Weddings

Anouilh

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anouilh/3297221948/sizes/l/

CabanSail

Is this for C&C?

oshead

Anouilh, are you looking for C&C on this or...?

Morrisseeee

If you are lookin for C&C, my 1st impression is that the dress is over exposed, but that could just be my monitor !

CabanSail

+1 to Dress being overexposed with the loss of detail.

I also think that the light is way too harsh & is not flattering. Highlights on the face have lost tone.

The pose also is not to my taste. The positioning of the couple looking out of the frame adds tension to the shot, which is not what I would be trying to acheive in a formal shot. I like the tree as an intesting background.

Borderfox

Bride and Groom are too close in colour to the background, the Groom looks like hes looking down on the Bride (he is but also in a metaphorical way) Dress is overexposed too.

mikeanywhere

Same as above and when you go to the large size within Flickr, it looks soft, either out of focus or you moved slightly!!

Your ISO is too high also

paulkellypix

I clicked into the larger version on Flickr and it is very blurred.

Photo Properties are:

Camera: Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/350)
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 214 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

Agree that the ISO 800 is too much

Paul

Simplicius

I am no expert on anything photographic but as well as all the other comments, the champagne glass is a mistake in my opinion, it should have been removed or else both should use them in unison, currently it reads like he has a drink problem.

Paulw

Simplicius wrote: »

I am no expert on anything photographic but as well as all the other comments, the champagne glass is a mistake in my opinion, it should have been removed or else both should use them in unison, currently it reads like he has a drink problem.

I think she has a glass in her hands too, but it's not visible at all.

Eirebear

Simplicius wrote: »

I am no expert on anything photographic but as well as all the other comments, the champagne glass is a mistake in my opinion, it should have been removed or else both should use them in unison, currently it reads like he has a drink problem.

She has a glass, unfortunately the combination of harsh light and overexposure make it hard to see.

TBH, i think we may be being a bit harsh on the OP here. Judging by the pose i dont think they set the shot up, which as we all know makes a huge difference.

mikeanywhere

Eirebear wrote: »

TBH, i think we may be being a bit harsh on the OP here. Judging by the pose i dont think they set the shot up, which as we all know makes a huge difference.

Until the OP comes back to say what reason he/she posted the image then we can only assume it is for critique as nothing was said in the original post.

Eirebear

mikeanywhere wrote: »

Until the OP comes back to say what reason he/she posted the image then we can only assume it is for critique as nothing was said in the original post.

I know, i know. I wasnt having a go, just suggesting that it didnt look like the bride and groom where set up that way by the OP

mikeanywhere

Eirebear wrote: »

I know, i know. I wasnt having a go

Me neither, you want a hug!! :eek:

AnimalRights

Picture looks very washed out to me.
I like the tree but as Borderfox said it is too similar to outfits wore by the couple, I would also like to see..just for the craic the Bridegroom with a can in his hand...

Morrisseeee

A thought just occured to me.......''i hope that isn't 'Anouilh' on her wedding day !'' (pic taken by some one else obviously), if it is, I am mightly sorry for all of the comments above ! :eek:
you look fabulous
/it isn't though...............is it !

mikeanywhere

...........

NullZer0

Morrisseeee wrote: »

If you are lookin for C&C, my 1st impression is that the dress is over exposed, but that could just be my monitor !

I agree... keep in mind I know little or nothing!

Eirebear

mikeanywhere wrote: »

...........

Sorry didnt mean to keep you waiting...c'mere big guy! :P

Anouilh

Thanks for all the helpful C&C.

I set up the thread because everybody has boxes of wedding photos and they are discussed so often on photography sites. The photo is from my son's wedding in Melbourne and I have many more which I'll post on my photo blog in time.

The question of over-exposure of white dresses in contrast to dark suits is well documented, as a search for

"wedding photo white dress over exposed photography tips"

shows.

I have no memory of why I used iso 800 at that point, but other photos, taken earlier in the afternoon and in the shade bring out the fine detail in the dress, highlighting the embroidery.

Examples of successful wedding photos shared here could be a good guide for anybody planning to take informal shots of weddings.

It was interesting to read that film still handles the high contrast problem much more successfully than digital.

The reference to the champagne glasses certainly made me laugh.
The professional photographer was busily setting the celebratory shots up and champagne is traditionally associated with light heartedness and joy, though this is probably culturally variable.

(Hugs all round...)

melekalikimaka

Anouilh wrote: »

It was interesting to read that film still handles the high contrast problem much more successfully than digital.

dynamic range on meduim format is still amazing, better than most digital counterparts

Anouilh

Having shot in RAW means I could recover detail, as advised.

Also the contrast with the tree was worked on, as suggested and the result is on the shortsights blog
http://shortsights.blogspot.com/2009/03/celebration.html

This could turn into a thread for tips on dealing with wedding photography in general? I used a 70-300 zoom lens, which offered a comfortable distance and meant I did not have to intrude on subjects.

Also the extraordinary ability of hats and fascinators to appear out of nowhere and to block the view is very much on my mind.
I had to make some severe crops on several photos, to exclude blurring caused by be-feathered guests.

This was the first time I took a series of photos at a wedding and it was really an enjoyable experience.

I would be pleased if other posters could take time to share successful photos that have been particularly popular.
Fashions in this genre are liable to change quite often and it would be nice to know what is in.

paulkellypix

Anouilh wrote: »

I used a 70-300 zoom lens, which offered a comfortable distance and meant I did not have to intrude on subjects.

Interesting.

I often use a shorter lens, and get mixed up with groups chatting outside the church - because the celebrations take over and everyone is laughing and chatting, getting up close is easy and they don't even notice you!

Paul

Borderfox

I would be of the larger lens shooter and rarely disturb people unless I need too. Formals would be a different story and I can control large groups very well. I like the more candid shots taken throughout the day and all of the Brides that I have worked with agree.

Valentia

I think the cardinal error was caused by the "pro" shooting in direct sunlight. This is the reason that the dress is so blown out. No amount of work in RAW will rescue it I'm afraid. The subjects are also obviously uncomfortable in the harsh light and are squinting.

One of the very basic rules broken here and it is not your fault.

EDIT: BTW the high ISO is irrelevant to the blow out in this case.

Eirebear

Borderfox wrote: »

I would be of the larger lens shooter and rarely disturb people unless I need too. Formals would be a different story and I can control large groups very well. I like the more candid shots taken throughout the day and all of the Brides that I have worked with agree.

I tend to agree, although i try and mix it up a little bit.

You know the people at the wedding your going to get a good reaction from if you walk towards them with the camera, rather than shooting them from afar.

paudie

It does seem to come up here a lot, just curious how many people here shoot weddings professionally?

Sorry if this is a hijack but OP did mention turning it into a bigger all encompassing thread.

Borderfox

I do

Eirebear

Currently on a "semi-professional" basis although looking to change that in the next few months, its just a matter of getting off my arse and doing it.

paulkellypix

I do - but it's been more of a recent thing.

I did a couple for friends and since then I've done quite a few - most from friends of friends who have seen my stuff.

Best form of advertising and promotion - word of mouth.

Paul

mikeanywhere

I do and have been for the last year and a half. I did a sh*t load last year and have no plans of doing the same number this year as my intention is to get back into doing a lot more of my 1st love, portraits.

Fajitas!

*puts hand up*

Word of mouth is better than any other form of advertising as regards weddings.

Thread reminds me. Must update website. :-/

Anouilh

Valentia wrote: »

I think the cardinal error was caused by the "pro" shooting in direct sunlight. This is the reason that the dress is so blown out. No amount of work in RAW will rescue it I'm afraid. The subjects are also obviously uncomfortable in the harsh light and are squinting.

One of the very basic rules broken here and it is not your fault.

EDIT: BTW the high ISO is irrelevant to the blow out in this case.

To be fair, the photos taken by the professional photographer are much better than mine, perhaps because she was standing at a very different angle to the couple. I have a vast amount to learn about the fierce light in Australia and how to compensate for its effects. I have taken to using a circular polarizing filter quite a lot, especially for seascapes, though not everybody is in agreement that this, or an ND filter, is always necessary: http://photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00M8uC

Valentia

Anouilh wrote: »

To be fair, the photos taken by the professional photographer are much better

What the pro probably did was expose for the dress and ude fill flash to balance the light. Most pictures I've seen of sunny Rome weddings are done that way.

Fiona

Sorry I am new to this forum what does C&C mean please?

Paulw

mrs crilly wrote: »

Sorry I am new to this forum what does C&C mean please?

C&C = Comment & Critique

Fiona

thanks Paul

(I knew that honestly just testing you!)

mobileblog

Fajitas! wrote: »

*puts hand up*

Word of mouth is better than any other form of advertising as regards weddings.

Thread reminds me. Must update website. :-/

Word of mouth is Scary.

Strange things are happening for me at the moment. A couple of months before Christmas a girl had asked me in the pub and i said i’d look into and told her that i’d never done one before etc.
Up until then I never really thought about doing weddings, but then while at work i got a call on my mobile. I was caught off guard so i told them that i’d look into it. Two days later another call checking for an update - we talked and then had a meet up. It all went so fast and before i knew it, i had said that i’d do it. Handshake and deposit.

Then a couple of weeks after that, another call and another meeting. (both are in the same month & 7 days apart)

Then on Sunday, i got another call and booking.

It’s all moving so fast that I’m finding it hard to understand really. They all know that i haven’t shot a wedding yet - but are willing to part with deposits and so on.

I’ve never put the word out - It’s all been through word of mouth. But it’s been good as it’s pushing me into taking it more serious and i’ve started to get my act together so hopefully i’ll be able to make some extra income from it.

I’d say that one of my biggest problems at the moment is dealing with large crowds so i need to work on that before christmas. I’m also thinking about buying/ borrowing a wedding dress from a charity shop/ friend and getting them into the chapel to do some test shots someday.

Fiona

The institute of photography has a half day wedding course and it's €350, it's done in a church with a model wedding couple.
http://digitalbeginners.com/courses/wedding_halfday.htm



( I can still fit into my dress so you can use me for free if you want )

mobileblog

Thanks for the link - I might take a trip down to Dublin closer to the time for a course like this.
I’ll give you a call and we can go parading throughout the city’s churches throwing bouquets all around the place.

Fiona

yeah just make sure it's not raining, I got married on the 9th of August the day of the floods!!!

Anouilh

mrs crilly wrote: »

yeah just make sure it's not raining, I got married on the 9th of August the day of the floods!!!

You must have some dramatic photos.

I got married in the middle of the September equinoctial gales.
Everybody looked wild.

I have to admit that this is one of my favourite photos from the Melbourne wedding. It shows the photographer in action and everybody has been singing her praises, as she was so lively and inventive with setting up shots.
(The use of ISO 800 continues to bewilder me. Probably lack of attention due to emotion and excitement.)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/anouilh/3345470621/sizes/o/

Fiona

Hi Anouilh

We were actually very lucky, it rained all that morning and when I was leaving my house. Then the sun was shining when I arrived at the church, started getting dull as we left the church, and then the minute we went to step back into the limo when the photo's had all been taken the heavens opened!!

We drove from Dublin city centre to Navan, nearly got caught in the floods along the way!!!

Anouilh

Belated thanks, Mrs Crilly.

Do you have any photos to share?

I have very few wedding photos, as we just had some snaps taken in BW. They have their own charm.

Fiona

yeah sure here ya go

[URL="[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/mrscrilly/My Wedding/_MG_0038.jpg[/IMG]"][/URL]

[URL="[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/mrscrilly/My Wedding/_MG_0339.jpg[/IMG]"][/URL]

[URL="[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/mrscrilly/My Wedding/_MG_0371.jpg[/IMG]"][/URL]

[URL="[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/mrscrilly/My Wedding/_MG_0286.jpg[/IMG]"][/URL]

[URL="[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/mrscrilly/My Wedding/_MG_0265.jpg[/IMG]"][/URL]

[URL="[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/mrscrilly/My Wedding/_MG_0161.jpg[/IMG]"][/URL]

[URL="[IMG]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb50/mrscrilly/My Wedding/_MG_0111.jpg[/IMG]"][/URL]

Anouilh

They are wonderful.

Thank you for sharing.

I have started adding to my Melbourne Wedding Photos here,
http://photographedublin.blogspot.com/

Fiona

wow some pretty impressive photos there, good inspiration for me!!!

Anouilh

Thank you.

C&C is still welcome on those photos, as I have learned a lot from the tips shared here.

superflyninja

gud evening all. A two part post this...
Firstly any tips on getting started in wedding photography?

<<SNIP>>

Anouilh

superflyninja wrote: »

gud evening all. A two part post this...
Firstly any tips on getting started in wedding photography?

<<SNIP>>

I suppose that offering to take photos for family and friends could get you into that area. I learned a lot about portraiture by setting up some couples shots and generally the whole question of group ambience was a revelation.

Also, getting the best lenses for the sort of photos you want to take is essential. Next time I'm certainly going to bring a 50mm prime lens.

colblimp

Do I dare suggest that, if I were to undertake a wedding shoot, I could do it all on a 50mm? The idea sort of appeals to me...