One more from the Aboretum Bridal

[dmarty78]

Comments and critiques always welcome!!

[arich]

I like all of the individual pieces of the shot a lot, but I feel like she really stands out from the background in an unnatural way, like she is real and nothing else is.

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by arich

I like all of the individual pieces of the shot a lot, but I feel like she really stands out from the background in an unnatural way, like she is real and nothing else is.

Noted. Thank you sir!


Wow 63 views and one guy brave enough to say something. Funny thing about this site, you ask for critiques and comments and still nothing. Amazing!!

[elguapo]

Overall, I like it. But here are small things I noticed: 1). The left side of her face is hazy due to what I think is lens flare. 2). I would either crop out the water or frame the image when taking the photograph to see all of her face in the water and so it is not against the side of the pond. 3). The trail is a leading line, so I also would have positioned her so it clearly leads to her. 4). In this particular image, I think the composition would be better if she took a stop to the right (but that would eliminate her face in the pond reflection all together). 5). The pose seems a little stiff.

This particular location at the Dallas Arboretum is tricky. You may want to try a telephoto lens and stand on the other side of the pond to see how that works for you.

I don't know if you are a David Ziser fan, but I think his Digital ProTalk site is fantastic. Take a look at the Tuesday, April 26, 2011 and Wednesday, April 27, 2011 blog entries.

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by elguapo

Overall, I like it. But here are small things I noticed: 1). The left side of her face is hazy due to what I think is lens flare. 2). I would either crop out the water or frame the image when taking the photograph to see all of her face in the water and so it is not against the side of the pond. 3). The trail is a leading line, so I also would have positioned her so it clearly leads to her. 4). In this particular image, I think the composition would be better if she took a stop to the right (but that would eliminate her face in the pond reflection all together). 5). The pose seems a little stiff.

This particular location at the Dallas Arboretum is tricky. You may want to try a telephoto lens and stand on the other side of the pond to see how that works for you.

I don't know if you are a David Ziser fan, but I think his Digital ProTalk site is fantastic. Take a look at the Tuesday, April 26, 2011 and Wednesday, April 27, 2011 blog entries.

Thanks El, great critique. Everything makes sense. I appreciate it! The place on the left side of her face was done in Post. Not out of the camera.

[lscottpht]

I like it. It's very "today". Yervant is doing images like this, as well as a few other big names. It almost looks like a fairytale. This is the trend these days, a little fantastical looking. Now, in most of the ones you see from the big name shooters, the bride is posed less traditional, but I think your pose works fine here.

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by lscottpht

I like it. It's very "today". Yervant is doing images like this, as well as a few other big names. It almost looks like a fairytale. This is the trend these days, a little fantastical looking. Now, in most of the ones you see from the big name shooters, the bride is posed less traditional, but I think your pose works fine here.

Thanks Leslie!! That was the look I was going after. Just need to work on my posing. Time for a Leslie Spurlock class!!!

[rusty_tripod]

If it is "today", it will probably be "dated" by tomorrow. The background looks like a poor studio backdrop rather than a real or natural setting. I have never been to this location, but it seems unreal and manufactured in this format.

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by rusty_tripod

If it is "today", it will probably be "dated" by tomorrow. The background looks like a poor studio backdrop rather than a real or natural setting. I have never been to this location, but it seems unreal and manufactured in this format.

"Dated by tomorrow", and "background looks like a poor studio backdrop." LOL!!!!!

Thanks for looking, and your critique

[tomdrink]

I tend to agree with Alton, about the background. I know that spot, as I have seen many Bridal shots from there. It is a beautiful, natural setting. If you look at your picture, and "take out" the bride, you have what looks like a studio backdrop (in my opinion).
If it is "today", and sells, great for you! I, personally, don't care for it, as I think Alton didn't care for it. He could have, perhaps, worded it a little nicer, though. It never hurts to try something new, but when you invite CC, you gotta be prepared for those that don't care for it.
Do you have the original shot - without the hazy processing? Maybe if you showed them together, it might be interesting to see them, side/side. It could be a stunning bridal portrait, as shot. I'd like to see it. Just a thought!
TomD

[rusty_tripod]

I meant no offense with my critique. My next thoughts, which are intended as simple honesty, probably will not thrill you either.

One should never use a classic bridal pose inside a cheesy cement picture frame unless you disguise the background so that the viewer has no real idea of the setting. Otherwise, one creates an kitsch-like entry headed for the website posting Awkward Bridal Pictures. Believe me, you do not want to end up there. (Do a web search if you think I am joking.)

The bride is nicely done, and I like the reflection. If she were mine, I would move her more to the left and I would back away so as to include only one pillar and increase the size of her reflection.

I would clearly crop of the top of the pillar to remove the association with a picture frame.

The geometrics created by the pool at the bottom are a positive. Then the bride becomes the center of attention and the over-all treatment (without the flare) works for me.

If I simply had to include the cement picture frame, then I would place her and take my viewpoint that this is the picture of a bride in a frame. I would have to use a telephoto to mimic the ratios of the bridal image to a real frame.

[Everett Quintana]

Originally Posted by arich

i like all of the individual pieces of the shot a lot, but i feel like she really stands out from the background in an unnatural way, like she is real and nothing else is.

+1

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by tomdrink

I tend to agree with Alton, about the background. I know that spot, as I have seen many Bridal shots from there. It is a beautiful, natural setting. If you look at your picture, and "take out" the bride, you have what looks like a studio backdrop (in my opinion).
If it is "today", and sells, great for you! I, personally, don't care for it, as I think Alton didn't care for it. He could have, perhaps, worded it a little nicer, though. It never hurts to try something new, but when you invite CC, you gotta be prepared for those that don't care for it.
Do you have the original shot - without the hazy processing? Maybe if you showed them together, it might be interesting to see them, side/side. It could be a stunning bridal portrait, as shot. I'd like to see it. Just a thought!
TomD

Thanks Tom! I do understand when you ask for CC you should expect to get negative feedback. I think his choice of words is less than desirable...

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by rusty_tripod

I meant no offense with my critique. My next thoughts, which are intended as simple honesty, probably will not thrill you either.

One should never use a classic bridal pose inside a cheesy cement picture frame unless you disguise the background so that the viewer has no real idea of the setting. Otherwise, one creates an kitsch-like entry headed for the website posting Awkward Bridal Pictures. Believe me, you do not want to end up there. (Do a web search if you think I am joking.)

The bride is nicely done, and I like the reflection. If she were mine, I would move her more to the left and I would back away so as to include only one pillar and increase the size of her reflection.

I would clearly crop of the top of the pillar to remove the association with a picture frame.

The geometrics created by the pool at the bottom are a positive. Then the bride becomes the center of attention and the over-all treatment (without the flare) works for me.

If I simply had to include the cement picture frame, then I would place her and take my viewpoint that this is the picture of a bride in a frame. I would have to use a telephoto to mimic the ratios of the bridal image to a real frame.

Doesn't matter if I'm thrilled or not. You should learn to write critiques. Your use of certain works such as "cheesy", and that my work could end up on a hideous site like awkward bridal pictures /awkwardfamilypictures.com. Please... give me a break. While this photo doesn't please you or many others on this site, that's a pretty low blow. I'll leave it at that before I run my mouth anymore and say something I shouldn't.

Thanks again for all of your insightful advice and cut downs.

[auddii]

I agree with Leslie that it's very fairytale like. I could see it getting dated easily, but I could also see the bride wanting this printed on canvas because it looks almost like a painting. I agree with everyone about her standing out from the background, and I think (now that I'm typing this) is that it's because everything seems like a painting, but she seems like a photograph. It's definitely interesting!