2nd wedding..honest C&C please

[xtravaluemeal1]

I don't think this was my best work by any means. I tried really hard but I think the pictures came out average. Anybody have any ideas as to how to PP some of these key shots to improve the look?

1.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof042.jpg

2.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof065.jpg

3.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof100.jpg

4.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof133.jpg

5.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof136.jpg

6.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof157.jpg

7.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof182.jpg

8.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p53/westloopphoto/Laura%20and%20Jim/Copyof203.jpg

[Permagrin]

You have "image editing ok"....do you care if people play with the shots and see what they can do?

[mhayes]

I love the last one...I think the composition is gorgeous.

[NickSimcheck]

I think all of the images have a different look and feel, which sometimes is a good thing but in a wedding you want the style to flow with the day.

That could be the reason you feel they are average.

[xtravaluemeal1]

You have "image editing ok"....do you care if people play with the shots and see what they can do?

no, not at all, please help provide feedback as to how you think a picture would look better. But please clue me into what it is you exactly did because i'd love to learn how you did it

[Permagrin]

okay, I did some quick edits on some of the shots...they're just to give you ideas. Hope it helps stir some creative juices ;) I went with the same premise as a previous poster pointed out...and tried to keep a similar feel to the shots.

Your last photo was my favorite, I liked the feel of it and used it as a guide.

This first one, I just adjusted the color to match her skin tone & contrast. I cropped it to take out the corner of the ceiling too.
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/116460832-M.jpg

On this next one, I really liked it but thought the background was taking away from the actual "moment" so I just softened it by adding a vignette filter.
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/116460821-M.jpg

On this next one, that red mirror so much detracted from the bride that I made a couple of layers and converted the top one to b&w...erased the part where the bride was...just because I thought selective color might be ineteresting. The whole thing looked good in b&w...anyway, just another idea to maybe play with and see what you like.
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/116460812-M.jpg

This last one, has so much potential and I don't think I got it quite right...I converted it to midnight sepia but that darkened the bride in the mirror way too much...so I un-did that and removed the bride...converted the rest to midnight sepia...put the bride back and used a regular light sepia filter on her..and then a dynamic skin softener filter...but I didn't get the edges quite right.
http://LC-images.smugmug.com/photos/116460803-M.jpg

Anyway, hope this gives you some ideas to play with and see what you like.

[Expressisvestudios]

The green one justs needed a little tweek on the colors I thought - I liked the last edit, just tried on of my own as well.

[rnuffer@earthlink.net]

You have some editing to do. Pirmagrin did a great job for you. You should thank him.

Rick Nuffer
www.PalmSpringsPhotography.net

[karensimmons]

My opinion is that PS should be used to enhance, not to fix. I personally don't like lots of PS work on an image. If it can't stand on it's own w/out PS, then I toss it, except in rare, rare occassions.

For these, I think mostly cropping and correct color or b&w conversion would make a world of difference. Seriously - they're not bad images at all and they can be made "right" w/out over processing.

The exception, IMO, would be #7. You had some fantastic lines in the greenhouse roof that you really could have worked with. Unfortunately the extreme tilt you used totally negates the natural framing you could have had and makes the image dizzying instead of pleasing. IMO, tilt is something that you use only when you need that sense of motion - and even then, use it judiciously. Tilt for tilt's sake just doesn't work.

K.

[tim1960]

I like them all but #7 is tilted too much for me but it's still a good shot.

Tim

[Visual Bride]

I think that you have a few strong shots. I think as you continue, you will develop a style. I think thats what you need to work on.

I love number 8 for it's creativity. Your colours did need some work to enhance the pictures.

I don't like 1 and 5 because i the 'Exit' sign and fire extinguisher and the thermostat grabs your attention. It removes the romance.
Also 1 needs to be straightened up. Though I think what you were trying to do was great and worth trying again.


Keep it up!

[Chet S]

good solid series of images !!

[xtravaluemeal1]

Permagrin, expressive, et all....thank you for your inputs. I know I'll have to continue to work at this and a common theme that is coming up is the whole style issue. I am continuing to ask friends to help me practice and will continue to try and develop this craft. But your inputs have been essential in helping me and I appreciate your taking the time to review them. I will try to adjust the photos to reflect your suggestions! Great suggestions btw! Thank you!

[tim]

My first piece of advice is to be careful who you take advice from. I don't like a lot of the sample modified images posted in this thread.

The last image is nice, the rest are fine - nothing special to me. Exposure is wrong in most of them. You need to use fill flash, and how to make interesting lighting and shadows, then you won't need to rely on PP.

My tips:
- Use levels, play with the middle slider.
- Bump saturation and contrast a bit - not too much.
- Do some B&W using the channel mixer, and add a vignette. I have a post somewhere on how I do this, I don't have the link with me at work.

[mackb]

I think you did good work, if this is how most of the pictures turned out I'd be happy- If you want to be a pro and "the best" then I'd say go with what Tim said!

I love how honest Tim is...it's almost just not right..lol.......take it the way it's intended..to make you better....but IMO...your good!

[Permagrin]

Tim is honest...what can one say...they were just suggestions anyway...ideas to stimulate creativity...not perfected by any means. Glad that it helped though.

[steveathome]

I notice on your equipment, that you only list a kit lens. Were all these shots taken with the kit lens?

[xtravaluemeal1]

Most of the shots during the day were taken with a combination of kit/30mm prime. At night, I only used the prime at a high ISO and low aperature. Neat Image does wonders for cleaning up the grain.

As a FYI, I have started a business with a partner. He is prime, I'm always second, although that line has blured a bit and I'm taking a more active role in shooting the key shots.

[islandphoto]

I like them esp the edited versions! Good job and I'm excited to see more of your work. I 'd like to see some tighter crops also.