Anniversary Portraits - First portrait attempt

[DeltaWebb]

My parents are having their 35th wedding anniversary this year and are celebrating it with a complete 2nd wedding. This is because their first one was very small and none of my father's family was able to attend including his parents. Anyway, they are sending out really nice invitations including a black and white portrait. Here are a few we are trying to pick from and want opinions on which one you prefer.

Please any comments or critiques of the photos is welcome.

[johnlo]

Very nice

[DeltaWebb]

3 & 4

[DeltaWebb]

5 & 6

[DeltaWebb]

I know that 1 & 3 look the same but the lighting is a little different. What I'm looking for is a vote for the one that you think is the best at communicating 35 happy years!

Thanks for all the help.

[DeltaWebb]

I would also like any critiques for my portrait taking...suggestions...changes...etc.

[DeltaWebb]

Does anyone look or vote when it's a pole?

[ayotnoms]

hopefully you'll get more votes.

The poses are very nice. #4 had an appeal for the tenderness it evoked but in the end I voted for #6. FWIW

As for a critique, the images look too flat; as if they were simply converted to grayscale. Lots of room for tonal improvement.

Congrats to your parents. They make a very handsome couple. :-)

[Titus213]

All nicely exposed but the background decides it for me. The fence has to go.....I like number 2 or the last one.

[DeltaWebb]

Post processing is very new to me and I don't have a good program by any stretch. Any suggestions for a program around $100 US? I know Paint Shop Pro 9 is about that and there is one Photo Shop sweet that is VERY scaled down for around $100. What would be better and how can I improve on the B&W conversion?

[ayotnoms]

give Photoshop Elements 3.0 a try

It's a product from a well known, reputable producer of imaging software.

Besides, lots of PS users here whose brains you can pick when you get in a pinch. :-)

[drisley]

Does anyone look or vote when it's a pole?
sure, but you only posted this 4 hours ago.

[DeltaWebb]

sure, but you only posted this 4 hours ago.

Guess you're right. Just thought I would get more responses since there were over fifty people viewing when I posted. I'll be patient and see what happens. Thanks. :)

[starzphalling]

i would definately say use #6

critique:

1. i have to agree that fence, i could do without it. it makes a bad line, which kinda karatee (sp?) chops your picture in half

2. her shirt is so white with the side of the picture, it kinda runs off and never finishes, giving her shoulder/arm little definition (if that sentence makes any sense, good luck dicifering (sp?) my writing and HORRIBLE spelling!)

3. same opinion as 1, but faces are too washed out

4. would be a good pic without that ivy/leaves (not sure what to call it) in the backround, you kinda lose his head in it. a closer crop might help that one.

5. the fence....and her posing looks un-natural, she just doesn't look comfortable

6. i think this one is the best they both look happy, comfortable, and her white shirt doesn't bother me as much (there's much less of it this time). I definately say that 6 is conveying what you are going for, and i really like the shot!!

well i hope i didn't tick you off and that i made sense, for a first portrait shoot i think you did a really good job, hopefully i will have one to post here soon too (got to get off my butt :rolleyes: ) :lol:

[drisley]

I think he looks best in #1, but she definately looks best in #2. She is more relaxed looking, and isn't squinting like she appears to be in the others.
So, I vote #2

[InskiP]

I voted for #2 but also really like #6.

[DeltaWebb]

Thanks for all the responses and help with the critique. It's the comments that really help me because I keep them in the back of my head the next time I shoot. Keep 'em comin'!

[guitarman]

I chose 6 and I see that I'm in the majority, atleast at the moment. Honestly though, I don't like portraits in B&W. Thats just my preference.

[Dimitry]

I voted 6 also because the pose, lighting and background looks best in that shot

[DeltaWebb]

Thanks again for voting! It's funny, but I can see things in each photo that I like when you guys make your comments, so they're much appreciated. Trick now is to see if I can put all those suggestions to work to make a truly great portrait.

FYI: Mom and Dad are now leaning to number 6 as well!

[DeltaWebb]

NUMBER 6 IT IS!!! Thanks for all the input! Printing tomorrow and sending out invites.

[skade]

#6 gets my vote

[pcDigiMan]

6 is great choice