My first time - give it to me!!

[ddkphotos]

Ali G pointed me to the challenge and I thought - why not?!
I happen to have had a fun preggy couple shoot on Sunday that I'm pretty happy with - so here's one for your input please!

This is a colleague and his wife in their new home. Natural light. I purposely included most of the painting as it was done by her grandfather. The photo albums from their recent wedding are prominently displayed in their living room - that's why I included them. I probably should clone out the vase on the right edge of the picture. Had I had more room I should also have included the top of the picture frame...

I hope the exif info shows up - but if it doesn't - it's January 4th, 2009 -
Canon Rebel XTI - Tamron 28-75 2.8
1/60th, 2.8, iso 400, shutter priority.

Thanks!
Diane
www.ddkphotos.com

[Miguel Delinquento]

I like the energy of the couple, their affection comes through fondly.
As a photograph, however, there are a few nagging issues here.

I think your focal length is way too wide as is. Though I understand the heritage value of having the artwork included, the feeling I get is that the couple is too diminished by their surroundings, which is just the opposite of your intention I would assume.
Do we really need to see their whole sofa and beyond, or the couple's knees? Or the wedding albums which cannot be discerned without an explanation.

The angle of view in relation to their faces is also "off." By not seeing their eyes we are further distanced from a moment that is supposed to be touching. I would not suggest that they should have turned their faces to the camera, but rather, you should have set up your perspective more towards the left of the frame. If that meant moving the sofa left to allow more of the painting to show, then that's what it takes to pull off a portfolio shot.

The lighting is pretty good, but I'm not a big fan of using f 2.8 for a shot like this. Makes things a bit too soft. I would have like to have seen what you could have done with a couple of well placed strobes and some diffusers. That may have allowed you some more DOF.

So, my guess is that the couple is pleased with the picture and that's great. But for this WP context I'd give this a needs improvement.

M

[VayCayMom]

I love the color contrasts here, good choice in wardrobe for the couple. My daughter is pregnant so I have recently been playing with these type shots as well. A good job of displaying her tummy in a natural relaxed way, that is not as easy as some might guess. And you included the dad in a great way.

They seem to be very happy and nice looking, I find myself trying to get a better look at their faces because of that. So maybe a tighter crop so we could get a better look at the beaming faces.
Trudy

[clemensphoto's]

I have to agree with Miguel - the focus should be on the couple and not the surrounding items in the room. Even though the hanging picture is awesome as well.

[Justiceiro]

I have to agree with Miguel - the focus should be on the couple and not the surrounding items in the room. Even though the hanging picture is awesome as well.

I myself Agree with Miguel, but what the client wants, the client should get. If they want totems in the shot, what can you do?

If you took the shot from a slightly higher vantage point, would that "unsquash" the couple? Do you have a shot like that?