Pics from my 1st shoot with strangers

[Phocus73]

I usually shoot weddings for friends and family. This was from last summer, my real learning experience. I was working with people I never knew. It was stressfull and I know now why PROS deserve the money they are asking for. I don't do this professionally or full time...hehehe, as the pics may show. Anyway, wanted some feedback from people. I made quite a few mistakes and learned a lot. I do enjoy shooting weddings, but I have tons more to learn. Here are a few from the wedding in Aug.2006.
http://k47.pbase.com/g4/39/621739/2/64906999.z71uNf0G.jpg
http://i5.pbase.com/g4/39/621739/2/64985311.2rEx2xNH.jpg
http://k41.pbase.com/g4/39/621739/2/64909706.2nAB544e.jpg
http://i5.pbase.com/g4/39/621739/2/64924667.lbd4VcuB.jpg

[Lunajen]

Well, I think those are wondrful. Great job.

[Phocus73]

Thanks Lunajen, I sure admire people that do weddings now. The experience I had was sure great. I took at look at your webpage and you do some lovely work too. I really dig your portraits. :)

[sblais]

Great shots! How about increasing the contrast in the second one? I find it looks like an old faded photograph, which is charming but may not be what you want to achieve. It may also be my work monitor which isn't calibrated and not that good with colors and contrast...

[CyberPet]

Love the light and bw conversion in the first and last image. Not a big fan of the sepia you did on the second image. It lacks contrast, something you have lots of in the first and last one. Great stuff!

[Phocus73]

Love the light and bw conversion in the first and last image. Not a big fan of the sepia you did on the second image. It lacks contrast, something you have lots of in the first and last one. Great stuff!

Yeah, I agree. The first and last were taken before the wedding using my alien bee lights. I am not sure how I could of increased the contrast for the middle two, any suggestions? Thanks. :)

[CyberPet]

Did you shoot RAW? if so you could probably just bump the black a bit. If Jpeg, you can either increase it in Curves or levels by increasing the blacks a it more (even doing so on the already made sepia should work).

[mizuno]

They look great. You've captured a really nice feel in all of them - the subjects must have been felt comfortable with you, which is a great asset to have.

[tony fanning]

Good work! #1 and #3 are really nice I actually prefer shooting strangers to friends and family- I can be "the photographer" instead of "dad" or "son".

[shuttermom]

ohhh- really like #1! #3 I wonder what would look like in color- don't particularly like the PP on that one. Back off the vignetting and see if you can not blow the dress out. Comp wise- great job!

[Kiddo]

Very nice!!