Wow, thanks a lot for all the input, exactly what I needed! 
gonzogolf wrote in post #17553508
They generally look pretty good. The first shot needs to be cropped. The bottom half is just wsted space competing with the subjects. You have some great leading lines but too much is overkill.
I think next time I'll vary the environmental shots with tighter shots, so I have some of both.
elrey2375 wrote in post #17554030Agreed. The line is nice, but a 16x9 crop would eliminate the bottom part that isn't necessary. The fourth one, her hair is not flattering up close. Just be aware of backgrounds and things like hair, etc.
Good catch on the hair, definitely something I need to start being aware of.
dmitrim wrote in post #17554066first 3 are really nice. It's all about experience and practice.
1. find good light
2. find good background
3. put your subjects there
learning to pose is an art. you can ask them to kiss or hug. That always work.
Thanks for the pointers
wallstreetoneil wrote in post #17554090First thing about posing
- look at her jaw line in #2 and #6 and his in #5
- can you see how strong and defining that is? - that is what you want to aim for
- watch the Peter Hurley video (It is all about the jaw) (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe3oJnFtA_k)
- compare this to her jaw in #1
Look at his hand placement in #1 and #3
- can you see how placing the hand / arm in the small of a woman's lower back 'thickens' her in her most narrow spot
- you can't always avoid this but if you can it will add to her curves (which is attractive) as her back comes down into her waist and then goes out again to her backside (this is what you want to see)
- his hands while doing the same in #2 are slightly higher up and pulling in (thinning her) and you can then see you backside below this so you still see her shape
Lighting
- if possible you want the couple and their faces to not be competing with other 'bright' areas drawing your focus away
- you can use graduated and radial filters to 'fix' this in most of your pictures
Great advice! (I still need some time to digest all this info, but it sure looks helpful)
crbinson wrote in post #17554142#1 - Crop off the bottom and right side
#6 - His pants are too long
Nice catch on n°6, I'll try to be aware of clothing, too.
wallstreetoneil wrote in post #17554149I think I disagree with the notion that in the first photo the bottom and right should be cut.
I like the textures in the stone railing, and with some Clarity it can be further brought out, and the right side can be reduced in impact using some graduated exposure filters and further some radial filter to make the couple pop more
I also used the Liquify tool in PS and Brush tool to reduce the shadow under her chin and give some slight shape to her jaw.
IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/sKiNjj engagement by
Paul O'Neil, on Flickr
I'll see what I can do with the PP, maybe some kind of lens flare/haze on the right side could work?
agrandexpression wrote in post #17554220For your first shoot...it's very good!
As previously mentioned...her hair in the #4 is a bit disheveled for a tight shot. You start to see these things as you're shooting with more and more practice...but will still miss it now and again.
I personally don't see anything wrong with the shiny bald head. Most are that way. Unless the light is really diffused, you're going to get some shine on most bald heads in my experience.
As far as posing goes...you don't have alot of experience, and chances are your clients will have even less. I've always adhered to the idea of "directing" rather than straight-up posing. Give them some direction or vague and basic instructions...and let them work out exactly how to execute that - A "give her a nice tease...get as close as you can, but don't kiss her until i tell you" will look more natural and give some great expressions, rather than if you tell them "put your hand there, now turn your head, point your hip that way, turn your foot this way". That's my experience at least.
You're off to a nice start. Good luck!
Great, sounds like that's how I want to work, just giving general directions, and only correcting when they do something unflattering.
golfecho wrote in post #17554626Maybe its just me, but the guy seems to be a "leaner". Look at him in #2 and again in the hast shot. He leans forward into her and is not straight even if the picture is. This is distracting to me, and I would try and watch for this while posing.
OK, will do, maybe it helps if I turn the photos a few degrees?
the802 wrote in post #17554647Awesome first shoot! I really like 3 and 6, great lighting and expressions. I agree with the cropping on number 1, and with the hair comment on number 4, just be aware when you are shooting closer like that and see if you can have her run her hand through it or something, just to get it all a bit more in line! Overall you nailed it though!
Thank you!
