Bride

This image has been in my favorites for a long time. For me its the detail of the dress and the flow of the material and its embellishment that makes the shot. I disagree about pushing the highlights and excluding the fantastic detail of the dress. Its her day and all the details express the joy of celebration. I don`t think its about the bride herself, but more an expression of joy, and delicate work that went into the planning of her day`. I like the warmth of the tone and prefer it over the b&w which appears more somber to me. I think the framing is perfect as well from the top of her head to the sweep of her veil below her feet. Amazing. Great choice for pow.

No this is not a `bridal`shot geez, that irks me. Now, aside does anyone recognize the textures of wood and stone, in contrast to the billowing fabric. It all works for me, a strong image that moves me to celebrate with her.

There are times when you like a photograph so much you don't feel like explaining why. I'll try.

First this is not a standard wedding photo. This is art. We do not know who this bride is or anything about her. Is she young or is she old; is she beautiful or plain? We just see the top of her head, her flowing bridal outfit amidst this rustic and somewhat forbidding background. I think that is super cool. So there.

The framing is perfect. I believe the photograph could be a touch darker to bring out the details in her bridal dress a little more. But only a touch. Too dark and the spirit of this delightful image is diminished.

Who would of thought we could have abstract, art and wedding all in the same shot? Superb work to be proud of.

like a glorious bird in flight, Carlos; and the tone is mystical and mythical and magical. lyrical, dramatic movement.... i especially luv the way you've captured the sheerness of the veil and train; you've done justice to a glorious gown. beautiful, even so if she is a runaway bride LOL! bravo! ;-} dp

You could also interpret the image as being a little scary: the bride, faceless, hurtling down the stairs.

I bielieve in what Bulent says about this image. That weightless feeling this image evokes is for me what makes it a great find. I also love the detail and tones in this image. Very nice work!
Paul

This is the most beautiful picture.  I love how "dreamy" it is!  It is so emotional and so feminine.  I love the color and how beautiful her dress is!  It makes me want to get married all over again!

Love it! I love the rough textures of the stone and wood against the delicate bridal gown.KR Sue  

I like the original version as it is a nice and different angle for a bride in her day of joy. It is the second photo which is original ,the first is Tim Holt's (Bride from ebove # 3 , can be seen in my favorite collection) Nice tones, all around her surrounding as well. Because of the angle ,her middle part looks a bit "full" but it does not disturbe the image as a whole ,as the flow of lines is beautiful. Good work. Add it to my collection as well. Congratulation Carlos.

HOW is the bride fleeing down the stairs when it is obvious she had to BACK up the stairs to get the dress the way it is trailing on the stairs? It is easy to see it is a staged shot, you don't go down stairs with your train in front of you. LOL
It is a different type of shot, that is for sure. How would a person title it? "Bride standing after backing up stairs"?
It even appears she twisted some after getting to the step she is standing on. Could make that look a little smoother.
Pretty well set up, pretty good toning.
It IS interesting, don't remember seeing quite that pose before.
If SHE liked it, then that is all that counts!

I've been a fan of Carlos' images for a long time. There's not much I can contribute in the way of a critique than to say how I'd like to be able to look through his eyes, just for a day, to learn how he sees the world.

I think this photo totally succeeds as art, the tones, the framing, the story, are amazing. I think it totally fails as a wedding photo. The wedding is about the bride, If she was looking up at the camera, it would be awesome and personal for a wedding photo, but be too personal to sell to a wider audience. The mystery that makes it succeed as art, makes it fail as a wedding portrait. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I think simply that is a great image

I see so many wedding photographs that beg me to ask the question why is this person there? Why would a bride, in full gown and train, be in this place? Yes it is a sharp image with wonderful contrasting features and the tonal quality is beautiful, the pose mysterious but it doesn't work for me due to the location and logic of her being in that place dressed as she is. This pose leads me to believe the bride to be has changed her mind and is in a desperate attempt to flee the wedding as no bride I've ever known would subject her wedding attire to the elements she is in. Call me a traditionalist but that is my take on it.

Love the perspective & sepia tone of this image...well done Carlos! Congrats

It is novel and aesthetic, the cropping/framing is much too tight for me to relax and look at it for very long. That would be my only critical point. That and I really dislike sepia conversions. This makes me feel queasy. Interesting image otherwise. The unusual rustic setting makes it more interesting, and her form is pretty dramatic.

When I showed what I thought was a terrific photo to my wife, she responded like Jon did. "Where's her face?" She said if she was the bride she would want to see her face. It loses it's personalness. But I think it's great art.

Congratulations to Carlos for a magnificent photo. The detail & craftsmanship of this lovely bridal gown is celebrated. I am sure many photos show the brides face and to me, this is a masterpiece that I would treasure if I were her. Tom's tweaked version did bring out more detail though and puts the focus directly on the beautiful details. The other version is totally washed out. Thank you, Carlos, I am sure you made the Bride & Groom extremely happy!

Carlos, Congratulations. They needn't have gone back a couple of years, they could have selected any one of a number of your pictures as good as this one. I think I commented at the time you first posted it what a wonderfully unique image it was. That you have come up with so many pictures of this quality testifies to the high level of your work and the consistancy of your vision. As much as any photographer I know, you deserve this honor. Regards, Jack

Dear Carlos,
"Just Awesome" Only striking thing is if the moving flow of bride towards Upwards instead of Downwards.
Regards Joydip.

I wouldn't change a thing here. It's perfect as it is. I was attracted by the overall texture - of the wedding dress, the wooden stairs and the plants. Her wedding dress texture appears to be enliven and organic. Like it tends to vivify, together with the bridal exhilarating motion or movement.

On reflection, I agree with Kristina Kraft: "I wouldn't change a thing here. It's perfect as it is. "

I was pleasantly surprised and humbled to find myself quoted from my previous missive in the Photo.net Monthly Newsletter. Thank you!

As a variation on what I said before: Above all I like the mystery attending this image. Who is that bride? One wishes to believe that she is extraordinarily beautiful because of the grace with which she descends those rustic steps and the loveliness of her athletic looking arms.

We dig deeply into the nature of beauty in this image. What is really in the end except a riddle? When Lord Byron wrote "She walks in beauty like the night" he said a mouth full.

I very much enjoy the fresh feel of this image. The point of view captured a unique perspective.

the point of view is truly original.
Uncommon in wedding photos.
Great success by choosing black and white for this photo.
A great shot indeed
Congratulation