Engagement shoot

[Phil.hearing]

Please C&C
[1]http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/6281/1483als1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
[2]http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7459/1488aaex0.jpg
[3]http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/5545/1513aahs2.jpg
[4]http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1441/1520abadx0.jpg
[5]http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8707/1530aazx8.jpg
[6]http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7692/1545aapa5.jpg
[7]http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5982/1554aef4.jpg

[brit84]

IMO
like the eyes in #4,
6 seems a litte posed but 5 looks great from the angle and color
In 3, it doesnt really look like the girl in the background, it a distorted by the framing effect.

Nice job!

[tlc]

i'm not seeing a lot of creativity at all. they look a bit flat and snapshot-ish.

no. 1 i find really irritating with her hair hanging in her face like that - you need to make sure they look their best - like directing her to move her hair before you snap.

no. 3 looks a tad underexposed.

no. 4 looks like you tried to use texture, just for the sake of using a texture.

[rodddy]

Good job. #3 doesn't do it for me, but I think they'll be very happy with the rest. Good angles, color and focus

[GDconcepts]

To be honest, I'm not really feeling them. I like him in number 6. Other then that they are kind of dark and just kind of look like snap shots. A lot f the shots have to much going on on the background. If they want to take pics in the woods. I'd get them against a single tree or something.

-Gianni-

[videochicke]

The engagement ring is really a big deal to most brides to be. I like picture two the best because it is not just a picture of them. You can tell it is a picture of them engaged and they look very natural and happy.

[viet]

Wrong lens (focal length) for portraits. Shooting too close & extreme angles didn't help either. To do these, I normally use a long lens to compress the image, and to blur out distraction, and most importantly allow them space to interact.

[Phil.hearing]

IMO
like the eyes in #4,
6 seems a litte posed but 5 looks great from the angle and color
In 3, it doesnt really look like the girl in the background, it a distorted by the framing effect.

Nice job!

Didn't pose anything just told them to look at me once or twice. I agree with the framing effect doesn't work for single subjects in engagement shoots. Especially done like this...Thanks

i'm not seeing a lot of creativity at all. they look a bit flat and snapshot-ish.

no. 1 i find really irritating with her hair hanging in her face like that - you need to make sure they look their best - like directing her to move her hair before you snap.

no. 3 looks a tad underexposed.

no. 4 looks like you tried to use texture, just for the sake of using a texture.

Dont know why they like flat to you...diff monitors! :) they look very bright and zingy on my screen..and i dispute the creative claim, i took more pictures than these posed ones. Also took other pictures without hair in front of her face, as I got her to move it, I just like this picture. 3 is underexposed in b/w in colour its fine. Thanks

Good job. #3 doesn't do it for me, but I think they'll be very happy with the rest. Good angles, color and focus

Thank you very much :)

The engagement ring is really a big deal to most brides to be. I like picture two the best because it is not just a picture of them. You can tell it is a picture of them engaged and they look very natural and happy.

They are very good to work with, thank you.

Wrong lens (focal length) for portraits. Shooting too close & extreme angles didn't help either. To do these, I normally use a long lens to compress the image, and to blur out distraction, and most importantly allow them space to interact.

I use a range of lenses, I disagree that a 16 - 35 is the wrong lens for portraits. Thank you for your comment

[tedBalog]

You ask for C&C, then comment on everyone's criticism...

[brit84]

You ask for C&C, then comment on everyone's criticism...

why not? He's taking it from people who commented, and thanking them. He not being an ass to them.

[TheHoff]

They're not flat or snapshotty on my screen. I liked the set but then I'm a big 16-35 fan for people as well.

Not everything has to be 85mm wide open or it's wrong.

[viet]

You ask for C&C, then comment on everyone's criticism...
I wouldn't sweat it. I learned a lot from others & my own experience, and tried to pass along my experience.

The OP asked for CCs, people tried to help, whether or not he wants to listen really doesn't matter. I don't think he was being impolite or anything.

They're not flat or snapshotty on my screen. I liked the set but then I'm a big 16-35 fan for people as well.

Not everything has to be 85mm wide open or it's wrong.

You are right, and I agree. Wide angle when used properly is nice for people & landscape, but using the wide end for close-ups, it distorts too much, hence my recommendation to use longer lens.

I didn't say it was wrong to shoot wide angle, just wrong for the purpose and I didn't say everything has to be 85 widest either, that might work for you, but I always carry a wide & a tele.

[Phil.hearing]

They're not flat or snapshotty on my screen. I liked the set but then I'm a big 16-35 fan for people as well.

Not everything has to be 85mm wide open or it's wrong.

;) Glad someone agrees. liking your work btw

I wouldn't sweat it. I learned a lot from others & my own experience, and tried to pass along my experience.

The OP asked for CCs, people tried to help, whether or not he wants to listen really doesn't matter. I don't think he was being impolite or anything.

You are right, and I agree. Wide angle when used properly is nice for people & landscape, but using the wide end for close-ups, it distorts too much, hence my recommendation to use longer lens.

I've done a fine art degree, so I'm very used to critiques!! hours and hours of them. Just because someone gives advice doesn't mean its right or wrong or you have to listen. I just pick and choose what people say and add it to my own knowledge. Please don't misunderstand I wasn't being impolite :) I cant stand when people ask for criticism and then act out when people give it (responding to the general theme of critique not necessarily to your post viet ;) ...)

I do agree on the distortion on the 16mm. It takes a while to get use to but i think the results are worth the effort. Just take a step back when someone's nose is bigger than their face :P

[viet]

...snip...(responding to the general theme of critique not necessarily to your post viet ;) ...)
...snip...

I completely understand, and I know that written communication can be very easily misunderstood. One person's perspective might not be how others perceive it. I try to help when I can :)

[Phil.hearing]

I completely understand, and I know that written communication can be very easily misunderstood. One person's perspective might not be how others perceive it. I try to help when I can :)

isnt it the worst when someone misunderstands what you've written > maybe it has lot to do with I cant write very well :)

[ejicon]

The shots are wonderfully shot, but to me, they don't seem too in love :(
Even when together, they seem so far apart. Was this what they wanted? Usually you capture the excitement and fun/beautiful energy of a couple. I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with your shooting but rather what was going on when you shot them. I hope this doesn't come out wrong...

[BscPhoto]

I like #2 but I don't agree with the texture.
#6 is good as well.
I know it can be hard to take criticism but if you can sit back and really take it, you will be a better photographer because of it.
Overall based on the feel I get from the subjects I think they will be happy.

[TheHoff]

The shots are wonderfully shot, but to me, they don't seem too in love.

Some couples aren't after the mushy romantic shots. I did a shoot for my sister-in-law and her new fiance -- they're very much in love but are not the type to go for the "grab her and swing her by the waist while walking down the beach with lens flare" type of shot. They're the same age as the OP's couple and the same sort of hipster look.

I think if this is the same sort of couple, the photographer might have captured what they wanted. Even my wife who is a good bit girlier than her sister wouldn't want many of the typical "in love" shots that are posted here; she'd think they are way too smarmy and contrived.

I think posing someone so they "appear" more in love can take some of the true feeling from the photos.