So... At my first wedding

[Dinardy]

Alright man, please don't take this the wrong way. I simply want you to start on the right foot especially if you want to do wedding photography. The most important thing to be successful in wedding photography is how you present yourself among other photographers in your area.

Huh? I always thought the most important thing was to learn the craft and build up your skills leading to a solid portfolio that clients will book on. I don't really care who else in the trade I impress or don't impress.

1. I am not sure how involved you were at the wedding, but judging from the # of shots you took.. you were pretty involved. Sometimes as a main photographer, I don't even take that many shots. No matter how you put it, more than likely the main shooter was annoyed.

You were annoyed. Okay... that's part of what you paid for.

2. If you plan to share this on FB to your friends, take off the signature. There is nothing more annoying than shooting a wedding and you find out someone already posting the photos from the wedding with "professional" signature on it before you do. Facebook is usually the #1 source for wedding photographers to get new clients. If you did that, you kinda stole their glory. Most people just assume the shots you posted are from the official wedding photographer.

If the hired profesional's work is of such a calibre that it's going to be upstaged by the OPs work, the hired gun should probably find a new job!

3. If it were me, I would not use this wedding on my portfolio. You were just a guest. I may use it to land my first wedding (as main or 2nd) and say.. hey.. I have not shot a wedding before but here are photos I took as a guest so you can see what I can do. Showing wedding photos you took as a guest on your portfolio to promote your self is bad etiquette IMO (I assure you a lot of wedding photographers agree with me).

What???? That makes NO sense! While they may not be the best images in the world, for a guest-shooter, they're pretty darn decent, and why wouldn't he use them? In fact, I would venture to say that if you can get a portfolio-worthy image while there as a guest,and not having the luxury of being able to direct the action, that actually shows a superior degree of creativity!

I do in fact appreciate this reply.

 

[Dinardy]

Where abouts was the wedding? I also have to respect Robin's points here. It does make a lot of sense to me, and etiquette doesn't always make sense, yet is still observed.

Kelley Farms hosted this wedding!

 

[MK3Brent]

Some serious focus issues, and some bad chromatic aberrations in some shots. (Noticed when looking at the native resolution of the images.

Get your focus nailed down tight, and you'll do just fine.

 

[Dinardy]

For me, #2 is the standout shot. No, it's not the B&G or even part of the main event, but you DID find one of those little "photojournalistic" moments that add to the flavor of the day. The unhappy little flower girl/ring bearer are always excellent fillers in the wedding album, and you nailed this one. Even if that's all you handed over, don't diminish the capture! Feel proud of that one.

And this:

You did one of the very key things which is not to have your shots look like you were just shooting when the couple was looking at the other photographer.

+1, this shows you were aware and thinking.

#s 4 and 5 are also nice moments, and I like the B&W. I agree with Kathy that you have some color issues, but as we all know you've barely worked these, so we can assume you'll improve on that aspect.

Take Robin's points to heart. I don't read them as anything but sound advice. If you want the chance to do this several more times, which is an excellent way to learn, you want to be gracious and hold back on posting your own shots until the paid guys get their moment in the sun. If you continue to do this and you are ultimately the top photo-dawg, you will appreciate the same courtesy from the sideline newbie. I can't think of a better way to ACT like a pro than demonstrate you understand your current position as the sideline newbie, if that makes sense.

Thank you! Yes I'll upload my edits here soon.
I take all generally reasonable advice to heart here. Positive or not!

 

[Dinardy]

Also for me #2 made me immediately react. Awesome shot, wedding or not.

Thanks, she was actually not feeling well with a temp of 101. She really shined during the ceremony and held out to the last dance. What a trooper

 

[Dinardy]

Photos 2,4,and 5 capture very special moments. yeah, I see the blown highlights on the dress in #4, but it's a lovely slice of time, and the movement is lovely, and the light against dark contrasts work very well. The little girl is crying, and so cute. The couple kissing is a good moment.

I think #5, the bride and groom kissing, as men in baseball caps and people holding up cellphone cameras to capture the moment, is just a splendid candid wedding shot. You have the fancy chandelier (sp?) above them, them kissing, and then all the guests down below. A very 2013 wedding!!! It's just so,so "of this decade".

Thank you Derrel! Its always nice reading your responses

 

[Dinardy]

2, 3 and 5 I really enjoyed. Nice captures!

FWIW, I can see how the hired photog might be upset if you were posting these on FB the very next day with your watermark on them.. I'd lose the watermark if you're going to share them like that.

Watermark wasn't stamped on non flickr images, I don't want to step on any toes.

 

[Dinardy]

Nice shots. I like the first, third, and fourth.

As a wedding photographer myself, I also agree with Robin. If don't understand his points, you haven't shot enough weddings.

Thanks!

 

[terri]

Also for me #2 made me immediately react. Awesome shot, wedding or not.

Thanks, she was actually not feeling well with a temp of 101. She really shined during the ceremony and held out to the last dance. What a trooper

Oh, my word...poor little girl. She really was a trooper!

 

[Dinardy]

Some serious focus issues, and some bad chromatic aberrations in some shots. (Noticed when looking at the native resolution of the images.

Get your focus nailed down tight, and you'll do just fine.

Well... it is a D7000 lol

I have had auto focus issues on this body, I find when using manual focus I get more consistent results.

 

[Vtec44]

Well... it is a D7000 lol

I have had auto focus issues on this body, I find when using manual focus I get more consistent results.

Have you done a focus check on the body and lenses? My D7000 with close to 50k clicks focuses perfectly.

 

[play18now]

Where abouts was the wedding? I also have to respect Robin's points here. It does make a lot of sense to me, and etiquette doesn't always make sense, yet is still observed.

Kelley Farms hosted this wedding!

That's out in Bonney Lake isn't it? Beautiful spot. Again well done.

 

[Dinardy]

Thank you ALL for your very insightful replies. I have updated the original post with Two edits, I'm off to work!

 

[Dinardy]

Well... it is a D7000 lol

I have had auto focus issues on this body, I find when using manual focus I get more consistent results.

Have you done a focus check on the body and lenses? My D7000 with close to 50k clicks focuses perfectly.

I haven't sat down and done a controlled test. But with correct exposure, good aperture and shutter speed with good lighting, it was pretty hard to get it sharp where I wanted it with my 35mm. I would like to think I am using good technique, but maybe not.
It ended up going back to Nikon for calibration and adjustment... Came back better without as much tuning in camera needed. But I gave up and sold that lens.
So far, my 85mm has been the sharpest and produced most consistent results, although I haven't fine tuned it yet.
Is there a test you personally would recommend? I have read and reviewed most, I just don't have the time lately.

 

[Vtec44]

Do this test Jeffrey Friedl's Blog » Jeffrey?s Autofocus Test Chart and use AF fine tuning to adjust for each lens.