Glamis Dunes Engagement

Here are a few from my first engagement session we did at the glamis sand dunes in California. First time using my Einstein strobe outdoors and was happy with the results(carrying all my gear was a bit of a chore). Feel free to provide any CC.

Couple more

Absolutely stunning

BlackBull wrote in post #18461306
Absolutely stunning

That covers it...

I'm going to be the **** and make a few critiques. Let me start positive and say I really love the last one, with the patterns in the sand, etc., but the sun is too bright and too white, it distracts. Composition is my biggest gripe. In the first one, I don't like the fact that it's split perfectly in half. Accentuate the sky or the sand, but not both. In the second one, it looks like a nuclear test is going off behind them. In the third, I don't like the horizon going through both their heads. Overall the compositions are off for me and they're too bright.

A striking setting, but it seems to me that emotionally the poses are a little off. They suggest an asymmetry in the relationship. These images are much more about her than about him. Do other shots from this set have the man participating more in the occasion? In the first shot, he appears to have lowered his head. In the one image that includes his face, he doesn't look happy.

Please don't take this as a complaint about the photography.

Beautiful location, couple, and technique, for the most part.

I'll echo the complaint about horizons at the head line, and #2 is 'almost awesome' and therefore really bothering me. I don't like how she is looking at the camera and we have a view of the back of his head. Complete 180 and I'm confused as to the messaging of the image. I'd like to have seen him looking off camera left or something. Maybe looking at her. Anything other than what he's doing in the image.

OhLook wrote in post #18462561
A striking setting, but it seems to me that emotionally the poses are a little off. They suggest an asymmetry in the relationship. These images are much more about her than about him. Do other shots from this set have the man participating more in the occasion? In the first shot, he appears to have lowered his head. In the one image that includes his face, he doesn't look happy.

Please don't take this as a complaint about the photography.

Thanks for the notes, most of the other photos in the set had images involving the man more, I just happened to have picked the ones that fail to showcase the two of them together. This was my first engagement shoot and I definitely feel lost when shooting(posing) couples so I’ll definetely keep this in mind for future shoots.

Silver-Halide wrote in post #18462578
Beautiful location, couple, and technique, for the most part.

I'll echo the complaint about horizons at the head line, and #2 is 'almost awesome' and therefore really bothering me. I don't like how she is looking at the camera and we have a view of the back of his head. Complete 180 and I'm confused as to the messaging of the image. I'd like to have seen him looking off camera left or something. Maybe looking at her. Anything other than what he's doing in the image.

I appreciate the cc, I definitely feel I could improve on poses for couples and totally get your thoughts on the image now that you point them out. Couples shoots are completely new to me so this definitely helps to make me think a little more about the overall message

elrey2375 wrote in post #18462554
I'm going to be the **** and make a few critiques. Let me start positive and say I really love the last one, with the patterns in the sand, etc., but the sun is too bright and too white, it distracts. Composition is my biggest gripe. In the first one, I don't like the fact that it's split perfectly in half. Accentuate the sky or the sand, but not both. In the second one, it looks like a nuclear test is going off behind them. In the third, I don't like the horizon going through both their heads. Overall the compositions are off for me and they're too bright.

Thanks for your critique, I agree with most of what you said(horizons through the head especially bugs me now that you point it out). Will keep all of this in mind during future shoots

First of all, beautiful images! But what my eye is drawn to, maybe because it drives me nuts in my own photos, is that there is a lot of sensor dust in the images, specifically in the top left of the frame.

bryzf1 wrote in post #18462838
First of all, beautiful images! But what my eye is drawn to, maybe because it drives me nuts in my own photos, is that there is a lot of sensor dust in the images, specifically in the top left of the frame.

Thanks! Yeah I’ve noticed the dust as well, I just got the camera recently used and haven’t been able to get the sensor cleaned yet. Definitely on the list of things to do

Thank you for taking it in the spirit it was given. Wasn't trying to be mean, just honest.

Great set.
I like the connection/comfort of the bride to be with you.
I see what the others are pointing out in your pics but doesn't make me like them any less.

Oh my god this location is absolutely epic!! So jealous you got to shoot there