A friend's wedding - my first attempt!

[CanadaJen]

I'm still learning how to use my camera, and more than anything my flash (I can't seem to wrap my head around it and need to find a course to take!) but a good friend of mine got married on New Year's Eve and I took some photos as a guest. I stayed in my seat and out of the way of the paid photographer so I don't think I have a single photo where they are looking my way! I have another friend's wedding coming up at the end of Jan so I could use some helpful hints on ways to improve and things to watch out for. Keep in mind this was my first attempt to photograph a wedding and these photos are a gift to the bride and groom. Hoping to learn from you pros! Thanks for looking!

1.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/radiationjen/mel6.jpg

2.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/radiationjen/mel2.jpg

3.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/radiationjen/mel8.jpg

4.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/radiationjen/mweb12.jpg

5.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/radiationjen/mel40.jpg

6.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/radiationjen/mweb16.jpg

7.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y23/radiationjen/mweb5.jpg

[SuzyView]

Nice series.

1. On my monitor, the Bride's skin tones are not smooth. It may be the reflection, but it is not flattering. Focus and composition are good, though.

2. The left side needs recropping to get rid of the panel. This is very important in wedding photography. Distractions are sometimes taken out completely, like plugs, light switches, bad reflections on the wall, etc.

4. Same as above. The couple should be the focus, not the EXIT sign, the tables, etc. This is when a good shallow DoF is important and a good crop for the distractions.

The others are fine. Just remember to do the PP before posting so your best work appears. Thanks for posting and continue to work on it. The skin tones are too close to the background in the first few, which makes PP difficult, I understand.

[CanadaJen]

Thank you SO much for the helpful advice!! I already went and re-edited my photos as per your suggestions! The only thing I can't figure out how to do is edit the skin in the first one - if anyone has any easy tricks to skin smoothing I'm all ears! I had PP the photos before I posted :oops: but it shows how much I have to learn. I didn't even notice the exit sign lol. I'll keep at it! Thanks again!

[valerism]

I hope you dont mind I ran you picture through Neat Image, a program I heard about on this forum. No other changes were made to the image you posted and I think it helps the skin a bit on that first photo.

What do you think?

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b324/valerism/kiss_rvsd.jpg


I think you have some great pictures and I am sure the bride and groom will be very pleased to receive them :) Not that I know anything about anything I am just learning myself. If I was the bride or groom I would love your captured moments :)

[SuzyView]

Jen, leave the original ones you put up yesterday and further down put the new edits. That way people can help. We always leave the original so others can agree or disagree so you can see what the consensus is. Don't feel uncomfortable doing this. If you always put up the edited versions, the comments under the original one make little sense.

Thanks. This is coming from a moderator, as we try to help new members through the process. The share section, especially this wedding section is filled with pros and semi-pros who can help, but you have to leave the originals up.

[Visual Bride]

Very nice work. Nice style.
Pic 2 looks over processed. The whites of the eyes on the bride are unnaturally white. The dodging round the eyes look a little pushed.

Keep up the good work.

[CanadaJen]

I love the edit you did valerism! Not a huge difference but somehow it looks better!! I'm going to have to google Neat Image, I've never heard of it before - is it easy to use?

I did leave all the original photos up - I just made the edits in my folder of images for the Bride ;). Thanks again for all the helpful advice! I'm so glad I found this forum - I think I'm going to learn a lot!

Cheers!

[valerism]

I love the edit you did valerism! Not a huge difference but somehow it looks better!! I'm going to have to google Neat Image, I've never heard of it before - is it easy to use?



Yes Ma'am, super easy to use and lots of folks ask me for my skin smoothing technique so they must like the results also :)

[atticus 999]

watch that dodge tool. its really harsh in tht first one

[atticus 999]

quick edit i did. just did her whole body cause she looked kind of gray and fixed bald spot
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/1010/mel6gl1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[CanadaJen]

oooh I'm sure he would appreciate the bald spot fix!! Mind sharing exactly what you did to her whole body? I'm such a newbie I need details please or I'll never figure it out! I appreciate the help! Thanks!

[Aussie Gypsy]

Hi Jen,

Great first time shoot. I can see you will become a great photographer soon enough.

[atticus 999]

il tell you tomorow. its like 4am.. tired

[Aeth]

All in all, they are quite good, I would forget the "Highlight" burning, go with midtones, it looks much more natural, especially for whitening eye/teeth.

[joellelee]

I am new here and have my first wedding shoot next weekend...I have to say, I hope my images look as good as yours! i think yours are beautiful...Can i ask what lens you used for #1? Did you bounce the flash? Also, what editing software did you use?

[kingpat]

I'd say your first wedding was a success. Nice photos!