Sara and Chaisit

A couple of my friends got married today. I shot a few frames at the reception - respecting the paid photographer's space at the wedding. (she was a real nice lady btw). Comments etc welcomed, requested and highly suggested.

1.

Looks like you had fun, Jamie! And yes, flash work is a pain, ain't it? I used mine last night with Jim. You did better. Did you use a bracket? I tried, but harsh shadows will happen. You did well with your pp, maybe a little much in the close ups, over exposed a little, but I think you should definitely give a copy of the images you got to the B&G.

To be honest they are all flashy and for the most part - over edited. The composition in the cake cutting shot is nice - but otherwise they just look like snapshots. I don't say this to be mean, just honest. As a guest it's hard to take any shots that are portfolio worthy, and honestly, nobody SHOULD be trying to do that, because you'd probably be in the primary photog's way. I'd definitely work on your flash handling to get more natural fill light. Are you using an on board flash?

I am definitely not an expert so take this with a grain of salt.

I just did my first wedding and I learned so much here about bounce flash- even outside- that I was able to avoid most of the shine on faces that you were getting. And if there was any shine at all, I wouldn't release it without taking it out with healing and cloning in Photoshop.

I also know that the job of a photographer is to make the couple look good. Your close-ups have very harsh light and although there is an artistic element that looks fantastic, I wouldn't say the photos are flattering.

The "soft and dreamy" look on #1 and #7 was a good idea and a little more flattering but a little overdone- fading that look would be a little better (less contrived).

I love the "moment" of #8.

auroraskye wrote in post #8679271
To be honest they are all flashy and for the most part - over edited. The composition in the cake cutting shot is nice - but otherwise they just look like snapshots. I don't say this to be mean, just honest. As a guest it's hard to take any shots that are portfolio worthy, and honestly, nobody SHOULD be trying to do that, because you'd probably be in the primary photog's way. I'd definitely work on your flash handling to get more natural fill light. Are you using an on board flash?

Thanks for the honesty. I really appreciate it. I went out of my way to stay out of the paid photgs way. I was using a 430 EX not on board.

mjadse wrote in post #8679634
I am definitely not an expert so take this with a grain of salt.

I just did my first wedding and I learned so much here about bounce flash- even outside- that I was able to avoid most of the shine on faces that you were getting. And if there was any shine at all, I wouldn't release it without taking it out with healing and cloning in Photoshop.

I also know that the job of a photographer is to make the couple look good. Your close-ups have very harsh light and although there is an artistic element that looks fantastic, I wouldn't say the photos are flattering.

The "soft and dreamy" look on #1 and #7 was a good idea and a little more flattering but a little overdone- fading that look would be a little better (less contrived).

I love the "moment" of #8.

Thanks for your feed back.

I have done a few weddings.. and the hardest part for me.. is always finding a good median with flash. If i bounce it, am i getting enough light. Does it look too flashy? am i blowing the bejeezus out of the pics. But with every wedding i get to do.. or even every time i pull my lash out.. i try, and i keep working it.. im not a read and do kind of person.. so trial and error works better for me.

I too was at a wedding this weekend.. and just spent about an hour learning. ( i was one of the three photogs) so i had time to dork around and see what i could come up with. Finally found something that worked great for my situation. and continued to have an incredibly painful night. lol ( never again will i wear girly shoes to a wedding)

You learn a lot from every event, and every time you pull your flash out.

I think for this being some shots you took at wedding.. i thik they are great fillers for the bride and groom.
But i will agree i think some of the edits are too much. But if it works for you, and your friends.. then thats all that really matters.

If you find you like weddings.. maybe you can start assisting other photogs at weddings so you can learn more.

I personally love weddings. and have a blast at them.

shannon

Well you definitely did the right thing staying out of their way, I am sure they were very happy. Not enough people respect that. I agree.. if you DO want to shoot weddings, I suggest not only practicing on your own in non-wedding situations to really learn your camera and flash (man do I have a million of crappy photos of my pets from that stage) but look online and befriend photogs in your area and see if you can start as an assistant

shannyD wrote in post #8681465
I have done a few weddings.. and the hardest part for me.. is always finding a good median with flash. If i bounce it, am i getting enough light. Does it look too flashy? am i blowing the bejeezus out of the pics. But with every wedding i get to do.. or even every time i pull my lash out.. i try, and i keep working it.. im not a read and do kind of person.. so trial and error works better for me.

I too was at a wedding this weekend.. and just spent about an hour learning. ( i was one of the three photogs) so i had time to dork around and see what i could come up with. Finally found something that worked great for my situation. and continued to have an incredibly painful night. lol ( never again will i wear girly shoes to a wedding)

You learn a lot from every event, and every time you pull your flash out.

I think for this being some shots you took at wedding.. i thik they are great fillers for the bride and groom.
But i will agree i think some of the edits are too much. But if it works for you, and your friends.. then thats all that really matters.

If you find you like weddings.. maybe you can start assisting other photogs at weddings so you can learn more.

I personally love weddings. and have a blast at them.

shannon

Thanks for the kind words.

auroraskye wrote in post #8681513
Well you definitely did the right thing staying out of their way, I am sure they were very happy. Not enough people respect that. I agree.. if you DO want to shoot weddings, I suggest not only practicing on your own in non-wedding situations to really learn your camera and flash (man do I have a million of crappy photos of my pets from that stage) but look online and befriend photogs in your area and see if you can start as an assistant

She and I actually had a couple of nice conversations. I was straight up with her. She asked if I shot weddings and I proclaimed I was a motorsports photog. Then it click with her my relationship with the B&G. Thanks for the advice.

maybe this is a little better in regards to processing of the groom
http://jhp.smugmug.com …KKdy#654545448_​cUjXZ-A-LB

Maybe this is a better shot of the dance.
http://jhp.smugmug.com …KKdy#654541313_​CyCZG-A-LB

And for good measure let me tell you how the room was so maybe you can tell me how I could have shot it better.

In the center of the room there was a square stage area with a black ceiling that extended past it to the sofet that was about 18" from the wall and another 18" from the ceiling. The sofet had spot lights as did the ceiling the produce some weird lighting. There were shadows everywhere.

not much to bounce off of with a black ceiling.. But next time just for grins.. you could rubber band, or tape a white indext card on your flash.. so the light will bounce off of it?

or you can get a thing called " a better bounce card" they work out nicely. and dont give you that full on flashed look.

I apologize in advance if this is not appropriate to do to someone's thread but I am so glad I practiced bouncing (I used abetterbouncecard) that I want to share this in hope it can help you.

These are not great photos but just to show an example of a difficult lighting situation and how the bounce worked. This photo was taken by my husband/assistant and I'm on the left- you can see the bounce card attached attached to my flash-

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