Engagement at a Mansion!

[alliebphotography]

Constructive comments are appreciated. This was my first couple and I was very nervous but as the couple lightened up, it became very natural for everyone.. They are photogenic and adorable!! This was shot at the Governor's Mansion in Charleston, WV! The Governor actually came outside and said hello to us while we shot = D What's everyone think?
http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/10/l_59ef58624aad4e6299d894d567992c66.jpg




http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/22/l_bdbfad7fb5b84dcc895fc613c598f1a7.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/24/l_b3e89aa4e4d641d395b4fadb89bf7dcc.jpg

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/2/l_f8ab3cc4feca4205a118b40dc191df63.jpg
http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2683/8/76/42200652/n42200652_33157836_3846977.jpg

[Ziffle]

alliebpotog,
1st - Welcome to POTN.
Good series for your first session.

A couple of thoughts:
For me, #3 is the one i like the best. Good framing and a nice play on the squares and the clothing colors. But it look like you focused on the floor instead of the couples faces. So check your focus points.

#1 - crop away from mid arm and below.

Overall - nice skin tones.

I would look to work on composition. The last 2 images have several objects that distract the eye.
IMHO, tilting images can be cool - but not used on every shot.

Thanks for sharing and it will be fun to see more of your work.

Later,
_Mark

[nick821117]

I like 1# and 2#.
3# focal point alignment?

[SOK]

G'Day and welcome,

Well done on your first session - it looks like a fun shoot, and I'm sure the couple will be pleased.

I'm not a huge fan of tilted shots without some reason/context, so the fact that all (apart from #3) are tiltled was a little off putting for me. Just a personal preference thing.

I also suspect you missed focus on #3....which AF point did you use?

I like #2 the best - it's a nicely captured moment, and probably the best of the 'tilts'.

[Nicole Faith]

The first thing that I notice is all the angels and crops. They draw my attention in more (not in a good way) then the actual focus of the image - which is the people. I agree, most images have too much going on and are cropped too close to something else. I would straighten some out and see how they look. Also, if I was shooting in a mansion - I would try to capture some of that and show off where you were. Most of these, you can't tell.

[SuzyView]

I like some variety, but yes, the too many odd angles is distracting. I would like to see more bokeh in some of the images. You must have been using f4 or higher. Lighting is fine. But if I were PP, I'd increase contrast to get deeper tones.

[alliebphotography]

thanks everyone, I took the shots straight on and at angles so they would have both, for frames and then more of what my style is. I guess I am just more drawn to these ones.

I will definitely try harder to not feel rushed next time and do some of the things you suggested, I also thought about the focus of the one with the tiled floor. I guess I didnt check the focus because I was adjusting my focus points the whole time, I wish it was in a better focus!! ugh!

I don't use photoshop as of right now, I am just starting out and do not know how to use it well enough, so I use Digital Photo Professional. Any suggestions on making the switch would be great, I am looking at new laptops with more ram so I can upgrade and learn photoshop.

Thanks again!

[Ziffle]

give Lightroom a check out.... too.

[ocdpvw]

give Lightroom a check out.... too.


I have both Lightroom and CS4. Lightroom rocks for bulk photo processing.