Monica and Erick's Engagement :)

[FamilyJules]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this couple.... super funny and goofy, yet beautiful and photogenic.... every photographer's ideal subjects.
Their wedding is in March, and I can't wait to cover it.
Please, let me know what you think

1.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669519787_p5U7H-L.jpg

2.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669510796_SxaGU-L.jpg

3.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669514167_L7UZ7-L.jpg

4.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669525476_YkZ89-L.jpg

5.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669517480_FhzeL-L.jpg

6.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669528694_FQJ2S-L.jpg

7.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669526278_iyPfo-L.jpg

8.
http://jwilsonphotography.smugmug.com/photos/669530656_atMHN-L.jpg

[Svetlana]

I love 4,6,7,8!! The way you balance flash with ambient light is amazing, Jules!

[djvkool]

The texture that you used in #1, was that a crop from the dude's shirt..??

[djpal]

I think your photos are nice...#3 seems like it was just a mistake (sorry) and the last one is perfect besides all the bird poop on the walkway. I would have probably done a crop or done some photoshop work. All in all though, great colors and great shots!

Your lighting and flash is amazing...how did you light the subjects the way you did against the tree in the background in #6?

[FamilyJules]

The texture that you used in #1, was that a crop from the dude's shirt..??

Nope, just a combination of actions in photoshop, but I liked how the texture mimicked his shirt... Good eye! I was wondering if anyone else was going to notice that :)

I think your photos are nice...#3 seems like it was just a mistake (sorry) and the last one is perfect besides all the bird poop on the walkway. I would have probably done a crop or done some photoshop work. All in all though, great colors and great shots!

Your lighting and flash is amazing...how did you light the subjects the way you did against the tree in the background in #6?

Yea...I was on the fence about #3... that's why I posted it... I love the "flare" look that a lot these photogs on here achieve, and I can never re-create it.... does it just need to be warmer? I added some warmness, but then, to my eyes, seemed too orangey.... HOW DO THEY DO IT? lol
Yea, the bird poop was a bummer... especially since the sky and water was so beautiful in that spot at that moment. I had about 5 really good shots on that dock.... I tried photoshopping some of it out in the first one.... it just took WAY too long and was way too tedious. I'll try cropping more (I already cropped a good chunk of the dock out)

Thanks! I've really been working on my settings with flash, and trying to balance the light as well as I can. Believe it or not, #6 is just shot with a 580ex II on camera diffused. Actually, all of these are.... no OCF used at all for these :)

[FamilyJules]

I love 4,6,7,8!! The way you balance flash with ambient light is amazing, Jules!

Thank you so much, Lana.... that really made my day, as I've been really working on my settings and what works and what doesn't... glad to see that it's being noticed, and that it paid off :)

[djpal]

I would absolutely love to know how you did the flash and settings. I've used my 430exii and it stil looks overkill....the people have turned up washed almost...even when i decrease the exposure of the flash to 1/3 and even more! :(

Yours came out so natural! almost like there's no flash that's whati love about those shots...what type of diffuser you use? Maybe that's what i need...nothing else seems to work

[FamilyJules]

I would absolutely love to know how you did the flash and settings. I've used my 430exii and it stil looks overkill....the people have turned up washed almost...even when i decrease the exposure of the flash to 1/3 and even more! :(

Yours came out so natural! almost like there's no flash that's whati love about those shots...what type of diffuser you use? Maybe that's what i need...nothing else seems to work

Shot with a Canon 40D and 580exII combo. Lens was a 17-55mm 2.8
I was at about ISO 800 or so, f/4 and 1/50... this balanced my ambient light really well.
Flash was on ETTL with a... wait for it.... waaaiit for it.... Gary Fong Diffuser.. lol. Some photogs on here give people crap for using these, but it works great for me....I love it :)
Hope this helps!

[benny g]

babe.... love 1... love the whole feel of the photo...

i really think that could be an album cover shot for them.. massive props!

i'm with the rest of the others... love your balance of ambient and flash...

see... hours of studying the forums does pay off;);)

keep on catching the moments...

benny

[djvkool]

Shot with a Canon 40D and 580exII combo. Lens was a 17-55mm 2.8
I was at about ISO 800 or so, f/4 and 1/50... this balanced my ambient light really well.
Flash was on ETTL with a... wait for it.... waaaiit for it.... Gary Fong Diffuser.. lol. Some photogs on here give people crap for using these, but it works great for me....I love it :)
Hope this helps!

40D, damn, that's what I got as well, I'm assuming you shots these handheld..?? amazing sharpness if it is, especially with 1/50 shutter, you must be a zen master or something like that to be able to stay perfectly still while you squeeze the shutter :):)

[collierportraits]

Nice work. Only comment I have is that in #8 if you'll have the guy put his weight on his back foot and sort of relax the front foot, then he won't look so awkward or stiff leaning over. Just my .02

Good stuff! ;)

[Lightworks Imaging]

I love 4,6,7,8!! The way you balance flash with ambient light is amazing, Jules!


+1.

[FamilyJules]

babe.... love 1... love the whole feel of the photo...

i really think that could be an album cover shot for them.. massive props!

i'm with the rest of the others... love your balance of ambient and flash...

see... hours of studying the forums does pay off;)

keep on catching the moments...

benny

Thanks, Benny :) I really loved that shot, too. I only use textures every now and then, and I thought it worked well here. Funny, tho, now I am using them a little more, I realize how much I like them :)
And yes, I can't tell you how much I've learned from these forums... I don't know where I would be if this site didn't exist. it certainly pays off to learn from the mistakes of others, lol ;)


40D, damn, that's what I got as well, I'm assuming you shots these handheld..?? amazing sharpness if it is, especially with 1/50 shutter, you must be a zen master or something like that to be able to stay perfectly still while you squeeze the shutter :):)

Yes, handlheld. I was jumping between 1/50 and 1/100... some came out blurry, but most were pretty sharp. I just propped my leg up on a large rock for stability, and shot away. Plus, my 17-55mm 2.8 lens just rocks.... I still am surprised sometimes with the quality of the photos that it puts out.

Nice work. Only comment I have is that in #8 if you'll have the guy put his weight on his back foot and sort of relax the front foot, then he won't look so awkward or stiff leaning over. Just my .02

Thanks :)
Yes, I was TOTALLY thinking that after I was editing the photos.... Will definitely be more aware of that next time! Thanks!

[Valjoy]

I felt the same as you about the Gary Fong diffuser .....not great reports from pros on hear..............but after seeing your shots taken with it. I think I will give it a go.
Maybe like most things...if it works for you...
cheers Val
ps....forgot to mention , I really liked your lighting in 4,6,7...and 1 is great. Loved the texture on this one.

[maximus96]

looks like TRA actions, especially #5, right?

[FamilyJules]

I felt the same as you about the Gary Fong diffuser .....not great reports from pros on hear..............but after seeing your shots taken with it. I think I will give it a go.
Maybe like most things...if it works for you...
cheers Val
ps....forgot to mention , I really liked your lighting in 4,6,7...and 1 is great. Loved the texture on this one.

Exactly.... And I still bounce the flash, even with the diffuser on. I NEVER have it pointing straight forward. I really like it... however, it is a battery sucker... but worth it to me :) I have a Canon battery flash pack, so that helps a lot, too :)
Thank you!

looks like TRA actions, especially #5, right?

Yep, I LOVE LOVE LOVE TRA's... #5 is a little recipe I made of a few actions. their textures rock b/c they're not overpowering to the photo.

[vegaspyx]

I have the Gary Fong but have'nt used it yet. Looks like I have to dig it out of my bag. Looks like a great couple to shoot with!