Trash the Dress

I enjoyed the series and the post processing! I agree something is off with her facial expression from my point of view but it's her wedding day, she can do whatever she wants

merlin2375 wrote in post #8950896
I enjoyed the series and the post processing! I agree something is off with her facial expression from my point of view but it's her wedding day, she can do whatever she wants

Is not her wedding day if I understood correctly...

I posted some pictures that were dear to my heart from my daughter's wedding. I had fantasies that some people would like them and write me how good they were; I thought that people would offer tips and constructive criticism. I was let down when 200+ people looked and only one person commented.

But after reading these comments, I guess I got off easy.

Well, I don't think she looks terrified in any of these shots. She has large beautiful eyes, and perhaps the wide-open look is interpreted as fear. It could just as easily be interpreted as surprise or even shock. I agree that a narrower dof would help these, but I get the impression the OP hasn't done the TTD thing before--or not often. Live and learn. When you read through these comments, it is readily apparent that some don't read the comments already there before speaking their mind. Might be a good idea to do that in the future. Thanks for sharing the trashing of your $3 dress. Thanks for convincing your lovely daughter to model for you. It looks like you had fun and that it was a family activity that hurt no one and nothing.

I don't know much about photography, but i really like her expression in shots. She is natural ,rare beautiful girl, large eyes,beautiful hair without typical false "cheese" smile. I always find cool natural faces more beautiful/honest/attra​ctive in real life or pictures .False smilig faces and sunny days are boring, without expression.

I need a defibrillator

joedlh wrote in post #8917672
Fuddy-duddy alert here.

I see no merit, photographically or otherwise, in encouraging someone to destroy a dress for which they paid hundreds or thousands of dollars. Please don't tell me that it's an attempt to express contempt for the money-grabbing wedding industry. If so, then one could take equally entertaining pictures of taking a sledge hammer to the limo or the photographer's equipment, or feeding the wedding bouquet to a goat. If this is the kind of photography that is now the cutting edge of wedding work, count me out.

I put it in the same category as those rock stars who destroy their instruments at the end of the concert. You know there's some poor kid somewhere who would sell his soul for one of those guitars. Likewise for a one-time-use wedding gown. Give it to the Salvation Army for somebody who can't afford a designer dress. I'd like to see someone do a photographic essay on that.

dress was picked up at a thrift shop for $3! your rant and rave is falling on deaf ears.

sctbiggs wrote in post #8996224
dress was picked up at a thrift shop for $3! your rant and rave is falling on deaf ears.

Wow! I wish my daughter would have found a dress like that for her wedding. I wouldn't care if she would have burned it for that price.

The swinging shot is by far the most pleasing shot to me as it looks the most natural. It sounded like you had fun, which is important to have.

Love #3, sitting in the pond with your wedding dress reading a brides mag....priceless

I think the dress looks a bit old-fashioned but have no issue with your daughter's facial expressions. She is beautiful no matter what expression on her face!

I too like the shot of her reading Bride magazine - makes sure the context is maintained.

Since the whole idea of trashing the dress (which doesn't have to be taken literal) is a modern approach to a post-wedding bridal shoot, I think getting a dress that looks like it's from 1982 isn't going to help you much for your portfolio. I would suggest looking into a workshop with models and contemporary dresses.

I think the background is probably the biggest negative for me. Not enough "snap" or life just there. Pretty girl though, just find a nicer place to shoot.