Need advice on this Image

[luvin]

Hi Guys,

I recently took these 2 images. My brain cells exploded when I was taking these few shots. I was determined to shoot this location. But... something inside me kept telling me that I should be doing it differently. I still say my 2 shots suck... but.. can't pin point the problem..

Please help me out guys...
Cheers.

01. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2042/2108536620_8bd2b770b7.jpg

This first image was taken outside the tunnel... Just to show you guys how it looks like. I was standing just before the 1st step. I took another shot that was closer Just to inside and to the left of the gate. The couple was standing at the same spot.

02. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2107760561_6a25552576.jpg

This 2nd image... Just can't catch my worries...

Cheers Guys.

[lil_miss]

The first one i think it is the dark area at the bottom right.. the second pic I really like - :)

[Visual Bride]

Hi Lurvin,

I think the second shot is excellent. With a little more p&p it could be even better.

The 1st picture is a good concept.
Flash:
I think the flash kills the atmosphere.It lights the foreground to much. It almost has a point and shoot feel. The fence is brighter than the B&G. A vignette could help that.
Its as if they were caught out. If they were looking at each other it would have appeared more natural, rather than staged. Does that make sense?...

Also shooting with a longer lens may have helped. The bride & groom also appear very small. The fence and the steps outside the tunnel add little. I would imagine that a closer shot would have looked really good.

That second image is really good. A bit close to the dress, but still good.

[taygull]

I'd like to see your EXIF data on the first shot to see if something could have been adjusted to allow less intensity of the flash.

[Visual Bride]

good idea taygull

[DaleFrazierPhotography]

I too love th location, I think the first image is off balance and that is part of the problem, its is such a small area it would be hard to shoot and get the bride and groom light up properly with out seeing the off camera flash and tripod set up closer to them, anothe poss solution in the future might be put an off camera flash behind them to equal out some of the light, I would try pointing the light straight up and or shooting down the tunnel.
Very cool location. I wish I had a spot around here like that to practice with, once you get it perfected it will make for some awesome images..

[ErikM]

I think the first image has some potential.. perhaps using a slave flash behind the b&g to give them some backlighting would make them pop a little more. Also I would recommend using a longer lense as has been said above. I am not feeling the fence on the left... it catches my eye long before the bride and groom do.

Second image is nice... wish there was slightly more room at the bottom so that the brides dress was not right beside the edge of the image.

[luvin]

Hey Guys,

Thanks heaps for all your comments and advice... been reading... and absorbing... Will give all your advice a go and see which one turns out ....

lil_miss: Thanks.. will remember to balance the lighting on such images...

Taygull: What's EXIF ?? Is that the metadata on that image..??

Dale: If you swing by Singapore... drop me a line... and I'll bring you to this place...

Simeon and Erik: Cheers for the advice... Looks like I have to get the flash transmitter after all.... :P

Cheers all...

[howzitboy]

second shot i would have fixed her dress so its on the left side of the frame not bunched up. Then i would have them looking at each other for one shot, then kissing for the next. and lastly, id have probably shot this one vertically.

first shot id say flash was too strong. i think i would have them stand maybe three steps lower and used one or two stops less flash.

[luvin]

second shot i would have fixed her dress so its on the left side of the frame not bunched up. Then i would have them looking at each other for one shot, then kissing for the next. and lastly, id have probably shot this one vertically.

first shot id say flash was too strong. i think i would have them stand maybe three steps lower and used one or two stops less flash.

Thanks Howzitboy.

Guess I just need to use the flash as a fill-in to light up their faces.

Will keep that in mind... and use it for the next try..

Cheers

[Mary G Photo]

I think the only thing I would changed on the top images, is move them down three steps. Other than that is good. The bottom one doesn't really have a focal to me, but it is also a good shot.

[fred333]

The top to me is very dark. I would try to add some more light.

[JakeB.]

The first one is definately an interesting location, I think that's the problem... you were too worried about capturing this wonderful location that you neglected the couple's presence in the frame.
Bringing the couple closer (say to the first full step) to the camera would immediatly put more emphasis on them.
Also, to create a really dramatic image you need to have some sort of off camera lighting... some extreme side lighting would probably work best here, probably coming from the camera right.

The major problem I see with the second image is that, to me, it doesn't look like they're actually walking.

[dou_b_14]

[quote=JakeB.;4674092]
Bringing the couple closer (say to the first full step) to the camera would immediatly put more emphasis on them.
Also, to create a really dramatic image you need to have some sort of off camera lighting... some extreme side lighting would probably work best here, probably coming from the camera right.

my thoughts exactly