Wedding pictures

[sparkie1263]

Just finished uploading the wedding pictures. I will post later. I had a minor setback I could not get my flash in time for the wedding and had to go with the on camera flash. Not happy with the total outcome but did get a few keepers. I took about 450 pictures and I got about 60 good shots. (for me anyway) I will let everybody else be the judge. Here is one for starters.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8db22b3127ccea86fec2a684600000026100Aas2TVo3ctG Mg

[DonSchap]

Isn't it always the way? You need something ... you know it ... and cannot get it. Kind of the same idea that I experienced with my SONY 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM debacle last Fall. So many lost shots ... it was exceptionally annoying. I had really planned so hard for that event ... and to be screwed by an out-of-the-box failure ... from the "best" lens they make.

Anyway ... there is no time like the present to have the external flash, that's for sure. It changes the appearance of nearly every shot of that type. I keep mine in the tote (camera bag), to be honest ... because experience has taught me that having the "pop-up" is next to useless. It truly is the light of last resort. The α900 doesn't even have a "pop-up" to use. Way to go, designers ... avoid the temptation of a mistake.

A lot of folks ask ... why so much stuff, Don? It gets back to Scouting, to be honest. Be Prepared.

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You just never know ... and, I figure, if you can afford to have back-up, then do it.

Anyway, just for fun and some creative thought, I copied the image you initially posted

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and gave it, what I like to call, the "f/2.8 bokeh treatment." It takes an average lens' output and tends to make it look ... expensive. LOL. :o It also mutes the harsh lighting in the background, behind his right ear.

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So ... then ... you consider taking a chance and just removing the light entirely.


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[sparkie1263]

Don here is the link to some of the pictures i tried to edit and crop. Please let me know what you think.
Thanks again Frank



http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Aas2TVo3ctGLpQ&notag=1

[sparkie1263]

Looks good Don. I posted the reply before I seen you edited your old reply. I didn't even notice the light as a distraction. LOL
Thanks

[DonSchap]

Frank,

I'm no wedding photog ... so my advice is, frankly, worthless. I'll respectfully leave that to the guys who make real money at doing it.

On a personal note, it looks like you tried with considerable effort to make a decent shoot of it. Were you the only one? I mean, did she hire a "pro" to take anything?

I tried taking a wedding or two, as a favor. Big mistake ... never again. I've never been a people person ... and I know that. I always want more of my nature in the shots, not that of the subject. They become merely positional props ... so I usually cannot evoke the emotional tie you need to make it work. I usually just tick 'em off, to be honest. LOL Most people have little patience at posing ... and I have even less getting them to cooperate. :eek:

One aspect of doing this professionally, is that the customer has a "vested" interest in getting the most bang for there photographic dollar ... so they tend to be as cooperative as possible, because they want a good shoot, too. But, if you do it as "a favor" ... then the favor-asker simply does not, by nature, take it nearly as seriously and there you have it ... wasted effort.

Good luck in gathering powerful suggestions, though. The image collection looked fine to me ... as long as you don't lop off heads, arms and other appendages ... technical aspects are often more pointed, requiring equipment changes, better angles and a constant regard for the background, too ... because it always shows up in the end product. When it gets that far ... post-processing can be a long, long day.

[sparkie1263]

They did hire somebody. I was doing it for practice. So I guess I shouldn't give up my day job. LOL
By the way are you going to tell me how to make my glass look like good glass.

[DonSchap]

Do you have Photoshop?

[sparkie1263]

Yes, but the real question is do I know how to use it? LOL

[Rooz]

good start frank. the pics are nice and sharp. you captured the emotions very well. it doesnt look like you read that tutorial i linked you to in your last thread though. the flash is a little too strong and its blacked out the background removing alot of atmosphere.

[DonSchap]

well ... this involves some tender loving care of the images ...

It would be easier to show you with some kind interactive video, than to try and describe it.

Simply put:

You select the subject with the "Polygonal Lasso Tool." This is a delicate operation and should not be hurried, in order to make precise outlines.
You carefully outline your subject (keep it as close as 200% (maybe 300%) will get you.) and then, when you have that subject plane entirely outlined ...
Go to the "Select" menu item
Choose "Inverse"
You then go to the "Filter" menu item ... "Blur" - "Gaussian Blur" - radius: 2.0 (vary for intensity) - and "OK".
Suddenly, the background is now bokeh'd.


Anyway, try it out ... experiment with the idea ... and you can get a lot more effect. Don't over do it ... otherwise you risk exposing your technique with an unrealistic looking out of focus. An f/2.8 lens can only do so much. LOL :D

[sparkie1263]

Rooz
I did read what you posted and tried to remember what you said however memory failed me once I got there and started shooting. i am going to go back and read it again to see where I messed up.
Thanks Again
Frank

[Rooz]

you didnt mess up mate. you;re just learning. we're all there at some point. while Don's post processing skills never cease to amaze me. i think you're much better off spending the time to use the flash better and get it better straight from the camera. it will save you a heck of alot of time in front of the computer later and remember we're essentially here to try and learn to be better photographers, not better photoshop users.

in a nutshell, balancing ambient light with flash can be tested at home whenever you want. get in a normally lit room in the eveing and take one shot...1/60s, f5.6, iso100. then take another, 1/40s, f5.6, iso400, (even 800 if the a100 can take it). see the difference for yourself in your loungeroom. :)

[sparkie1263]

Thanks Rooz I will be getting a flash soon.

[Rooz]

i thought you got a flash ??
thats with just the onboard ?? holy hell..you did a great job then considering !

[DonSchap]

Just imagine what he might have gotten with the "proper equipment" for such a shoot? Good work, Frank. :D

[sparkie1263]

Thanks I though I said that in my first post.