Balboa Park, San Diego - Mike and Viv

Hey guys, here are some couple portraits. Not engaged (yet) but they wanted to get some photos together.

C&C are always welcomed!

1.

Loving 4. Great seperation. Is that the 135L?
Love that lens

Nice set as a whole, thought I would actually go pic by pic to make myself actually think about the photos so I could learn from them too.

1. At first I thought it was a tad underexposed, but then I realized that I actually think the light on their face would be more interesting with a boost in contrast?
2. Nice shot! I am wondering though whether you have a similar shot from a lower perspective? Or was there something above that would ruin the shot?
3. Great portrait, and nice role reversal from what I usually see with the guy kissing the girl's cheek as she looks at the camera. Very natural expressions though.
4. The bokeh is making me wig out. The 85?
5. Nice comp, but think it would be better with both her hands in her lap and him reaching over rather than kinda poking out. Just looks a bit awkward for how relaxed the rest of them look.
6. Easily the best. I have been in that aviary, and thought it was fantastic but your pic one ups my memory! Great rimlight on her hair, exposure looks spot on, just a really great shot!
7. Something looks in conflict here, I think maybe the position of her arm looking as if she is pushing him away. Also maybe too much of his hand showing.
8. Was the composition meant to be an innuendo? Prob not, which again makes me think, get lower, maybe closer/wider and make for something more dramatic.

I agree, mostly nitpicks, but I guess I want to start seeing nitpicky through my viewfinder so thought I should start seeing the little things in the finished photos too. I always get back to the comp and see a few shots that could have been so much better if...

Thanks for sharing!
-praxedis

Nice review, I really appreciate it. I am the same way with feedback, and feel your points are valid.

Luz wrote in post #11648877
Nice set as a whole, thought I would actually go pic by pic to make myself actually think about the photos so I could learn from them too.

1. At first I thought it was a tad underexposed, but then I realized that I actually think the light on their face would be more interesting with a boost in contrast?
2. Nice shot! I am wondering though whether you have a similar shot from a lower perspective? Or was there something above that would ruin the shot?
3. Great portrait, and nice role reversal from what I usually see with the guy kissing the girl's cheek as she looks at the camera. Very natural expressions though.
4. The bokeh is making me wig out. The 85?
5. Nice comp, but think it would be better with both her hands in her lap and him reaching over rather than kinda poking out. Just looks a bit awkward for how relaxed the rest of them look.
6. Easily the best. I have been in that aviary, and thought it was fantastic but your pic one ups my memory! Great rimlight on her hair, exposure looks spot on, just a really great shot!
7. Something looks in conflict here, I think maybe the position of her arm looking as if she is pushing him away. Also maybe too much of his hand showing.
8. Was the composition meant to be an innuendo? Prob not, which again makes me think, get lower, maybe closer/wider and make for something more dramatic.

I agree, mostly nitpicks, but I guess I want to start seeing nitpicky through my viewfinder so thought I should start seeing the little things in the finished photos too. I always get back to the comp and see a few shots that could have been so much better if...

Thanks for sharing!
-praxedis

1. I can see where you are coming from here. I think it is probably because I cranked the recovery slider up and the highlights down on the tonal curve. This is part of a 2 part photo, with a iconic landmark behind them. I was trying to bring that back into the photo without the harsh shadows. Here is the bg.

Nice, nice pics! Not my cup of tea #4 though... kinda distracting really.

mellofelow wrote in post #11653784
Nice, nice pics! Not my cup of tea #4 though... kinda distracting really.

This is what I was expecting, and appreciate your point of view.

I love the bokeh in #4!!

Svetlana wrote in post #11655398
I love the bokeh in #4!!

Thank you. I have heard much bashing about mirror lenses, but I dig it like crazy.

Cute couple, very nice shots, keep up the good work.

Thank you very much.

I love Balboa Park. STOP MAKING ME MISS SAN DIEGO!!! :P

1) Cute shot. You captured emotion so obviously I love it. Editing is great, too.

2) I'm on REALLY slow internet and it wouldn't let me load this pic but I know exactly where you took it and I LOVE that tree. But I can only see the top of the pic so just the tips of their heads.

3) He looks a little awkward but she's adorable and my eyes went to her first, so this one works for me as well.

4-5) Wouldn't load. I hate my internet provider. No, wait, I hate how I'm too cheap to pay for fast internet.

6) I have seen SO many pics taken in the botanical gardens and this is the first one I've seen where the beauty and uniqueness of the building was captured while the focus still remained on the couple. Awesome, awesome! My only suggestion would be to try to clone out the two people on the sides.

7) Hot! Again, you captured an emotion. I love this one.

8) This is the only one that I'm not a huge fan of. But that's probably because I took one exactly like it a few years ago. It's a bit over-done by most San Diego photographers who shoot in Balboa Park, though I'm sure the couple loved it!

PS- I did have to refrain from saying "Bokeh good!" a few times.

Hey Peace,

Sorry Im making you miss it here, maybe you shouldnt have bought a house up in NorCal. I have sent you the link to 4 and 5 in a smaller size so hopefully you can see it.

1&2, thank you. Bummed your internet sucks, but isnt that the best tree ever? I try to make it a point to keep bringing people there.

3. I get what you are saying about him (he is a bit funny-awkward anyways). I have other ones but I love the smile-kiss. Its my favorite when I get a moment like that.

4&5. I sent them to you - interested on what you think on the bokeh on 4.

6.Thank you very much. I love pulling out the fisheye for a shot like this. I agree with you about cloning them out, I just havent done it yet.

7. Hot is what it turned into for sure. Very passionate, and this was pretty much on their own.

8. Now that I think about it, I have seen it around. I didnt do it with their shots in mind (I wanted a silhouette and a fountain shot, and they came together in this image) but totally didnt come to mind about how overdone it is. Even if its not original, I am still pleased with it.

Next time you come down lets get together. Good luck with your new house and establishing a new network.

PeaceFire wrote in post #11660878
I love Balboa Park. STOP MAKING ME MISS SAN DIEGO!!! :P

1) Cute shot. You captured emotion so obviously I love it. Editing is great, too.

2) I'm on REALLY slow internet and it wouldn't let me load this pic but I know exactly where you took it and I LOVE that tree. But I can only see the top of the pic so just the tips of their heads.

3) He looks a little awkward but she's adorable and my eyes went to her first, so this one works for me as well.

4-5) Wouldn't load. I hate my internet provider. No, wait, I hate how I'm too cheap to pay for fast internet.

6) I have seen SO many pics taken in the botanical gardens and this is the first one I've seen where the beauty and uniqueness of the building was captured while the focus still remained on the couple. Awesome, awesome! My only suggestion would be to try to clone out the two people on the sides.

7) Hot! Again, you captured an emotion. I love this one.

8) This is the only one that I'm not a huge fan of. But that's probably because I took one exactly like it a few years ago. It's a bit over-done by most San Diego photographers who shoot in Balboa Park, though I'm sure the couple loved it!

balboa park is such a great place to shoot.
i'll be there this weekend as a second shooter for an engagement shoot.

What a fantastic session! 6 is my fave, followed by 3 and 4, and 7 is HAWT! It doesn't look to me as if she's pushing him away, I love it. Also love the bokeh in the other shots. Not crazy about the fountain shot , I think it's the central plume of water that's throwing me off. Oh and that tree is amazing!