Frank & Marty photo shoot

[dou_b_14]

I shot these photos today of Frank & Marty. They were a great couple to shoot. I kind of stopped doing weddings and things of that sort, but since Marty and I used to work together and she has helped me on several out of town shoots with make up and posing, I agreed to shoot her wedding on Dec. 20th. We had a blast with the shoot. I would like to hear feedback on my photos.
Equipment: 5d with 24-70 L, 2 speedlights and the abr800.
1.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8793.jpg
2.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8792.jpg
3.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8774.jpg
4.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8773.jpg
5.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8750-2.jpg
6.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8726.jpg
7.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8721.jpg
8.http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f340/el-dee/wedding/IMG_8783-2.jpg

[shannyD]

wrong codes you put here.. try the IMG codes :)

[shannyD]

but i did click on the links.. and they look really great!

[dou_b_14]

thanks...fixed it...its been a while since i posted so i forgot lol.
Thanks for the feedback. I hope maybe i can get into weddings again after having such fun today. I just hope the wedding goes good now.

[lil_miss]

Nice work - what lighting did you use?

[dou_b_14]

Nice work - what lighting did you use?
thanks...i used an alienbees ringflash with the softbox and 2 580ex.

[MaThGr82]

Generally not a fan of shooting from below people, but number two works for me.

Great set.

[dou_b_14]

Generally not a fan of shooting from below people, but number two works for me.

Great set.
thanks...anyone else care to give a little c&c?

[BscPhoto]

good stuff! great exposures!

[picturecrazy]

You bring some nice lighting into this shoot.

In 1 and 2, the exposure looks too hot on the guy, but nice on the girl. Either get them closer together or use two separate lights for them. The angle is also VERY low. I know you wanted to get the sun into the shot but your angle seems to have taken a hit in order to get that. You can try using a wider lens which would allow you to get the sun into the shot without using such an upwards angle, or create a composition that makes better use of the low angle. For example, have him dipping her so his face is also pointing downwards and right into the camera, and have the sun bursting just above him. That would give real purpose to the super low angle.

3 is nice but the angle isn't very interesting. It looks like an angle a regular joe would have gotten. Basically stand there, hold the camera up and take the picture. She is also placed too central. The water looks too far away to make an impact on the image. If you have room, use as high of a focal length as possible to pull the water in closer and have it a more prominent, dramatic display. I personally would have also shot it at a little higher of an angle too, as the sky in this shot and with this processing, is rather boring.

4 is also placed too central. Are you a centre point focuser? Most 5D users I know are. It's a pretty standard pic of the guy. With this one being in full colour, the background does look more interesting but it's totally wasted because he's placed dead centre. Put him on the right side of the frame so the centre and left are filled with that pretty seascape. Also watch his facial angle, I'd get him to put his chin down a bit, and maybe turn his torso a bit more to your left.

5 is a really pretty shot, but again, it's way too central. It could have been a great shot otherwise.

6 and 7 I find just ok. Again, I feel you are compromising your angle in order to get the sun into the shot. I mean, I myself love to use the sun in couples shots but only for a couple of them. I feel like you're trying to use it too much too often.

8 is kinda funny. I'm not sure what's going on exactly. His stance doesn't really suggest he's running, in fact, I can only see one leg and one foot which looks kinda awkward. Is she supposed to be pulling him back? Her stance doesn't really suggest that either as she's leaning forwards instead of backwards. The composition is also a little strange in that he is so central and there is a lot of dead space on the left. I would move him to the left size of the frame and her on the right. In addition, the exposure on her skin looks too hot, but it looks nice on him. I'm guessing it's the same situation as in 1 and 2.

Anothing thing to consider is variety. Some people do it, some don't, but I prefer it. All your shots have the same look to it... flash as a main light, small aperture, all hovering around 24-50mm or so. For a given shoot, I like to mix it up. Flash shots, natural light, small aperture, wide aperture, ultrawide, telephoto, normal range you name it. People seem to like variety.

overall it's a nice set and unique looking photos that many people are unable to produce. you should be happy with them.

[dou_b_14]

hey thanks alot Lloyd...i really appreciate the time you took to critique my work. Ill definitely keep in mind what you've mentioned. I have her bridal portraits this week if the weather is good. I'll try to mix it up. My widest lens is the 24-70, so for now thats what i have to make due with. Hopefully soon ill get the 16-35.
Yes im a center focuser, but I always recompose my shots...i just need to work more on keeping my subjects out of the center of the frame.
Thanks again for the c&c...i really appreciate it.

[Polo127]

Hey I love those shot. I was wondering how do you get the sun like that? Everytime I try to shoot with the sun in the back the pic is filled with a bright spot as the sun.

Thanks

[henry_b]

nice! i like them all! but #5 is beautiful, loved the PP

[zagiace]

I agree with a previous poster that shooting up like this is not the most flattering angle especially with women.
but getting creative angles prevents us from getting too boring and I think you have definitely captured some fun shots.
I like #6, there are a lot of cool things happening here.

[dou_b_14]

Hey I love those shot. I was wondering how do you get the sun like that? Everytime I try to shoot with the sun in the back the pic is filled with a bright spot as the sun.

Thanks
hey thanks...well you have to use a smaller aperature to get the sun like that. I think i was shooting at f/16. I really cant remember. And you need flash to achieve this like I did. I used 3 flashes. An abr800 to light up them up from the front and 2 580's off to each side to light up the edges a little bit more. You might not need 3 flashes, but it was just how I shot this. One could more than likely do the job.

[dou_b_14]

I agree with a previous poster that shooting up like this is not the most flattering angle especially with women.
but getting creative angles prevents us from getting too boring and I think you have definitely captured some fun shots.
I like #6, there are a lot of cool things happening here.
thanks....i was given a lot of good advice. I have a thing from shooting from lower angles so it was kinda hard to not do it here. I was pleased with them and the couple loved them also. Number 5 was the one they chose for their enlargement and to be placed at the enterance of their reception.

[Polo127]

Did you use a polarizer filter?


hey thanks...well you have to use a smaller aperature to get the sun like that. I think i was shooting at f/16. I really cant remember. And you need flash to achieve this like I did. I used 3 flashes. An abr800 to light up them up from the front and 2 580's off to each side to light up the edges a little bit more. You might not need 3 flashes, but it was just how I shot this. One could more than likely do the job.

[Kissa]

I love the use of the Red Shawl :)

great shots

[dou_b_14]

Did you use a polarizer filter?
nope....Just a bare 24-70 with 5d.

[dou_b_14]

I love the use of the Red Shawl :)

great shots
thanks...i thought it was cool too when i saw her with it.