So many times, I find myself getting really caught up in all of the fantastic "high fashion" bridals on Fred Miranda. It's easy to get discouraged when I got back to my "normal" wedding business. But even though we won't likely be getting many girls who are willing to take the plunge into experimental shoots, I do like to take the "traditional" a step further than what most people do in my area. I thought I'd offer up an example of a typical Southern bridal shoot from Jeff and me.
This is Karen. We shot her today at a nearby historical site (Tryon Palace, for those in NC). Her bridal package comes with around 40 to 50 images, all edited and ready to be waded through for her selections to have on view at her reception. Below are 25 images... the only ones you're not seeing are the identical poses with different facial expressions. I try to do a "serious", "soft smile" and "big smile" at each distinct location so that she has options.
These aren't all "homeruns"... so don't think you're seeing a "best of the best". It's just to show you what our brides might see when they're given their proofs from the day. There are several with technical problems that we wish we had gotten right. But when we try new things, it tends to happen.
Great shot (lets guess) with use of available lighting, reflectors and fill in flash.
I think nr. 11 is an example of a good 'gate' shot.
The stand and positioning of the bride taking the background and lighting into account. Compliments!
Not in the middle, so the spike is not pointing out of her head.
Litlle to the left using the 'light' part of the house
Details to draping/positioning of the dress
I like all these Melanie, but especially 2,7,12 and 16. 25 also works well. As Steve asks above What lighting do you use for your outdoor shots?
Martin
first, my small nits-2 and 4, i always try to keep the elbow at least a little bent-on shots 19 and 20, the eyes are very dark-if you have a 2nd light for fill, you could position it to bring up the eyes, give it some catchlights-also, i agree on the chin shadows, but in a lot of these, you covered it up nicely with the veil
the series overall is excellent-out of order, love #15-particularly your lighting-LOVE it-shot 1 is also high on my list-nice pose-strong set
nothing wrong with traditional posing-works very well for you-thanks for sharing these
8, 9, 11, 19, 20 they are beautiful.. you undersold yourself... great lighting posing and colors... exceptional... this may be the best you have posted so far
5 6 and 16 all are very cool...
the only thing i see is on 3 your light is way too high, no light in the eyes and shadows under the cheeks, but this is truly wonderful work
8 and 11 are waiting for an invite to NC bridal mag cover..
great work... not homeruns... as my 16 yr old says... whatev..
Thanks, guys... like I said, it's not a "best of". Lighting was difficult in some areas. We're working on it, though!
Fig: Her face IS super skinny! But I totally understand. Jeff has the flash above her head in those, thus the neck shadow. It gave me the veil look I wanted, but had we had a second flash, I could have balanced out the shadow.
McSlice and Scott: We're using a 580 off camera (sometimes with a soft box).
Tom: Thanks. In number three, Jeff had already said that he wanted a boom because our light stand won't go low enough when I have brides on the floor. We're on it!
Great consistent processing & lighting. Very awesome work.
Don't care for any of the studio ones, she looks uncomfortable.
#5 is awesome. #8 looks like she's quase-pregnant? Her hand on her hip bothers me. #10 to me looks like a very masculine pose, very rigid. I would have brought her left hand to meet the flowers, and turned her head towards camera left and done a short light.
Some of the lighting on the faces looks a little weird, where you get some hot spots and weird shadows. I think this was from the sun / flash combo. Maybe use a scrim? Also, I'm a fan of softer light for things like these, so the specular highlights jump out at me see #10, 1. Also, this is for the model. Her right cheek/dimple are creates a large crease / dimple when she smiles and looks very very strange to me, but doesn't seem to look like this on her left side (#16). I would try and avoid it. Makes it looks like she had some weird re-constructive surgery. I'd watch for that crease in the future shoots (assuming you're doing the wedding!) Maybe a larger (softer) light source would help.
Love #14, #15, #21, #24. Love the processing, very crisp and saturated. Thanks for the post mel!
sboerup wrote:
Great consistent processing & lighting. Very awesome work.
Don't care for any of the studio ones, she looks uncomfortable.
#5 is awesome. #8 looks like she's quase-pregnant? Her hand on her hip bothers me. #10 to me looks like a very masculine pose, very rigid. I would have brought her left hand to meet the flowers, and turned her head towards camera left and done a short light.
Some of the lighting on the faces looks a little weird, where you get some hot spots and weird shadows. I think this was from the sun / flash combo. Maybe use a scrim? Also, I'm a fan of softer light for things like these, so the specular highlights jump out at me see #10, 1. Also, this is for the model. Her right cheek/dimple are creates a large crease / dimple when she smiles and looks very very strange to me, but doesn't seem to look like this on her left side (#16). I would try and avoid it. Makes it looks like she had some weird re-constructive surgery. I'd watch for that crease in the future shoots (assuming you're doing the wedding!) Maybe a larger (softer) light source would help.
Love #14, #15, #21, #24. Love the processing, very crisp and saturated. Thanks for the post mel!...Show more →
Good call on the sides of her face. I'll try to focus more on her left side at the wedding. Typically, I do shots from each because you never know what a bride likes of herself, but this seems pretty straight forward in her case. Thanks!
It's hard for me to get rid of the "hot spots" sometimes because I like the fresh face look it gives... the guy who taught me how to process has always been frustrated by me in that regard (right, Tim) . But I'll see if I can tone it down.
unblinkable wrote:
Good call on the sides of her face. I'll try to focus more on her left side at the wedding. Typically, I do shots from each because you never know what a bride likes of herself, but this seems pretty straight forward in her case. Thanks!
It's hard for me to get rid of the "hot spots" sometimes because I like the fresh face look it gives... the guy who taught me how to process has always been frustrated by me in that regard (right, Tim) . But I'll see if I can tone it down.
Don't change it if you like it! Some people like it, others don't. As for the face, I don't realize it sometimes till after the fact, because it's not so pronounced until you light it! Unless I'm looking at my LCD (which is hardly ever) I won't see it.
Great shot (lets guess) with use of available lighting, reflectors and fill in flash.
see #10, 1. Also, this is for the model. Her right cheek/dimple are creates a large crease / dimple when she smiles and looks very very strange to me, but doesn't seem to look like this on her left side (#16). I would try and avoid it. Makes it looks like she had some weird re-constructive surgery. I'd watch for that crease in the future shoots (assuming you're doing the wedding!) Maybe a larger (softer) light source would help.
)