Usable image?? you decide.....

[geester]

Took this yesterday and was debating whether to inlcude it in a slideshow to send over to the bride. I say its alright and think its a pretty cool capture, but wife thinks otherwise, and it shows too much leg. She is the one that took it.

So, Ill let you guys decide. Just a quick b&w conversion, but Ill touch it up a bit if we decide to use it.

Thanx for the input........Greg



http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f22/gregchee/Leslie-Wedding051-copyweb.jpg

[OdiN1701]

You can always darken the dress there so it won't show her legs. It's interesting, but I don't know if the couple would like it or not.

[tim]

Ask the couple, by email perhaps. I'd include it, and i'd not have noticed the legs either.

[song4themoon]

I would strengthen the contrast to get more of a silouette and definitely use it. I like it!

[Jwreich]

too much leg why, because the dress becomes more sheer? The imge is good, use it. You could play around with the contrast... it would offer some options, but it is also good as it is. A little leg never hurt anyone....

On a side note, you know the client, are they ultra modest? If so that could change my answer. I still don't see an issue for the ultra modest, but I'm not their photographer. My clients tend to be lest modest and would love that image in their living room for it's artistic value.

[Rachellebee27]

I don't like it, why? because the way the dress is lit makes her legs look "fatter" through the thighs than they probably are, and no bride wants their thighs to look fat. Maybe if you darkened the dress so it was less shear looking, maybe. I like it otherwise.

[Crashless]

I would say include it. BUT, I would also make it either a silhouette or not, right now it kind of looks in-between so it comes off as a bad exposure to me. There's a lot of intersting stuff going on and I really like the stain-glass door - but after seeing my wife critique herself in our wedding pictures I have first-hand experience with how picky brides can be about how they look.

Like others said, I would consider reducing the 'sheerness' of her dress, and darken their silhouettes.

[geester]

Thanks for the input so far. I will fiddle with the contrast to see what I get. If you guys are willing to try a conversion on it, please feel free and post. Once I get home, Ill see if I like the color version too and may post it here to mess with.
As far as exposure, this was a TOUGH venue to gauge. Dark with red and amber lighting throughout the place. Most shots between 1600-3200iso at 1/40 the fastest using a 85 1.8 prime on a 5D. Couldve knocked down to 1.4 on the 50, but I dont know how much a difference it wouldve made.

[song4themoon]

Cant resist photoshop work if asked :)

I just tried to bring it out more as a silouette

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c132/Song4themoon/Leslie-Wedding051-edit.jpg

[Crashless]

Just to be clear (it isn't always easy to do so on the internet) I wanted to let you know that I wasn't criticizing your exposure ability at all. I know it can be extremely difficult, especially in a wedding environment, to get it right. I was simply suggesting that this particular picture might benefit from either a HDR conversion (if it's in RAW, that might be kinda cool) or a more simple silhouette.

FWIW, I like the sepia conversion you did. It adds a very timeless look. But in interest of full-disclosure I've always been a fan of specialty films (cross-process especially) so I like that kind of thing.

[geester]

Crashless - None taken at all and plus that thinking never really entered my mind.....I really do appreciate everyone's thoughts here, both negative and positive, and am always looking for ways to improve our stuff. Thx for being so thoughtful. :)

HDR Conversion??? It was shot in raw, but im not sure what that means.

Jwreich - no, they are not modest. Kind of the opposite even...The family is actually in the fashion industry, though the bride may be a bit more conservative than the rest of them....but not by much.

Song - that looks nice....the classic silhouette. Can never go wrong with that!

[sugarzebra]

I prefer the edit to create a full silhouette look. My assumption would be that the bride, regardless of her views on modesty, would not have the expectation of the wedding dress allowing for that much 'exposure' of her legs, and therefore to include the first shot in the slide show would not be prudent, even though its a good shot....but perhaps I'm over analysing!

[monter]

If I was the bride, I wouldn't like the original only becuase of the legs. there is something about it that disturbs me. Now the complete silohoutte that was posted second.. that I LOVE! As a bride I'd buy it.

[Crashless]

Here's an example of an HDR conversion on the JPG you posted. It might turn out better with the RAW, but it's hard to tell. After I did it, I realized that the leg shadows might still be problematic. I just continued to show you what I meant. The edges can be cleaned considerably, but it takes time, and I'm at work..:rolleyes:

If you want the PSD to see how I did it, PM me and I'll email it to you.

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/8337/lesliewedding051quickhdr2hi.jpg

Anyways, the silhouette might be better...:oops:

[song4themoon]

Crashless, good job on lightening it up.. however if the client sees it and doesnt know the original.. all they see is a unclear, underexposed image. I think going with a silouette is the best way to safe it for actual presentation. but maybe thats just me ???

[NBEast]

Don't have an opinion if it should be used or not, except that I like it in it's first form (legs, no face). The guy's in an odd balance, but she looks devine. Also; if she were conservative she wouldn't have such a sheer dress for her wedding. I'm undecided if the guy in the background detracts from it or not. It suggests less solitude so maybe better to PS him out.

I'm curious, what lens? The bokeh is absolutely perfect with the crystal.

[geester]

Thanks NBEast,

This photo is a basic bw conversion right now, so there is additional pp'ing that needs to be done. For that shot, a 5d with 85 1.8 used. I love the combo, but dont shoot it too much since we like the flexibility of a zoom. It was the only option as the lighting conds were rougn. I believe this shot was iso 1600 at around 1/25. Even shooting at 3200, still couldnt get anything faster than 1/50.

Don't have an opinion if it should be used or not, except that I like it in it's first form (legs, no face). The guy's in an odd balance, but she looks devine. Also; if she were conservative she wouldn't have such a sheer dress for her wedding. I'm undecided if the guy in the background detracts from it or not. It suggests less solitude so maybe better to PS him out.

I'm curious, what lens? The bokeh is absolutely perfect with the crystal.