Beth & Jeff

[ShutterSpire]

Critique: CC

[arich]

Your post says both NC and CC so I'm going to take a leap and go with the later lol.

The forum upload tends to degrade sharpness so I can't really comment on that.

Overall the color on these shots as well as on your blog seems to be rather flat and neutral, personally I would look to push your contrast a bit more to make them pop.

#1: I like the idea but I would like to see the bride turned towards the camera a bit more, we're losing a lot of the dress as well as the bride by shooting directly at the shoulder. Also, I would get rid of the residential clutter in the background or try to avoid shooting it on location.

#2: My favorite of the 3, could use some minor posing tweaks (both of their faces brought towards the camera more). It looks like you processed the skin on her face and her chest, but not on her left arm, it would be good if the skin matched across the board.

#3: your weakest of the 3, feels very "snapshot" like, it's a nice moment but this angle doesn't really show that because we can barely see 1/3 of the bride's face and we can't see the groom at all.

Also, you might think about messing with your logo, having both the graphic and the text is somewhat distracting (personal opinion)

[ShutterSpire]

Thank you so much arich. I totally agree with #3... That is why I included it. Think maybe if I had off camera flash for that one (as opposed to bouncing it from my unit on my camera) may have improved it too - in addition to moving more to the side? I wanted to show that she was laughing about the slideshow, but you are right, you can barely see her face and it really looks flat.

[arich]

Originally Posted by ShutterSpire

Thank you so much arich. I totally agree with #3... That is why I included it. Think maybe if I had off camera flash for that one (as opposed to bouncing it from my unit on my camera) may have improved it too - in addition to moving more to the side? I wanted to show that she was laughing about the slideshow, but you are right, you can barely see her face and it really looks flat.

Off-camera always helps to give depth, even a stofen box makes a big difference. Some photogs don't like it but I think if you can't do off camera flash then a Gary Fong Lightsphere is a big help.

It really just comes down to practice and comfort with what you're shooting as well as a willingness to always look for areas to improve, which it looks like you're doing!