Michelle & Ryan's Wedding

[JohnYoung]

I photographed Michelle & Ryan at a lovely country hotel and for once I had great weather.

A few samples from the day below

1

2

3

4

5

6

 

[DorkSterr]

#5 is WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JohnYoung]

Thank you.....I do like that one to (as does the bride & groom)

 

[amolitor]

These are all excellent!

#3 is a little visually chaotic, there's a lot going on here visually which I think takes away from the bride and groom. I don't see a compelling reason to depict them as small in a large frame, and the cars in the background definitely hurt this one.

#6 is a bit cornball, although I suppose the sky might well have just been doing that? The red area on the clouds behind his head looks weird and distracting to me. I'd probably try to clone that to be the darker bluish clouds.

But, apart from those quibbles - well done!

 

[JohnYoung]

Thank you amolitor - Yeah the cars where a problem all day and very little I could do about them.

In No6 the sky was just like that, I just lightened it a bit but I see what you mean about the colour around his head

Thanks again for the feedback

 

[gnorknik]

The coloration on six is a little over the top, but I understand that sometimes the client asks for that.

My biggest problem is with 5. From what I can tell, you took the photo with a small aperture (f16, perhaps?), then added the "depth of field" in post. This technique can work, but rarely, and never if they're being printed larger than 5x7. It very specifically does not work when the subject is not in the direct foreground, and there is any sort of leafy plant that you have to select and blur what's behind it.

What kind of lens were you using? If you're shooting weddings (and portraits at all, really), you need a prime lens. (50mm, typically either 1.4 or 1.8 aperture) I understand that it's difficult to acquire equipment when you're starting up, but a prime lens is well worth the investment. I know that Nikon makes a 1.8 that runs for around $200, Nikkor for around $100. I'm not sure about Canon.

 

[Derrel]

#5 is very theatrical. I love the way the light strikes the gown. The light fixture is actually kind of a plus! It looks from these that you know how to shoot.

 

[DiskoJoe]

3 would have been cooler if they were closer to you. I do like that tree though. Its huge.

 

[Mully]

Just one thing that will help in the future.....make sure the brides dress is fanned out evenly..not large just even. I liked the last 2 best.

 

[JohnYoung]

The coloration on six is a little over the top, but I understand that sometimes the client asks for that.

My biggest problem is with 5. From what I can tell, you took the photo with a small aperture (f16, perhaps?), then added the "depth of field" in post. This technique can work, but rarely, and never if they're being printed larger than 5x7. It very specifically does not work when the subject is not in the direct foreground, and there is any sort of leafy plant that you have to select and blur what's behind it.

What kind of lens were you using? If you're shooting weddings (and portraits at all, really), you need a prime lens. (50mm, typically either 1.4 or 1.8 aperture) I understand that it's difficult to acquire equipment when you're starting up, but a prime lens is well worth the investment. I know that Nikon makes a 1.8 that runs for around $200, Nikkor for around $100. I'm not sure about Canon.

Thank you for the feedback, yeah in N05 I did use a F2.8 lens but I was using it at f6 at the time, and it was kind of captured quickly as she went up the steps and not posed. The background was out of focus but I blurred it further as there were people there. The bride & groom really love this photo so I suppose its all good in the end

#5 is very theatrical. I love the way the light strikes the gown. The light fixture is actually kind of a plus! It looks from these that you know how to shoot.

Thank you - the light I did include on purpose but I also brightened it to make it more prominent

3 would have been cooler if they were closer to you. I do like that tree though. Its huge.

Thank you for the comment - I did do other shots closer but I loved that tree and liked the idea of having them small at the base plus of course with her dress its easy to make them out I think..

Just one thing that will help in the future.....make sure the brides dress is fanned out evenly..not large just even. I liked the last 2 best.

Thank you - yes we (my wife and I) do constantly adjust the dress for best effect