First Bridal Shoot (AMATEUR ALART!)

vk2gwk wrote in post #16283859
Using a nifty fifty wide open can be appropriate at times but: wide open that lens is soft and the resulting very shallow DOF should be functional.... Not just because you can create a shallow DOF you have to use that all the time.
Shallow DOF is mainly functional to blur the background or draw attention to some very distinct features in a scene. Especially for "event shooting" like a wedding, using a 50mm wide open is like playing a round of golf with only a "seven iron". It can be done be you are more likely to get a good score with a full bag of clubs.

Hey vk2- Thanks for the tip! I know I need to get a little more comfortable switching lense on the fly. It's funny in a way tho... every time I set up the shot, I keep thinking this will look cool if blur the BG.
I think I begin thinking this way because I still need a lot of work on composition. My meaning is, every time I don't blur the BG my images look very flat and one dimensional.
Which I believe relates to a poorly set up shot.
I checked out your flikr page... some good shots on there! I finally had to leave because the food pictures were making me pretty hungry!
Thanks for your time and input.

mojo_plasma wrote in post #16282419
No sir. It has an on/off switch and a distance/aperture guide...and thats about it I wish it did tho.
But if I recall I got it for 3 bucks at a thrift store... so i was happy it worked at all!
It's a second flash that was just for some goofy experimental stuff anyway.
I will pick up some kind of diffuser for it soon.

I have some old flashes, too. This is a bit OT, but I suggest you confirm it's voltage before throwing it in your hotshoe. http://www.botzilla.co​m/photo/strobeVolts.ht​ml

I didn't know this before I slapped an old Minolta on my 60d, but fortunately, it was OK. However, I won't risk it again. HTH

I really appreciate every ones time and advice! I will post 2 more which I kinda liked.
feel free to C&C if you want, but don't feel obligated... you have been very helpful and I have gotten plenty of tips to work on for a while
Thanks to all!
1.
I wish I had cleaned off the spider webs (But the B&W version I did, they looked pretty cool on) but I didn't notice them until later.
And also wish I had gotten the top two points of the gate in the shot, and noticed the hair needed smoothing.

IMAGE LINK: http://s383.photobucke​t.com …36-2_zpsa39d0a1a.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://s383.photobucke​t.com …53-2_zps957b8152.jpg.html

Are you using a single focus point or just letting the camera choose? That could contribute to focusing on the wrong location (cheek vs. eye)

No offense...but she doesn't looked thrilled to be there, especially in the second shot.

NewCreation wrote in post #16284302
I have some old flashes, too. This is a bit OT, but I suggest you confirm it's voltage before throwing it in your hotshoe. http://www.botzilla.co​m/photo/strobeVolts.ht​ml

I didn't know this before I slapped an old Minolta on my 60d, but fortunately, it was OK. However, I won't risk it again. HTH

Hey Brenda, great shots on your site!
I only use this as an off-camera, triggered flash. But thanks for the info, I never even considered this could be a issue. I will be sure to keep this in mind.
Thanks a lot for the heads up! This would have really ruined my day

NewCreation wrote in post #16284346
Are you using a single focus point or just letting the camera choose? That could contribute to focusing on the wrong location (cheek vs. eye)

No offense...but she doesn't looked thrilled to be there, especially in the second shot.

Yes, it is a single point focus. I usually focus directly on the closest eye then re-compose the shot. As far a I can tell the camera holds the focus point, just the wrong one.

Ha ha, no she was quite a good sport and very accommodating, it is mostly due to my inexperience to pose and coach her.
... and trust me, If were easily offended I would not dare to post in the critique corner thread
I appreciate all input (all constructive input i should say) and hope the learn something here!

mojo_plasma wrote in post #16284361
Yes, it is a single point focus. I usually focus directly on the closest eye then re-compose the shot. As far a I can tell the camera holds the focus point, just the wrong one.

Ha ha, no she was quite a good sport and very accommodating, it is mostly due to my inexperience to pose and coach her.
... and trust me, If were easily offended I would not dare to post in the critique corner thread
I appreciate all input (all constructive input i should say) and hope the learn something here!

Ah! I think I can identify your focus problem. I have made the very same error. If you are shooting at a very wide aperture the depth of field is very thin. So if you focus and then recompose, it is likely that your desired focus point is no longer it the plane of optimal focus.

Check out this handy tool. http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

I like the ones which are backlit by the sun; but please clip those little antennae on top of her head if you intend to keep them.
And you have a very lovely model there!

mojo_plasma wrote in post #16284282
Hey man, thanks for the encouragement. the flash I have is a Vivatar also. Full manual. I THINK it fires full power all the time and you have to set the appropriate f-stop vs distance from subject to get proper exposure, but I will try to google it later and find out how exactly it does work. thanks for the tips
BTW, did you get any guitar shots? Last we talked I think you were gonna shoot your sons guitars. lemme know if you posted any
later man!

Still trying to get my son to be home long enough to get some guitar shots. He is a working and practicing fiend right now. He is trying to save up enough money to move out of the house. But he has quite the collection of gear, so once he had more than 5 minutes I will get him to take it out so I can get some shots of it.

NewCreation wrote in post #16284424
Ah! I think I can identify your focus problem. I have made the very same error. If you are shooting at a very wide aperture the depth of field is very thin. So if you focus and then recompose, it is likely that your desired focus point is no longer it the plane of optimal focus.

Check out this handy tool. http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

Very Good indeed! Thanks a lot for the info. I have skimmed the page quickly, it looks like it could be a lot of help. I will really dig into it later this evening!
Thank you for your time!

Qbx wrote in post #16284438
I like the ones which are backlit by the sun; but please clip those little antennae on top of her head if you intend to keep them.
And you have a very lovely model there!

Yea, she is a very sweet young lady who goes to our church.

The back light is actually an old extra flash I am remote triggering, but it is BRUTAL

I didn't clip the loose strand on top because there were so many others, but now that you have mentioned it, I think it would have been worthwhile to at least do the ones on top...
I will try one and see.
Thanks for the reply!

sirquack wrote in post #16284471
Still trying to get my son to be home long enough to get some guitar shots. He is a working and practicing fiend right now. He is trying to save up enough money to move out of the house. But he has quite the collection of gear, so once he had more than 5 minutes I will get him to take it out so I can get some shots of it.

Very Good! lemme know when you post.
Later!