1st Time DSLR user - Wedding

[jensantos16]

http://jvitug.smugmug.com/Events/Gil/i-jvrh5jm/0/L/DSC06805-L.jpg (http://jvitug.smugmug.com/People/Mixed-Bag/17570256_hkdWNH#1320804783_jvrh5jm-A-LB)

[jwtruth35]

nnnnfff nnnfff nnnnnfffff........Yep..I smell a troll

[jensantos16]

no troll here, i was trying to post 7 photos and it failed.

mods, please delete or lock this thread.

[Moogle Pepper]

You can always edit to post more.

So that said.. talk about going for the first kiss action.

[Matthew Saville]

I will cut right to the chase, so that we can get past it asap if this is a prank post, or so that we can help you as much as possible if this is a legit post. Here goes:

Great image, lose the partial B&W processing ASAP. It doesn't just detract from the impact of the image, it makes it completely un-viewable for 75% of photographers in existence. ;-)

Honestly though it's a great image, if it were 100% B&W or 100% color.

=Matt=

[Aspecto5]

Not a huge fan at all when it comes to selective coloring. But above and beyond my opinion, take a look at the brides hand. Definitely doesn't work for this image.

[jeffreaux2]

Wow!!!! It looks like someone has gotten photoshop!!!:wink

[Scott_Quier]

I will cut right to the chase, so that we can get past it asap if this is a prank post, or so that we can help you as much as possible if this is a legit post. Here goes:

Great image, lose the partial B&W processing ASAP. It doesn't just detract from the impact of the image, it makes it completely un-viewable for 75% of photographers in existence. ;-)

Honestly though it's a great image, if it were 100% B&W or 100% color.

=Matt=
I tend to agree - the selective colorization technique is well past being old for those who have been around for a while.

But, that having been said - believe it or not, "It's not all about the photographer!" It's about what the client want's likes and this sort of image is new to many clients. One or two delivered in a package to the client (the couple) can be a good thing. But, the colorization has to bring focus to the subject of the photo - and it does that here.

As to the photo - I think I would de-sat the color layer a bit. Just a hint of color will, I believe, strengthen this image over what is posted here.

[Matthew Saville]

...But, that having been said - believe it or not, "It's not all about the photographer!" It's about what the client want's likes and this sort of image is new to many clients. One or two delivered in a package to the client (the couple) can be a good thing....
True, but the client asking me to deliver such a style of processing would be almost as embarassing as them asking me to show up to shoot the wedding in my underwear. I'm just not comfortable doing it!

;-)
=Matt=

[Shima]

True, but the client asking me to deliver such a style of processing would be almost as embarassing as them asking me to show up to shoot the wedding in my underwear. I'm just not comfortable doing it!

;-)
=Matt=

Hahahaha I couldn't have said it better myself. I refuse to do selective color on principle.

[VayCayMom]

I have the impression that this is not a wedding photographer, but perhaps a guest that got a little excited about the images they captured.

[Matthew Saville]

I have the impression that this is not a wedding photographer, but perhaps a guest that got a little excited about the images they captured.

Good point, and as a GUEST instead of the hired professional, this is the perfect time to experiment and get feedback.

And as a guest, the image is actually quite beautifully captured, were it not for the photoshop. So that would still be my critique; for a pro *or* a hobbyist- lose the novelty photoshop trick, and the image will be stunning.

BTW, for the record I've done this type of processing myself, we all go through the phase. I'm just hoping to help the process along, so that the photographer can move on to developing their style in a more timeless manner. :-)

=Matt=

[Quincy T]

Good point, and as a GUEST instead of the hired professional, this is the perfect time to experiment and get feedback.

And as a guest, the image is actually quite beautifully captured, were it not for the photoshop. So that would still be my critique; for a pro *or* a hobbyist- lose the novelty photoshop trick, and the image will be stunning.

BTW, for the record I've done this type of processing myself, we all go through the phase. I'm just hoping to help the process along, so that the photographer can move on to developing their style in a more timeless manner. :-)

=Matt=

I'm glad I read this thread. I had one selective color shot in the first wedding I shot (posted here probably two or three threads down) It was from the rehearsal dinner.

NEVER AGAIN.

[DavidTO]

Wow. I don't care for selective color either, but you guys are harsh. :dunno

jensantos16, I'm not prepared to close or lock this thread. And don't let these guys scare you off. That's a mighty-fine first DSLR wedding shot. These guys are just feisty about selective color.

[Matthew Saville]

Wow. I don't care for selective color either, but you guys are harsh. :dunno

jensantos16, I'm not prepared to close or lock this thread. And don't let these guys scare you off. That's a mighty-fine first DSLR wedding shot. These guys are just feisty about selective color.

Indeed, I never suspected a troll, and I'm glad that Jen posted. If the other images are as good as this one, I'm sure that we'd enjoy viewing them. I simply dislike selective color, but as I explained that's just a phase we all go through. I've still got plenty of my own "phases" to look forward to... ;-)

=Matt=

[sweet caroline]

How about showing us another version of this shot processed differently? It's actually a pretty good shot. Or more from the wedding? There are some awesome pros here who really do want to help new photographers learn. They aren't trying to be mean, just brutally honest. And Matt is right- we all go through phases and try things. Sometimes our experiments are successful, sometimes not so much.

[MammaPaparazza]

Yeah, some people actually request shots like these...maybe all you pro's are over it, but when people pay you for images they want...you deliver, or you dont get any more work from them.
I dont know about you...but my pocketbook could always use some cash, especially now a days...so I'm not to proud that I wont deliver what is asked of me-even if it's a "principal" thing.

[DoctorIt]

I refuse to do selective color on principle.I'll pick on Shima because I know she can take it... You guys crack me up! Should I dig in to the Dgrin archives??? If I go back enough years, you were ALL doing selective color!
:lol3

[MammaPaparazza]

I'll pick on Shima because I know she can take it... You guys crack me up! Should I dig in to the Dgrin archives??? If I go back enough years, you were ALL doing selective color!
:lol3

Woot! :clap

[Scott_Quier]

Yeah, some people actually request shots like these...maybe all you pro's are over it, but when people pay you for images they want...you deliver, or you dont get any more work from them.
I dont know about you...but my pocketbook could always use some cash, especially now a days...so I'm not to proud that I wont deliver what is asked of me-even if it's a "principal" thing.

Yup - just what I said above. I'm glad I'm not alone in this feeling. :clap

[Ed911]

Yup - just what I said above. I'm glad I'm not alone in this feeling. :clap

Selective color...+1. The times that I've used selective coloring...my clients have loved it. I don't get the, "against my principles," thing.

I can see no reason not to add a few to the mix, if some of the shots might benefit from selective coloring. All in good taste of course...but then that's what time and practice is for...developing your eye...so that you'll know what a nice picture is supposed to look like.