First Wedding (10 images)

[frameworthy]

Hello everyone. Here are a few images from the first wedding I shot, back on Aug 11. Posting here for some critique. I think I should clarify that they wanted me to do minimal walking, and the only equipment I have is a Nikon 18-70 3.5-4.5 and 50 1.8. They also had the lights OFF in the sanctuary, and only a few spots on them in the front. This presented major problems with the 18-70, and with the 50 - not enough reach! This was a low budget/favor wedding - so no $$ to rent a lense. The client's happy with everything (and I know that TECHNICALLY that's all that matters), but after that day and looking at the pictures, I know I have so much more to learn. I don't personally know any of you, but respect all of your work, so where else to get better feedback? Thanks in advance everyone.

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9. (Client loved this one, but is it over processed?)


10.


Thanks again!

[onewingedangel73106]

I think you did very well for the stuff you mentioned earlier. I would have to say 3 and 6 are my favorites but I do see why the client liked 9 its a very clear shot of them and well done. Good job for a first wedding.

[Angelo]

Kenneth, excellent work. Love the b/w photos.
The color photos are great also.
There's no reason why the couple should not be ecstatic with the quality and, of course $$$.

[Paulo]

Nicely done. Images 7 is my favorite. Followed by 8 & 9.
Only an opinion, but consider leveling the image so that the cross and lines on the wall are not 'leaning' towards the right. And maybe lighten the top portion of the cross so the whole cross is evenly visible/lit. Possibly lighten even all the way up to the ceiling because it looks like it has some nice 'texture' up there.

Hope you don't mind but this is just an alternate crop on image 9 using a 8x10 portrait format.

[zach-e2]

not bad for a first shoot..
actually, i think it's great for a first shot!
it looks like lighting wasn't exactly in your favor, but you did well nonetheless

[HotHolly]

Good 1st wedding! I like the getting ready shots the best. As for lighting issues - lots of people LOVE the idea of shutting all the lights and having candle light or what-have-you. Some also don't think too much about where they are standing, etc. so you end up with a ton of shots of the back of their heads. It looks like this couple had some direction on that part. If they don't, and their officiant hasn't officiated before (thats always really funny), that's where you can interject and make suggestions. It helps your shots out, especially when you have intentional low light and equipment that might not be made for shooting in caves. Pairing up with the officiant or the coordinator usually helps a lot. Not sure how helpful that is. I like #3 the best out this group...it captured the emotion of the moment and I like that it is in B&W - adds to the emotion. It may be me, but some of the shots look a little over sharpened.

[stargal01]

as everyone else has said, you did a good job on your first wedding.

[frameworthy]

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I will totally say that if it hadn't of been for the TPF, this wedding would have been much worse. What knowledge I could take in, I did from this forum. I hope to continue to learn - first hand and through all of you.

Paulo - nice crop. (no, I don't mind). I'd say that is compositionally sound. Active...yet static enough...A note about that shot though - I was stepping out of the way for the family members to take a couple of pictures of the couple, and while I was walking/stepping aside, shot that without looking through the camera...talk about luck!

Holly - thanks for the critique. Some of them might be a little over sharpened. I'll take the blame for that. As for where they stood, etc, etc...I just got lucky. I don't know if my wife had anything to do with that (she was my assistant, turned into the coordinator). As for the officiant - it was his first time. He was more clueless than anyone there! "Equipment not made for shooting in caves..." <--I like that!

Once again, thanks everyone for looking at these!

[frameworthy]

OK - sorry, one more. This one made me laugh! I love hip grandparents!

[MicWayWal]

Kenneth,
As Tony the tiger would say Grrrrrrrrrreat Wedding!
I can't believe this is your first wedding. It is better than some photographers I know who have been shooting for 20 years. Even your accidents turn out nice. These are wonderful money shots for a photographer and warm moments for the b&g.
#2 Crop horizontal use only the top half of the image
#5 The other people in the pews distract from the bride and her dad. Crop vertical only use the center part of the image.

Why were you moving out of the way for family? So they can shoot YOUR pictures for you or maybe so you will miss the next spontaneous moment as you move out of the way.
My opinion: I hope you gain confidence in your abilities and stand your ground to put yourself in the best place to get the image. Be considerate of others but get in the right position and stay there till any possibilities fade away.
I love you use of available light. Too many first timers overuse on camera flash and then find it rough to give it up in the future.
You are off to a great start.

[lscottpht]

Dang, you ppl that are getting these kind of images from your first wedding are scaring me! Between you and Jessica (newbie), I'm afraid to see what you guys are going to produce by the time you do your third weddings!

[boldimagery]

Niiice! Your first wedding? Really? You pulling our legs right!? LOL! That is wonderful! Congrats! The standard 50mm is a classic. You may have to work a little harder, but you can't go wrong with a 50.

[frameworthy]

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

Why were you moving out of the way for family? So they can shoot YOUR pictures for you or maybe so you will miss the next spontaneous moment as you move out of the way.
My opinion: I hope you gain confidence in your abilities and stand your ground to put yourself in the best place to get the image. Be considerate of others but get in the right position and stay there till any possibilities fade away.
I love you use of available light. Too many first timers overuse on camera flash and then find it rough to give it up in the future.
You are off to a great start.

I guess I am too much of a nice guy. That is something I need to work on. I don't mind family members taking pictures (at my wedding, my mom was everywhere with her point and shoot, but still supplemented her album by buying pictures from our photog), but you're right, if I see a good moment happen, I should jump on in.

As for the flash - my photography experience started with my parents first camera from the 70s. No flash - all film speed, shutter speed, and aperature. I LOVE available light, and I guess from shooting with that old Yashica where I had to use available light, it's continued to my "digital days".

Thanks again for everyone's quotes. It is very humbling and at the same time, very encouraging. I already have a wedding lined up for the end of the year, but hope to have way more than two next year.

I hope to continue learning from everyone on TPF. I'm going to be on the look out for second shooter/assistant positions as well. Thanks again!

[frameworthy]

Oh, and Jason - I LOVE my 50. With out a doubt, the best $115 I've ever spent.