Wedding Photo of the Week--GETTING READY--1/9/12

[picturesque]

<p>I am continuing the theme assignment in this week's POW. I may even change the title, but not right away. This week's theme is Getting Ready. Make sure it is 700 pixels or less in width and/or length - AND - make sure to enter a caption in the caption box on that page where you've uploaded. Some details about the shot would be helpful.<br /><br />This is not a contest - but simply a discussion of art and technique, with illustrations. Positive as well as constructive suggestions are what will occur. HOWEVER - IF you wish to post your image but DO NOT WANT to be considered for critique - please say so in your caption. Images that show as a link will be deleted and you'll be asked to re-post.<br /><br />Newcomers and Pros are both welcome to post in this thread. You can start discussing immediately. ;-)</p>

[Dave Gardner]

<p>I thought it was so cool the way this brides friends took care of everything....they really made her feel special.</p><div></div>

[jose_rivera9]

<p>These are always the most difficult shot as we are trying to capture the moment while staying out of the way. This isn't a reenacted getting ready shot as you can see by the "equipment" on the table.</p><div></div>

[fotografz]

<p>My favorite time of a wedding. Pure fly-on-the-wall journalism. Always love the attention Mom pays to the final touches.</p>

<p>I almost always use a rangefinder for this work, no flash, and 90% or more shot with B&W as the objective.</p>

<p>Leica M9, M 28/2, ISO 640, B&W conversion using Nik Silver Efx plug-in for Lightroom.</p><div></div>

[fotografz]

<p>BTW, pardon the second pic ... but I'd like to pay homage to the behind the scenes hair and make-up folks that make a bride so gorgeous ... not to mention save us oodles of time in post : -)</p>

<p>Leica M9, 35/1.4ASPH, ISO 640, no flash, conversion by Nik Silver Efx.</p><div></div>

[markonestudios]

<p>Here's a recent favourite :)</p><div></div>

[rab_l]

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

[alan_white2]

<p>Ready at last</p><div></div>

[picturesque]

<p><strong>Moderator Note:</strong> Alan, please do either of the following.</p>

<p>1. Post no more than two images, but sized so that each does not exceed 700 pixels on a side. The other guidelines is no more than 100 k bytes.</p>

<p>2. Assemble the 4 images in a collage and post it. The collage must also not be more than 700 pixels on a side.</p>

[marilynb]

<p>A recent favourite</p><div></div>

[aron_burday]

<p>I keep waiting for a knowledgeable person to say something, but so far just great pics, so here's my 2 cents... Marc, I like the tones in the wedding dress in your first image this week. You really get a feeling for the way the fabric folded and moved. On a boring technical level, I'm guessing you had to hold the exposure back in both of your images to retain highlight detail, hence the noisy blacks? Or is that just what the M9 does at ISO 640? I have to admit I'm normally one those boring noise-is-bad guys, but that's got a nice grain-ness to it.<br>

Also, the two little kids in your shot from last week were great. You could have photoshopped wings onto them and they would have looked like a couple of cherubs in a Renaissance painting, just hanging out watching the silly mortals go about their business...</p>

[fotografz]

<p>Thanks Aron. </p>

<p>Nothing to do with exposure or ISO 640. The preset I used for the Nik Silver Efex B&W conversion is called "Push Process" ... which shortens the tonal range a little and adds grain to simulate a pushed film feel. These were pretty large files @ 15" long side X 360 dpi ... they don't translate down to 700 pixels @ 72 dpi all that well ... but the final prints are snappy and clean ... which is what counts : -) </p>

[rob loxley]

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