1st big wedding - some shots for C&C

[Claytonian]

I shot my first big wedding in August. It was my sister-in-law and they were not paying me so there wasn't any pressure from them. I put a lot of pressure on myself, but that's besides the point!

I debated posting some of the images here, but thought "what the heck". I shot close to 1,000 images that Saturday from about 9am until 11pm. Long day, but it was fun. I wasn't too happy with the reception photos. I was often unsure of how to light things, use the flash or not, high ISO noise, etc. Ditto with some of the indoor church poses. But I got plenty of nice shots and the B&G and their families are happy so I guess that's all that matters. If/when I ever do a wedding again, I will definitely know a little better what to do and what not to do. I will also have upgraded equipment!

Anyway, here are some of my favorites from the day....
1.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/288-8895_CRW_radiant.jpg
2.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/288-8896_CRW_bw.jpg
3.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/289-8939_CRW_glam.jpg
4.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/291-9168_IMG_glam.jpg
5.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/291-9182_IMG_bwcolor.jpg
6.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/292-9232_IMG.jpg
7.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/292-9255_IMG_bw.jpg
8.
http://webpages.charter.net/kratzer/images/photography/forum/292-9295_IMG_bwcolor.jpg

[tnicol]

Really a nice job. I like them all except maybe no. 2 - not terribly flattering. I like the mirror shot, looks like something I'd do. I'd like to see a color version of no. 5 or better yet, selectively color her completely and desaturate the rest, not quite to b/w. Cute idea in 6. Something about 8 I really like.

[restech]

the glow effect is nice, but just too many.
I think #1-4 would be nicer without the glow effect.

# 3, if only the kid turns her head to see you. That would make one nice pictures. My personal thinking is trying to catch facial expression rather that just the ambiance.

# 5, the groom is way too far. I did not notice him at the first look. Also, you do a selective coloring, which will draw eyes to the flower only, and won't notice the groom.

# 6, fun pose, but the angle doesn't work for me.

# 7, I feel like the cake is about to fall. :D. Sorry, I think it's because it's tilted.

# 8, I think you should take the picture on the same level of the hands.

Nice work Clay with the exposure and white balance.

[Macca56]

I like no 8. Being a complete novice to the digital format, how do you combine the colour in a black and white picture ?

[sblais]

Some nice shots in there! but I'm not a fan of your processing.

#1. Remove the glow completely. This is a candid shot, not a dreamy and soft-looking posed shot. I don't know what other processing you did, but the face and chest of the bride look orange. Maybe she went to the tanning salon a bit too often.

#2. I don't like her expression, the pose isn't the most flattering and you already have one of the bride in a similar position. My arms are tired for her already. That would be a "delete" in my book.

#3. Nice ghost shot. Oh, is that the glow again? Reduce it so that it's almost not visible, if you really want to have that effect in your shots. Less is best. It's a nice and cute shot otherwise!

#4. On their wedding day, all brides have that glow on their faces! Well, not like that actually... Get rid of the glow again, please! Not sure of the bride's expression as well. It may not be her best.

#5. Is that the groom, waaaaayyy back there? He should be a bit closer, shouldn't he? Plus I'm not too fond of selective coloring, except in really exceptional cases and this isn't one.

#6. Fun shot :)

#7. You may want to straighten the shot. The crop doesn't do it for me either. You cut off the bottom part of the fountain, etc.

#8 is fine, you may try different angles, perspectives. But I'd drop the selective coloring.

[cccp145]

nice shots, some have too much glow effect

[Pebbs4]

I like no 8. Being a complete novice to the digital format, how do you combine the colour in a black and white picture ?

There are hundreds of tuts available on the net...... Just google photoshop tutorials.I'm not sure what program you use. But heres an example for you....


http://www.11amdesign.com/faq/index.php?sid=409125&lang=en&action=artikel&cat=21&id=902&artlang=en

[Jon Rouston]

Hi,

#1 - loose the glow, like the above poster said. I think this would look better as a black and white
#2 is good.
#3 is good but deglow it a bit. Be more subtle
#4 is nice
#5 not loving it, she looks fed up. I personally hate selective colour but if your clients dig it...
#6 is fine - again not really my style
#7 I actually like the crop, I imagine that this cake looks a lot larger than it does in real life, which I think is quite cool
#8 is good, but same goes for what I said about selective colour.

You'll have to excuse me if that's too direct. There are children crying in my ears (this isn't a figure of speech)

[stathunter]

They are ok.... as long as you learn and understand your mistakes you will get paid double next time. :) ---fwiw-I am not a fan of armpit shots :(

[Macca56]

There are hundreds of tuts available on the net...... Just google photoshop tutorials.I'm not sure what program you use. But heres an example for you....


http://www.11amdesign.com/faq/index.php?sid=409125&lang=en&action=artikel&cat=21&id=902&artlang=en

I use Photoshop 7, and that link is a great help, thanks Pebbs.

[RedHot]

The black and white bridge photo: The bride's expression lacks any emotion and her groom is so far away and so small that the quick glance would totally miss that he is in the photo. Some of her white photos also have a very blue tint.