Engagement Session

ncastellans · Jan 1, 2014

I am glad to be a member of this forum after lurking around for a bit. I have been really interested in photography over the past 3-4 years and have been approached several times in the past year to do portraits for people. I don't advertise or profess to be a pro but if people seek me out, are okay with what I am willing to provide then I will most definitely do the job.

These are a few from a recent engagement shoot for my fiance's co-worker and his bride-to-be. I know I still have a lot to learn, especially in the post process. Thanks for looking.

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ncastellans · Jan 1, 2014

Seems that I have to click on the pictures in my thread to get normal quality images. Is there something I did during upload that lowered the quality so much? Thanks for the help.

tirediron · Jan 1, 2014

The forum software automatically re-sizes attached images to ensure that they fit 'properly' within the page.

The main issue I see with this set is that every one needs fill light. Almost all of them have the background brighter then the subject which is pulling the viewer's eyes from the subject and drawing it right to the background. Effective fill would have eliminated this and also prevented the bland, featureless sky.

brian_f2.8 · Jan 1, 2014

I like it, great stuff

ShootRaw · Jan 2, 2014

IMO, next time have more planned candids..Try not to put subjects dead center of frame..Not so many shots with couple looking at camera..And of course fill lighting..Not bad thou..

NedM · Jan 3, 2014

Really great photos!
I wish my engagement shots were as clear and crisp as yours!

I also loved the way you posed the couples, they seemed very relaxed and comfortable with you!

pixmedic · Jan 3, 2014

since these were posted in the "professional gallery", I will assume you are looking for critique as if shot by an experienced professional photographer. (it is noted that you said you do not profess to be a pro)

honestly, i don't really see much in the way of "keepers" here.
#2 and #4 are the strongest of the set in my opinion, having the best exposure and detail. (i would crop a bunch off the top of #2)
the rest of the shots are a bit underexposed and in desperate need of fill flash, especially in the shots where the couple is covered in shadows.
I don't think the centering of the couple in most of the shots is the biggest detriment, although a lot of photographers will refer you to the "rule of thirds" (more accurately, the "suggestion of thirds")

To me, aside from the poor lighting, the other issue i see is the location choice. Its hard to tell from this set, but it looks like there might have been a spot or two around there where you could have placed the couple that wasn't completely dead. Other than one or two shots, it really does look like you put the couple in a field full of dead vegetation. dead grass, dead trees, no sky detail...

You did do a few things right though....
I like most of the posing. (though in #3 they should either both be looking at the camera, or both looking at each other)
your focus was good, and I like most of your DOF choices. (except for that dead vine stuff in the foreground of #6..it gives you an OOF something in front, in focus couple, OOF background... very distracting)

Personally, I would re-shoot all of these except maybe the ring shot, find a greener spot to put them, and stick a flash on the camera with a small softbox to light them better.

The_Traveler · Jan 3, 2014

ncastellans said:
Seems that I have to click on the pictures in my thread to get normal quality images. Is there something I did during upload that lowered the quality so much? Thanks for the help.

yes.

When you add the url to the image popup, uncheck the box labelled 'Retrieve remote file.....' and images will appear full size