Yuck or okay?

[Kathy H]

This is from a few weeks ago and I'm basically done with their photos but I keep going back to this one for some reason. It's nothing special really, I just kinda like it but think it's just missing something and boarderlining "yucky". I was done for the day, nearly sundown, and I spotted them having a moment with the moon coming out in the background. My camera was already put away and by the time I wrestled away the one my husband was holding and set it to what would work, this is what I got. Any ideas or should I just trash it?

[mgs475]

There are a few details in it that kinda distract me I guess.
The trees in the bg, faces dont look in focus to me, and his shirt kinda looks almost un tucked. Maybe with some editing you could save the pic. Not sure. I like the capture though, you got a great moment in history for them so the may want it.

[12stones]

It's a good candid of a special moment for them, but other than that I don't see much potential in this. The background isn't "right" for this picture.

[sblais]

I think it can be saved with PP. Here's my try at it:

188663

I did the following modifications:

- Vertical Crop
- Vignetting (see Tim's technique)
- Played a bit with the Shadow/Highlight tool (I forget what parameters I ended up using)
- Color Balance (-100, +100, +100 -> for the midtones)
- Saturation: -100 (converting to grayscale)
- Set the black and white points with a "Level" Layer.
- I painted with a black brush on the rest of the guy's white shirt to hide it.

Sorry for the low-quality image. I started with a highly compressed jpeg file.

[Lethargic1]

I like that edit Sblais. It makes it look like an epic kiss, and it makes me want to start humming the theme from Casablanca.:D

[Kathy H]

12Stones, Thank you for the "Background not right" comment. You are right about that and I think thats what kept drawing me back to want to make it okay. You see the background of this place was horrible! It was a small city park, about a half acre total surrounded on all sides by a tennis court, a school, a lot of autos, a lot of mobile homes, etc. you get my drift? I was up in trees, laying on the ground, and dodging little kids trying to get a decent shot all day and when this one happened, it was the cleanest background of the day. But unfortunately it's just what it is, kinda yucky:) So I guess now I'll answer my own post also and vote for give up on it.
Thanks!

Kathy

[Kathy H]

Oh shoot, I spoke up and gave up to soon! Sebastien, you are my hero! I love it!!!! (Tears of Joy) Thank you! I'll go try to make mine look like yours!:) :) :)

[Kathy H]

Sebastien, I've got another winner from this wedding, the bride has a plastic cup of Coors in her hand and a chew of Copenhagen in her lip, you wanna work on that one?:lol:

[12stones]

Oh shoot, I spoke up and gave up to soon! Sebastien, you are my hero! I love it!!!! (Tears of Joy) Thank you! I'll go try to make mine look like yours!:) :) :)

It looks like I spoke up and gave up too soon as well, Kathy.

[italianfemmy]

I am so happy I get to meet sebastien in a couple months. Seems he has some things he can teach at our workshop afterall.

[sblais]

Sebastien, I've got another winner from this wedding, the bride has a plastic cup of Coors in her hand and a chew of Copenhagen in her lip, you wanna work on that one?:lol:

So I'd have to change that to a glass of champagne and a rose in her mouth? (she was chewing tobacco?? Don't see that very often in my part of the world!)

;)

There is a good thread about photoshop techniques useful for wedding photography. I gave a quick tutorial here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=270309) (starting on post 79).

[Kathy H]

Thanks, I'll check out that thread when I get home later. I have to go work, senior portrait session, dang-it!, How dare they interrupt my "Goofing off on the Net" time.:)

Oh and yes, she was really chewing tobacco, I don't see much of that around here either, but I guess it's whatever turns your crank!

Kathy

[bcap]

I agree that it can be saved in PP.

Sebastien, I like your edit.

Here is my quick edit (I could obviously do a much better job w/ a high res version). This is how I envisioned it when I first saw it. May not work for some, but I enjoy it :)

[bcap]

The edges are super halo-y in this version. I would make sure that wouldn't happen if you could let me play with a full-res version :)

[mgs475]

Well everyone is putting up great pp I decided to give my attempt at it. Here it is let me know what you all think of it!

[mgs475]

Ok I love this stuff so here is another one. Please let me know what you think.

[Hassan2285]

Is it just me or the bride doesn't seem very comfortable? She seems forced.

[suecassidy]

I like that you caught an unscripted moment. Hate the shirt tail hanging out and the background, so why not do as others have suggested and PP what you DO like and leave the rest on the editing room floor, so to speak. I say keep parts of it for sure!

[LeesaB]

Love Sebastians edit..WOW...