Well, they technically are wedding photos...

[gcmj45acp]

Just looking for help on composition, lighting and exposure. I'm pretty far off from being an artist at this stuff. They really are nothing more than family photos. Still, I'm looking to improve.

[XoZe]

Are these the ones you took with the "kick-ass equipment" you mention on the other thread?

[gcmj45acp]

I never said I had any skill. I said I don't shoot weddings and don't know how to shoot weddings. I never plan to do this for a living or even as a favor. I will be the first to say, I have cool **** and no skills. I shoot because I want to but, I'd like to be competent at it. So, do you have helpful advice or not?

[Angelo]

Gary, I like them.
What software do you have/use to make corrections?

[XoZe]

Originally Posted by gcmj45acp

So, do you have helpful advice or not?

Nope...I'm just an amateur working on learning and getting better, which is why I brought up the question (equipment v. skill) on your other post.

Just seemed odd that you would knock the other guy for having lesser equipment and, skilled or not, these are the images you decided to post? I'm sure you must have some better work to display.

[gcmj45acp]

Originally Posted by XoZe

Nope...I'm just an amateur working on learning and getting better, which is why I brought up the question (equipment v. skill) on your other post.

Just seemed odd that you would knock the other guy for having lesser equipment and, skilled or not, these are the images you decided to post? I'm sure you must have some better work to display.

But, I'm not asking anyone to pay me to take these photos because I know I don't have the skill or vision to justify it. And even if I did, there is still the issue of holding yourself out as a professional and showing up, not looking the part. We may not agree on that point but, we live in a free country and we are all entitled to an opinion.

[gcmj45acp]

Originally Posted by Angelo

Gary, I like them.
What software do you have/use to make corrections?

I think you are being too kind but, thanks. I have a copy of Adobe's Creative Web Suite Premium CS4 as part of my job. It includes Photoshop as part of the package.

I started out trying to use DPP 3.7.2 that came with the camera but there are weird artifacts that show up at high ISO with even the lightest sharpening in that application. So I tried ACR 5.6 under CS4 to apply sharpening, correct white balance (difficult because of purple overhead lights), and crop the images I've posted here. I also used Noise Ninja for noise reduction. The bride and groom's families loved them which is great but, like I said, I'm hoping that by opening up to strangers for comment, I might eventually develop the skill to justify the equipment I'm fortunate enough to own.

[ldelacruz]

As you can see from your photos it has nothing to do with equipment but more in how to use it. You have decent equipment and in the right hands your equipment may have been sufficient but without EXIF data there is no way to be certain. Learning your equipment comes from experience, making mistakes and learning from your mistakes. Weddings are a different type of photography and there is no magical setting. Moving 5' feet at a wedding can completely change the WB and exposure.

Hopefully the other photographer did use his pop up flash so the bride and groom can get some decent photos of their once in a lifetime event.

[Angelo]

OK, so you have enough software to beat-up on the paid photographer... LOL
1 photo - I'd lighten up the face of the groom, and possibly darken (a bit)
the area of the minister. That way the eye goes to the kiss.

3 photo - the dancing boy is a great spontaneous shot. Even the out of focus is OK because it shows action.

4 photo - I love the interaction between the girls. I'd lighten the face of the girl standing up.

This is my opinion and I'm sure others will give their opinions as well.
You did OK my friend. Post some others...

Edit: I forgot to mention, you should blend the skin of the bride on that second shot.
Remove reflection on forhead.

[zebulus]

I hope they didnt pay much...

[gcmj45acp]

Nobody paid a dime....These really are just family photos. The bride is a cousin by marriage. I'm posting them because I'm trying to learn rather than get greatful pats on the back from her and my in-laws.

[texkam]

If you include exif data we could probably give you some additional feedback.

[JMI]

Composition issues during the ceremony are tough since you're trying to stay out of the paid photographer's way. I'm guessing that the first shot was taken using the 70-200 but, since the EXIF is gone I don't know what the focal length is. The B/G are the only important things in the shot. If you had lens left you could zoom in to eliminate as much of the other stuff/people as possible. Not sure what the norm is for most pro wedding shooters now days but time was when they would have gone back after the ceremony and put the bride up on a box to reshoot the kiss. Maybe it has a lot to do with what the venue will allow and the amount of time the B/G want to devote to the photography.

Couple other quick suggestions:

#2 - Should probably be just a shot of the bride. There's such a disparity in height it's hard to get both of them in a frame without it looking awkward. And, yeah, soften up the skin and try to lose the highlight.

#3 - A cute shot. Shame the other lights were up so high. Would have been better if the background was in shadow. (Little boys' shoes are ALWAYS untied.)

#4 - Same background issues as the one before but with some harsh shadows on the subjects. Apply a couple adjustment layers with layer masks - One to lighten, one to darken. Fill both masks with black then go back in and paint in the adjustments where you want them to lighten or darken the shot as needed. Careful not to use too hard a brush.

[gcmj45acp]

EXIF data as requested:

#1: Aperture Priority, f/3.2, 1/1000th sec, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 3200 ISO, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM at 148mm, white bal 3600K, One-Shot AF, AF Point expansion

#2: Aperture Priority, f/6.3, 1/25th sec, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 3200 ISO, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM at 70mm, white bal 3600K, AI Servo AF, AF Point expansion

#3: Aperture Priority, f/2.8, 1/125th sec, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 3200 ISO, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM at 70mm, white bal 3600K, One-Shot AF, AF Point expansion

#4: Aperture Priority, f/5.0, 1/160th sec, evaluative metering, no exposure compensation, 3200 ISO, 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM at 70mm, white bal 3600K, One-Shot AF, AF Point expansion

[ldelacruz]

Your flash would have been your best friend!