First Timer Engagement Pics - C&C Needed

[misti]

Hello all! I'm VERY new to photography as well as to this forum. Recently a friend asked me to take her engagement pics. With some hesitation I decided to give it a try. I'd really appreciate any and all comments and criticism to help me in the future.

FYI - I'm working on an XT, w/ 18-55mm, 28-200mm, & 75-300mm lenses. No other accessories currently.

Thanks so much in advance! :)


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/mhesse/Engagement6.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/mhesse/Engagement3-1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/mhesse/Engagement4-1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/mhesse/Engagement.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c349/mhesse/Engagement2-1.jpg

[agosling]

Not a bad first effort. A few things need to be looked at, first thing is exposure, most of these images have got some blown highlights, they would all have been better is fill flash or a reflector had been used to balance things out a bit.

What I notice the most however is the depth of field, there is far to much of it. Start practising using AV amd manual modes so that you can open your aperture up alot further and get the separation of the subject from the background.

Your basic ideas are fine, just keep practising and learning...

[islandphoto]

#2 and #4 are great... #4 is my favorite! You shouldn't be hesitant to photograph people (esp. for a favor) that's how we all learn and get better :) You did a great job, and just think this is your first one!

[jamiewexler]

You've made them look good, and very happy together - that's what e-shoots should be all about!

[Mercy299]

I really like #5, Yes the bokeh could have been a little better, but the perspective is
different than most engagement photos and that makes it stand out. Good work

[misti]

Thanks for all the comments! This was definitely a learning experience.

I agree about the blown highlights, Agosling....especially with my bald groom. I tried to use my on camera flash as much as possible but, I think I realized how much I need to invest in a Speedlite.

I do have a question - after this she now wants me to do her bridal portraits in a week. I'm very worried about blowing out the highlights of her dress. Any suggestions on how to prevent that? I just don't see me dropping $300 on flash before then. :) Thanks!

[RachaelSilvers]

Rent a flash :)

[jamiewexler]

If it's outdoors like this was an external flash isn't absolutely necessary - the pop-up can give you the little kick needed for fill. Just disable the focus assist flash in the Custom menu.

As for not blowing out the dress, shoot in open shade as much as possible (try not to have direct sun reflecting off the dress). Watch your histogram to make sure there are no blinkies, and if there are adjust your EV comp or FEC to compensate. If shooting in AV or TV mode, try using +2/3 EV comp and - 2/3 FEC to start and adjust from there. The idea is that the flash should just provide a little fill, not overpower the scene. One of the reasons you were a little hot in the shots above was probably the guy's black shirt. The bride's white dress will pose the opposite problem. Your camera will want to underexpose the scene. If this is the case try adding a bit more EV comp. The trick is to find the setting where the highlights start to blink and then back your settings down until they just stop blinking. If it's a little hot then, you can bring it down in Photoshop with the added benefit of it adding some punch to the photo.

Best of luck!

[JMHPhotography]

Well... my advice is simple. Do what Jamie said...lol. He's absolutely on point, and if you look at his work, you will know that he absolutley knows his stuff.

And for your engagement photos... number two is really nice as well as four. And as for the blown highlights, I think if you used the shadow/highlight tool in advanced mode you can cool the highlights a little more. Try amount 26% tonal width 28% and radius about 120 pixels. Set the shadow amount to zero though, you don't need any lift there. Also, by increasing the black clip to about 8% you can really bring the black back into his shirt.

[jessiper]

Well... my advice is simple. Do what Jamie said...lol. He's absolutely on point, and if you look at his work, you will know that he absolutley knows his stuff.

Yup! ;) Also, the pics look a little on the red side to me. They look very happy together.

[Chris&jess]

#4 is the nice one. I would like like #5 best if it were a little bit better fucused.
Yoy captureed them both looking very happy so they'll be pleased with them.
Chris

[Lin-z]

3 is a really cute image