8-14-2011 Pala Mesa Resort

Pala Mesa Resort is a few miles from the Temecula Wine Country where we do most of our wedding gigs. But, I do like this venue. Staff are very nice and makes the day easy.

Some images from our latest Pala Mesa Wedding:

IMAGE LINK: http://www.danpettusph​oto.com

IMAGE LINK: http://www.danpettusph​oto.com

IMAGE LINK: http://www.danpettusph​oto.com

IMAGE LINK: http://www.danpettusph​oto.com

IMAGE LINK: http://www.danpettusph​oto.com

IMAGE LINK: http://www.danpettusph​oto.com

IMAGE LINK: http://www.danpettusph​oto.com

Hi Darrell:

Yes, got your email. Thanks for the kind comments! It's OK to post in the forum!

Dan

Great job I like them all but I especially like number 6

Alan

Here's my take:

Here's my take.

1. Not crazy about how the shoes are arranged. Looks underexposed and WB could use a little correcting.
2. I like ring shots to look tack sharp and these aren't. I would remove the purple fringing. Very easy to do.
3. Decent shot, but I am not crazy about how the dress is open like that. Looks underexposed and WB is off.
4. I like the dress, but is that the groom standing on the right? I can't tell. This probably would have been better with the bride solo.
5. Good shoot.
6. Not really feeling this one.
7. Not too crazy about the comp. Her face looks underexposed. Maybe would have been better to have shot this straight on, showcasing some of that long stairs?

nicksan wrote in post #13018349
Here's my take:

Here's my take.

1. Not crazy about how the shoes are arranged. Looks underexposed and WB could use a little correcting.
2. I like ring shots to look tack sharp and these aren't. I would remove the purple fringing. Very easy to do.
3. Decent shot, but I am not crazy about how the dress is open like that. Looks underexposed and WB is off.
4. I like the dress, but is that the groom standing on the right? I can't tell. This probably would have been better with the bride solo.
5. Good shoot.
6. Not really feeling this one.
7. Not too crazy about the comp. Her face looks underexposed. Maybe would have been better to have shot this straight on, showcasing some of that long stairs?

Comments from Dan...

1. The bride loves this shot. All that matters. I would not correct the WB. Like the "feel" of the color temperature.

2. Your are correct sir. Hand held 100mm macro on the table top in the brides room. Should have tri-pod or mono-pod and spent more time in the post processing. No excuse!

3. Same. I would leave the WB just as is. Making it "correct" has no "soul"

4. Bride and father walking up the steps to gazebo. Just a candid got it as it happened. I don't like to setup my couples for many shots.

5.

6. Again, bride and groom gush over this image. I'm OK with it as is.

7. I guess it is really "in the eye". The venue ... Pala Mesa ... says this the best shot of that area in years and just ordered a 40 x 55 inch canvas wrap... to each his own!


....thanks for the comments and keep on shooting! ....Dan

^I understand the whole "that's all that matters" comment, since, well...that's all that matters.

As for WB, that's definitely a personal choice. I'm not sure correcting it would strip the photo of its "soul" however...but again, that's a personal choice.

Just giving out some C & C to chew on, that's all. But in retrospect perhaps you weren't asking for any? If that's the case, I apologize.

nicksan wrote in post #13018562
^I understand the whole "that's all that matters" comment, since, well...that's all that matters.

As for WB, that's definitely a personal choice. I'm not sure correcting it would strip the photo of its "soul" however...but again, that's a personal choice.

Just giving out some C & C to chew on, that's all. But in retrospect perhaps you weren't asking for any? If that's the case, I apologize.

No apology please. We are always learning and comments are welcome!

nicksan wrote in post #13018562
^I understand the whole "that's all that matters" comment, since, well...that's all that matters.

As for WB, that's definitely a personal choice. I'm not sure correcting it would strip the photo of its "soul" however...but again, that's a personal choice.

Just giving out some C & C to chew on, that's all. But in retrospect perhaps you weren't asking for any? If that's the case, I apologize.

I like reading your critique's Nicksan. This is a public forum. Sharing ideas and opinions is why most of us come here.

That said, I took Dan's response to your critique as if he was offended a bit. I'm sure that wasn't nicksans intent.

I do agree with Nicksan though. Cooling off the white balance in a couple of those photos would sort of sharpen the image a bit more.

Other than that, 6 could benefit from more of a crop as the right side of it is showing a bit of empty space.

very nice ring shot

wb off for me

it really bothers me when photographers post their work in a forum filled with many other photogs, some great and some not so great and get defensive when someone critiques their work and 80% their defense is "well my B&G looooove this shot" well guess what, chances are B&G will be happy with just about anything, as long as is sharp and specially if it has some funky editing that makes the picture different than something they could have captured with their own P&S....so if you must get defensive, feel free to not post, for the most part Nik's critique is spot on, regardless if the B&G loooooove the shots or if the reception plsce ordered a 357X600 print to represent their local.

my critique

1 a tighter crop and better and WB adjustment can do some justice

2 nice shot, a bit cliche but nice...also looks like you forgot to place the grooms ring correctly, the diamond setting is on the other side.

3 WB is off, tilt is nice, her pose is great, the dress open?...id trash the picture, completely ruins it.

4 dont even know how to critique it to be honest...sorry..

5 im a fisheye lover, the shot is nice, but it can definately use some PP....it looks like its SOC

6 good shot, i would crop it differently, thats all.

7 good intentions, bad execution, too much going on, you should have taken advantage of some DOF...crop out that lightpost.

very shot, This wedding have many place. I like second picture. It's great of lovely.

good stuff. the last shot would be better with fill light on the face. harsh shadows.

I gotta say that the defense about the white balance is just weird.. it doesn't look right and the photos would benefit greatly from fixing it..

the bride and groom "gush over it" really. are the pro photographers, artists? I bet they would love it more if it was correctly WB i agree with k style. you are here to get opinions from people who know a little about photography. perhaps and hopefully more than you so take the critique and say thank you