Candid? Couple at wedding, different PP..

[masse]

This is the Bride's sister and her boyfriend at a recent outdoor wedding. I was just shooting for fun, getting candid shots as people mingled after the ceremony.

All were shot with the 100mm macro and yes, this first one is truly candid. In the BW shot they were posing for someone with a P&S and for the last shot they finally had spotted me and gave me a big smile.

I'd really appreciate good, honest criticism of my processing. Each received various degrees of level and curves adjustments, some skim smoothing and evening, some background/foreground blurring, saturation, etc. What areas do I need the most work in? I've never tried the effect you see in the first one which I did do from scratch without any tutorials or actions or anything; did I go overboard? not enough?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the crops which aren't as 'normal' as they could be, but being candid and outdoors, my backgrounds and angles were limited.

I'm happy to post the before shots if you're interested.

I really want to get better and appreciate your honesty and feedback! :)


http://www.fototime.com/F09A5ACC344CC30/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/E9EB87185546AC4/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/16B5B456321D014/orig.jpg

[Robert_Lay]

#1 Looks terribly blurry but purposely so. Why? This is not "soft" - it's blurry!

I like #2 because it is a most unusual pose - I'm crediting you with setting it up that way on purpose. Too bad that all the highlights are blown out. You can fix that if you shot in RAW.

#3 is the best shot in spite of the too close crop vertically (his feet and the two heads just barely make it into the frame).

I can't tell whether these shots were taken in Open Shade or on an overcast day which was it?

[beano]

I'm sure there's a better way of achieving soft focus. One of the locall PP masters will be along shortly hopefully. I think if you get the soft focus effect right, #1 will be a really nice shot. ;)

I like the other 2 shots, but have to agree with Bob, the 2nd is a bit tight.

*EDIT* If you can't find a better way of achieving the soft focus, maybe try taking your time with a layer mask, and getting rid of all the haloing around the subjects. And bring her face out a bit more. ;)

[Flo]

Yep, #1 went over on the glamor and the possible vignette? Would love to see the original photo..I love the last two.You have to be careful though of shooting towards a woman who is wearing a dress.Don't want unmentionables peeking through.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/emoticons/oops.gif

[beano]

Don't want unmentionables peeking through.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/emmaloudawg/emoticons/oops.gif

Speak for yourself... :p :lol:

[Flo]

Speak for yourself... :p :lol:

LOL.I have one from a wedding, poor soul didn't know every time she squatted:o

[beano]

LOL.I have one from a wedding, poor soul didn't know every time she squatted:o

bw!:D

[Robert_Lay]

I usually avoid reading the OP or the critics before judging the pictures. This is because I come from an environment in which critics are asked to make their critiques in isolation. In this case I probably would have worded my comments differently had I read the OP.

My question about the lighting still stands.

[masse]

Hi All...first, this is exactly the feedback I was hoping for (well, minus a few posts in the middle there ;) ), thank you! I'm tied up at the moment but look forward to addressing the issues you bring up and re-working some things as soon as I'm able.

Bob, the subjects were out in the open on an overcast day.

May as well post the originals...and now that I look at them, I kind of like them the way they are! I always did though, and really was keen on trying these PP techniques, so again, keep tearing them up please!

http://www.fototime.com/49C31856D781865/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/2E1E5E04D810206/orig.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/84540A717351C1A/orig.jpg

[Robert_Lay]

#1 of these last three is really charming, and thanks for the info on the light. I find it invaluable to be able to recognize the "quality of light" at a scene. Unless we understand the "quality of light" in a scene, we will very likely not know what must be done to obtain the optimum capture.

[masse]

How would you say I did with my capture/exposure given the available 'quality of light,' Robert?

Any recommendations on improving my 'soft focus' attempt? I went about it the same way that every tutorial I've read recommends so I'm curious...I will have to bring out a bit more detail in her face and clean up some of the less blurry areas around the subjects...what else would you recommend?

Also, aside from the blown highlights, whatcha think of my B&W conversion?