First Wedding (Reception) - DETAIL SHOTS - C&C Welcome and Needed!

[Pomona2006]

Hi All -

I photographed my best friend's wedding reception for her as a favor (yeah I know, bad idea!) Oh, and I was also a bridesmaid (great! grrr!). While it ended up going better than I anticipated, it was still quite difficult both in terms of energy required as well as circumstances - outdoor reception in a tent with really bad lighting + add a videographer who cast a giant yellow hue on everything with his video light.

The images below are just a few in the bunch and are some of my personal favorites. Be forewarned - I am a details person (if you couldn't tell)...so forgive me for that in advance...

As this was my first experience with wedding photography, any C&C is welcome (and needed!), so please let me have it!

-S

1. Wedding Rings with Invite & Veil
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/Rings%20&%20Invite.jpg

2. Veil
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/IMG_3302.jpg

3. Dress Hanging from Window
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/IMG_3324%20-%201.jpg

4. Shoes with Veil
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/IMG_3390.jpg

5. Serious Shot of Bride with Veil
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/IMG_3432%20-%20BW.jpg

6. Bride with a very special guest (they had a moment together)
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/IMG_3653.jpg

7. Bride & Groom Hands with Rings
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/IMG_3734.jpg

8. Bride & Groom's First Dance
http://www.ssophotography.com/Flash/Wedding/images/IMG_3572%20-%20BW.jpg

[BrokenRoad]

still learning myself. I think they're beautiful shots.

[Svetlana]

I absolutely love the first and the last ones!!! Awesome!!

[davidgr]

#5 doesn't seem right for a wedding. It's a little gloomy looking.
#7 is a different kind of ring shot for sure, but it's an odd disconnection between B&G to me.
1, 3, 4 and 8 I like. :)

[A_Gurl]

I like the first one and the last one the best...

[auroraskye]

First, you have got to be kidding me. That is no less than like the 6th pair of those SAME SHOES I've seen (including a wedding I shot) on this board in less than 2 weeks. I kid you not. They aren't even that great. They must be cheap. Geez, what are the ODDS.

1) Not bad, but I'd like it to be cropped in closer to the rings and their names. Nice focus.

2) Again, nice focus, seems a little cool to me.

3) I'd like to see it without the selective coloring. Bleh. The conversion looks flat.

4) Again, not bad but seems cool. No doubt picking up blue tones from the trim.

5) I love the serious shot, but your conversion.is.flat. :)

6) I understand this may be a special moment for them, but I don't think it's flattering to either party.

7) It's okay. Pretty strong yellow and greenish color cast.

8) I like this overall.

I think for the most part you did well! A few of them just need some tweaks. :)

[BiBis]

Beautiful Pictures!

[FamilyJules]

These are very nice :) I love the last one

[Haru]

I love number 3, best use of selective coloring I have seen in a long time. It would be nice if you could have put a little more light on the dress though.

[AndreaBFS]

Love the first 3, shoe shot is cool. #5 is puzzling... was it before her make-up? She has really heavy dark circles and it looks like she's wearing a black t-shirt. Great job considering you were also in the wedding party -- very ambitious! :)

[Pomona2006]

Thanks for all of the comments & critiques - I really appreciate them!

Auroraskye - I'm not surprised you've seen the shoes before, they are like 30 bucks at david's bridal :P

I agree that #5 is not a picture that goes along with the happy wedding vibe, but I just appreciated the dramatic look on her face - which was while she was getting her hair done (and the veil was being affixed)...so she was wearing a black button up tank top.

Ring shot - I have tons of different ring shots (as they are nice, fun detail shots for me to get). While #1 was posed by me, #7 was not - that's just how they were standing at one point while talking to guests.

I agree that #3 is flat - any suggestions for how I can improve it?

And thanks for letting me know about the yellow/greenish cast on #7 (believe it or not, I'm colorblind, so I need to rely on other people to let me know if colors are right).

Thanks everyone - and keep it coming!