Grevati & Greek engagement

[Timbuctoo]

Hello all, I recently got the chance to photograph a Grevati and Greek engagement party, what an experience. There were so many people and so many different things happening that it was hard to keep up. I did my best and would appreciate some feedback. Here are some of the pictures;

1.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p1048952021-4.jpg

2.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v1/p360784769-4.jpg

3.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p43598849-4.jpg

4.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p354596090-4.jpg

5.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p947680659-4.jpg

6.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p791950601-4.jpg

7.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p170822073-4.jpg

8.
http://timhutchins.zenfolio.com/img/v5/p344698575-4.jpg

There are heaps more but these are a few I like. It was my first outing with my 430EXII speedlight and I thought it did really well. The couple wanted totally natural shots with one or two poses. I'd appreciate the advise on how to improve because I'm doing their wedding next week.

Thanks for looking.

Tim H

[Nicole Faith]

The only image that really stands out to me is #6 - I like the crop and the capture you got while they were dancing.

However, all your b/w conversions are somewhat flat - specially the first few. I would suggest bringing out your whites more in those and adding some contrast.

I think the portrait of the female with (her grandmother?) has some slightly over processed skin. This girl is stunning, it doesn't seem like she needs that much work! :)

I know #7 would benefit from the colored version. I am not sure what color her dress is, but either way, I am sure the color version would really pop because of the money on the bed. The envelopes closest to you have lost detail however, so maybe you can crop those out a bit more? It looks like you used your on camera flash to light this, so there are large drop shadows behind their heads - not much you can do about this now, but maybe next time, bounce it off the ceiling?

Hope some of that helps! :)

[Timbuctoo]

I had my 430EXII with me but the batteries died. I was ripped off with dodgy batteries. I had some duracells which I tried later on and they worked, so the ones that should have been better weren't. I'd also aappreciate to know what AAs are the best and most reliable for the speedlight. I don't understand why they don't make Canon speedlights to use the BP511 Canon batteries as they are cheap enough. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll incorporate them into the next photo shoot.

Tim H

[ghostman]

I had my 430EXII with me but the batteries died. I was ripped off with dodgy batteries. I had some duracells which I tried later on and they worked, so the ones that should have been better weren't. I'd also aappreciate to know what AAs are the best and most reliable for the speedlight. I don't understand why they don't make Canon speedlights to use the BP511 Canon batteries as they are cheap enough. Thanks for the suggestions, I'll incorporate them into the next photo shoot.

Tim H

Use rechargeable batteries for high-drain devices like flashes and keep a lot of them handy (since they discharge over time, even when it's not used). Eneloops NiMH batteries maintain their charge for quite a while.

I agree with Nicole's comments. I'm not sure what your B&W conversion process is, but your need to work on that.

The shot on the bed surrounded by cash doesn't seem very classy, but if the B&G are happy with it, who am I to judge. There are hard shadows on some shots, but you already explained that your flash was dead.

[iyer]

why did you choose b/w? Feels like colours will add more life..

[photogirl07]

I agree that a little less "direct flash" would really enhance the shots, boucing off the ceiling is a wonderful thing. ;)
Also, might want to check your ISO settings, looks like there's a little noise trying to break out in some of the b&w shots.
You did a great job complying with the B&G's desire for "natural" shots.
Well done!