First Wedding Shoot - Sept 2

[JMWallace]

Shots from my first assist. Things changed the day of the event. The ceremony was planned for outside and I was suppose to sniper with the WP's 70-200 2.8. However, there was a misty sprinkle all day so it had to be moved inside. I ended up being the "available light" photographer and shooting everything with my brand new 50 1.4. Thank GOODNESS I decided to upgrade two days before. Overall, I am pretty happy with the results. Now I just need to learn about using a flash!!!

So, two firsts - 1.) First assit. 2.) First real try at post-processing. Used Kubota image tools. I hope they look o.k., I still don't have anything to calibrate my monitor. (These probably won't be the edits the WP uses and I know I should have taken the time to get rid of her tan line...but by 2 am, I was too tired :p )

Again, all shot with 50mm 1.4, various ISO, aperture & shutter speeds available light only. Links to edited & unedited gallery below where you can find efix.

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edited gallery (http://JMW-Photo.smugmug.com/gallery/1855096/1/93096451)

unedited gallery (http://JMW-Photo.smugmug.com/gallery/1855162/1/93112714)

JMW

[JMWallace]

...and, the shots of the day!

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Not sure which I like better. The B&W or the color version. I am leaning toward the color.

Anyway, THANKS a million to everyone who has given me advice, help and encouragement over the last 3-4 months. I wouldn't be this far if I didn't have all of you as a resource to tap into!!!

Jeff

[Nickcanada]

Very nice, I like the soft look, very warm and loving. I like the colour one too.:)

[24Peter]

Jeff - there are some very nice shots and congrats on jumping into a tough field. My only comment is a little fill flash would have gone a long way on some of those photos (my opinion only of course). You may want to look into experimenting with that before your next shoot. But overall good job! :)

[JMWallace]

My only comment is a little fill flash would have gone a long way on some of those photos... :)

I agree with you 100%, but I was just what I said "available light" only. The WP wanted me to capture w/o flash...so that is what I did. He wanted some warm shadow-casted romanic lightingish shots. At some points it was quite a challange, but it was definately a nice study of the 50 1.4.

But yes, the next one I do I will have a flash.

Thanks for the nice comments 24Peter & Nick!! I appreciate it!

Jeff

[cdifoto]

I like the 2 instrument ones, as well as the color version of the B&G together (very last photo). I agree about fill flash, but I also think a little more careful metering would have done nicely too.

[Vich]

I think you have every reason to be pleased.

What PP technique did you use for whitening the corners of the bride portriat?

On the first of the "shot of the day" ones, I would think about cloning out the distracting wallpaper, and maybe straightening the window. It's nice having the bride leaning back (I think) but a slightly crooked window just looks crooked. ALso, the groom's face looks a little odd on the shadow side, as if levels was applied too much.

So; no formals session, where flash was allowed? Your result looks wonderful considering. I like the low-key effect of the siloettes. Sometimes underexposure works.

[24Peter]

but I was just what I said "available light" only.
Jeff
Oops - that's what I get for speed reading your original post. :o

[timmciglobal]

Have you considered trying a HDR version of the portrait shot? Maybe to restore the shadows on the faces?

Otherwise nice, I'm not that big fan of the first violin shot though the other hand is too far out of focus and I think the shadows are a bit too deep in few other shots.

Tim

[cwphoto]

Great to see some fresh wedding shots around here for a change. My thoughts:
1) The figurine: great idea, although it's about 1-stop underexposed. Hign key figures such as theses need at least +1EV exposure compensation.
2) Bride's back: actually looks out of focus to my eyes, nice thought though.
3) Bride and Mum silhouette: I like, although maybe from a more shallow angle with the window so you get a bit more detail in the faces (reflector maybe?).
4) B&W hand playing instrument: Looks good.
5) Colour of instruments: love this one, great mood - did you try one focusing on the hand as well?
6) Young boy: looks good (a tad under?).
7) Bride: nice exposure and candid.
8) Bride B&W: I like this one, although again maybe a bit more lighter in the face?
9) B&G backs: no problem.
10) B&G side-on: a little soft but a nice moment.

For your first assist job I think you've done very well. There is plenty to work with here.:)

[forno]

agreed, nice to see different takes on shooting weddings. I really like the second instrument shot and the one with the bride touching the grooms face

[JMWallace]

I like the 2 instrument ones, as well as the color version of the B&G together (very last photo). I agree about fill flash, but I also think a little more careful metering would have done nicely too.

Thanks. The quartet ones were fun. I enjoy those kind of close up narrow DOF shots. Funny thing was that when the WP walked by he heard them complaining about me shooting them. OH WELL...afterall, Don says "get the shot!"

I agree with the metering. I was ALL over the board that day with f-shot and ISO. Definately an element of experience...which I need more of.

Thanks again!!

I think you have every reason to be pleased.

What PP technique did you use for whitening the corners of the bride portriat?

On the first of the "shot of the day" ones, I would think about cloning out the distracting wallpaper, and maybe straightening the window. It's nice having the bride leaning back (I think) but a slightly crooked window just looks crooked. ALso, the groom's face looks a little odd on the shadow side, as if levels was applied too much.

So; no formals session, where flash was allowed? Your result looks wonderful considering. I like the low-key effect of the siloettes. Sometimes underexposure works.

I used Kubota Image Tools for everything. The vignette is in Pak 1. You can change it by adjusting the levels. A lot of different effects moving the sliders around.

Most likely, my edits probably won't be used. The WP will be taking care of that to stay with his style. I just did some to see what I could do. I ran out of steam at about 2 am and my level of expertise may not be up to those tasks. At least I have some decent shot to practice over time on now tho!!

I didn't get the opportunity to take any formals. The WP took care of that...he had the flash! He used 2 lenses all night. The 24-70 L and the 70-200 2.8 L.

I think the couple of good low-key ones I got will mix well with his shots.

Thanks for the input and taking a look Vich.


Oops - that's what I get for speed reading your original post.

No probs...I still agree tho.

Have you considered trying a HDR version of the portrait shot? Maybe to restore the shadows on the faces?

Thanks for the suggestion Tim...but ummmm....what is HDR? :o I have barely gotten have my feet wet in PS CS2.

JMW

[JMWallace]

Great to see some fresh wedding shots around here for a change. My thoughts:
1) The figurine: great idea, although it's about 1-stop underexposed. Hign key figures such as theses need at least +1EV exposure compensation.
- noted. Can I pop that up in PS?

2) Bride's back: actually looks out of focus to my eyes, nice thought though.
- good eye. Didn't notice that. Now that I look, it looks like I hit the bushes out the window.

3) Bride and Mum silhouette: I like, although maybe from a more shallow angle with the window so you get a bit more detail in the faces (reflector maybe?).
- those were difficult because I didn't want to interfere with the WP. Since this was the first run with him, I didn't want to direct at all. We'll see what happens next time.

4) B&W hand playing instrument: Looks good.
- Those I had some fun with. In this market, they probably won't sell at all, but it was fun & I like the artisticness.

5) Colour of instruments: love this one, great mood - did you try one focusing on the hand as well?
- I tried focusing on the bow and the strings. Just so happened that her hand was in that same focal plain.

6) Young boy: looks good (a tad under?).
- yeah...tad under. He was so cute sitting there tho!

7) Bride: nice exposure and candid.
- Thanks, but I think my editing might be too harsh.

8) Bride B&W: I like this one, although again maybe a bit more lighter in the face?
- Thanks...and I agree

9) B&G backs: no problem.
- I like this one.

10) B&G side-on: a little soft but a nice moment.
- Yes..I did miss the focus. I tried to hide it using Kubota's Angel Glow...but you caught me. :o

For your first assist job I think you've done very well. There is plenty to work with here.:)

Thanks Christian. Your comments mean a lot to me!

P.S. Sorry to hear about your Crocodile Hunter. I enjoyed his stuff.

JMW

[noyjimi]

Good job Jeff. My favorites are the B&W/desaturated conversions, especially the last one. I keep looking at #7 -- something bugs me about that one, maybe the white balance, or maybe the white vignette which in my mind triggers a posed shot expectation, but then it is a candid shot. Wouldn't be surprised if it was just me, though...hehe... Keep it up buddy!

[timmciglobal]

Were they shot RAW or JPEG?

If its raw it's when you adjust the exposure up and selectivly blend in (if you can get ACR to accept the images, you could use MErge to HDR but sometimes it wont accept multiple saves of same raw) the highlights and shadows to bring up the shadow area.

Tim

[JMWallace]

Good job Jeff. My favorites are the B&W/desaturated conversions, especially the last one. I keep looking at #7 -- something bugs me about that one, maybe the white balance, or maybe the white vignette which in my mind triggers a posed shot expectation, but then it is a candid shot. Wouldn't be surprised if it was just me, though...hehe... Keep it up buddy!

I do like the picture...but I don't think I have the edit right for the type of shot it is. It really is a candid. She is actually talking to the WP. I think by the vignette I am trying to make a candid shot too formal...maybe thats it.

Thanks for taking a look An, I appreciate the input!!

JMW

[jamison55]

I really love the one with the two violins and the last one!

The rest are good, but I can't help but think that many of them would have been improved with different positioning. Silhouettes are nice in moderation, but not something for a series. Availale light can be more challenging than flash sometimes because you have to work yourself into the angle where the light falls on the subject (i.e. you have to think about your position in relation to the subject). For example, it looks like most of the silhouette shots were in front of a big picture window. By positioning the B&G in between the window and you, you created the backlit situation. If you had instead postitioned yourself between the picture window and the couple you would have had the equivalent of a giant softbox at your back casting nice, soft, even light on the couple.

By the last shot it looks like you were starting to get on the right track!

Something that helped me (that I picked up from Jerry Ghionis) is to hold your hand out straight in front of you with your palm facing inward. Rotate 360 degrees and see how the light changes on your palm. When the light is nicest on your palm, drop your hand and replace it with the couple!

[JMWallace]

I really love the one with the two violins and the last one!

The rest are good, but I can't help but think that many of them would have been improved with different positioning.

I agree Jamie and thanks for that tip. Simple but effective idea.

The WP was incharge the whole night. I didn't want to jump in and adjust positioning just for "my" shots and break his flow. He was really great to work with. Very easy going and put no pressure on me what so ever. He basicially said, see what you can get.

Your right, I did get a lot of silhouettes, but those were inbetween his flash shots. Should be a nice compliment to his I think.

Available light was a challenge...but I did have fun. I think 220 shots for the night. Definately NOT all keepers, but some good ones.

Thanks for your comments and idea Jamie!!

JMW