Need help deciding...

[JMHPhotography]

I did this wedding 3 weeks ago and I'm a little stuck on which I like better so I thought I'd throw this one out to you guys. I have other shots of the cake that I liked as well and they were easier to decide on... but I really just don't know with this one. To me it could go either way.

Color:
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/5452/img1654qg5.jpg

or B/W:
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5796/img1654ua7.jpg

[Johan Groenewald]

First one! The theme colour? wine red? is lost in the second one

[JMHPhotography]

First one! The theme colour? wine red? is lost in the second one

Yep... it's a darkish burgandy. And that's a very good point.

[fstop212]

The first one is beautiful - the second is nice, but the colors bring out the beauty
in the cake. Nice job

[picturecrazy]

If you can't decide between the two, how about something inbetween?

[JMHPhotography]

If you can't decide between the two, how about something inbetween?


Yeah... I like this!!!! Thanks.

[JMHPhotography]

The first one is beautiful - the second is nice, but the colors bring out the beauty
in the cake. Nice job

Thank you very much. :)

[jamiewexler]

Another vote for the color. Anything that takes from the richness of the color in the original scene detracts from the photo IMHO (though you might want to desat the flowers on the table in the back just a bit to keep them from pulling the eyes away from the cake...)

[misti]

I like the color....the cake looks more rich and appealing. Beautiful picture!

[JMHPhotography]

Another vote for the color. Anything that takes from the richness of the color in the original scene detracts from the photo IMHO (though you might want to desat the flowers on the table in the back just a bit to keep them from pulling the eyes away from the cake...)

now that's an outstanding idea. I'll try it out. Thanks Jamie.

I like the color....the cake looks more rich and appealing. Beautiful picture!
appreciate the kind words Misti..


Ok, how about this Jamie?

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/4077/img1654qgqu4.jpg

[agosling]

The first one for sure, but I would clone out the ladder on the righthand side and the light in the top left corner, they are a bit distracting but other than that it is a very nice image.

[RobKirkwood]

Of the two I prefer the colour one - but maybe selective colour would work well here to draw your attention to the foreground ...room in black/white, cake & table in colour? I also agree about losing the stepladder and light.

Rob

[PIXI_666]

first....just pops more with the moron. (Or morone!?) Pick me up on that one too Tim haha!

thatg is one gorgeous cake too!!

[geester]

I think Del means "maroon"?? Anyways, Id definitely go with the color.

[th3r0m]

Excellent photo! I've only shot one cake and it was a frustrating experience. Between color and b&w, definitely color. I do like the idea, however, of using selected color to bring out the cake and foreground as the background is kind of distracting. Ditto getting rid of the ladder and light.

[JMHPhotography]

Thanks all... :) Awesome suggestions.

th3r0m... I've shot a few cakes now, and I always try to do something different with them. I don't want it to be just another picture of the cake. This one here, I used a blend of the natural light and flash. It was tricky since my flash was on a flash flip bracket and this was held neither in portrait or landscape orientation, but somewhere in between and closer to portrait I guess. I wanted to bounce the flash straight up and over my right shoulder into an area that was pure white and recessed into the ceiling. I wanted the window lights to hit the cake from 45° behind to give the highlights in the way it does here. I just looked in my viewfinder and moved a little until I saw what I wanted. I held the camera with one hand, and my flash bracket flash flip arm with the other to put it where I wanted it for the bounce fill. It was a little tricky, but in the end I got the shot I wanted. Sadly, I didn't check EVERYTHING since the ladder is there, and the light, but it's a lesson learned.

[BrittanyElise]

I'm no pro (yet) but I am having my own wedding in July and would most enjoy receiving the first photo as my cake picture. The others are great, but seem to take some of the depth out when the color is taken out as well. The first one is beautiful.

[Rachellebee27]

IMO the flowers look fake and the cake looks to plastic BW, I really like the color version it brings forth a warmth and flavor of the wedding.

[imhotep]

The first one for sure, but I would clone out the ladder on the righthand side and the light in the top left corner, they are a bit distracting but other than that it is a very nice image.

Ditto. I was tempted to say the b&w at first just because it detracts from the ladder's distraction, but this suggestion is better. Also, I think the image that compromises between the two is really nice.