NYC Engagement Session

in the first two it would be nice if his arm closest to the camera could have been touching her in some way.

Ahtz wrote in post #12665348
in the first two it would be nice if his arm closest to the camera could have been touching her in some way.

I'm pretty much hand's off when it comes to posing, but in retrospect I agree that your suggestion would have enhanced the photos.

Thanks for feedback. Certainly food for thought for next time!

nicksan wrote in post #12665456
I'm pretty much hand's off when it comes to posing, but in retrospect I agree that your suggestion would have enhanced the photos.

Thanks for feedback. Certainly food for thought for next time!

Im the same way when it comes to posing. I've been trying something that seems to be working ok and that is in the beginning of the session I give them some pointers to remember. Like never face the camera square on and always be touching if you are next to each other or I say otherwise.

nicksan wrote in post #12664425
Thank you!

#3...point well taken. I still like the photo, but definitely not "dramatic". What would you have suggested?

The first thing that popped into mind was "aggressive". You already got some of that going with the tilt that makes her look like she is leaning in to him. But I would have had her grab his shirt, not just place a hand on his chest, and his hand would have either been on her face or on her hip drawing her in closer. I would probably also have had his back shoulder abover hers (to help bring them closer) so her hand would be hidden. I would have put them in that position, then told them to give each other a look like they were about to kiss each other like they had never kissed before (yeah cheesy, but people in love respond well to cheesy).

I also actually like this shot better cropped so that her arm is partially cut off on the right edge of the frame. I think the background does a better job of leading the eye to the subject if you just have it on one side of the couple. The design becomes distracting on the lower right.

*note* this was all done from my chair, with no camera, no schedule, and no client pressure to perform. IRL I would be very happy with the shot as captured (and I am sure they are), but I probably would still crop off the right side.

Thanks for letting me learn from your photos!

Luz wrote in post #12665783
The first thing that popped into mind was "aggressive". You already got some of that going with the tilt that makes her look like she is leaning in to him. But I would have had her grab his shirt, not just place a hand on his chest, and his hand would have either been on her face or on her hip drawing her in closer. I would probably also have had his back shoulder abover hers (to help bring them closer) so her hand would be hidden. I would have put them in that position, then told them to give each other a look like they were about to kiss each other like they had never kissed before (yeah cheesy, but people in love respond well to cheesy).

Interesting observation. I think I understand where you are coming from as far as "aggressive" is concerned and it's something I'll keep in mind. The only thing I will mention is that this couple isn't "aggressive" and that would have definitely taken them outside their comfort zone...well...at least that's just my opinion. Who knows what goes behind closed doors.

Luz wrote in post #12665783
I also actually like this shot better cropped so that her arm is partially cut off on the right edge of the frame. I think the background does a better job of leading the eye to the subject if you just have it on one side of the couple. The design becomes distracting on the lower right.

Yeah, I see what you mean. I didn't want to crop too much and chop off his hand but I guess I can crop to a point where that won't even matter. Interesting points to think about!

Luz wrote in post #12665783
*note* this was all done from my chair, with no camera, no schedule, and no client pressure to perform. IRL I would be very happy with the shot as captured (and I am sure they are), but I probably would still crop off the right side.

Thanks for letting me learn from your photos!

Certainly appreciate the useful feedback. That's why I asked for C & C! Absolutely a great way to learn and see things in different perspectives.

I'll try some different crops. I do like the photo as is, but I'll have to try things out in order to figure out whether I will like them better right?

Thanks again for the feedback!

I love these!

nicksan wrote in post #12665456
I'm pretty much hand's off when it comes to posing

Really? I'm not good at posing people (at least not yet) and I've always wondered if it's common for couples to have ideas of how they want their pictures taken - or if it's all the photographer telling them what to do.

Depends in each case I guess ...

emelvee wrote in post #12665855
Really? I'm not good at posing people (at least not yet) and I've always wondered if it's common for couples to have ideas of how they want their pictures taken - or if it's all the photographer telling them what to do.

Depends in each case I guess ...

Of course I give suggestions on what they could do, but that's pretty much as far as I take things, unless the couple just doesn't have it in them to pose themselves! But even then, it might be more verbal suggestions like "give me attitude", or "give me cool", etc.

i don't think these are bad, but i'm also just not feeling it, you know? like it's lacking the "pop" and comes off kind of too technical for me. Maybe it's just me. i think #4 would've been better if his mouth weren't cut by her head, and the only stand out picture out of the whole set if #7 i would say.
but good job nonetheless.

Autonomous wrote in post #12674087
i don't think these are bad, but i'm also just not feeling it, you know? like it's lacking the "pop" and comes off kind of too technical for me. Maybe it's just me. i think #4 would've been better if his mouth weren't cut by her head, and the only stand out picture out of the whole set if #7 i would say.
but good job nonetheless.

Can you elaborate on "just not feeling it"? Lack of emotion? Lack of intimacy? What is it about the photos that you are "just not feeling it"? I would genuinely like to know.

I am also not sure what "comes off kind of too technical" means. I really don't. So please elaborate.

Lacking pop as in the processing? Perhaps, but this is just my style. I can of course up the contrast and brightness and make it "pop" more, but that's just not my thing if you noticed from my previous photos.

I can see your point in #4, but I don't think it takes away that much from the photo, but duly noted.

Thanks for your feedback.

Number 1: Puddles break up an otherwise solid cobblestone and work well, as does the pose.
2. Looks like they really enjoy each other's company, and the alligator purse probably costs more than the L lens you were shooting with and so she likes to show it off. Can't blame her. Absolutely love the backdrop, the doors, lights above, just about perfect. Perhaps at night, with the lights shining down, would be awesome too, but who knows if they even work.
3. Great connection between them, and again excellent and interesting background.
4. Nice B&W conversion, and your classic use of DOF. Only way you could have improved on that would have been to beg me to use my 200L.
5. Tilt-a-whirl works well, as does the cab. This is a fun couple and it comes across which is not easy.
6. Again a nice backdrop, and even with them apart, there's a definite connection
7. Like the red circle blurred out between them, and another good variation on the rest.
8. Perhaps the best of the set. Love the minor flare, and especially the blurred cab behind them.
9. "Your" location is the best of all.

Possibly among your best work yet. And it pains me greatly to say that. In fact, if Shomat saw these, he'd throw away that antique box he calls a camera.

me

MDJAK wrote in post #12675942
And it pains me greatly to say that.

me

You must have an ulterior motive. I am scared.

you owe me dinner now

MDJAK wrote in post #12677589
you owe me dinner now

Just put it on my tab...I think I owe you like 10 dinners.

Re-processed a few of them to add more color/pop. Hit refresh to see them if you've read this thread before. The original post should then display the updated versions.