What Could I Do Differently?

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Hey everyone.... I have been lucky enough to have a pro wedding photographer pick me up for the wedding season and I have learned so much over the last 2 months. This was from the wedding I did a few weeks ago with him. What do you think? I know they could be better so be honest, I value the opinions of the members here so let me have it.

[ofdphoto]

Nice, creative shots there.

Only critiques: I don't like the look of the brick building in the background (toilets?) ... could you have organised your subjects to block it?

And the selective colour on the rings doesn't do it for me ... looks fake. But that's just me. I reckon you've gotta have a shot that yells for selective colour before you try and use it.

Otherwise, some great images ... I'm sure they'll be happy. Hopefully you got some front-ons too

[subtle_spectre]

In general, while I like the creativity, there is something about the exposure and tonal range that is throwing me off. They also seem lacking in "pop"...this may well be a function of web-viewing or even my screen.

I also think that there is too much depth of field in every shot to separate not only the subjects from the background, but the photographer from the lay person.

In the end, it really is about what the client thinks, though.

[newgenphoto]

Hey Scott... why did you change your avatar HAHAHA

On and to the OP..... I like them!

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Originally Posted by linarms

Nice, creative shots there.

Only critiques: I don't like the look of the brick building in the background (toilets?) ... could you have organised your subjects to block it?

And the selective colour on the rings doesn't do it for me ... looks fake. But that's just me. I reckon you've gotta have a shot that yells for selective colour before you try and use it.

Otherwise, some great images ... I'm sure they'll be happy. Hopefully you got some front-ons too

Yeah, the building is distracting, it was one of those things where your are so into the B&G that I totoally didnt even notice the building. Yeah I got a ton of front on photos..... That one from the back was actually the brides idea

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Originally Posted by subtle_spectre

In general, while I like the creativity, there is something about the exposure and tonal range that is throwing me off. They also seem lacking in "pop"...this may well be a function of web-viewing or even my screen.

I also think that there is too much depth of field in every shot to separate not only the subjects from the background, but the photographer from the lay person.

In the end, it really is about what the client thinks, though.

Thanks, they do lack a little "POP" I think some of it is due to the drastic resizing down from the originals. I'm going to work on using a bit more DOF in my wedding this weekend. I have the "Nifty Fifty" coming tomorrow, so well see what happens

[tim]

Not bad, have a few thoughts:
1+4) I can tell from this shot that you're quite tall. I'd suggest getting lower, and putting a vignette on the image - and all these images.
2) I'd not have leaned him against the tree, and i'd have blurred him out a bit more. I bracket my apertures on this type of shot.
3) Bump contrast and saturation, vignette.
5) Did you get a shot from the other side? Try a high contrast sepia.
6) Try the background either partially desaturated or sepia, rather than B&W.

[song4themoon]

Very nice... a few things that I personally would have done different:

First shot: Zoom in to their faces to make the play with the veil really work (but maybe you did that in another shot thats not posted?)

Second shot: I wouldnt have the bride right in the center of the picture... maybe keeping the camera straight rather than holding sideways will allow more room to have her a bit more off to the right

Ring Shot: Desaturate a little .. without desaturating the gold stands out so much, almost looks fake.

[subtle_spectre]

Originally Posted by newgenphoto

Hey Scott... why did you change your avatar HAHAHA

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Originally Posted by tim

Not bad, have a few thoughts:
1+4) I can tell from this shot that you're quite tall. I'd suggest getting lower, and putting a vignette on the image - and all these images.
2) I'd not have leaned him against the tree, and i'd have blurred him out a bit more. I bracket my apertures on this type of shot.
3) Bump contrast and saturation, vignette.
5) Did you get a shot from the other side? Try a high contrast sepia.
6) Try the background either partially desaturated or sepia, rather than B&W.

I tried bumping the contrast and adding the vignette.... It came out pretty nice. I'll post it for you to see.
I'll try the other suggestions too and post them as well.

Thanks for your comments.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Originally Posted by song4themoon

Very nice... a few things that I personally would have done different:

First shot: Zoom in to their faces to make the play with the veil really work (but maybe you did that in another shot thats not posted?)

Second shot: I wouldnt have the bride right in the center of the picture... maybe keeping the camera straight rather than holding sideways will allow more room to have her a bit more off to the right

Ring Shot: Desaturate a little .. without desaturating the gold stands out so much, almost looks fake.

The first shot I did get about 5 shots with a tighter crop like you said. (just didnt post them)

I see what you mean about the second. As far as far as the ring shot, i'll try that.

I'm so new to the wedding photography thing, but I'm having a blast. That was only the 6th one I've ever done.

I have another this weekend, and I cant wait to try out the "nifty" I'll have it tomorrow.