First Wedding

[Shaddsi]

Hi all! I need your help. Im trying to recover this photo, it just doesnt pop like i want it to. I was the guest so found myself constantly getting out of the way of the photographers way lol


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2976889317_4af8013178_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2977744890_6f97d6953e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2977744450_0ff49da6d2_o.jpg

Which one do you like the most?

Any Ideas would be appreciated..

[~Raven~]

Hi Simon would you mind if I had a go at the shot??

[Charismatic]

I'd definitely crop the shot - It seems a bit random(The background) - And obviously that extra blur you added to give it that DOF look does help a little - But still, the main focus is on the couple, and that should definitely be centered/aligned in the middle IMO.

[Shaddsi]

Go nuts! here is the original

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3278/2976955587_3cd941c968_b_d.jpg

[MistieWatters]

Oh goody, something for the insomniac to play with :D

[MistieWatters]

Got it open in CS3 and realise I am not going to sleep tonight for all the ideas I just had LOL

[Charismatic]

Oh I forgot to say..


I was the guest so found myself constantly getting out of the way of the photographers way

Even though I HATE when I have that one guest who shows up with a great camera trying to butt in on my shots(Even though I make the couple sign a non-compete saying that if I show up an theres someone else with an SLR, I have the option to leave and keep their deposit)... I must say -- SCREW THE PHOTOG! Hahaha. Get in his way all you can and get better shots!!!! Then when the couple gets bad pictures back be like, "Well, I guess next time you'll hire me instead, huh?!"

;)

[MistieWatters]

This one is just because I couldn't resist....

[MistieWatters]

Oh I forgot to say..



Even though I HATE when I have that one guest who shows up with a great camera trying to butt in on my shots(Even though I make the couple sign a non-compete saying that if I show up an theres someone else with an SLR, I have the option to leave and keep their deposit)... I must say -- SCREW THE PHOTOG! Hahaha. Get in his way all you can and get better shots!!!! Then when the couple gets bad pictures back be like, "Well, I guess next time you'll hire me instead, huh?!"

;)

How many pros do this? Has me thinking twice about taking my camera to people's weddings! If I had known that photogs do this I wouldn't have taken my camera to my cousin-in-law's wedding.

[Charismatic]

^ I think alot do these days - It's getting harder and harder to compete, really. I mean Aunt Sue can rock up with her little 10 MP digital and hang over all my shots, and most of the time probably match the "Feel" - Even though I've spent time picking location, lighting and placing hands/legs/veils/hair/etc.. And all she does is jump in and go *click*

I mean, obviously the quality on a DSLR is going to be ALOT better, not all people see the huge difference.. Especially when they pay a few G's for the service and that same Aunt printed her prints off at home.. Sometimes they feel like they've been ripped off in some way, considering her shots are "good enough" for free.

So when someone rocks up with an SLR, I cringe on the inside, I think all Photog's do, hence the signing.

I'm a nice guy though, if I do rock up to a Wedding and see an SLR, even though I have the choice to leave at the drop of a hat, I just ask them to refrain from shooting the shots I am, because it could potentially ruin my shots(Which is true - A flash firing at the same time as I am, the couple looking at Aunt Sue rather than me, a shot of the bride walking down the isle and theres a congregation with Point And Shoot cameras all at eye level, which ruins the mood, etc, etc) - So I just ask them to refrain shooting while I am, and I get the shots I need at the arrival/ceremony, then get out of the way for the other people to get their own stuff. The shots at the other location though, only me and the bridal party are allowed to attend - No one else. I've taken some shots where I've gone for a wide-pan at the arrival of the bride getting out of the car, about to walk down the isle - And Uncle Fred was standing practically RIGHT in their face with a little point and shoot.. I mean what the hell? They hire US for a reason. If anything, it's just an annoyance.

But yeah! I'd recommend just taking the camera everywhere you go, and if you do see a Photog at the wedding, just ask them if its okay with them - We're not all vultures lol.

[MistieWatters]

That makes perfect sense :)

Its funny because at my CIL's wedding, the photog actually got out of MY way!? I offered to move so he could get the angle he was moving towards and I was in that spot with my camera pointed (during the ceremony), I offered to move and he said "No that's fine" and moved out of the way for me!! I actually found it bizarre, but I also appreciated it (I got a really nice shot out of it LOL)

Anyway, back to Simon's dilemma...

Soft lighting effects, darker background, a little more contrast (didn't play with sats for once, just contrast!!!) a few layers, a few brushes and this is what I came up with as a more serious attempt... (Oh and I cropped it to a 4x6)

[Charismatic]

^ Haha, I do that alot. I really believe in Friendly service - And I tend to get alot of work from purely being a photographer at events and being extra nice, because unfortunately ALOT of Photog's around here are pricks, to say the least.

A few times I've been in the situation where I've been in someone's way who was about to take a photo and I've done the same thing - Apologized, smiled and stepped aside to let THEM take the photo(Them not knowing I've already snapped it in the .5 of a second I was in front of them). It's funny how many people end up hiring me because of just being nice though.

[Charismatic]

PS -- I like that second one you posted Mel. Although I still feel like they're on too much of a lean. Maybe try centering/rotating it?

[MistieWatters]

PS -- I like that second one you posted Mel. Although I still feel like they're on too much of a lean. Maybe try centering/rotating it?

Didn't notice that LOL The bloke is leaning backwards which means that rotating it does nothing on its own... rotate and VERY slight warping created this...

(Oh and I went back in the history, looked at the "original" compared to this edit and its very obvious how tilted they were LOL)

[Shaddsi]

I like it Mel! I like it alot! as for the photog, she seemed very amateur, rocked up with some crappy equipment. She didnt even get off her seat at some points to grab shots rather just point in the general direction lol.

I hope that when the photos come through to the bride and groom that they are exceptionally good, for there sake but sheesh, how do you take wedding photos from a chair?

They also only had partial coverage so didn't get the reception.

Misty: Do you sleep?

[IanB]

This one is just because I couldn't resist....

Very well done Mel> you’re so romantic> not game to put my idea in now>you're too good for me>very nice

Could add a bit about photographers at work and guests at play:mad: but I leave it alone; for now.:)

Cheers

[~Raven~]

Hi Simon...here is my effort.

I cropped then used a plugin called virtual photographer:ambience...slackened off the "glow" then used the darken brush to darken the background.

Oh yeah I used PSPXI.

[MistieWatters]

Ooh I like both of those edits!!!

[Dragonfly..shotz]

I like them all!! Amazing the difference! Well done and all different ideas..beaut shot to start with, great clarity and detail.

[Smorter]

May as well join in the fun

To be honest I like the original shot the best, and I think you have a keeper, but here's my interpretation :)

My preference for crop:

http://dawei.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p198105234.jpg

But keeping with the current theme:

http://dawei.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p146462740.jpg

(Curve adjustment and some cloning)