First wedding shoot

[photographersfront]

Let me state for the record that I am used to working on product photos so this whole thing was quite intimidating and a learning experience for me. That said I want to share the first from this series of wedding day photos!

[cmr164]

Let me state for the record that I am used to working on product photos so this whole thing was quite intimidating and a learning experience for me. That said I want to share the first from this series of wedding day photos!
Well if you are going to take such sensitive and romantic shots you are going to have to do away with the tough guy avatar! http://www.dgrin.com./images/smilies/icon10.gif

Very nice work! I can hardly wait to see more.

[wxwax]

A lovely and unique image for a wedding album. Nice work.

[fish]

Let me state for the record that I am used to working on product photos so this whole thing was quite intimidating and a learning experience for me. That said I want to share the first from this series of wedding day photos!
mr. longusername, i hope you don't mind an open and honest critique of your image. if you do, then please don't read any further.


First of all, you have the wrong hand. This sort of image should clearly show the rings. If you can't get both (which is hard to do, because people don't naturally hold eachother's left hands), then get the bride's ring. I like to pose shots like this, with the B&G sitting next to eachother, left hands one on top of the other, against her dress. Men usually wear black tuxedos at weddings, and it's rare that a ring shot will look romantic with a black background. This is a good opportunity to get the bridal bouquet too...two birds with one stone, as it were.

Next, the vignette idea is cool, but you've got his black leg (or something on the left)...and a carrot (??) on the right. The lace on the right is just kinda floating in space. Too far away from the bride for a connection. Bottom line...too busy.

Lastly, an image like this rarely stands on its own. In an album, I would mount this below, or on the facing page, of a two-shot of the happy couple. Not a headshot, but a full-lenth body shot in a loving embrace, or just holding eachother's hands looking wistfully into eachother's eyes. Pose it. Don't be bashful about setting up shots. Sure, it's their happy day, but it's also your job to capture the images that they will look at for the rest of their lives. Memories fade, but images last. It's a gift and a curse to be a photographer.

Anyway, I hope you take these words as positive criticism, as that's how they were intended. I'd love to see some more of the shots you took at the wedding, and I'll glady shut my piehole if you want me to. :smooch

[cmr164]

...

Next, the vignette idea is cool, but you've got his black leg (or something on the left)...and a carrot (??) on the right. The lace on the right is just kinda floating in space. Too far away from the bride for a connection. Bottom line...too busy.
:smooch
I think the object to the right is the holster for the bride's father's gun.

[wxwax]

I think the object to the right is the holster for the bride's father's gun.
:rofl

[cmr164]

....First of all, you have the wrong hand. This sort of image should clearly show the rings. .... :smooch
Very useful post. It was an eye opener of ideas. I wonder if we could put together a wedding shooter's FAQ full of these kinds of pointers

[wxwax]

Patch would be useful at that,since he does it for money. Perhaps a little too much like work for him though.

[komet]

fish is a very observant lad. I never would have noticed the carrot.:rofl

[photographersfront]

mr. longusername, i hope you don't mind an open and honest critique of your image. if you do, then please don't read any further.
.....
Anyway, I hope you take these words as positive criticism, as that's how they were intended. I'd love to see some more of the shots you took at the wedding, and I'll glady shut my piehole if you want me to. :smooch

Criticism is what I was after, the constructive kind that is! (The "carrot" is part of a podium) They had many podiums which was both a help and a hindrance, nice to hide behind but they were also getting in the way of shots. I was working from a list that the Bride had given me, this was one I had just improvised. I really tried to tell them that I wasn't ready for this kind of thing as soup cans and tires have been my forte for so long.

I did have alot of fun and wouldn't mind doing it again. I think a list of pointers would be an awesome idea as there really isn't alot out there to guide you. I found a few sites but for the most part they wanted money to join and since I am new to this and not sure it is a direction I want to take I don't really want to invest in memberships that I may or may not use.

Please Fish, do not shut your pie hole, I am always up for advice.

As for the list, I'll help start it!

This will be number one for me forever for wedding shoots!
1) Two words "stretching exercises". About an hour before a wedding shoot get warmed up and limber. You are going to be squatting for anywhere from an hour to two hours and that can take it's toll on the leg muscles.

I am still sore as all get out from the shoot, now where is that ibuprofen?

[pathfinder]

mr. longusername, i hope you don't mind an open and honest critique of your image. if you do, then please don't read any further.


First of all, you have the wrong hand. This sort of image should clearly show the rings. If you can't get both (which is hard to do, because people don't naturally hold eachother's left hands), then get the bride's ring. I like to pose shots like this, with the B&G sitting next to eachother, left hands one on top of the other, against her dress. Men usually wear black tuxedos at weddings, and it's rare that a ring shot will look romantic with a black background. This is a good opportunity to get the bridal bouquet too...two birds with one stone, as it were.

Next, the vignette idea is cool, but you've got his black leg (or something on the left)...and a carrot (??) on the right. The lace on the right is just kinda floating in space. Too far away from the bride for a connection. Bottom line...too busy.

Lastly, an image like this rarely stands on its own. In an album, I would mount this below, or on the facing page, of a two-shot of the happy couple. Not a headshot, but a full-lenth body shot in a loving embrace, or just holding eachother's hands looking wistfully into eachother's eyes. Pose it. Don't be bashful about setting up shots. Sure, it's their happy day, but it's also your job to capture the images that they will look at for the rest of their lives. Memories fade, but images last. It's a gift and a curse to be a photographer.

Anyway, I hope you take these words as positive criticism, as that's how they were intended. I'd love to see some more of the shots you took at the wedding, and I'll glady shut my piehole if you want me to. :smooch

OH COME ON Fish - Tell us what you really think....don't get all soft and squishy on ushttp://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gif
http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/eek7.gif
Nice image for a Hoosier http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/Laughing.gif From one Hoosier to another http://www.dgrin.com/images/icons/lickout.gif