Grethen and Chris in Ft Worth

[TDPI]

Forgive my posting methodology. I have not yet learned how to post one shot at a time sequentially. Still a newbie here.

[groovyone]

Originally Posted by TDPI

Forgive my posting methodology. I have not yet learned how to post one shot at a time sequentially. Still a newbie here.

No worries. When you upload you can't really sort or organize them well. Typically when you seem them numbered people are linking to their own photo hosting sites.

Some really cool shots in there! Nice locations. Well done.

[TDPI]

Thank you, Keith

[TDPI]

I inadvertently and incorrectly posted this as no critique but I would welcome all comments and advice.

[texxter]

Hey Troy, thanks for posting your work!

I dont photograph couples or know much about what they expect from engagement pictures, so take this comment with a grain of salt. It may not reflect the expectations of your clients.

I enjoy images that illustrate in a genuine manner the idea of love and commitment. That is, I want to see a couple that's into each other. Images of two people sitting or standing side by side do not express that idea. They may be fashionable, or "cool" - but to me they are more about the photographer than about the couple.

In the set, I like the genuine expressions and tenderness in #1 - the background isn't the best, and his position towering over her is not ideal, but the image does convey love and caring, and it works for me. Image #2 gets close to the idea as well, her expression is really happy, and he seems proud and happy too - the composition is a bit weak, but I like the natural joy coming out of the relationship.

#3 and #4 do not work as well as the two people are engaged with the camera and the viewer and not with each other. Same with #9, #11 and #12. Don't care for the glare on #11, and don't care for her expression on #11. Photo #12 is probably the weakest of all, as it seems like a quick grab shot with the couple dead center on it.

Finally, #6, #7, #8, #10 are what I call "trendy" shots that I have seen before, with the same post-processing and the same idea - the two people in a grungy environment apart from each other. I personally don't get too excited about these images, and they say more about the photographer than the couple.

That's my opinion, which reflects my personal bias for genuine illustrations of love and tenderness, without posing or artifice. Others may feel very differently, and, at the end, the only thing that matters, is how you and your clients feel about the work.

[TDPI]

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback, Paco. I appreciate it.

[BRosePhoto]

You captured some nice moments and have a good variety of shots, which a lot of couples seem to want (disclaimer: I don't do weddings but I have done a few eng sessions) -- so just my two cents:

I think what I notice most is the inconsistency/variety in style and post processing looking at the body of the work and what the couple may want to do with them. If the couple wants to do a "save the date," for example (using 3-5 images), some would work well together and some would look completely out of place -- #2,3,4 are very different in style/look from most of the others. #5 is even quite different than the other three from the same setting. #10 and 11 are clearly in the same setting but processed quite differently as well. Same would apply if doing an album or memory book, etc.

[TDPI]

Thank you for your comments, Brent. You are absolutely right that the shots are different. They wanted some "traditional" shots that we shot at the FT Worth Botantical Gardens and and then they wanted some "trendy" shots that were more them in the stock yards. You can see that they changed clothes as well. We had a good time walking all over the stock yards looking for cool places to shoot. They liked the processed look so we tried to accommodate. We tried to match the type of processing with the venue we were shooting. We always give our couples the original shot as well as the processed so they choose which one they like.

[BRosePhoto]

Yeah, I'm sure it would be tough to try to nail down one style or look in many cases. I have two weddings in my wife's family in the next few weeks and it has been interesting to see how VERY different the two brides approach all of it.

[auddii]

My favorite of the processing styles for the garden photos is by far #5. I love the vibrancy of the colors, and it just seems very crisp and clean. I don't know that it's a photo that they'd want in a huge print though since her face is turned away from the camera, but it does have them interacting with the environment, and I could see it as part of a series in an album.

Maybe I'm one of the trendy photographers (though I don't do it myself), but I like the shots at the stock yards, and I agree that the processing fits the location. I do have a few nit picks, and I don't know if you noticed (or cared).

The lens flare or whatever it is where they are leaning against the fence looks like someone spilled chemicals on the photo. Don't know if you want it to look very aged, but personally I wouldn't want a photo that looks pre-ruined. Also, the lens flare at the bottom of the same photo ended up looking like you were highlighting his crotch.

And on the last photo, there is a corner of a sign in the top right corner coming out of nowhere. Kind of confused me a bit, but it could probably be easily cloned out since they sky looks like a fairly even color.

[TDPI]

Thanks, Audrey, your response made me chuckle. I left the one lens flare in intentionally (although I shot the same shot from another angle to lose it) becasue I thought it was cool but never paid any attention to the lens flare on his crotch. You're right; no one would want that. LOL And you are right about the sign. I should have taken it out. Thank you.