Edward and Kelli Wedding

[tukaniray]

On top of Second shooting for another photographer last week for a wedding, I also was requested to shoot a wedding alone for someone.

Like I stated in my other thread, kudos and props to those of you who do wedding gigs. I love working with people, but goodness weddings can be a doozy.

So lay it on me for doing it alone ... where can I improve.

I am not aiming to do weddings throughout my career, but when I do catch those few wedding gigs, where can I improve. Thanks.

-Ray-

[janetg]

it's really to hard to judge with only 3 images. if you are asking for critique, put a few more up at least.

one question i have though, is how close were you that you got that much of a closeup on the ring?

[auddii]

Originally Posted by janetg

it's really to hard to judge with only 3 images. if you are asking for critique, put a few more up at least.

one question i have though, is how close were you that you got that much of a closeup on the ring?

It's actually against the rules to post more than three for critique. Although I agree, that it would be nice to see more of the wedding. Maybe a link to more photots?

I find #1 odd, although it has nothing to do with your picture. I've never seen a groom with his back turned to his bride. It's always nice to capture the look on the groom's face when he see's here coming down the aisle, but it looks like that didn't happen here. The PP isn't really to my taste - just too white and milky looking. Maybe boost the contrast a tad? I understand the look you are going for, it just seems slightly off.

Really like #2 - great capture, and you were able to tame the crazy lighting (from what it seems) really well.

#3 just doesn't capture my attention like I want it to. I either want the focus to be more on her hands on his back, or them to be rotated so that she's more in the shot. A little bit of bounced flash would go a long way here too. Although, I guess you're going for the dramatic look, in which case the lighting makes sense. Sorry, I want it to be more, but don't know exactly what would make it what I'm envisioning. Sorry, I'm not being helpful.

Overall though, I think these are really good shots! Being a wedding photographer is incredibly difficult (I've watched, and it's crazy). Getting the shot while staying unobtrusive is hard, so keep practicing!

[tukaniray]

Thank you both for taking the time to comment on the photos. I am always looking for some good critiques to make me better.

@ Janet - > Yes, I remember reading that we weren't allowed to post more than 3.
As for how close was I ... not very to tell you the truth. Behind the 2nd aisle. I love the 80-200 ... has really great range. This church was also very compact, so shots with the 80-200 look very close.

@ Audrey - > Yes, I was a bit thrown off by the groom's back turn as well ... so I captured some shots of the bride coming down the aisle and then ran over to capture a shot of the groom with the bride behind him. Thought it was actually a neat shot.
- On number 1 - that is actually not alot of adjustments, minus some level changes. This church had Par Cams all over the place ... which is a nice thing for photogs, but they were blaring all over the place like watching lens flares on Star Trek. lol.
- On number 2 - Thank you. I was glad to be able to watch the meter and capture that. The Pastor didn't hold up the Ring very long.
- On number 3 - Yeah, I was going for the artistic feel. Another low-light reception area with a person on a spot light. And I had an assistant with one of my SB800s ... but I turned it off to capture the spot light temperature and just them. I have a few more.

Thank you again, for the critiques, good or bad ... they all help.

I'll load up more photos on my flickr account to get more critiques. I was posting these to see if the artistic shots, make it or break it. I did get some basics, the kiss, the smiles, the emotions. Just wanted to show you guys these first.

Thank you again.

-Ray-

[ShutterSpire]

1. I agree, it is a little too overexposed with not enough contrasting elements. I love his expression though. He looks so nervous! Great job capturing the moment despite technical difficulties.

2. LOVE it! (I know, not much of a critique)... It is just interesting and unusual. Great job.

3. Not my favorite. Perhaps if you would wait just a little longer till she was a little more in view and had more ambient light in the background?? I know you aren't a fan of high ISO, but it would have allowed your shutter to be a little faster so the picture would be sharper. Just a thought.

[texkam]

it's really to hard to judge with only 3 images. if you are asking for critique, put a few more up at least.

It's actually against the rules to post more than three for critique. Although I agree, that it would be nice to see more of the wedding. Maybe a link to more photots?

I wish this rule would be revisited. Critiquing one's artistic scope and style of work is different and requires more samples than critiqing one's technical issues. We're here to help each other. : )

[janetg]

i agree mark - maybe 5 if they need to keep some sort of limit? have i noticed there is no limit when not asking for critique? i've been away for a while...

[texkam]

I just think we should all be big girls and boys and understand if we post too many or are asked to critique too many there may be a risk of overkill. Understanding this, appropriate choices can be made. : )

Having said that, These 3 images would work better with different processing. 1 and 2, bump up the contrast being careful to keep detail in the the whites. You could remove the wall duct in #1 and maybe try to recover some detail of the bride in #3.

[janetg]

what details are missing of the brides dress in 3? i see everything, all the folds, it's just dark. what i would do on number 3, is clone out the 1 light in the center of the dark portion at the top, and the 3 on the right and burn in that whole area.

[texkam]

try to recover some detail of the bride in #3

I meant the head area. Just doesn't look like there's enough there though.

[tukaniray]

Mark, Christina and Janet, Thanks for the time.

I also agree the new 3 photo rule throws me off as well. I remembered people posting like 10-15 to help become better. Which does help. So, going the 3, I decided to post up
the artistic ones ... somewhat, lol.

Maybe it's people who are posting plenty on the Pixtus server ... I think if we just load up photos from Flickr or photobucket it would be okay.

Though, I am not a fan of High ISO, I guess getting the shot in a bit of grain, is better than getting the shot in blur.

I do have another shot of the bride and groom ... hmm ...

-Ray-

[tukaniray]

Here's another from the reception:



And another of the bride up once the groom turns around:



-Ray-

[tukaniray]

Yeah, many of my reception shots look a bit blurry ... need to work on that.

-Ray-

[texkam]

Here's a quick and dirty rework of the above. Just one possible solution. : )