Engagment Shoot :: 06/29/07

[Gujustud]

Well I lucked out during this engagement shoot. It was actually my first of the year, and I was getting the butterflies during the wee hours leading up to the shoot.

The weather was calling for thundershowers all day. The amazing couple still wanted to shoot regardless. Thankfully I just got my 1D MK2 last week, and rented a 17-40 while mine came in the mail, so I wasn't too worried about getting wet. I ran over to the umbrella store on the way, and picked up some amazing umbrellas to use, but as luck would have it, after a few photos in front of their house (in the rain) by the time we moved on to the first location, the rain stopped and the sun started to show his face!

I found it took me a while (1 hr at least) to start to really get back into the groove of things. I've been playing with my 1D as much as possible, but I still learned a lot during the shoot. FYI I shot with that cam with the 17-40 and I had a 70-200 f/4 on my 20D. First time shooting with both bodies, and I LOVED it! It was so nice to be able to quickly switch from camera to camera to get a variety of shots.

Anyways, onto the photos. Please, PLEASE CC me as much as possible. I haven't done a lot of engagement shoots yet, and would like your honest opinion (I know I'll get that here!). Tons of photos, but I'll post just a few for now.

http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone1.jpg

http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone2.jpg

http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone3.jpg

http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone4.jpg

These were really a great couple, and I had a ton of fun with them. I can't wait for their wedding coming up in August.

[liza]

I love 2 and 3. The setting is just remarkable. I'm not a fan of the sepia in the first image at all, though.

[Jim G]

Very nice silhouette in #2. I don't mind #1, either... I think they're a little small in #3.

[bcap]

Wow. Stellar shots!

The only one I don't like is #3 and it's because they're too small in the frame, just my opinion though.

What'd you use to light these?

[MrsOpie]

wow! I love all of them. amazing photos

[Eric Redard]

Love the silhouette. Would have REALLY liked the third if the couple was on the second big rock from the front. Love the exposure and feeling of that one.

Peace.
Eric

[Gujustud]

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies and comments, sorry for my late response! I've been busy working on my first asukabook for them, as they wanted to have a guestbook made with their images, so I figured i'd try out asukabook.

I too wish that I could of taken more pictures by the water. It seemed as though as soon as we found that spot, the water started to really come in, and there were some big waves (groom actually got his foot soaked!), so that was really the only shot I got from that angle.

bcap: Only lighting I used was one 580ex. I have the v2 ebay slave kit that I always used with the 580ex to get the wireless flash.

Here are a few others, the first one, being one of their favorite (also on the front cover of their guestbook).

http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone5.jpg

http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone6.jpg

[Gujustud]

Okay one more. I call this 'Not so fast tough guy!'. These were pretty much the last shots of the night. What a fun couple to work with!

click on image for larger version
http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone7thumb.jpg (http://www.ditchmond.com/images/wedding/evahone7.jpg)

[sando]

I think they're all stunning. Well done!

One thing though, the flash-shadow in #4 is a bit off-putting though.

[Grace]

how did I miss this set? sorry! these look great!! I really like the 3 frame kissing shots...very cute! I really like the first one too! :) good job!

[sblais]

Wow, stunning shots! Nice use of off-camera lighting!

I would work on their skin tones in #6, esp. for the lady, as the flash seems to be very strong, she has a pale skin tone, and the lighting looks unnatural and not the most flattering for her. Try to bring it like your #4.

[Toogy]

Wow great job... I really need to start playing with off-camera flash.

[CyberPet]

Great session!! Love the off the camera flash - and the post processing. But all in all, #3 does it most for me - love that one with the almost creamy water!

[restech]

The kissing shots are very wonderful. But the people on the background (left of the girl) are mmmh ... annoying. Could you crop or clone them out ?
Anyway all the pictures are great.

[italianfemmy]

# 2 is amazing. I love it love it love it!

[sixsixfour]

love the pictures.

[Gujustud]

Thank you all once again! Yes I'm really having a blast with the wireless flash. I went camping this weekend with a few friends, and of course the wireless flash came out as I did a fun photoshoot with a friend of mine.

I now have an umbrella/stand to use, so I think I'll be able to get even better pictures, and not so harsh lighting. I've also got a 2nd 580ex to use now, so I'm really looking foward to bigtime wireless flash.

However as good and 'cost-effective' the v2 ebay slaves are for the 580ex, I think I will seriously need to invest in some pocket wizards sometime shortly. The ebay slaves did misfire several times, which is something that I really can't afford to happen going forward.


One thing though, the flash-shadow in #4 is a bit off-putting though.

Yes, I noticed that once I got back home. Its one of those small things you sometimes overlook during the shoot, then notice when you get back home. ARG! Oh well, live and learn.

[canotographer]

Sweet! Love number 1, 2 and 7 the most!