I am needing some advice. I would consider myself a serious hobbyist when it comes to photography, I really love it! I had been using film-SLRs for around 3 years until recently when I purchased my first dSLR (Canon EOS 400D). I have taken some basic introductory classes on using SLRs but that's about it.
I'd really like to take my skills up a notch as I love the variety and challenges wedding and portrait photography have to offer. I would love your advice, comments, honest criticisms (but... please be gentle...I am feeling very intimidated by the enormous smorgasboard of talent on this forum and feeling quite out of my depth !) I need to know whether I am barking up the wrong tree when it comes to ths type of photography, or whether I have a chance at it. Maybe one day I can be a 2nd shooter or photography assistant to develop more skills.

Here are some shots I took at my brother's wedding last November. I was invited to follow the wedding photographer and take some 'candid' shots.

Some background info on these pics:

• I had borrowed a friend's Pentax K100D and was using a dSLR for the frirst time.
• I had no idea on how to set ISOs or White Balance!
• The weather was extremely overcast and it was lightly raining for much of the time.
• I shot in Av with the 100-300mm lens.
• I was used to manual focus on my SLR so that is what I used! (Had no idea about focus points...)
• I only know how to do minimal post-processing using Canon DPP 3.0 and GIMP.

Please tell me what you think...and thanks heaps for your time.
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Well, I love your composition. You do have talent. You could do this.

You just need to learn some basic photography priciples, and of course how to use your camera to it's fullest potential.

I think you are off to a great start, keep practicing and learning...that never stops. I will say though, I really don't like the severely burned edges and oval cutout though...could be just personal preference.

Thanks for your encouragement and advice Jennifer. I just read on your blog Crystal's view of her day out with you on a wedding shoot- she sounded like me on the day of my brother's wedding!! Can you suggest a couple of photography principals I need to learn?Lacey, thanks for your opinion...yeah, I wasn't so sure about the oval cutout either, kinda tacky now that I look at it again! I was just experimenting as I am new to post-processing. I do like having borders to frame the images though. I tended to op for the blurred border edges as my photos aren't crisp and clean. So, I thought it might be less contrasting to use blurred lines. Oh, by the way, we have very similar avatar photos!

You have some nice composition happening. You definately have talent and who knows, maybe you can second shoot for me some time in the future...

I know a course that would be awesome to help you on your photographic journey Capturing the Light...

With your post processing, less is more. You are probably better off not using borders or blur (sometimes light vignetting is good, as long as it's not overly noticable) keeping various borders for designs (ie albums) and then looking at some of the cool "rough" looking grunge borders out there.

It's always best to aim for the best image in camera and then post process the basics, ie - white balance, contrast, bring up the black etc. Then you may like to experiment with turning them into black and white. I have a cool Lightroom preset I've developed with my signature Deep Sepia look.

I really like the way you have captured the emotion of the day. That's a art!

I've seen some of your other photography too, including your Royalty clash shots and Stockade shots, and you have a definate eye for composition. Now just continue to brush up on your technical skills and you'll definately go as far as you want to go!

The hardest and most important thing to do in photography is control the light. We do that with the camera (aperture, shutterspeed, ISO) but also with our surrounding light. We are constantly modifying the light (umbrellas, softboxes, obstructions) and adding to it (flash, reflectors)....and sometimes we are subtracting it.
Then of course, there is the whole "digital" aspect with post processing, noise, computer settings, monitor calibration etc...

There is a lot to learn, and most of us, are constantly learning it. I don't think you ever know it all. You have an eye and not everyone has that.
Be proud of each of your accomplishments and keep learning. Buy books, take courses...and stay on OSP.

Keep contributing here, so we can watch your progress.

Good luck.
Jen

I would also recommend that you join your local chapter of the PPA (Professional Photographers of America). The education you get there will be invaluable in taking you from hobbiest to successful professional.

It is extremely reasonably priced and usually once a month you are treated to more information to add to your bag of tricks. The PPA even just added a new webinar feature for those who don't live near groups. Not to mention that they have some of the best liability and equipment insurance coverage and rates for photogs.

And liability/indemnity is something you need to procure before taking a paying wedding job, for both your and their benefit.

I totally sound like a commercial! But you should really give it a peek.

Cheers,
Krystal

Thanks for the advice Krystal. Alas, I'm in Melbourne. I'll see if there are similar organisations for Aussies- I'm sure there would be. I'm a loooong way off accepting payment wedding/ photo shoots. I'm all for gaining experience and trying new things for the moment. Plus, I don't want to give up my day-job! It's really more like a hobby, just want to get better at it just in case one day I'd like some extra pocket money!