p.1 #1 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
Shot pre d300 This was shot back in October at Mary's Lake Lodge in Estes Park Colorado. I would love any comments and critiques on these. I do know that my b&w conversion looks a little dark (think it was my monitor). Thanks for looking!
p.1 #3 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
Thank you Mike, year number 2 is one of my faves. That is her new SIL bustling her dress. I walked upon them after shooting formals and just couldn't resist.
p.1 #4 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
#2 is a cute moment, perhaps a tigher crop would work
#1 and 4 are a little too direct flash-y for my taste. Perhaps if you just dial the exposure back in #1 it would help it a bit (it looks a bit overexposed).
Any closer up ceremony shots? You probably don't have a longer FL lens to shoot with to get a tight shot of faces/hands, and/or you didn't have access to the front of the ceremony.
I like your detail shot.
I would like to see more B&Ws or some additional PP-- these look more like proofs (perfectly acceptable and professional BTW) than finished products.
p.1 #8 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
Andrew - I can definitely see what you mean about #1... I have been having trouble with my monitor making things come out pretty dark and now I think I am overcompensating by making things too light.
When you saw PP do you mean textures and more creative processing? These have been sharpened, color corrected and boosted for levels and contrast. This is where I feel I am lacking lately. I have been photographing weddings for about a year now and although I know how to operate my camera well I need to get more creative...
telluridestock - I would agree with needing to have a shallow dof for my formals, I had posted some from another wedding and got a comment that they were flat. I think with my new d300 and 28-70 2.8 I can really work on this. Thank you for the comment.
Catchme - Thank you for your comment. Its funny for ME that is actually a decent ceremony shot lol Im a symmetry girl and I have been trying very hard to learn how to use my flash well.
ctrlfrk789 - Thank you for your opinion on this. I was trying to create an interesting angle... I know that with children so often we see them from above so the INTERESTING angle with her would have probably been dead on. Perhaps with an adult my theory of interesting if shot from above would have worked better.
p.1 #9 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
Some intersting shots, since no one mentioned it, it could be me... on shot 3 you might have been working for symmetry but the big rock in the foreground left steals the shot. I liked the flower girl the best - however if the table was not directly behind her in the shot it could be a classic. I also would like to see an eye level shot there is no clutter in the background - cute as a button! In the b&w I don't see the detail - intentional?
What is the shot that you feel best "captures" this couple?
Paul
p.1 #10 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
Haha I see what you mean about stealing the show. Its funny my usualy style is to shoot tight and crop even tighter. That was me trying to go "stephanie wide angle" lol. I think the detail is being lost in my black and white conversion. I have two methods and to be honest I'm not quite happy with either. Its funny but I think THIS shot best captures the couple... They are beyond cute, making you feel like they've always got some inside joke.
p.1 #11 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
ARDENT wrote: ctrlfrk789 - Thank you for your opinion on this. I was trying to create an interesting angle... I know that with children so often we see them from above so the INTERESTING angle with her would have probably been dead on. Perhaps with an adult my theory of interesting if shot from above would have worked better.
Actually, I disagree -- no need to change the angle. They look like children because we see them from above. We make them into little people when we shoot from their level. There is definitely a place for both types of shots, but I am starting to prefer from above.
Cute shots -- I definitely wish I could be out there in CO! Well, maybe not right now, but summer time would be nice. I agree about a shallower DOF on teh couple. I have a hard time with that since I always like shallow DOF, but then you run the risk of OOF shots. I guess there has to be a balance.
p.1 #12 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
I agree with Deb.
Your camera angle is dictated by what you want to say about the subject. There is no absolute right or wrong--just what you are trying to communicate. If you shoot at a child's level, that means you are into their world.
If you shoot from above, it means you are looking at them from above as children. This is a different concept and goes well with the child's innocent child-like expression.
Image 4 is well done in my humble opinion! Though flat, the flash look may be better than the available light rendition would look. Off camera flash would have rendered objectionable shadows. Perhaps turning down the flash exposure a stop or so might have worked. But the scene itself doesn't have great depth and so I am not so put off by how flat the lighting is.
p.1 #13 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
I could definitely see both sides of the front and center vs from above debate. You basically vocalized WHY I shot her from above. I am actually very proud of image 4. As with every wedding photographer indoor weddings started off as a real challenge for me. Getting rid of that cave look, upgrading my equipment and always refining my skills and techniques I am hoping will dramatically improve this BUT this is probably my best indoor image. Thank you for your comment.
p.1 #14 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
Very nice shots, nice and clean exposures and all very good, just 7 is a bit OOF I guess and also 8 looks odd like something's happened to it like it's been pixellated and stretched. Maybe it's my browser though
p.1 #16 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
All good but all a little "safe". Traditional is good and they will appreciate and cherish it all. Out the box posing and technique is what will book you other weddings and further your borders. I'm gonna agree with Hoffer on 6 being your best image. I still would have liked more depth however.
Your well on your way Steph. Hope 09' proves to be an awesome year for you.
p.1 #17 · October Wedding ~ Kara & Scott, Estes Park
Thanks Sam. This is something I am really going to work on this year. Because I just got into weddings I think I always try to get as you say the "safe" shots, the ones I am supposed to get as their photographer. I am starting to realize now that I can get that "safe" shot then progress into finding a more interesting take. These more interesting photos are the ones that draw me to individuals like yourself... It would make perfect sense that clients would be drawn to them too. I definitely want to become "out of the box"
This was shot back in October at Mary's Lake Lodge in Estes Park Colorado. I would love any comments and critiques on these. I do know that my b&w conversion looks a little dark (think it was my monitor). Thanks for looking!