Sam_M wrote in post #11885438
I have some critiques to offer. (Done per photo):
1. I like the high key shot here. It works for the groom, but there is such a large area of detail lost on the bride's left shoulder that it is extremely distracting from her image.
2. Left image: While the groom's pose is ok, the bride looks very awkward, like she's about to fall over, or is unsure what to do. The background is a bit distracting as well, with the dead grass, and random branches in the background, especially the one growing out of the groom's head.
Right image: The out of focus area here looks exaggerated for some reason. It looks like it was blurred even more in post production then the lens produced. The highlight around the bride's chin looks weird. The pose is great though!
3. I like the idea, but not the image. The hand not being framed, but rather cut off by their faces is hard to look at, their kiss looks extremely fake, like they are just two mannequins whose mouths have been placed next to each other. Also, since the b&g's out of focus faces seem to be the majority subject in the image, and are closest to the camera, it makes it hard to see much else.
4. Again, I like the idea, but the execution is confusing. The way you have positioned the bride makes her seem enormous compared to the groom. Also, her hand, well rather finger positioning makes her hand way less feminine. She would have looked more graceful if she was a bit behind the groom, and had her fingers touching. The pose you have the groom in is extremely feminine, not withstanding that he's being 'held' by the bride. The head turned is fine, but once you break the 90 degree axis, the pose automatically becomes feminine. I think over all, the image sends the wrong message. Also, the orange specular highlight to the left of the groom's neck always catches my eye.
5. This could work, but I'd like to see this pose with the bride tilting her head and not the groom for the same reasons as mentioned above. Also, the bride's hair coming out of the groom's nose isn't really flattering.
6. I like this idea as well. That being said, I would have liked to see the doorway centered in respect to the horizontal orientation, as it's off-centered aspect pulls my eyes aways from the bride and groom. Also, the background could be a bit more out of focus, as I would have liked to concentrate more on the bride and groom. The groom should have been turned towards the bride, either embracing her, or holding her at a forearm length away. The random plank on the ground is odd, and I'm not too sure about the bouquet(?) on the ground. Also, the bride's dress is blown out and lacks detail.
7. This one is a great pose, and setting. Except that the interaction between the bride and groom looks extremely forced, and it looks as though she is either trying to escape, or rip his jacket off. Her face isn't showing love, it's showing that either she just ate a lemon, or she's trying not to laugh.
maybe tilting her head, and not his would have helped. The background is also a bit distracting, with some very bright random points of light in the fence (the round holes and the large missing piece, not the slats). The table leg either needs to be removed, or cloned onto the other side. It looks really weird with one leg. The wine glass, and the food on the table are also somewhat distracting. The plant on their heads actually isn't too bad, but it wouldn't hurt to remove it.
8. Cool idea, but swap the rings. The reason is that typically guys are seen as wanting to avoid marriage, and that it's a burden, whereas women are thought to be obsessed with it. (Yes I'm generalizing lol). So in having his ring on the sad face, and hers on the happy face, you would reinforce subtly, this stereotype. Also, the binding of the book is not straight, and pulls my eye to it because of this. I would also clean up some of the more glaring imperfections in the cover of the book.
So overall, I am not trying to be a jerk about this, just offering my honest critique(s).
I have some critiques to offer. (Done per photo):
1. I like the high key shot here. It works for the groom, but there is such a large area of detail lost on the bride's left shoulder that it is extremely distracting from her image.
2. Left image: While the groom's pose is ok, the bride looks very awkward, like she's about to fall over, or is unsure what to do. The background is a bit distracting as well, with the dead grass, and random branches in the background, especially the one growing out of the groom's head.
Right image: The out of focus area here looks exaggerated for some reason. It looks like it was blurred even more in post production then the lens produced. The highlight around the bride's chin looks weird. The pose is great though!
3. I like the idea, but not the image. The hand not being framed, but rather cut off by their faces is hard to look at, their kiss looks extremely fake, like they are just two mannequins whose mouths have been placed next to each other. Also, since the b&g's out of focus faces seem to be the majority subject in the image, and are closest to the camera, it makes it hard to see much else.
4. Again, I like the idea, but the execution is confusing. The way you have positioned the bride makes her seem enormous compared to the groom. Also, her hand, well rather finger positioning makes her hand way less feminine. She would have looked more graceful if she was a bit behind the groom, and had her fingers touching. The pose you have the groom in is extremely feminine, not withstanding that he's being 'held' by the bride. The head turned is fine, but once you break the 90 degree axis, the pose automatically becomes feminine. I think over all, the image sends the wrong message. Also, the orange specular highlight to the left of the groom's neck always catches my eye.
5. This could work, but I'd like to see this pose with the bride tilting her head and not the groom for the same reasons as mentioned above. Also, the bride's hair coming out of the groom's nose isn't really flattering.
6. I like this idea as well. That being said, I would have liked to see the doorway centered in respect to the horizontal orientation, as it's off-centered aspect pulls my eyes aways from the bride and groom. Also, the background could be a bit more out of focus, as I would have liked to concentrate more on the bride and groom. The groom should have been turned towards the bride, either embracing her, or holding her at a forearm length away. The random plank on the ground is odd, and I'm not too sure about the bouquet(?) on the ground. Also, the bride's dress is blown out and lacks detail.
7. This one is a great pose, and setting. Except that the interaction between the bride and groom looks extremely forced, and it looks as though she is either trying to escape, or rip his jacket off. Her face isn't showing love, it's showing that either she just ate a lemon, or she's trying not to laugh.
maybe tilting her head, and not his would have helped. The background is also a bit distracting, with some very bright random points of light in the fence (the round holes and the large missing piece, not the slats). The table leg either needs to be removed, or cloned onto the other side. It looks really weird with one leg. The wine glass, and the food on the table are also somewhat distracting. The plant on their heads actually isn't too bad, but it wouldn't hurt to remove it.
8. Cool idea, but swap the rings. The reason is that typically guys are seen as wanting to avoid marriage, and that it's a burden, whereas women are thought to be obsessed with it. (Yes I'm generalizing lol). So in having his ring on the sad face, and hers on the happy face, you would reinforce subtly, this stereotype. Also, the binding of the book is not straight, and pulls my eye to it because of this. I would also clean up some of the more glaring imperfections in the cover of the book.
So overall, I am not trying to be a jerk about this, just offering my honest critique(s).
Thank you for the critique. It is honest and I feel there is a lot of weight in your post. I would love to comment on some of the things you mentioned and provide my input.
1. I agree. I did it without the flare, but still lost a lot of detail in that part of the dress. The bow is still blown, but I dont see how to prevent that in this particular situation.
2. Right image - they were dancing. I agree with the background being a bit distracting, but I wanted to bring a little bit of the surroundings to tie it in a little more. I believe I shot fairly wide open with my 28, but I dont remember off the top of my head.
Left image, no blurring in PP. I had them pull their hands out to really accentuate the blur.
3. I feel differently about this image than you do. I actually like the subtly of the ring in the frame, and I prefer how their faces are rather than a smashed up kiss. I feel it has a lightness to it. I understand these are personal preferences, and I would love to see your take on how to improve it.
4. I see what you are saying here. Good points on it, and this will be a good one to tweak the next time.
5. I didnt see the hair until you pointed it out, but that is a good catch. THe head tilting makes sense too how you have described it. I think it had to do with how tall they were that made it a bit difficult, but there are always things to work around.
6. Fair points. The plank on the ground was actually "installed" in the ground as part of the walk down the isle. I will try to shoot more open next time, and Ill have to check my settings. I knew I didnt want to blow focus. I cant argue with the dress being blown, but what can I do in this situation?
7. This is funny you said that. This was actually their first kiss, so there is only so much I really could control. Too bad this is the pose you like the best, and I had nothing to do with it.
8. Ok, I get your point. This was a shot more to incorporate the groom's drama roots, not really a commentary on marriage and gender ideas. I like personally think the imperfections go well with the theme of the wedding - they were going for old/rustic feeling and decorated the tables with a variety of old books. The binding - I get where you are coming from, but I didnt want to crop it too tight.
Thank you for the feedback, and I would love to see some of your stuff too!
