Fireworks started before the honeymoon

monter wrote in post #2364797
I already said I liked the edited version better....

Oh yeah sorry, thanks for the responce

I'll be the voice of dissent. I don't like it for the following reasons:

1 - overflashed. I really don't like the stark light on their faces and the harsh shadow thrown by her cheek on her own face and her nose on his face is unattractive.

2 - The angle - I *rarely* shoot people from below. I realize that you wanted to get the fireworks in the frame, but the angle is unflattering to them - it makes them both look heavy. It also means that the largest and most visible part of his face is the heaviest part of his cheek/jaw/neck.

3 - the "almost kissing" pose doesn't do it for me. This looks like it was a random catch in the middle of a moment - their eyes are closed, they're smiling too much to be almost kissing, and there's enough nose overlap that it looks awkward. I'd rather have seen the kiss, or the moment a few seconds before when their faces weren't overlapping so much.

4 - finally, it's not obvious that the flashes of light in the back are fireworks. The grate in front of them combined with the large spots of light seem out of place to me.

Karen

Hmm.. I wouldn't be quite as "harsh" as Karen, but I would say that a) I prefer the original and b) their faces are a little too "hot" from the flash for my liking.

I think the "grill" in the background is a tad distracting - (Doc asked whether it was a zoo or prison), I think it's just that I can't decide what it's supposed to be either. Sorry.

There are technical issues here, however, getting the shot was inspired.
You could use a flash diffuser. I love my Canon flashes but they have been a bit too much in my experience. I have folded a hanky over the flash to soften it. You also could step back a foot or so and make use of the light fall off. I think the eyes closed/big smile helps emphasize the spontaneity of the moment. That is a great 'mood' to catch at a wedding. Kissing mid-laugh because of the joyous occasion.

Why was my post "harsh"? Someone posted an image and asked for opinions and I offered mine, clearly expressed as why *I* don't like it. Thre's nothing harsh about that.

If people think that's "harsh" then I'd advise them never to submit a portfolio for professional critique or take a college level class that requires them to submit work for review. Given that this is an image shown to a client, I would expect that people would critique it from the perspective of someone wanting to provide professional quality. Of course if a love-fest is what's wanted, just let me know, and I'll refrain from honest input in the future.

Karen

karensimmons wrote in post #2367039
Of course if a love-fest is what's wanted, just let me know, and I'll refrain from honest input in the future.

Karen

Yeah. The general consensus is not to reply if you don't like the picture in every which way. The ego might be too fragile...

I don't think it was harsh... it was honest

Ok, well maybe the shot won't win any awards, but while technically imperfect, I'm betting the couple will LOVE it! I think first and foremost, a photo should tell a story, and this photo does.

Sure, it's a bit overflashed. The shot would have been benefitted from a more difuse light source and less of it. A softbox would have worked well I think... or the Pro-max system with the frost cover over it. Maybe even if you have the flash on a bracket it wouldn't be AS flat. That close I think you'd have a bit of a paramount shadow pattern... I tend to like the look of off camera flash from the side a bit though.

You had a tough situation where you had to get the shot now so setup was probably not possible anyway. You did well to get the shot you got.