stephaniaw

<p>ShowIt, definitely! That is what I use and it is easy and looks great! : )<br>

www.showitfast.com</p>

<p>Douglas, I am sorry for the confusion. I was not merely talking about file size...but also the general settings/dimensions that I use. Thanks!</p>

<p>Douglas, I actually meant ppi. I set it at 300ppi for the disc. No offense taken. : )</p>

<p>I just recently changed the way that I do this...All of my packages include a disc of wedding images optimized to print best at 8x10(not necessarily cropped to those proportions). I believe the settings that I use are: Longest side - 1500px and 300 DPI. Since most people do not print larger than this on their own and prefer to print large prints through me(I prefer this also because I can have more control over the final quality of a large print), this works. They can also opt for the full resolution photos for an added fee.</p>

<p>Forbeyon Albums has them. I currently use Forbeyon for my albums and they have been great so far!<br>

www.forbeyon.com</p>

<p>I definitely think that the BW conversion lacks contrast and that "pop". Here is my BW version after add levels and curves adjustment layers. I think it looks a bit better. As far as doing selective color for clients, I have had a few clients lately say that they like that look. I have told them that I typically do not do that, but that I would be more than happy to do it on the image or images of their choice(up to a certain number of images) for their DVD of images or for a certain print that they might like. Happy clients, yet still maintaining my style.</p>

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<p>I always explain to the couple beforehand that I like to get the ring shots taken care of before the ceremony while I am doing shots of the dress, shoes, jewelry, etc., so that they do not have to take them off later. However, with weddings sometimes the timeline is not always perfect and there have been a few instances where I have had to get the rings while they are eating dinner. This is usually not a problem because we have discussed it ahead of time and they trust me. : )</p>

<p>Shot with Nikon D80, 50mm, f/1.8, 1/60, ISO 320, with my flash mounted in the hotshoe bounced from a semi-high white ceiling. This was the couples' first dance. Her dress was kind of heavy, so he was helping hold it while they were dancing. I really liked this one in B/W and with quite a bit of contrast/blacks. For what it is worth, her dress was not white, it was a champagne color. : )</p>

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<p>Lisa,<br>

It seems that your issue could be in the zoom in/out portion of the steps you listed. Try using one shot mode and rotating your focal points so the the point you focus on is as close to the bride's eyes as possible. Start out by adjusting the lens' focal length, then frame, focus and shoot. As pp said, you are not going to get the desired result by zooming in, focusing, then zooming out. Hope that helps!</p>

<p>I like the photo. If it were me, I would have probably not illuminated her back side as much, so that the photo was more contrasty. I may have put it in black and white also. That is just my personal take on it, but it looks great the way it was shot also! There are many ways that it could have been done. : )</p>

<p>Here is a little question: What part, if any, is non-refundable?<br>

I am re-vamping my business/pricing structure to, effective Jan. 1st, so this is all interesting to me to see how others do the business side of things. Up until now, I have required a $300 non-refundable retainer(applies to balance) at the time of booking and the remaining balance no less than 7 days prior to the event. The balance, minus the retainer and any expenses incurred(i.e., rentals, travel, etc.), is subject to refund in the case of the event being canceled.</p>

<p>I love this photo! I don't really have much critique, except that I think I would have liked to see a version of the same photo, but on an actual street/road. Even if it were a dirt road. I really love the use of a lot of blue sky!</p>

<p>This was a very non-traditional wedding. We took photos early in the morning at a chapel before going to the courthouse where they were married in a quick official ceremony. I love the look of her coat and boots. Shot with a Nikon D80, 50mm, f/1.8, ISO 320, 1/80s, all natural light.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks for the comments and critique from all of you!<br>

Just a note on the composition: The photo was (obviously) meant to have the focus at the right of the frame. The only real reason for doing so was to change things up a bit and to give a different feel to this image. I liked the thought of the focus being on her and not showing him completely. I really appreciate all of the points that were made, regarding composition. Honestly, at the time, I didn't take the flowers into consideration. : )</p>

<p>Great, I don't think it is my monitor calibration after all! : )</p>

<p>Okay, I want to try something. The original photo that I posted looks too cool to me as well, so I have changed the color profile I was working with and am uploading a color corrected, profile embedded version of the image to see if it makes a difference.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks, Matthew. I have calibrated in the past, but apparently it didn't work properly. I will look more into it.<br>

Mirko, Thanks for pointing out the corner. I will most likely just clone it out before any printing is done.</p>

<p>Anna - First of all, I really aim to get the exposure how I want it in camera. That being said, there really wasn't much to do to this image. I shoot in RAW, so I did a few things to help it out, which included: Bringing the exposure down just a bit and then taking the brightness up a little as well(I bring the exposure down a little first so that it compensates for the added brightness). By bring the brightness up instead of the exposure, I find that it helps quite a bit (This is just my personal opinion though and you may find some who will disagree on editing technique). I also increased the contrast a bit before opening the image in photoshop where I used a curves adjustment layer and then sharpened the image. Just the basics.</p>

<p>I'm so glad mine was chosen! : )<br>

I might just say that personally, this was one of my favorites from the shoot.<br>

Theresa - The image was more vibrant in the editing process, but somehow through the conversion from my computer to the thread, it dulled a little bit. (Also, when my photos go to print, they tend to look a little warmer than on my screen so I usually lean a tad toward the cool side when I edit.)<br>

David - Thanks! I agree about the smushed nose also.</p>

<p>I'll throw in an engagement photo as well... : )<br>

Shot with Nikon D80, 50mm, f/2.0, 1/125 shutter speed.</p><div></div>

<p>I'll throw in an engagement photo as well... : )<br>

Shot with Nikon D80, 50mm, f/2.0, 1/125 shutter speed.</p>

<p>My personal take on it: Convert to B&W, ultra slight chocolate-y tone, curves & levels to boost contrast and make it "pop" a bit more. My preference for the B&W stems from there not really being any significant color in the photo to begin with. It feels kind of dull in color. I feel that it is more dramatic as a B&W.</p><div></div>

<p>Oops, here it is.</p>

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<p>Ceremony ended later than anticipated & it was raining. Both ceremony & reception were outdoors, so I had to find a few creative ways to do bride/groom photos in the dark. Here is one of my favorites. Only basic stuff in Raw done to it. Shot with Nikon D80 and off camera flash held behind the couple by my assistant.</p>

<p>The Bride & Groom made their exit at the end of the night with the guest holding sparklers. I took a couple of shots and this was one of the better ones. I had never shot sparklers before. This was shot with a Nikon D80 and 50mm f/1.8.</p><div></div>