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07/07/2004 08:57:16 PM · #1
Hi All! I shot my first wedding over the weekend. This is a raw photograph and I would like your honest opinion please. How can I make it better etc. Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanx!


07/07/2004 09:21:37 PM · #2
I'm no expert on wedding photography or portraiture for that matter, but I assume lighting is the key. Was a flash used? Perhaps fiddling with the RAW data to overexpose a couple stops. Also, I find the background ugly and out of place. I certainly would not want any of my wedding portraits against a plain brick wall. Also take into consideration soft focus. Wish I could be more helpful and best of luck to you.
07/07/2004 09:40:57 PM · #3
Thank You Bran-O-Rama. I appreciate your honesty. Yes, I did use a flash but considering where we were and the conditions we were put in it didn't help as much as I thought it would. However, it helped enough to get the pictures that the bride wanted. The one you critiqued was one of the outside, under an awning while raining shot. Here is another, inside a drab wooden church. Your thoughts on it?

07/07/2004 09:41:33 PM · #4
Hi Stacy,

It must have been exciting to do your first wedding! I don't do them often and have done less than a dozen altogether - I'd rather be out taking nature pictures.

On your image - squint your eyes as you look at it and you will probably notice that the brightest spot is where the wedding gown meets the brick on the brides back bottom. That's not really want you want - nor would the bride want attention there.

I also agree with Bran-O-Rama - the brick wall is possibly the absolute worst choice of a background you could have made. The background for a bride should be almost invisible so to speak - either very subtle or totally out of focus.

I'd suggest you make a personal goal to study the many wedding techniques by doing web searches - or even forum searches here on DPC. Study the poses, background and especially how lighting plays an important role. If you find some particular poses or setups you like - try to use a freind and shoot it for practice before the next wedding.

Keep shooting, studying, and shooting - and you will soon be giving the next "first wedding" shooter some tips yourself.

Edit to ADD:

Oh my - I just saw your second image! It's like night and day better than the first one. The interaction with the (flower girl) is precious. Although it may be a drab church - you've handled the background very well!

The second image captures a special moment and will be cherished by all who have a copy.

Message edited by author 2004-07-07 21:45:15.
07/07/2004 09:47:52 PM · #5
Thank You Tom! I really appreciate your advice. Very well put and not so harsh. Lets make no mistake...I am a nature photographer and did this wedding as a favor for my cousin. I even shelled out over $300.00 for a new flash with all the bells and whistles. Weddings are not my thing and if I can help it I will never do another :-) Still, I really do appreciate your words of wisdom and I will utilize the wonders of Photoshop to get rid of that brick wall. My partner is great at that! Thanks again!
Stacy!
07/07/2004 09:55:08 PM · #6
For your second shot, it appears as if it were a candid snapshot rather than a posed or deliberate photo.

From the thumbnail, lighting looked much better--brighter and contrasted as opposed to gray and muted from the first. Upon viewing the larger version, there are harsh shadows from the flash which is another no-no! Also, without context from the wedding dress the background appears as if it were taken in a basement or closed garage. Background is simply too dark. In my head, a wedding should be bright and white and cheery. The setting for this looks like a dark and gloomy funeral. :(

Try diffusing or bouncing the flash. What is your lighting setup like? Do you shoot with reflectors or different colored gels over your flashes/strobes/miscellaneous light?

I cannot stress enough the importance of lighting in portraiture (which is why I like to shoot landscape or outdoor action shots :p ) IMHO, portraiture is the most demanding type of photography and it almost turns you into a control freak, having to pay attention to an absurd amount of details--lighting, focus, background, pose, composition etc. etc. etc.

I'm more of the point-and-shoot and let-the-camera-(and photoshop)-do-the-work ;)
07/07/2004 10:00:14 PM · #7
Here's a link that might help.

Formal Bridal Portraiture - A Posing Guide For The New Elegance

There are several other articles on Shutterbug.net Features too. Type in "bridal portrait wedding" in the search box.


07/07/2004 10:13:03 PM · #8
Like Bran said I too am now wedding photog expert;

First off the second photo is very nice. The moment captured nicely.

Now the first photo I think in this case the subject should be turned towards us a bit more. (Being as un-guy like as possible) The subject is well endowed plus the white dress against the brick background makes her head appear small in relation the the rest of the body. Different body shapes sometimes need special attention to keep everything in perspective.
07/07/2004 11:01:35 PM · #9
The both needs the backgrounds blurred, and maybe darkened on the first one, the first one could use a little constrast/levels adjustment, other than that, not bad.
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