They didn't have time for a E-Session before the wedding, so I'm calling this "The Week After". (note: they're my first real wedding too ... will post some shots for that later).

We've gotten to be friends and the comfort level showed in the shots, IMHO, hope they're all that way. Just thought I'd share a few.

I love the second to last one. Getting your (their) feet wet is always a good way to step up the 'fun'. :-)

~Bill

Thanks for looking Bill.

I had a 2nd E-Shoot later that day (sunset) and they were barely talked into even 1/4 inch of water, but even that injected life into it.

This couple was great fun and soooo appreciative.

What great fun shooting people (photo shooting that is) .

Any critique or words of advice are welcomed!

Attitude of the couple makes all the difference in the world. Love them running through the water! Great shot with lots of fun!

Love the last two. That shot from behind is great. Looks like they had alot of fun with you.

Love the mood of the third to last shot!

You might bring the levels up on 3-6 and bump the contrast and the images will really pop!

OK, I already said 'good job' (and meant it!) but you asked for constructive advice and I thought about this last night...

I think the connection and fun factor are there, but other than the running in the water shot, the lighting is pretty flat. I realize you were working in the bright sun, so heading for open shade made sense. But I would have used some fill flash (preferably on a stand off camera) or an assistant with a big reflector to create some more interesting light on their faces. But with the bright light behind them and flat shade light on their faces they don't pop as much as they could. If they were my images I would likely try to add some pop in photoshop, but i know my processing style is not for everyone, so take that for what it's worth!

On another thread (maybe even another forum) I remember a wedding photog equating the level of skill required to do this job to flying a helicopter, and it's so true. All at the same time you have to keep up with the camera (Settings, etc), the couple (social aspect, put them at ease, keep them having fun) and the environment (location, composition, lighting, even safety).

It's not easy and there is always room for improvement... so that's my .02, work on dynamic lighting. :-)

~Bill

Thanks for looking all, and for the great advice. BTW, here's the full gallery.

Nathan; you caught me. I didn't go into Photoshop on most - just some RSP levels & crops. I'll work on the pop. Also have some trash cans to clone out on a few other shots.

I posted a few shots on another board and have gotten the same two suggestions; Lighting and PP Pop. Your affirmation is welcome. I looked at them and thought "looks fine" - so I'm needing to work on that.

With the help of other photographers, I've come to the conclusion that because I had an over-camera flash (+ sto-fen omnibounce - pointed straight out), the lighting looks real flat.

Bill - love your analogy. No worries; I didn't get scared from it, haha. At least the crashes are softer than a hele. The client loves them, but I need improvement.

I've recruited a reflector holder for the next ones - I hope (probably have 2 this weekend).

That couple is moving out of state this week and still packing so declined an afternoon shoot. Also; they were an hour late, so the sun was even worse than 9AM would have been. Seems my best solution is to avoid high noon but be prepared. And, if forced into it, just get the best I can.

I'm shooting an 11AM beach wedding in March so I'll have a reflector holder for that one - and probably will just have to settle for less than perfect results and break out the Kubota "Digital Fill Flash".

After Jim Kennedy's seminar Sunday; (his suggestion was to select the battleground better - choose better lighting times for E-Sessions) I'm of a mind that catching / making the fun trumps having perfect light. Of course; he mentioned you need to know your camera and exposure/focus too. Like a film director and camera-man rolled together.

Vyger sorry for "jacking" <--is that the term? your post but Bill, I really liked your post and I always tend to struggle with dynamic lighting. I'm trying to build a portfolio at this time--I've been typically using ambient lighting (try to use it to my advantage) and one 580ex. (i tried using it as direct flash even with the power dialed down, the images still give off that "flash" non natural lighting look. Well anyways getting to my point, do you know of any site that talks about dynamic lighting? (How photographer's deal with all the aspects you mentioned and get such amazing sharp perfectly lighted shots?)

Sure, and these might help Vyger too...

The strobist blog is a great one. Click on Lighting 101 on the right for basics and then 'On Assignment' for more advanced examples.

Neil Cowley has a bunch of info here.

If anybody knows others, I'd love to know them too!

~Bill

You're very welcome and thank you for the great questions.

Bill - Nice links! Thank you thank you. Would love to see anyone else's too!

BTW: Here is Kubota's "Digital Fill Flash" set to about 25% hardness on the same image. Took like 30 seconds with very limited Photoshop skills. Love it (except for the oops with her bright teeth).

OK, next stop, re-working these images with an hour on PHotoshop.

Thanks! I need to re read Neil's article --I did when I first bought the flash but re reading it helps alot now that I had a chance to play with the flash.
I need to read more into strobist, though.

I like the series of them under the boardwalk!

Were you shooting midday? Were you shooting manual?

You did an excellent job of capturing their youthfulness. I also like the one of them running in the water.

Cindy

Thanks! It was between 10-11AM, so midday. Poor timing but unavoidable. Mostly manual. AWB in RAW. I don't have a light meter so just use spot-meter the flesh tones and leave it there. When they run into the sunshine it makes for a missed shot or two. I used a flash for the whole thing - pretty much FEC + 1 with Sto-Fen pointed straight towards them and exposure slightly down. I mostly shot with 70-200 f4 so they were never closer than about 15 feet.

I'm still struggling with exposure - and more importantly getting sufficient but not flat lighting. We had a reflector out for a couple of shots but mostly just natural.

I need to color balance the under-pier ones. I forgot to take a WB reference shot (gray card) in that light and the AWB went a little blue (too cool). So; it's best guess time. My laptop is color balanced so hopefully that'll help.

The couple; they look great! It really helps having friendly clients. We presented them with some free 8x10s of their wedding right before the session and they were stoked!

Shooting midday is tough... It sounds like you did all the right steps to get top notch results!

Why did you have the Stofen on, though? I would have thought that would have diminished the output of the flash--especially if you were using a 70-200 lens? I guess I just love to be close to my clients, so I love my 50 1.4 lens! I shoot 99% natural light and LOVE shade; I look for it wherever I go!!

Have you seen the image is found website? They just shot an engagement session in full sun, and their results were jaw dropping. You can really make it work for you if you aren't intimidated like most of us safe photographers are...

Glad to hear the the couple were pleased with their freebies...how generous of you!
Cindy

Sto-Fen, you're probably right - my reasoning was to avoid flash burn. I haven't done enough of these to know what's best really and the light was a bit inadequate. I was actually going for just a slight boost off of natural and really wanted to avoid over-exposing them. I cranked up the FEC to compensate after the 70-200 was on since you're right, it reduces the throw quite a bit IMO (as I recall - have to go check my EXIF). Using a slave was advised as a better solution, alas I don't have one yet.

Anyway; the Digital Fill Flash works, but it's time consuming on my lagging laptop (mainly the photo load and save times).

50mm x1.6, I'd agree, great choice. For running around a nice zoom works better for me and I love the bokeh and IQ on the 70-200 f4, that way I'm not chasing them so much - and the tele adds some interesting effects. The shots sitting on the grass were with the 35 and being up close got some great looks.

Generous - I suppose. I'm only getting started and don't expect to make money (well, not much) for some time. I'm trying to blow away my first 4 or 5 clients and make evangalists of them. This couple was my first B&G and I'm treating them with golden gloves. Partly because I like them but partly because they're giving me raving reviews - she's offered up her phone number to any future bride wanting a referral. I took her up on that last night for a wedding that would be a nice high-class-venue one (Newport Yaght Club - fingers crossed). If that goes well; I'll seriously consider giving them (the venue) an album.

Thanks for looking!





I'll give it a go! I was playing with the Kubota "Daily Multi-Vitamin" on these and it looks great. Maybe a little too great (plasticy) but when I figure out how to tone it back I'll re-post those.

Thanks for looking!

You can tell these two are sooo in love. I think you did a great job capturing the emotions of the day and the love they share for each other. Great job!

Thank you Crystal! You're right, they're so happy.