharp mask after taste (can also be added as your action).
1c. In the actions palette, select "New action" from the pull-out menu to the top right. (if you don't have any sets - that looks like a folder, you might have to make one first).
2. When you've named your action you click on the "Record" button and the recording will start.
3. Go to the Canvas size dialog, click the box for "Relative"
4. Change the popup menu for the size to pixels instead of inches (or cm's)
5. fill out 2 in both fields - this will add a 1 pixle wide frame
6. at the bottom of the dialog, change the canvas color size to white
7. Click OK.
8. Go back to Canvas size dialog, add 20 in both fields (if it's not in pixels, change it first)
9. Change the canvas color to black.
10. Click OK.
11. Stop the recording by pressing the black square in the action palette.

Test the action and see if it works on your images.... all done! :)

[sito]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. It was so easy!!!

[supplier]

Petra,

somehow the weeding I have attended last week changed my photo life (hopefully to better for good). First of all I was under “shotgun” pressure as I had to fit preparations into 9 “digital” months (like a month or so).:lol: Read a lot of postings, order few books that Tim suggested. Have to learn PS’ techniques.

Just want to thank again all of you for support / tips. Here is one of the greatest web links with freebies and simple tips I found so far:

http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm


Ups, the link is not on this computer. I’ll add the link on Monday, so folks, for now get some patience and continue reading CyberPet’s posts ;)

[CyberPet]

supplier, you are a hoot!!!! :D :D :D :D

Have a wonderful weekend and I'm soo glad you find POTN and it's wonderful people being a great resource and being a good support. It's always a pleasure to see someone "get into the zone" :D

[KevC]

KevC, Thank you!! Well I did come and visit in november, but it was kind of hectic. So not much time for social life. Will be back next year, probably in july (as it seems now - when hubby's cousin is getting married - wanna assist?).


I'd love to assist! Unfortunately I'll probably be in Taiwan at that time, we'll talk though.. maybe my plans will change :)

[dsze]

Nice Petra. I like #5 and #10 the best I think. I like the cool blue background in #5 contrasting the warmer foreground (couple). Was the church just lit that way?

[CyberPet]

Kev, Yeah I'll keep you posted about the wedding in Canada, so we can see if we can meet up somehow. Would love to have someone help out, since it might be very hot and I'm not doing well in too hot weather.

dsze, well the front of the church (altar area) was lit with big flood lights, and the rest of the church was more or less only lit with the natural afternoon light from outside.

[supplier]

just updated the link i promissed:

http://www.atncentral.com/download.htm it worth going to home page and browse everything

Vlad

[CyberPet]

yeah that site is awesome!!

[ricohcam01]

Hey Pet:

Amazing, Great Work. I am dieing to know if you used ambeant light for most or did you use your flash for the church shots? Let me know when and if you can.

Thanks

[PIXI_666]

Petra these are beautiful and i was SURE i sent a msg when i first saw this post but obviously not hahaha!

I love the colours in the church, for something so huge with so many different lights, you did really well to capture such nice lighting on your subjects!!!

I admire the fact that your snow shots also came out brilliantly...all that white reflecting and i really cant see any over or under exposure!!!

My favourite is number 4.....the colours in the background are beautiful!!! And the B&G look really great together....im amazed at these and i have a church wedding coming up, i only hope my shots turn out like yours!!!!

Del

[CyberPet]

Rico, thank you! During the portrait session in the church I did use the flash to fill, but it wasn't much need for it, although it was still pretty dark even if they do have huge flood lights mounted. Outdoors I used a flash too, on most images. Not the ones where I used my 80-200/2.8 lens, since it wouldn't have done much from the distance I stood. And during the ceremony I wasn't allowed to use a flash. So it was a mix of both natural and fake lighting.

Del, hehehe... thank you sweetie!! I too love the mix of that warm light and the cool light from outdoors through the windows. I was terrified to shoot in the snow at first, but RAW can be a life saver... the shots in RAW are just a tad underexposed, just to not risk to overexpose, but it's so easy to fix that in Camera Raw, so I didnt adjust the exposure compensation at all. I more or less just slab my 580EX on the camera and aim it and pull the trigger, the camera does most of the job for me anyway. No biggie. :D

I too love #4, it's my favorite aswell... only thing that irks me is that I missed to keep track of the flowers, I was so stressed by the guy in the background that I actually did clone out (he was right there by the chairs, looking at his wrist watch! GAAAH!). I was too short on time to make another shot to make sure everything was good.

You'll have a ball in a church!! I love churches (and I'm not the least religious!) OK, tricky lighting, but that's whey invented fast glass and high ISO. :D

[MazerRakhm]

Nice pictures! What a beautiful church that was! A lot of color and atmosphere to it, makes for a nice place to shoot it I imagine.

[rlhphotos]

Great photos, what a beatiful bride :)

[Maureen Souza]

Nice work, Petra..... these are really lovely. I have a couple of weddings lined up in August, Sept. and Oct..... am looking forward to trying out a few of your suggestions.

Thanks.:)

[CyberPet]

Thanks Kevin and Rob!

Marueen, Thank you! I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve... you are so good! :D

[SuzyView]

Great shots! The lighting indoors with high ceilings is so hard. Caught everything with great angles. I love outdoor shots in general, but your couple shots were great. Keep going! Love #9.

[i2iSTUDIOS]

they are great!

[sharpfocus]

Bravo Petra, excellent work. Keep it up. You have a good eye and your timing is right on. ...Bob

"Money is the result of succesful activity"

[supplier]

I second it, Brava Petra;)

[AjP]

great pics Petra, I would increase contrast so, but it kidna style I like... but pics are great and great storyline!!!!!

[scorpiojo]

Great pictures and Kudos to the newly weds for posing outside in the elements.

[CyberPet]

Thank you guys!!!

Scorpiojo, well they dragged *me* outdoors... i had no choice. :D