First Wedding Devin & Lenneil

[lovinglifeinc]

Ok...So I know that there are a lot of people on here that's done their first wedding... I wasn't the "main" paid photographer at this wedding. There was three of us.

Here are my results:

http://lovinglifeinc.zenfolio.com/p140523159/

PLEASE PLEASE Tell me how I did and BE HONEST!

I have a wedding were I will be the ONLY paid photographer. So your comments are welcomed.

I used Rebel XT with the Kit Lens ISO 800-1600 ..The church had only florescent lighting :-(

[ndelacova]

I looked over many of your images. I like the composition very much. I do think that you need to invest in a better lens. This will help with sharper focus. Also, the faster the lens, the better DOF control you could have resulting in better composed shots as well. Also, with a faster lens, you could bring down your ISO and therefore less digital noise as well.

[Visual Bride]

I had a look. Consistent standard throughout the day, which is good. Exposure look good. Some look a little over exposed. But I don't envy your challenge of a black man in a white suit! Though white suits do help to brighten dark skin.

The day is well documented.

One observation is that you shoot very low. Maybe your a shorty ;)
I am not a fan of suspended ceilings. If you had shot down a little more then you would not have had so many white rectangles on the ceiling. Also watch your framing. A lot of ankle cutting.

Definitely consider a faster lens as mentioned above. Maybe hire instead of buying.

[howzitboy]

what a tuff place to shoot! u got a television hanging from the roof and how many video cameras in the bg?? what is that place?
id just try and watch your bg when u shoot and try keep all those distractions outta the frame. Or maybe go wider aperture so they are nicely blurred.
overall, your exposures are great and no really glaring booboo's .Great job just time to hit the photoshop/lr/aperture and remove all the "blemishes"!!

[TheHoff]

Wow yea, tough venue with the overhead tubes. Did you actually gel your flash? It looks well balanced.

[lovinglifeinc]

Thank you so much!

[lovinglifeinc]

Thank you so much. Yes, I am 5'1 and the church was like a warehouse.

I will look for another lens... does anyone have any suggestions?

I had a look. Consistent standard throughout the day, which is good. Exposure look good. Some look a little over exposed. But I don't envy your challenge of a black man in a white suit! Though white suits do help to brighten dark skin.

The day is well documented.

One observation is that you shoot very low. Maybe your a shorty ;)
I am not a fan of suspended ceilings. If you had shot down a little more then you would not have had so many white rectangles on the ceiling. Also watch your framing. A lot of ankle cutting.

Definitely consider a faster lens as mentioned above. Maybe hire instead of buying.

[lovinglifeinc]

DOES ANYONE...have a LENS recommendation?

I had a look. Consistent standard throughout the day, which is good. Exposure look good. Some look a little over exposed. But I don't envy your challenge of a black man in a white suit! Though white suits do help to brighten dark skin.

The day is well documented.

One observation is that you shoot very low. Maybe your a shorty ;)
I am not a fan of suspended ceilings. If you had shot down a little more then you would not have had so many white rectangles on the ceiling. Also watch your framing. A lot of ankle cutting.

Definitely consider a faster lens as mentioned above. Maybe hire instead of buying.

[Visual Bride]

The forum doesn't work that quickly! Your were lucky to get as many responses in an hour :)

I use a 5D so my choice of lenses may be different as you may have different choices with a cropped sensor.

Many love the 24-70 2.8
Look through this forum and view posts you like and look at their signature for the equipment they have used. Also search the lens forum. Search for "wedding lens" etc

[newbie builder]

What's your price range? On a crop, the 17-55 f/2.8 IS is very highly regarded, or if you want to go the lower cost route (which I did and have been very pleased with), there is the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8

[julierenee]

hi,

since you are 5'1" I would suggest taking a lightweight step ladder...I did that on my last wedding (and I'm 5'8"!) and got some great shots by shooting down at the subject, it is very flattering.

[DigitalSpecialist]

You should be proud of your photos, you did extremely well.
As for a new lense. What are you looking to do, Weddings?
If so follow my lenses as only one example for weddings and
portraiture!

[cchooks]

Ok...
PLEASE PLEASE Tell me how I did and BE HONEST!

I have a wedding were I will be the ONLY paid photographer. So your comments are welcomed. :-(


First let me state that you have talent, and it appears a desire to learn, so when I read your plea, I took it to heart as I was in your shoes over many, many hundreds of weddings ago.

These are just a few items which may be improved.

1. Images like the first one, are closed images, you have the subject facing into the edge of the photo. You could have the subject facing into the open end with her back to the opposite side.

2. Watch your backgrounds for clutter like the exit sign we see a lot of.

3. The majority of your shots have a snapshot feel to them. I see a lot of backs of people and few that add to the story of the story you are trying to tell. Most of those shots seem to exclude you from the event, and in subjects are looking away, or looking down showing no expression at all.

4. You need to learn about the rule of thirds. Please do not ask what it is on the forum, actually research this so you can learn first hand. Compositition is a big problem with the photos especially with the vertical ones.

5. Special effects are great, but they should have a reason for it. #94 has a soft focus to it although it is an image of the bride laughing with her mom. Soft focus insinuates romance or innocence. #46 I think it is, is a color exclusion shot, but you can see blue coloration around the flowers, and it is very poorly done.

6. The biggest problem for me with the images is that there seems to be a lack of emotion in them. It is fine to shoot a candid shot, but your aim is to tell the story of the image displayed. It is not enough to show a close up of the vows being read, without showing the effect they have on the scene. The card means nothing, it is the smile of love, the effect that the words have on the party hearing them, and even on the onlookers who are on the edge of their seats. Shots like 80, 82, 84, 85, and 93 are wonderful and we who are looking at them are the witnesses to the scene. They are the type of photos that any bride can identify with, and put themselves in.

Please know that I would not have spent my time composing this post if I did not think you were not worth it. I see a desire in your words so if I can help you, please let me know. When you do take your own wedding, you may need to assert yourself to get the best out of people. Do not explain what you need, state what you want and do not show weakness or you will not get cooperation.

Good Luck!

[randplaty]

Great shots... you took them all with just the kit lens? Looks like you have a pretty good idea about post processing too. What are you using to post process the images? I would recommend branching out beyond the kit lens and start playing with artistic choices like DOF and focal length. That will give more variety to your photos. But you definitely have some talent.

[michillebaker]

I think also that you should be proud of you pics escpecially for a kit lens. I also have the same lens & camera as you do and I've only ran into a few problems that would have required me to get a better lens. I am not for sure what would be a better lens for you as I don't shoot weddings. Anways overall great job!

Michille

[M12576]

First let me state that you have talent, and it appears a desire to learn, so when I read your plea, I took it to heart as I was in your shoes over many, many hundreds of weddings ago.

These are just a few items which may be improved.

1. Images like the first one, are closed images, you have the subject facing into the edge of the photo. You could have the subject facing into the open end with her back to the opposite side.

2. Watch your backgrounds for clutter like the exit sign we see a lot of.

3. The majority of your shots have a snapshot feel to them. I see a lot of backs of people and few that add to the story of the story you are trying to tell. Most of those shots seem to exclude you from the event, and in subjects are looking away, or looking down showing no expression at all.

4. You need to learn about the rule of thirds. Please do not ask what it is on the forum, actually research this so you can learn first hand. Compositition is a big problem with the photos especially with the vertical ones.

5. Special effects are great, but they should have a reason for it. #94 has a soft focus to it although it is an image of the bride laughing with her mom. Soft focus insinuates romance or innocence. #46 I think it is, is a color exclusion shot, but you can see blue coloration around the flowers, and it is very poorly done.

6. The biggest problem for me with the images is that there seems to be a lack of emotion in them. It is fine to shoot a candid shot, but your aim is to tell the story of the image displayed. It is not enough to show a close up of the vows being read, without showing the effect they have on the scene. The card means nothing, it is the smile of love, the effect that the words have on the party hearing them, and even on the onlookers who are on the edge of their seats. Shots like 80, 82, 84, 85, and 93 are wonderful and we who are looking at them are the witnesses to the scene. They are the type of photos that any bride can identify with, and put themselves in.

Please know that I would not have spent my time composing this post if I did not think you were not worth it. I see a desire in your words so if I can help you, please let me know. When you do take your own wedding, you may need to assert yourself to get the best out of people. Do not explain what you need, state what you want and do not show weakness or you will not get cooperation.

Good Luck!

Very well said, I totally agree. Your desire to learn is wonderful and because you came here to ask it great. Practice, practice, practice.