WEDDING CRITIQUE OF THE WEEK 6/10/09 - AKA WEDDING PHOTO OF THE WEEK

<p>This week - we're looking at a dance photo. This week's was chosen by an anonymous pn user.<br>

<br /> In your critiques - Include what you would do to improve the shot or why the shot is perfect as it is and why. Remember that this is not a contest. Sometimes an image will be a winning image and sometimes an image that needs some help.<br /> The photographer up for critique for this week should remember that the comments expressed each week are simply "opinions" and the effort and focus of these threads are to learn and to take images to another level. There will be times where the critique is simply members pointing out why the shot works which is also a way for others to learn about what aspects contribute to a good wedding photo. In reading all critiques -- You may agree or disagree with some points of view - but remember that there are varying approaches and often no right or wrong answer.<br /> David Wegwart is the brave photographer willing to accept critiques this week ;-)</p>

<p>Thanks to all that have contributed to these threads. There are some awsome photos being uploaded.</p>

<p><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=817037">David Wegwart - Denver/CO.</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Subscriber" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/sub6.gif" alt="" title="Subscriber" /> </a></p><div></div>

<p>Really isn't much to say about it, good or bad. I guess the one comment I would have is it doesn't really look like they're dancing, but I'm sure in combination with other dance pics it probably works.</p>

<p>Dance photos do present a special set of challenges, and I think this one works quite well. I think it <em><strong>might </strong> </em> have been spectacular in color......the Bride has the possibility of being absolutely radiant........but it needs color to see that....</p>

<p>Good expression on the Bride's face.</p>

<p>IMO, this isn't the best representation of David's work which generally tends to exhibit a more powerful awareness of light and good timing.</p>

<p>I don't know if this was cropped in the camera, or if David captured more ... like the goom's arm around the Bride might help ... or if they were holding hands, etc. I think it might make the human connection a bit better.</p>

<p>The over-all tonality is a bit flat ... but both of them wearing white and the nature of light in a tent can conspire against more dramatic lighting unless you get a flash off-camera and use it directionally.</p>

<p>In context to the over-all story, I'm sure the clients will love it.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>This is the kind of shot that works well as the middle of sequence, but isn't strong as a standalone.</p>

<p>The viewer has to respond to what's inside the frame, and the only clue here that it's a dance shot is the caption. Otherwise, I suspect to most people it looks like the bride caught in conversation with a guest - perhaps an old friend who is congratulating her. There's not much information to conclude that this is the groom, since his height makes him quite distant from the bride, and there's no evidence that they're touching.</p>

<p>There is great eye contact from the bride, and the lighting on her is directional, though perhaps a little hot. No doubt that this is a lovely photo of her. But without context, it's not particularly informative as an image. The framing is a perhaps a bit awkward - a step closer and it would be all about the emotion in the brides face; a step further back and the groom's head would have some breathing room and we'd see their hands touching. As it is, not quite one or the other.</p>

<p>But in a sequence that includes wider shots for context, and tighter shots for emotion, I can see this working well. Great as a smaller picture in an album, for example.</p>

<p>There's a small mark on her veil that bothers me. If it were a film shot I'd suspect a scratch in the emulsion. It may be more clearly part of the veil in a larger image (perhaps a sequin or lace detail), but, responding to this size as I've found it, I'd be inclined to touch it out.</p>

<p>I don't share Bob's need to see this in colour. For me, this type of shot could only ever be in b+w. But that's my personal aesthetic, rather than a constructive suggestion.</p>

<p>It's a sharp, clean shot. It works for me in B&W and I think the bride's expression is fine. The sequin on the veil is a little bothersome, but could be quickly cloned out. I would agree that it would work well as a part of a series. Nice shot!</p>

<p>Like Bob, I'd like to see this in color. Agree with most of the comments above. Perhaps a little higher camera angle could have added some impact.</p>

<p>It's too bad the top of the groom's head is cut off and he has those two hard lines on his neck and chin. I wouldn't get rid of them, but maybe soften them up a little. There's a spot on her veil too. the people in the background aren't doing anything, so I'd crop them out and tighten up on the couple themselves. If I kept it B&W, I'd dim the background more to make then pop out, but I think color would have really made her eyes pop.</p>

<p>I think that this is a great shot, but I agree with others about the angle and crop. I also would love to see the color version of this photo! I really love the crispness of this photo though!</p>

<p>David is out of my league to be critiquing his photos, but this is a good chance to discuss facial retouching. I normally don't like to do much local editing, except when there are pronounced bags under the brides eyes. She looks a bit tired to me. Perhaps a quick cleanup is in order.</p>

<p>You can't do better than that expression. Wonderful. I'd like to see some experimental crops and what it would look like tilted slightly the other way so she's really looking up.</p>

<p>i would have thought this was in the ceremony..not a dance</p>

<p>I critique without reading any of the priors. Maybe it's been said before:</p>

<p>Beautiful bride expression captured. Awesome. Detailed and sharp. Flattering to her too (probably the most important element, that SHE likes it).</p>

<p>Excellent angle of the groom looking down at her -- I do appreciate the angle this photo was taken to emphasize this connection between man & woman.</p>

<p>However, the bland "color" of his jacket blends in a little too much and is distracting. Cutting off his head doesn't bother me and the choice of an aperture of what? f/4? is excellent. I would only speck out the bright white spot on her veil. Nice work!</p>

<p>AHA! I went back for specs: (f/2.2 a risk, but it paid off)<br>

<strong>Nikon D700; 85/1.4 at 2.2; iso800; 1/250th</strong></p>

<p>I like the image and I like the high key look. The fact the the camera is pointing up (tilt) and therefor only includes a bit of the audience is great. It looks slightly crooked though so I would prefer the camera leveled.</p>

<p>There is nothing in the image indicating dance to me because the framing is too tight for that. His right shoulder intersects her face and it would have been better if it did not so a camera position to the right might have been beneficial. Still it's a great capture. Since it is already too tightly framed to show "dance" I would however crop it a little tighter to emphasize the bride even more. Other than that the eyeline has a nice diagonal and the tent diagonals are great too.</p>

<p> </p><div></div>

<p>Thanks for everyone's insights and help. Much appreciated.</p>

<p>It is one in a series during the first dance. It is actually the moment they embraced to begin and I liked how she looked at him. As for the angle, that was intentional to include their angle of eye contact, and to include the people behing watching. I like to include their guests in this type of image as much as possible.</p>

<p>I did nothing to it other than my B&W conversion in LR2 and can see some room for improvement.</p>

<p>As for the lighting, this is 'au natural' with the 85. It was PM sun in the Colorado mountains, so the tent made the light very diffuse and soft, sort of omni directional if you will. I have lots of shots with off cam lighting during this series, but this is one I happened to like for the expression./moment more than the light.<br>

Poor excuse hu?</p>

<p>I often shoot this type of shot at or wider than F2, just how I like it I guess. Takes a bit of practice to nail the shots, but it doable.</p>

<p>I actually like the original crop, because everything slants in one direction. I agree that seeing the arms/hands might have been more of a support to the fact that they are dancing, but this brings up my question. When you are trying to get good pictures of expressions during the first dance what kinds of things do you do? I am curious what specfic actions various people take to go after these kinds of images. Anyone?</p>

<p>I can see trying to shoot these and see something good, shoot it, and find that you weren't wide enough to get the arms and clasped hands, yet you did get a good expression, which might not come again in the same dance...</p>

<p>David - thanks for your comments - I really like knowing what the photog was thinking and how this fits into their style, it makes the critique easier. I think it is a techinally perfect shot and the bride looks very angelic. With that said, I think most dance shots are boring and they are the PJ part of the wedding that are must have's... this is one of those shots that is perfect and it's a dance shot, by people who don't know how to dance. I apprecate the small apperture and the thought that went into shot before it was taken. Great job.</p>

"I am curious what specfic actions various people take to go after these kinds of images. "

 

Nadine are you referring to Photoshop actions?

<p>My spontaneous thoughts:<br>

I'm sure there were better expressions on both, they seem a bit random. He appears to be looking down the front of her dress.<br>

The guests look bored and distract.<br>

The large light area of his jacket distracts.<br>

I can imagine a tight square crop on her face with just a bit of his face might work.<br>

I like the smooth chocolaty bw conversion.<br>

Would make the album, depending on what else is available.</p>

<p>The guests look bored?!?<br>

How can you tell, they're blurred!</p>

<p>Bob--no, I meant things you might do while they are dancing to ensure that you get good expressions. Seems like not a lot of people are interested in that discussion, though...</p>

<p>To expand on what I was after, I wondered whether you would circle the couple, looking for expressions--with what focal length? Would you stay far away from the couple hoping your presence would go undedected? Do you have a sequence of shots you go for when the first dance music begins, and does that include some 'expressions' shots?</p>

<p>Nadine,</p>

<p>I like to use the 85 for uppper body embrace type shots. I think I may have posted something here like that before.</p>

<p>This shot is not so typical of my style with that lens. I had placed myself where I thought would be good, then they came to the dance floor and swung around to where you see this one shot. From here I backed up a few paces for framing of the rest of the dance. I posted this shot because I thought the expression on her face as she turned to him to be strong/emotional.</p>

<p>I also use an equivalent 24-70 around the 24 - 30mm mark for wider/environmental shots. With that technique, I usually isolate the subject with low angles (which makes the near subject appear much larger than others) and off cam lighting.</p>

<p>I do circle the couple if need be (their faces are turned away and they are turning too slowly, or not turning at all) as it does two thing for me. Chases the expressions and changes the background interest.</p>

<p>You?</p>

<p>Love the shot, great expression on bride's face, love the shallow DOF.</p>

<p>Haha...David, unfortunately I'm so short that I am forced to use a short telephoto (no pun intended but accepted), with the camera held Hail Mary style. Otherwise, I don't get a clear shot of the bride's expression over the groom's shoulder. The groom--OK, but if it is a tall bride, I still have the same trouble. I usually use about 50mm (I'm guessing), so I have to get fairly close.</p>

<p>I am actually conflicted about my first dance shots now. I usually start out with the wide shots that take up a lot of the 'scenery' and dramatic lighting, then work my way in toward faces as the dance progresses, since the expressions don't normally come right away. I am always listening for the end of the song so I can be prepared to take in the full bodies in case they do something good, like a dip or bow.</p>

<p>The worst is if the couple dances for what feels like seconds, and then invites everyone into the same song, or they do some choreographed number, where you don't usually get those expressions since they are concentrating on getting the steps right. Guess this is a good reason to find out in advance.</p>