A few photos from a today's wedding. C&C please

[Destin]

These are just from the portrait session that we did before the ceremony, I haven't gotten any farther than that into them yet. All these are straight out of camera, other than very slight crops, and a RAW-.jpg conversion in LR3. No exposure adjustments or touch up yet. Taken with Nikon D80, and a sigma 70-200 2.8, along with an sb-600 off camera, shot through a 42 inch umbrella. Let me know what you think. I know they aren't perfect, but it was only my second solo wedding so keep that in mind.

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6.)

7.)

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Just a question, not intended to be rude, since everyone is so sensitive around this place...:roll:


Why would you post stuff, SOOC, rather than your finished, polished, final images?

 

[Destin]

Because I just got home from the shoot, and I'm too tired to effectively edit these atm. I posted some on my site, as "sneak previews" for the family members, to hold them over until I'm done with the editing process. Since I had them up already, I figured,"what the heck, I'll make a thread and see what people think." lol. I'm sure I'll update with edited versions when I get them done in the next few days.

 

[Peanuts]

I kind of have the same question as Bitter Jeweler. A sneak peek should still be a finished polished image but enough to tide them over until either the full blog post is ready
or the images are ready to be delivered. If that means waiting 24 hours to edit a couple then so be it. You will appear much more professional if you edit your sneak previews for your clients.

The first three are underexposed by at least 1.5 stops - I do like the framing however. The fourth is better exposed but not extremely flattering of either of them (kissing rarely is. I tell my clients that it is the moment right before a kiss that is the best. I include only a handful of 'kiss' shots in my final images just because very few people are proficient 'pretty' kissers). Fifth image is actually a touch over exposed. Six is cute but I am not entirely fond of her chin jutting out like that. I think they will be uber happy with the seventh

 

[Frequency]

Hey Dustin,

I too have same doubt....all suggestions are meaningless until we see the final product; further looking at a low light image nothing can be commented too, i am afraid; so eagerly waiting for your finished products

Regards

 

[Robin Usagani]

To be honest Destin, these arent good even if they are SOOC. You should really shoot them exposed right until you see just tiny white area blown (turn on your highlight warning). Most of these are underexposed. You should have shot 1, 2, and 3 at least 2 stops higher. When you adjust the exposure on 1, 2, 3, I assume you know these are underexposed, you will lose a lot of data on the dark part of your photos and they wont look very good. And as far as sneak preview on facebook page, you better post an edited photo! I am sure you have the time to edit ONE! It is a teaser photo and you should post one of the best shots. If I see these as the "preview" on you facebook, then I expect the whole thing going to suck. Just my honest oppinion.

 

[Destin]

To be honest Destin, these arent good even if they are SOOC. You should really shoot them exposed right until you see just tiny white area blown (turn on your highlight warning). Most of these are underexposed. You should have shot 1, 2, and 3 at least 2 stops higher. When you adjust the exposure on 1, 2, 3, I assume you know these are underexposed, you will lose a lot of data on the dark part of your photos and they wont look very good. And as far as sneak preview on facebook page, you better post an edited photo! I am sure you have the time to edit ONE! It is a teaser photo and you should post one of the best shots. If I see these as the "preview" on you facebook, then I expect the whole thing going to suck. Just my honest oppinion.

I agree that it was a bad idea to post unedited teaser pics, I was tired, and not thinking with all of my brain power. As far as the underexposure goes, to my eye, on my calibrated monitor, and according to the histogram in lightroom, they were about 1/2 a stop underexposed. I was able to bring them back up without losing much (visible) detail at all.

Here are a couple of my quick edits (for proofs, I do more in depth edits on the images that the clients choose)

All have slight exposure adjustments, sharpening, and a small increase in the contrast and black levels. They are a little more saturated than

 

[MWG]

I still see the first two as being underexposed, but it could be my computer. I like the third shot, but the women seems like she is forcing a smile.

 

[cmilian]

Great poses and framing, a couple of them need more lightning, easily fixed by levels on PS.

 

[o hey tyler]

The first two are still pretty underexposed.

 

[FranDaMan]

yup. Underexposed by quite a bit.
On the first one you can barely see any details on the man's face at camera left. Thats how dark his face is in that area

 

[NayLoMo6C]

looks to me like your 42 inch umbrella didnt do squat

 

[Destin]

Of all you folks saying the photos are underexposed, I have to ask, are your monitors calibrated? I calibrated mine right before I edited these, so I know it's right. They look good to me. Not to mention the fact the LR3's histogram was showing a proper exposure after the edits. It could be something on my end, but I don't think so.

 

[ghache]

Of all you folks saying the photos are underexposed, I have to ask, are your monitors calibrated? I calibrated mine right before I edited these, so I know it's right. They look good to me. Not to mention the fact the LR3's histogram was showing a proper exposure after the edits. It could be something on my end, but I don't think so.

My monitor is calibrated and they were underexposed a bit, you have a few good shots in there but they look flat to me, there is something missingg. I hope you didnt charge much because if these were my weddings pictures i would **** a couple of bricks.

 

[g-fi]

You need to recalibrate your monitor then, because clearly you have it set too bright or something. I won't repeat what everyone else has said, but seriously, check your calibration. X2 about everything that has been said about posting SOOC images, especially for clients! Getting an immediate sneak peek is NOT worth it if they don't represent the quality that you're capable of. Take an extra 24 hours and edit your shots, trust me, your clients and their family can wait. I never, ever, ever proof unfinished images to my clients, not even to my (unpaid) family clients. You do not want to get a reputation as THAT photographer!