My first wedding!

ddeerreekk · 12-02-2009, 02:51 PM

Here's 9 pictures from my first wedding:
http://www.derekbranscombe.squarespa...folio/wedding/

Obviously a lot of those are quite heavily edited, but it was what the couple was looking for and, in my opinion, turned out the best.

Also, I'm not sure if you recall but I was on here asking for some advice prior to this and got some negative feedback saying I wasn't prepared, shouldn't be doing it, etc. I'd just like to reinforce that for this wedding there was a very limited budget and the couple chose to go with me, completely aware of my experience and capabilities. They were very pleased with the photos.

That being said, I'd like to get any opinions I could. I can post some more natural ones here as well if that would be better.

Thanks!

**Big Mike** · 12-02-2009, 03:03 PM

You'll get more opinions/critique if you post the images in the forum, rather that just a link to your gallery.

ddeerreekk · 12-02-2009, 03:47 PM

Thanks for the tip : )

1.

2.

3.

4.

IgsEMT · 12-02-2009, 04:34 PM

#1 although you cropped to tight, I like the composition and people's expression. I don't like the bokeh you created. Either it was shot that way or in PP, its just toooo soft and toooo superficial
#2 Same as above on softness plus the foregound wall is really really distracting. IF it were flowers, or B&G were holding hands extended while you focused on them then it would be a different story.
#3 Like the Effect, don't like groom's angle - he looks FAT. Wedding images supposed, at least in theory, glorify the love birds not the opposite
#4 I like, but here's a food for thought - both are showing left hands, thus have HIM hold her hand OR he with left and she with right hands.
-------------------

Quote:

They were very pleased with the photos.

Using clients as judges is really not the best thing, most of them don't know/understand photography. Peers would be and are better.

Overall, it isn't bad, but it is a start and there's room, a LOT of room for improvement.

Keep Shooting

MPSax1 · 12-02-2009, 08:53 PM

Personally, I love how everything is. I find it very nice for a first timer and I feel the softness of the photos may be daunting for me as a landscape photographer, but when I think of it from a more general creative mind and as a musician, I find the softness brings out emotion. The people don't look separate, they look more like one people. One thing I would prefer is more defined, saturated colors in the subjects. I'd want to focus on the people more. In the second photo this is done a little better because the groom has the light coming in from the left taking away a lot of color. Even so, more color would be nice. As for the bunch of guys, I really like the photo. Its the "guys" photo, "here with the pals", I've seen too many formal versions of the photo that it looks false to me, but again, deeper colors are nice for these sort of photos IMO. As for the final photo, I feel there is too much image in the lower half that it takes away from the hands.

Overall, pretty good job and I think it'll only get better from here. IMHO, I would get critiquing by peers as mentioned above, but personally I'd leave it down to what the couple want, it is their photos

olivia751 · 12-02-2009, 10:52 PM

Hello,

congrats for your wedding. Hope you enjoyed your wedding a lot. You both are looking so nice. Your wife is so beautiful.Nice pair.

Regards,
Olivia

FriedChicken · 12-03-2009, 05:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by olivia751

Hello,

congrats for your wedding. Hope you enjoyed your wedding a lot. You both are looking so nice. Your wife is so beautiful.Nice pair.

Regards,
Olivia

Olivia, I'm not quite sure if you're joking or not - the photos are of the OP's client.

Shockey · 12-03-2009, 11:02 AM

I have seen worse, typically of people just getting started these are rather dull and dark. I can see where the people you were taking them for probably thought they were ok judging from your explanation.
Keep working on it, you will improve as you gain experience.

Bluepoole · 12-03-2009, 11:12 AM

I like the effect of photo #3, could somebody (or the OP) perhaps tell me how it is done?

Many thanks!

ddeerreekk · 12-03-2009, 04:18 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by IgsEMT

#1 although you cropped to tight, I like the composition and people's expression. I don't like the bokeh you created. Either it was shot that way or in PP, its just toooo soft and toooo superficial
#2 Same as above on softness plus the foregound wall is really really distracting. IF it were flowers, or B&G were holding hands extended while you focused on them then it would be a different story.
#3 Like the Effect, don't like groom's angle - he looks FAT. Wedding images supposed, at least in theory, glorify the love birds not the opposite
#4 I like, but here's a food for thought - both are showing left hands, thus have HIM hold her hand OR he with left and she with right hands.

Thanks for the detailed feedback! I see what you mean about the focus on the first two. It's obviously not something you'd want on all pictures but for some specialty ones I thought it looked alright. The main point of it is to bring the attention into the center, however I can see how it'd be distracting.

For the third photo, what do you think that made the groom look like that? Is it the angle of his body?

For the fourth, again, great point. I didn't even think of that (that they both had their left hands out).

Quote: Originally Posted by IgsEMT

Using clients as judges is really not the best thing, most of them don't know/understand photography. Peers would be and are better.

Overall, it isn't bad, but it is a start and there's room, a LOT of room for improvement.

Keep Shooting

On this last point I'm going to have to disagree a bit. Yes, for criticism of the photo's and looking for room to improve, the clients are certainly not going to know best. However what they said to me is more important then what any of you said. What's the use with pictures that all photographers think are good but the couple hates? If their happy, I feel I've done my job. I think that should be the primary concern for photographers.

But yes, I do certainly have a long way to go, hopefully you'll see some more pictures up of mine in the future.

ddeerreekk · 12-03-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MPSax1

Personally, I love how everything is. I find it very nice for a first timer and I feel the softness of the photos may be daunting for me as a landscape photographer, but when I think of it from a more general creative mind and as a musician, I find the softness brings out emotion. The people don't look separate, they look more like one people. One thing I would prefer is more defined, saturated colors in the subjects. I'd want to focus on the people more. In the second photo this is done a little better because the groom has the light coming in from the left taking away a lot of color. Even so, more color would be nice. As for the bunch of guys, I really like the photo. Its the "guys" photo, "here with the pals", I've seen too many formal versions of the photo that it looks false to me, but again, deeper colors are nice for these sort of photos IMO. As for the final photo, I feel there is too much image in the lower half that it takes away from the hands.

Overall, pretty good job and I think it'll only get better from here. IMHO, I would get critiquing by peers as mentioned above, but personally I'd leave it down to what the couple want, it is their photos

Thanks for the kind words. The photo of the 'boys' was slightly desaturated on purpose for effect, but I agree the others could be a bit more colorful.

ddeerreekk · 12-03-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Shockey

I have seen worse, typically of people just getting started these are rather dull and dark. I can see where the people you were taking them for probably thought they were ok judging from your explanation.

I'm a little confused as to what you mean, are you saying that the pictures look typical of a beginner, that they are dull and dark? If so, do you have any suggestions on how to remedy this? I didn't think the exposure was off.

ddeerreekk · 12-03-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bluepoole

I like the effect of photo #3, could somebody (or the OP) perhaps tell me how it is done?

Many thanks!

It's really not to sure, basically it's just got the contrast bumped and some vignetting. I also have it desaturated a bit, to get a more controlled look I duplicated the layer and converted it to b&w with the channel mixer, then set that layer to a lower opacity. I also did a bit of dodging on the faces to help them come out a bit more.

I'm not sure how familiar you are with photoshop, so if you need any more explanation I'd be happy to go into it further.

12-02-2009, 10:52 PM	#6
olivia751 TPF Noob! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: toronto Posts: 1 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Hello, congrats for your wedding. Hope you enjoyed your wedding a lot. You both are looking so nice. Your wife is so beautiful.Nice pair. Regards, Olivia __________________ Wedding Sand Ceremony Set

12-03-2009, 05:27 AM	#7
FriedChicken I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 514 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by olivia751 Hello, congrats for your wedding. Hope you enjoyed your wedding a lot. You both are looking so nice. Your wife is so beautiful.Nice pair. Regards, Olivia Olivia, I'm not quite sure if you're joking or not - the photos are of the OP's client. __________________ The Canon Obsession.

12-03-2009, 11:12 AM	#9
Bluepoole TPF Noob! Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post My Gallery: (0)	I like the effect of photo #3, could somebody (or the OP) perhaps tell me how it is done? Many thanks! __________________ Equipment Bodies: Canon 350D (Rebel XT), Canon 1000D (Rebel XS) Flash: Canon 430EX II Lenses: Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS Canon EF-S 17-85mm f4.0-5.6 IS USM Canon EF 70-300mm f4.0-5.6 IS USM

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12-02-2009, 02:51 PM	#1
ddeerreekk No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kingston, ON, Canada Posts: 91 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	My first wedding! Here's 9 pictures from my first wedding: http://www.derekbranscombe.squarespa...folio/wedding/ Obviously a lot of those are quite heavily edited, but it was what the couple was looking for and, in my opinion, turned out the best. Also, I'm not sure if you recall but I was on here asking for some advice prior to this and got some negative feedback saying I wasn't prepared, shouldn't be doing it, etc. I'd just like to reinforce that for this wedding there was a very limited budget and the couple chose to go with me, completely aware of my experience and capabilities. They were very pleased with the photos. That being said, I'd like to get any opinions I could. I can post some more natural ones here as well if that would be better. Thanks! Last edited by ddeerreekk; 12-02-2009 at 05:14 PM.

12-02-2009, 03:03 PM	#2
Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Edmonton Posts: 22,105 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 224 Times in 212 Posts My Gallery: (91)	You'll get more opinions/critique if you post the images in the forum, rather that just a link to your gallery. __________________ Edmonton Wedding Photographer Blog

12-02-2009, 03:47 PM	#3
ddeerreekk No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kingston, ON, Canada Posts: 91 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Thanks for the tip : ) 1. 2. 3. 4.

12-02-2009, 04:34 PM	#4
IgsEMT TPF Junkie! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 1,374 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 66 Times in 63 Posts My Gallery: (0)	#1 although you cropped to tight, I like the composition and people's expression. I don't like the bokeh you created. Either it was shot that way or in PP, its just toooo soft and toooo superficial #2 Same as above on softness plus the foregound wall is really really distracting. IF it were flowers, or B&G were holding hands extended while you focused on them then it would be a different story. #3 Like the Effect, don't like groom's angle - he looks FAT. Wedding images supposed, at least in theory, glorify the love birds not the opposite #4 I like, but here's a food for thought - both are showing left hands, thus have HIM hold her hand OR he with left and she with right hands. ------------------- Quote: They were very pleased with the photos. Using clients as judges is really not the best thing, most of them don't know/understand photography. Peers would be and are better. Overall, it isn't bad, but it is a start and there's room, a LOT of room for improvement. Keep Shooting

12-02-2009, 08:53 PM	#5
MPSax1 TPF Noob! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 21 My Photos Are NOT OK to Edit Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Personally, I love how everything is. I find it very nice for a first timer and I feel the softness of the photos may be daunting for me as a landscape photographer, but when I think of it from a more general creative mind and as a musician, I find the softness brings out emotion. The people don't look separate, they look more like one people. One thing I would prefer is more defined, saturated colors in the subjects. I'd want to focus on the people more. In the second photo this is done a little better because the groom has the light coming in from the left taking away a lot of color. Even so, more color would be nice. As for the bunch of guys, I really like the photo. Its the "guys" photo, "here with the pals", I've seen too many formal versions of the photo that it looks false to me, but again, deeper colors are nice for these sort of photos IMO. As for the final photo, I feel there is too much image in the lower half that it takes away from the hands. Overall, pretty good job and I think it'll only get better from here. IMHO, I would get critiquing by peers as mentioned above, but personally I'd leave it down to what the couple want, it is their photos

12-03-2009, 11:02 AM	#8
Shockey I spend too much of my life on TPF! Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Boise Idaho Posts: 378 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 20 Times in 18 Posts My Gallery: (30)	I have seen worse, typically of people just getting started these are rather dull and dark. I can see where the people you were taking them for probably thought they were ok judging from your explanation. Keep working on it, you will improve as you gain experience.

12-03-2009, 04:18 PM	#10
ddeerreekk No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kingston, ON, Canada Posts: 91 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by IgsEMT #1 although you cropped to tight, I like the composition and people's expression. I don't like the bokeh you created. Either it was shot that way or in PP, its just toooo soft and toooo superficial #2 Same as above on softness plus the foregound wall is really really distracting. IF it were flowers, or B&G were holding hands extended while you focused on them then it would be a different story. #3 Like the Effect, don't like groom's angle - he looks FAT. Wedding images supposed, at least in theory, glorify the love birds not the opposite #4 I like, but here's a food for thought - both are showing left hands, thus have HIM hold her hand OR he with left and she with right hands. Thanks for the detailed feedback! I see what you mean about the focus on the first two. It's obviously not something you'd want on all pictures but for some specialty ones I thought it looked alright. The main point of it is to bring the attention into the center, however I can see how it'd be distracting. For the third photo, what do you think that made the groom look like that? Is it the angle of his body? For the fourth, again, great point. I didn't even think of that (that they both had their left hands out). Quote: Originally Posted by IgsEMT Using clients as judges is really not the best thing, most of them don't know/understand photography. Peers would be and are better. Overall, it isn't bad, but it is a start and there's room, a LOT of room for improvement. Keep Shooting On this last point I'm going to have to disagree a bit. Yes, for criticism of the photo's and looking for room to improve, the clients are certainly not going to know best. However what they said to me is more important then what any of you said. What's the use with pictures that all photographers think are good but the couple hates? If their happy, I feel I've done my job. I think that should be the primary concern for photographers. But yes, I do certainly have a long way to go, hopefully you'll see some more pictures up of mine in the future.

12-03-2009, 04:19 PM	#11
ddeerreekk No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kingston, ON, Canada Posts: 91 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by MPSax1 Personally, I love how everything is. I find it very nice for a first timer and I feel the softness of the photos may be daunting for me as a landscape photographer, but when I think of it from a more general creative mind and as a musician, I find the softness brings out emotion. The people don't look separate, they look more like one people. One thing I would prefer is more defined, saturated colors in the subjects. I'd want to focus on the people more. In the second photo this is done a little better because the groom has the light coming in from the left taking away a lot of color. Even so, more color would be nice. As for the bunch of guys, I really like the photo. Its the "guys" photo, "here with the pals", I've seen too many formal versions of the photo that it looks false to me, but again, deeper colors are nice for these sort of photos IMO. As for the final photo, I feel there is too much image in the lower half that it takes away from the hands. Overall, pretty good job and I think it'll only get better from here. IMHO, I would get critiquing by peers as mentioned above, but personally I'd leave it down to what the couple want, it is their photos Thanks for the kind words. The photo of the 'boys' was slightly desaturated on purpose for effect, but I agree the others could be a bit more colorful.

12-03-2009, 04:21 PM	#12
ddeerreekk No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kingston, ON, Canada Posts: 91 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Shockey I have seen worse, typically of people just getting started these are rather dull and dark. I can see where the people you were taking them for probably thought they were ok judging from your explanation. I'm a little confused as to what you mean, are you saying that the pictures look typical of a beginner, that they are dull and dark? If so, do you have any suggestions on how to remedy this? I didn't think the exposure was off.

12-03-2009, 04:24 PM	#13
ddeerreekk No longer a newbie, moving up! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kingston, ON, Canada Posts: 91 My Photos Are OK to Edit Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts My Gallery: (0)	Quote: Originally Posted by Bluepoole I like the effect of photo #3, could somebody (or the OP) perhaps tell me how it is done? Many thanks! It's really not to sure, basically it's just got the contrast bumped and some vignetting. I also have it desaturated a bit, to get a more controlled look I duplicated the layer and converted it to b&w with the channel mixer, then set that layer to a lower opacity. I also did a bit of dodging on the faces to help them come out a bit more. I'm not sure how familiar you are with photoshop, so if you need any more explanation I'd be happy to go into it further.

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