CC: Eenie, meenie, miney, moe - which, if any should I show?

[tomdrink]

I shot some e-pics for some friends, and I would like some feedback on these three. Which DoF works best?
I welcome all constructive criticism! Any helpful ideas how I could've improved would be nice.

Thanks,
TomD

[J Eddington]

They each tell a different story.

[texkam]

Last 2.

Any helpful ideas how I could've improved would be nice.

tighter crop IMHO.

[ngoduyviet]

I'd pick #2 as it has a more natural feel to it. The one she's in focused looks like she's staring hard at him. Next time if you can, have her wrap both her hands around the back of his neck if you just want the ring shot. Having a hand on shoulder & one behind the neck seems too posed.

[texkam]

The one she's in focused looks like she's staring hard at him. .....Having a hand on shoulder & one behind the neck seems too posed.

Agreed, however the client may see it differently. Don't leave a sale on your hard drive. Both are worthy of showing IMHO.

[sn805619]

Originally Posted by ngoduyviet

I'd pick #2 as it has a more natural feel to it. The one she's in focused looks like she's staring hard at him. Next time if you can, have her wrap both her hands around the back of his neck if you just want the ring shot. Having a hand on shoulder & one behind the neck seems too posed.

I would say the same, as well as a tighter crop.

[tomdrink]

Here's another (sorry - does this put me over the limit of 3??).
Lighter mood, slightly tighter crop - an improvement?
And thanks for the previous help - exactly what I was needing!

[auddii]

I definitely like that last one you posted the best (in the comments where she's smiling).

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by auddii

I definitely like that last one you posted the best (in the comments where she's smiling).

I agree. #4 and #2 work the best to me.

[ngoduyviet]

To me, she still staring, but much better with the smile. For shots like these, I'd just tell the couple do get close, get comfortable and I'll be about 50ft away with my tele. You give them room, and they normally give you better expression.

[LauraM]

The second one would be last on my list because I think her right hand ring is distracting from her engagement ring and it makes her engagement ring look smaller. Random. :)

[stacyreeves]

In the first photo, my eye goes straight to his ear. His head is the largest thing that's in focus. Personally I don't think that one is a keeper.

The second one is good, and normally I would say keep it, but I agree with Laura about the other ring making her e-ring look small. Otherwise it's a great shot, and it's definitely worth giving to the client.

The third one is my fave of the original two, though I do like Mark's tighter crop better than the original. The one you posted where she's smiling is my fave. Both of them are worth showing to the client.

The only downside to the last two is that her hand is blocking the lower part of her face, which is kind of awkward. If you had stepped a little bit to the right, you could have gotten her full face, which I personally would have preferred.

[tomdrink]

Great critique, and suggestions from all of you!
Thanks do much!
And to Stacy - Gig 'Em!!

TomD

[klynam]

I vote for no.3 - her eyes tell the story, the ring only supports the story (IMO)

[T. Adam Martin]

Have you considered focus stacking these in Photoshop? You'd get both in focus. You could also mimic a tilt-shift by masking for only her face and the ring to be in focus.