Which crop?

[RachaelSilvers]

I get so excited about an image when I shoot it but I am open to ways to make it even stronger without doing too much PP.

I did auto levels and added a little saturation.

Here it is as shot:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1235/4157547/13011048/192400265.jpg

Here it is as a vertical 8x10:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1235/4157547/13011048/192395310.jpg


Here it is as a horizontal 9.5 x 14.5:
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1235/4157547/13011048/192395280.jpg

Which is the strongest image? I'm leaning towards the horizontal . . .

[MagicallyDelicious]

It needs straightening up a little but i prefer the last crop :)

[anglext]

I think the horizontal leads the viewer into the b&g better...dont know if it would look better with the horizon straigntened out or not but I do like the image very much

[aacmckay]

I like the first one for some reason, and like the out of horizontal look. It gives the shot a unique feel to it. :)

That said, I'm sure that the couple would prefer the last shot and straightened out. ;)

[RachaelSilvers]

Straight looks a little boring to me.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1235/4157547/13011048/192403346.jpg

But I know there is debate on the whole angled plane. I only do it for a few photos within a wedding so as not to overkill it.

[Padawan Dad]

Like the last one best... however, if the 1st had more of the sky, and less of the grass, I would probably lean towards that image.

Nice photo!

[Billginthekeys]

last shot, and straiten the horizon.

[Billginthekeys]

if you are tilting it make sure its tilted enough to look intentional. because it looks accidental right now, and therefore may not go over so well.

[Padawan Dad]

I think the original angled shot works better than it being straightened out. The heads in the back rows line up with the angle shot. I think it just works better for me. JMHO.

[aacmckay]

Straight looks a little boring to me.

I'm not a wedding photographer myself so take this with a grain of salt.... I would think that most people would lean towards "standard compositions" when wanting wedding photos. Maybe at most some desats and soft-focus shots. When shooting a wedding it's probably not a time to really experiment with composition a lot. That said, you can always present them with the alternative compositions, but I think it's a good idea to let them see a more traditional composition as well so they can make the choice as to which they prefer.

[RachaelSilvers]

*Bill-like this? http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1235/4157547/13011048/192404759.jpg


Wow. I could crop this one and show different quadrants for hours . . .

I am still thinking horizontal and suggesting it be used as a panoramic across two pages in their final album.

[MagicallyDelicious]

I think you should show them both straightened and non then they will make thier own minds up! It is a lovely picture.

[RachaelSilvers]

I'm not a wedding photographer myself so take this with a grain of salt.... I would think that most people would lean towards "standard compositions" when wanting wedding photos. Maybe at most some desats and soft-focus shots. When shooting a wedding it's probably not a time to really experiment with composition a lot. That said, you can always present them with the alternative compositions, but I think it's a good idea to let them see a more traditional composition as well so they can make the choice as to which they prefer.

Good points and I appreciate your insight! I majored in PJ for my BA degree. I also interned and was a stringer, so when I launched my wedding photography business full-force in 2001, there was a very strong pull for PJ. I do a limited amount of traditional shots but my clients actually hire me for the candid and PJ aspect. When I refer to traditional I mean various full shots of the ceremony, close up of rings and vows and a very short list of posed formals etc. But with the popularity in candid and PJ style the last few years (I have been very lucky) I have a steady stream of clients who hire me for that style.

While my hubby takes care to remind me to keep trad'l skills as PJ may one day go out of style, I milk it and with the switch to digital I feel like it's prompted me to experiment even more!

I have actually turned away clients (it took me years to get up the nerve) because they wanted more traditional wedding photography and I didn't want them to be dissappointed when they ended up with more candid and PJ shots than traditional.

That's the beauty of this industry, there are so many styles of wedding photography to choose from and a lot of photographers within each style.

[JadeL]

Rachael this is a great shot. I prefer it in the horizontal format as it draws me in to the bride and groom and makes it feel like there are more guests. I know you want to keep the pp down to a minimum but this image might look great with velvia coloring. Just my two cents...

[RachaelSilvers]

Rachael this is a great shot. I prefer it in the horizontal format as it draws me in to the bride and groom and makes it feel like there are more guests. I know you want to keep the pp down to a minimum but this image might look great with velvia coloring. Just my two cents...

How do I do the velvia coloring? Is it an action?

[JadeL]

I have it set up as an action but it can be done manually as well. Just go to image -> adjustments ->the channel mixer and then set each output channel in the following way:
Red output: red 120%, green -10% and blue -10%
Green output: red-10%, green 120% and blue -10%
Blue output: red -10%, green -10% and blue 120%
Sometimes this is too extreme and I will adjust the values so that the percent always equals 100.
Have fun and let me know what you think.

[tim]

#3, I like it tilted. With those clouds it'd look good B&W, but I like color too. I'd probably get less grass next time and more sky since the sky has texture and the grass is boring.

[RachaelSilvers]

#3, I like it tilted. With those clouds it'd look good B&W, but I like color too. I'd probably get less grass next time and more sky since the sky has texture and the grass is boring.

:nod:

[Grace]

rachael, I love the very last edit you posted!

great shot!
kp

[richy5497]

Yes, i like the third one best.

[Padawan Dad]

*Bill-like this? http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1235/4157547/13011048/192404759.jpg


Wow. I could crop this one and show different quadrants for hours . . .

I am still thinking horizontal and suggesting it be used as a panoramic across two pages in their final album.

If you could center the B&G it has potential for my taste.

[Hellashot]

I prefer the horizontal, cropped and straightened image.

[RachaelSilvers]

It's amazing, I think the straightened horizontal is growing on me. I think the guests/chairs still have a strength in drawing the eye to the B & G and it works without the angle and does not look as boring as I thought yesterday.

[aacmckay]

It's amazing, I think the straightened horizontal is growing on me. I think the guests/chairs still have a strength in drawing the eye to the B & G and it works without the angle and does not look as boring as I thought yesterday.

Funny how that happens eh? :D

[pieq314]

I like the horizontal version with the horizon straightened.

[firstfirefly]

I like the horizontal version with the horizon straightened.

I agree. :-)