Engagement Session... with THE 40D!! WOOO!!

[jbdavies]

Ok... so I guess I'll post some shots from my first engagement session I did. This is my first time really photographing people, so it was a huge learning experience for me. And I'm learning something new just about every day.

So, I'll post a few here so I can learn. I know I've done some major things wrong... but it was my first time. ;) lol

1
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_1113.jpg

2
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_1121.jpg

3
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_1265.jpg

4
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_1275.jpg

5
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_1079.jpg

So yeah... those are them. C&C greatly appreciated and welcomed. :)

I shoot the actual wedding on May 8th. Got lots to learn before then. ;) The rest that I've edited so far can be found here. (http://gallery.sur-realphotography.com/charlottedavid)

[gbutler]

I like #3

[jbdavies]

I like #3
Thank you. :)

[Damian75]

Watch your focus on some of these 1 and 5 the focus seems to be slightly in front of your subject on 1 the rock below his left hand is sharper than the faces and in 5 the front of the concrete sphere is sharper than the faces. Also keep an eye on your histogram it looks like you have some highlight clipping in his shirt this will be an even bigger problem if she is wearing a white wedding dress.

[USER876]

I like #3. I would crop their legs out of 5.

[hawkeye60]

I'd say overall you did a nice job. I agree with USER876 about the crop on #5.

[jbdavies]

Watch your focus on some of these 1 and 5 the focus seems to be slightly in front of your subject on 1 the rock below his left hand is sharper than the faces and in 5 the front of the concrete sphere is sharper than the faces. Also keep an eye on your histogram it looks like you have some highlight clipping in his shirt this will be an even bigger problem if she is wearing a white wedding dress.
Oh that's weird. I could have sworn I focused on their faces... but who knows. lol

Yeah... I've still got a lot to learn with my lighting. :( Turns out most of my shots are over exposed.

I like #3. I would crop their legs out of 5.
I'd say overall you did a nice job. I agree with USER876 about the crop on #5.

Hmmmm... true. Then I could center them more.

Thanks for the comments. :)

[Ziffle]

jbdavies,
Good start.

A couple of thoughts....

blown highlight can be okay if you use them to your advantage. Like directing attention to the couples faces - or in a high contrast B&W.
In this case, the blown highlight is what your eye whats to keep going to. not good.

Choice of lens will help in your framing ... meaning move to more 50mm to 135mm.
I noticed you use 17mm (EXif data). It is okay to use but not as flattering to your subjects as the longer lens.

#2 and #3 are your best out of the group for me.
all the others place more emphasis on the couples bodies - visually speaking.

#1: blown highlight and green railing fight for visual attention.
#2: Try a version where you crop in tight waste high - also. good pose.
#3: Try a B&W version w/ tight crop around shoulder/face.
#4: Crop from bottom up to just below his left elbow. This will shift more the subject to the eyes and faces instead of shoes (girl) and cloths.
#5: for me, not a very flattering pose. background just as interesting visually. Has the snap shot feel.

Just my 2 cents....
Thanks for sharing.

Later,
_Mark

[overclock]

Caption for #1: Caught between a rock and a hard place.
#3: Lean on me...
#4: He better be thinking about me or I'm going to kick his head off.
#5: I'll knock him over the head and you grab his camera AND LET'S RUN!

[jbdavies]

jbdavies,
Good start.

A couple of thoughts....

blown highlight can be okay if you use them to your advantage. Like directing attention to the couples faces - or in a high contrast B&W.
In this case, the blown highlight is what your eye whats to keep going to. not good.

Choice of lens will help in your framing ... meaning move to more 50mm to 135mm.
I noticed you use 17mm (EXif data). It is okay to use but not as flattering to your subjects as the longer lens.

#2 and #3 are your best out of the group for me.
all the others place more emphasis on the couples bodies - visually speaking.

#1: blown highlight and green railing fight for visual attention.
#2: Try a version where you crop in tight waste high - also. good pose.
#3: Try a B&W version w/ tight crop around shoulder/face.
#4: Crop from bottom up to just below his left elbow. This will shift more the subject to the eyes and faces instead of shoes (girl) and cloths.
#5: for me, not a very flattering pose. background just as interesting visually. Has the snap shot feel.

Just my 2 cents....
Thanks for sharing.

Later,
_Mark
Thank you so much for you critiquing. :) I'll definitely try to remember that next time.

As for the lens... I wanted a longer one, but couldn't rent the 70-200 in time. I guess I could have used my 100mm Macro... but oh well. lol

Caption for #1: Caught between a rock and a hard place.
#3: Lean on me...
#4: He better be thinking about me or I'm going to kick his head off.
#5: I'll knock him over the head and you grab his camera AND LET'S RUN!
HAHAHA!! Not funny on the last one... :p

[jbdavies]

How are these? I tried to follow your suggestions... let me know what you think... please. :)

#2: Try a version where you crop in tight waste high - also. good pose.
With this one, when I crop it in this much, it softens their faces too much. Not sure how to fix that. I tried sharpening it a bit. Don't think it really helped though.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_11212.jpg

#3: Try a B&W version w/ tight crop around shoulder/face.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_12652.jpg

#4: Crop from bottom up to just below his left elbow. This will shift more the subject to the eyes and faces instead of shoes (girl) and cloths.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_12752.jpg

#5: for me, not a very flattering pose. background just as interesting visually. Has the snap shot feel.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_10792.jpg

And then I just cropped this one so it hopefully will bring more attention to them... not their bodies. ;) Oh, and took care of the railing. I'm not sure how to fix the blow-outs.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/jbdavies/_MG_11132.jpg

[Ziffle]

Question - do you like the changes?

These look really good. The first 2 are off the chart - sweet!
The B&W is fantastic.

The last looks better also - even w/ the blown out highlight. good job in compositions/cropping.

The forth (of the new set) is better w/ the crop of the back ground but it is still not a flattering shot. If you want to save this one - crop the cement ball out - IMHO.
Just look at the B&W for reference - for flattering - wow.

Nice work.....

Later,
_Mark

[jbdavies]

Question - do you like the changes?

These look really good. The first 2 are off the chart - sweet!
The B&W is fantastic.

The last looks better also - even w/ the blown out highlight. good job in compositions/cropping.

The forth (of the new set) is better w/ the crop of the back ground but it is still not a flattering shot. If you want to save this one - crop the cement ball out - IMHO.
Just look at the B&W for reference - for flattering - wow.

Nice work.....

Later,
_Mark
Thanks Mark. :)

I think I'll just throw out the one with the ball. If I crop it that much, it'll be grainy and soft. I'd need a new camera if I were to crop that much. ;) lol

As for the question... I don't like how the first one (new set) is all... "soft"/grainy. Will it print that way?

[phamster]

first one needs some fill flash or just flash to knock off the shadows..

i like #3 best..

good work considering the first time doing people.. i remember my first shoot with people, don't think i can do as well as you did..

the last one is kinda awkward.

phamster

[jbdavies]

first one needs some fill flash or just flash to knock off the shadows..

i like #3 best..

good work considering the first time doing people.. i remember my first shoot with people, don't think i can do as well as you did..

the last one is kinda awkward.

phamster
Thank you phamaster. :)

I've had a lot of help from members from here. :)

[ocdpvw]

I like #4 for some reason...

[jbdavies]

I like #4 for some reason...
THANKS! :D