*WARNING* LARGE post

Well, the shoes are off and I am ready to jump into the deep-end both feet first! I've previously only shot 1 engagement session and it certainly wasn't up to snuff. Realizing I am my own worst critic, I made a concerted effort to study different styles, study several processing techniques, etc. There are those on here I greatly look forward to viewing when I see new posts listed and from whom I draw inspiration, no doubt. Anyway, enough babble from me and I can only hope that some of these will make the cut. Ash & her fiance' Troy loved 'em (yes, even the Selective Coloring as they were the ones that demanded it ) so as far as coming out of the gate....I feel like I'm off to a decent running start. What says the masses?

I mean Hell, I only just today figured out how to create and add the darn transparent watermark.

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15. (They're beautiful daughter Ainsley-shame about the HIF but they cried over this one....good tears....so I was very pleased )


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Not bad.......however why are so many of them leaning .......once in a great while a sideways camera shot is ok if it actually lends something to the story the photo is telling....i guess in reality I am just not a fan of leaning pillars, walls, & landscapes......and some of the ones not intentionally askew are not straight either.....brick walls thicker on bottom end and trailing off to almost a vanishing point on top over what seems 6-9'....not good......processing is good..........................

I think leaning is good, which shows them relaxing but I want to see them smiling and laughing. They look just so sad.

Love 5. 15 is really nice too- forget the hair in the face, it looks natural in this shot.

Caroline

I don't see anything you should complain about.

I like your style, I think it's different.

I really like the dynamics of the last one!

#11, the guy looks like he is locked away. But I guess in an interesting way.

I think this is a good series!

I really like them actually! I love your composition. Some I would crop a little more but all in all I think you did a great job! May I ask what gear you used to get these?

Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! It eases the anxiety....a little. All of these were w/ the D300 and either a 50mm 1.4, 70-200mm 2.8, or a 12-24mm 4.

Angie, JK, Pat, Scott, Heather, I was hoping you guys would have taken a stab @ these by now. Maybe you all have and decided not to comment, I dunno.

I think you floored them, Idle. Like them so much they are speechless.

hmm.. #9 looks like the ring could have used a smidge of move to make it flush with the hand. It looks like it was pushed towards its right.

Originally Posted by Moogle Pepper I think you floored them, Idle. Like them so much they are speechless. hmm.. #9 looks like the ring could have used a smidge of move to make it flush with the hand. It looks like it was pushed towards its right.

I'm supposed to win the lottery today as well.

It's been said a thousand....and one....times before. However, it's a little disheartening when you think you're happy with the results you've produced, you know your clients are happy, and close to several hundred of your peers have "looked" @ them but only a small fraction had comments or critiques.

I get that feeling too whenever I decide to post any work... but don't feel disheartened! I believe Andy once said that the viewers of the threads may not even members of this forum! But if they googled and stumbled upon it they would increase the view number! Be strong, young padawan!

Good stuff!!! I REALLY like the ones of their daughter though 16 is chopping off her feet and would have been better with a little foreground included. Expression in both is great though.

I hate jumping shots but hey... that is a great shot.

I agree with Art to some extent about the turned frames... I find myself doing that a lot and it isn't even conscious but you have to follow the parallel lines when you do it. Do it to include more in the frame or to form a parallel line with part of your subject (like a persons arm) in an effort to make the subject stand out from the background. The straightening tool in ACR is a great tool and I'll admit I use it too. In 3 I like it and in 1, 6, and 13 to my eye I think you should straighten.

Great thing about an e-session is it is good training for how that person will photograph on the wedding day. Watch that brides neck! When she pulls her head back her chins multiply... I'm sure she won't like that. Shoot her more from an angle. turn her head like in #4. Be careful with that one... she is tough!!!

Over all nice work and your clients will probably be pretty happy with these but if you want them ecstatic avoid posing the bride like you did in #2.

Matt

Originally Posted by Idlewild Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! It eases the anxiety....a little. All of these were w/ the D300 and either a 50mm 1.4, 70-200mm 2.8, or a 12-24mm 4. Angie, JK, Pat, Scott, Heather, I was hoping you guys would have taken a stab @ these by now. Maybe you all have and decided not to comment, I dunno.

No actually, I love this set really muchos! I have been super busy and have been trying oh-so-hard to not use so much time forumizing when my time could be better spent actually working and making moolah.

There are skin tone issues here and there, but who am I to talk about that!

Loving your texture in them... I can't see the photo numbers since I am replying on page two but the one where she is sitting on a cinder bock with her back to the camera... love that except wish his expression was better. But your processing on that one is uber fun. Might need to attempt to duplicate it.

The other one that I remember that I enjoyed is the "caged man" look. Super cute idea and execution. (Sounds funny to have execution and caged man in the same paragraph. LOL)

I love the vibrance of your colors, but again watch out for your skin tones... here and there they got the punch of magenta a bit much.

I am always in favor of happy tilt! (sorry Art!)

Very nice set! I think #3 could be improved if he was looking at her and not the camera.

Very nice work

excellent work!

For a first outing this is darn good. A few are very good.
There are few issues, with color, exposure, some iffy composition choices, posing could be stronger and could try to get some more fun out of the couple.
Those are things along with consistency that will come with experience confidence and practice.

Judging this group of photos as a first outing I would give you a A-.
Most peoples first outing are dull drab and uninspiring in any way, yours are not dull, not drab, and I am sure were very inspiring to the couple.


Don't drive yourself crazy looking at how many people look at your photos and do not comment. It is the same for everybody no matter how good your stuff is. Now if you don't get ANY comments at all then that probably is not a good sign.

Keep shooting you are going to do well.