Bothersome photos

[skyoftexas]

The photos below are ones that I can’t decide how I feel about them. Some days I think they are okay. Other days I think: “Umm, maybe not.” So I would appreciate some feed back from the talented members on this forum that might serve as guidance for my photographic approaches in the future. Then maybe I could finally get a good night’s sleep. (JK)

(1)The first photo was shot with juxtaposition in mind. It certainly meets the criteria of juxtaposition, but I’m not sure juxtaposition trumps just plain bad background.



(2) & (3) Come under the heading of capturing real moments – in this case pensive moments by both the bride and the groom. While I like them for this reason, I’m not sure a prospective bride would. I guess everything captured in a wedding is supposed to be happy and up beat. Real emotions such the strain of the occasion may not be welcomed viewing. Hence, maybe these are not portfolio material.





(4) Is also a real captured expression that strikes me as very interesting, but perhaps the bride might not appreciate.




(5) & (6) showcase my awkwardness with vignetting. I introduced the vignette on (4) at the suggestion of a photographer friend of mine to hide the groom’s mother in the photo. I used the heavy handed vignette in order to accomplish this criteria, but I’m afraid that it is --- too heavy handed. Photo (5) is much lighter, but I’m not sure it really adds to the photo. I would love to hear how skilled photographers approach vignetting.





Although I will say that this one (7), didn't turn out too badly (IMO).



So fire away. I would prefer constructive criticism to compliments. Thanks.
Michael

[MicWayWal]

You asked for it.

1. Unless this is some special spot for the couple, Trash it. It is a snapshot. Two people sitting on a picnic table, in one word is boring. Background building looks like a barbed-wire jail. The blotchy light on their faces causes some really bad lighting on his face. All the tilted horizontal lines are cutting this image to pieces (It won't work to straighten them). Don't let the couple see this one.
2. Nice spontaneous moment. Brides really do like these kind of images if there are not too many bad points. Bad points: she looks to be holding her stomach as if she is sick and the part in her hair is distracting. I would let her see this image. Nice emotional feel with few bad points.
3. Emotional moment good capture. Straighten it up. Only bad point I noticed was it looks like he is holding a bouquet. An easy fix if the couple likes it.
4. Yeah the bride has a weird look, not a killer. I would crop the image just below her flowers and just right of the pole. This takes the blank space, tree, sculpture, pole and table out of the image and IMHP improves the image by bringing the other ladies into the image for balance.

VIGNETTING side note: In an evenly lit or high-key image like these the vignette is not working. If you can see the edge of the vignetting it is too strong for an evenly-balanced lighted image like these. For a strong vignette to work well you need dramatically lit image.

5. In this one I think you have cropped too much and as a result have lost all of the emotional appeal. Back the crop up to include a sliver of the moms face and arm. This will support where the bride is directing her wonderful expression. Are you trying to hide a little camera shake? Don't worry about that.
6. This image there is too much included in the cropping. All of the emotion is in the top of the image. Crop to show only that part. Make it a horizontal image. On the Left crop to exclude the one branch sticking up. Bottom crop just below the brides feet. Top crop just to include the trees on the right top. Leave the Right crop where you have it. Now you have a powerful image.
7. You are close on this image but distracting background issues and blue-green color may be a problem if not a killer. I would crop it as tight as I could that still included all of the dress. Maybe cut off the bottom half of the dress. Then change the color to B&W or some other PP. Lighten the image. Remove the horizontal beam across the grooms face. Get rid of the white spots in the background, maybe you will have a nicer image.

Hope this helps. I didn't show you how I would edit them because your profile indicates you don't want others to edit your images. But being new, I think you ought to allow this. It will open your eyes to new views of your work, especially since so many of the images above, in my opinion, are miss-cropped.

Aren't Weddings Fun?

[rusty_tripod]

#1 and 2 Pensive moments are okay unless they convey a message of awkwardness or are disconnected from calmness or implied peace or joy.

#3 and 4 are okay

#5 Where are they looking? Awkward, in-between shot.

#6 Besides the horrid green, neither one is showing interest in the other. Awkward.

[J Eddington]

If you have to ask, hit delete, if it is not killer loose it!

[wondershots]

Self-editing is so hard. Most advice is "be brutal." Something I need to do myself.

[skyoftexas]

Thank you, Michael, for the fantastic feedback. Very helpful. I have changed the edit button, if you still want to demonstrate.

Michael

[MicWayWal]

Here is my take on 4 & 6

[bryanlindsey]

1. You said it, bad background.
2. Good capture. I would crop way in, and you've got a keeper. Also, fill flash will help with "raccoon eyes." You are significantly taller than her, get used to ducking down (like me, 6'6")
3. Meh.
4. No. If it is not flattering to the bride, trash it.
5. Love it. The vigette is way over the top tho
6. Meh. Vignette makes the sky muddy, if they were looking at each other it would make all the difference.
7. Meh

For what it's worth :-)

[skyoftexas]

Thanks, Bryan for your critique. But may I ask what does "Meh" mean?

[bryanlindsey]

It means that it's okay, but nothing special. Usually accompanied by a shrug. "Meh."

Maybe it's a generation X thing... :-)

[skyoftexas]

Got it. Seems like a good phrase and/or useful description. One of the best critiques I remember was: "It's good, but with a small g."

[toverman]

Other comments have been pretty good, so I'll add just a few more about the first one.

In the first one, the background is bad as mentioned, but really the lighting is flat (no "pop" in it). If you really wanted a juxtaposition, get closer to that Dumpster in the background with their fancy clothes. :-)

Also, check out her left hand in the shot ... it's almost posed well but hits an angle that makes it look enormous, especially compared to his hand. In fact, she just looks a lot bigger than him as she's closer to the camera (what lens did you use for this?).

They are on opposite sides of the table, which does not depict any sort of closeness. The table could have been used to great effect with more interesting posing.

[skyoftexas]

Originally Posted by toverman

They are on opposite sides of the table, which does not depict any sort of closeness. The table could have been used to great effect with more interesting posing.

Yeah. I sensed a picture in there somewhere, but I didn't pull it off.

[skyoftexas]

Never mind.