Is this photo garbage?

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Archive 2008 · Is this photo garbage?

truthseeker
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p.1 #1 · Is this photo garbage?

I'm getting some very mixed reviews on this one. I took it yesterday at some friends' wedding while the "photographer" (there's a story there...) was doing something else with the family. The bride, groom, and I were having "Chimp-Fest 2008" and they just loved the crap out of it when they saw it on the camera. Now, I guess that's what really counts, but for everyone that loves it, there's someone who absolutely hates it. I'm getting comments like, "Poop, and more poop.", "Ugh, what camera were you using?", "That's not anywhere near your standards technically.", and my favorite, "They didn't let you take all their pictures, did they?"

I was going for a silhouette with just enough detail to tell that it was them. I took a couple with flash, but I personally like the look of this one better. This is straight from the camera. So anyway, what do you think?

Bring on the pain!

ETA: If it matters EXIF is: Nikon D300 w/70-300 VR, focal length 92mm, f/4.5, 1/4000

Edited on May 04, 2008 at 05:29 PM

May 04, 2008 at 05:25 PM

paulhodson
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p.1 #2 · Is this photo garbage?

Erm....

(need I say more?).

But if they like it - who cares what I think!

May 04, 2008 at 05:44 PM

truthseeker
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p.1 #3 · Is this photo garbage?

Ha! Ok...haters - 1, lovers - 0

Geez, I don't even know if I like it.

Ok, here's the rule. If you hate it, you have to tell me what to do different so I can improve the love/hate ratio.

I haven't really done any weddings for money, but I'd like to at some point, so I need all the input I can get.

Edited on May 04, 2008 at 05:50 PM

May 04, 2008 at 05:47 PM

paulhodson
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p.1 #4 · Is this photo garbage?

Perhaps more like this?

May 04, 2008 at 05:50 PM

Talofa
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p.1 #5 · Is this photo garbage?

i would say nay methinks.

May 04, 2008 at 05:51 PM

Marcus Watts
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p.1 #6 · Is this photo garbage?

It is certainly an ok shot and i can see why they would love it. I much prefer Paul's crop too.
Not a prize winner but i imagine it will be on their wall for years. I think what is important to note to is that i doubt any of us can look at the image and other than the crop really improve it.

May 04, 2008 at 06:01 PM

cordellwillis
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p.1 #7 · Is this photo garbage?

FIRST, not everyone is going to like the same photo so don't worry about the mixed comments. You will get them as long as you are any kind of artist.

Second, when doing this type of image I would suggest you either make it a silhouette or not. It's extremely difficult to get an image that have hints of being a silhouette but show some detail at the same time.....it starts to look like yours in terms of looking like the couple is under exposed.

Third, and honestly I don't think that this will work as a silhouette because they would look like.......(don't look at this as an insult) a dark blob because there is no space between them.

May 04, 2008 at 06:19 PM

Ryan Azad.
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p.1 #8 · Is this photo garbage?

Try increasing the blacks if you use Lightroom. Should make it a real silhouette like cordellwillis suggested.

May 04, 2008 at 07:42 PM

truthseeker
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p.1 #9 · Is this photo garbage?

Cool, thanks for the suggestions! I'm glad the word "poop" hasn't been used yet.

I'll try some things and post 'em in a bit.

May 04, 2008 at 07:46 PM

sboerup
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p.1 #10 · Is this photo garbage?

Revised crop looks better. Still it isn't something I'm jumping all over for.

May 05, 2008 at 01:47 AM

pixelman
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p.1 #11 · Is this photo garbage?

Clients are allowed to love and hate whatever they want regardless of what photographers think. I think they will like it. Will it win photo contests not likely but who cares. ...Good luck Steve

May 05, 2008 at 01:33 PM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #12 · Is this photo garbage?

I think the way the sun peeks through under their lips makes the profiles funny looking. It's not flattering. Also, I'm guessing this guy is a big guy, but the low angle and silhouette makes him look even larger.

Which camp do you fall in? Do you think it's great or is there something that was nagging you?

I know what you were going for, but this isn't quite there.

Doug

May 05, 2008 at 01:56 PM

truthseeker
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p.1 #13 · Is this photo garbage?

Well, I fooled with it a bit, and what I have is essentially the same as what paulhodson posted. I don't think it's great, but some of the responses had me worrying that I'd lost my eye completely.

I only had a second to catch it, so I'm cutting myself some slack there. The guy they hired (parents hired him, I believe) wouldn't take any photos unless the sun was at his back 'cause "the sun will mess up the pictures". He also didn't take any during the ceremony because the preacher said he didn't want any flashes going off. It was OUTSIDE! I was so mad at how unprofessional this guy was, I wanted to slap him. I was cool, though, and stayed well out of his way, not that he was shooting anything... My wife got a nice shot of me down in the aisle while the guy just stood there. I'm just glad that we grabbed the cameras before we went. At least now my buddy has some decent photos of his wedding, albeit by accident.

If you're an aspiring wedding photographer, don't be this guy.... (not the guy in the first one, that's me

)

May 05, 2008 at 02:22 PM

Tad Killian
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p.1 #14 · Is this photo garbage?

Let me get this straight................the guy in red is the hired photog?

Is that his backup hanging around his neck?

May 05, 2008 at 03:19 PM

truthseeker
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p.1 #15 · Is this photo garbage?

Yep...that's him. Yep....that's his backup. He brought his wife/girlfriend, too, but she just sat somewhere and didn't do anything. Mine used the D40 to take photos of the bride walking in while I covered the groom getting his first sight of her. Uncle Bob to the rescue.

May 05, 2008 at 03:31 PM

JakeB.
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p.1 #16 · Is this photo garbage?

I like the original crop to give them some more room... I thinking cropping in only makes them seem larger.
But, the trees are a distraction and Iwould clone them out.

As others stated, the siloutte makes the guy seem huge, and the placement of the sun is a bit odd.
I wouldn't say it's a great shot, but it isn't complete poop (there, I used it

)

If they like it, give it to 'em.

[sarcasm]
Also, can I maybe get the "Pro's" number... he looks awesome and I'd like to hire him for my own wedding!
[/sarcasm]

May 05, 2008 at 03:47 PM

JakeB.
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p.1 #17 · Is this photo garbage?

And... How can officiant limit the use of flash when it's outside?

I mean, I can understand if it's his/her own church... but outside

(Actually, I don't understand them limiting it inside either, but whatever...)

Edited on May 05, 2008 at 03:51 PM

May 05, 2008 at 03:49 PM

truthseeker
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p.1 #18 · Is this photo garbage?

Poor guy, he is huge (so am I

). I'll probably look at it again in a day or so with fresh eyes.

As for the flash thing, he just didn't like the distraction of the flash going off during the ceremony. I can understand that, but I didn't care in this case because there was plenty of light. Too much light, really. I had a hard time not blowing everything out as it was.

May 05, 2008 at 04:02 PM

JakeB.
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p.1 #19 · Is this photo garbage?

Well, having shot mid-day beach weddings the last two weeks, I think flash is essential for this environment...
Camera exposure compensation at -1 and put FEC at +2 seems to work well.

But, like you said, just because the officiant didn't want the flash off going is no reason to stand there and not take any shots.

Edited on May 05, 2008 at 04:08 PM

May 05, 2008 at 04:08 PM

Bill Adam
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p.1 #20 · Is this photo garbage?

Thanks for posting the shot truthseeker. I was planning something similar as part of an engagement shoot (my daughter's) this coming weekend and the responses to yours have given me some good points to ponder. I was planning a "real" silhouette but with no space between them. Cordell's comment is making me rethink that part.

The kids have a pro booked for the wedding later this summer and I wasn't going to take my gear but your story just convinced me to take it anyway. Ya never know.

Cheers.

May 05, 2008 at 04:22 PM

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