Vows Renewed

Here's 2 shots I did for a couples renewal of their vows - thanks for any comments...

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In #1 you may find a certain amount of disdain for selective color on this forum. Personally, I will try to come up with a critique that ignores it.

This is one of those few cases where I think the inherent contrast in the scene should be kept low - therefore, I would say that the shadows here are too deep. In order to lighten them and avoid blowing out the detail in the hands, you will have your work cut out for you. In particular the dark shadows of the flowers on the two hands would be better off not there.

In #2 the portrait of the couple is beautiful - very nicely done. The exposure is right on, the contrast and composition are very nice, and the desaturated color is very tasteful.

The lighting in #2 leaves a little to be desired. I would hope for some facial shadows to help with the 3-Dimensionality - the lighting is too flat. On the other hand, the lighting of the background is quite well done. I can't see any positive evidence of any light other than a built in flash on a camera rotated 90 deg clockwise.

Selective colour's not really my thing either, but within that constraint my main concern is that the rings have gone coppery whereas I assume they were gold.

#2 is nice, though her face seems slightly over-bright from frontal lighting, to the point of being flattened slightly and a little ghoulish - that's a horribly harsh word for what's a very subtle reservation - but can't think of another to quite capture the way the image makes me feel, especially when his face came out so much better and it's impossible not to notice that when they're side by side. Maybe it's slightly reflective make up or moisturiser she's using... I'm not sure... not so much into portraits myself....

Cheers,
Tony

Thanks for the comments Robert - On the first shot I intentionally darkened the leaves and outside area with a vignette to give more contrast. I agree the shadows are distracting and wish I would have changed the angle. I did the selective color to just be "different" than a normal color/BW shot. I haven't come across a different method yet that strikes me as well as selective color, and would be curious as to why others don't like selective color. I've had many customers request this in the past...

The lighting in #2 was done with a softbox on the right of me at a 45 angle to the subject, a diffused beauty dish reflector on camera flash directly at the subjects, and a beauty dish on the left of me pointed at ceiling bounced to reflect on the backdrop. I agree the females lighting is a little bright but it does get rid of wrinkles (which I think she appreciated). I will be trying some different lighting as I get time (just got my studio in order)... Thanks again guys-

I too will not comment on the selective coloration, but I will on the poses. This pose for hands is used frequently on POTN and quite frankly it sux. In addition, the shadows on their fingers is distracting.

Image 2. If they are brother and sister this is OK, if they are husband and wife I hope this shot was done before the renewal.

Some psychology about photographing couples in love. People in love usually like to look at one another but when they are both facing the same direction that makes looking at each other more difficult. Bodies turned toward one another indicates love. Leaning in toward one another physically usually means they are also close emotionally.

Most men have a hard time keeping their hands off of their wives. Touching and caressing means loving. She is touching his leg which is fairly good, but he has his hands clasped in his crotch. Cropping this to a head and shoulders would cure some of the problems with this image.

Pose. When posing couples the mouth of the taller individual (usually the male) should be at the same height as the eyes of the other subject. When all four eyes are side by side it is boring.

Lighting. The pose of the couple is rather flat lit.

Since a "picture is worth 1000 words" I will post two pictures below to show what I typed above!

Benji

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You have quite an investment in lighting. I will suggest some objectives that you may want to try in terms of result rather than equipment or procedure.

*************Studio Portrait Lighting**************​*
Tutorial on Studio Portrait Lighting Using Two Lights, with Emphasis on Rembrandt Lighting:
http://www.zaffora.com​/W9DMK/PortraitLightin​g.htm
or the downloadable PDF version at:
http://www.zaffora.com​/W9DMK/PortraitLightin​g.pdf

Also see this helpful reference:
http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Rembrandt_light​ing

Thanks for your help Robert - again I have just organized my studio and have barely scratched the surface for correct lighting setup, and my subjects were not critical of the pics, but I want to be and desire to improve - your references will help much!

Thanks for the comments Benji - very good points to improve the shot...