wannabe wedding photographer... - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/26/2006 11:18:23 AM · #1

well, i'm not sure how much I want to be a wedding photographer as it's alot of work! Honestly though, I do enjoy photographing social events, just don't do it that often... mostly product photography.

So if some of you could critique my wedding photos, that would be greatly appreciated. Please don't hold back and suggestions would be appreciated.

//www.mcvisual.com/wedding/

or

//www.mcvisual.com/weddingphotos/

I used a Canon Rebel XT with 2 Canon lenses...the 17-40mm L series and the 60mm macro. Flashes were an on camera (bracket) 420EX and 2 AlienBee studio flashes for inside group shots. I know there are better lenses out there for this stuff...but these are all I had!

be warned though...there are about 300 shots in the gallery.

thanks!

Kevin

Message edited by author 2006-06-26 12:48:37.

fotomann_forever

06/26/2006 11:24:46 AM · #2

Not to sound mean, but 300 images in a slow flash-based gallery is just too much. It takes two forevers for each gallery page to load. Might want to conside pruning it back to just the best photos.

Just for some insight, weddings are a royal pain in the butt, but the money is decent. :-)

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

06/26/2006 11:27:54 AM · #3

To add to what Leroy said - keep in mind that wedding photography is about 20% photography and 80% administration. You need to deal with contracts, money, proofs, album building, editing, enlargements, printing, etc....

I also tried to look through the gallery, but it loads so slowly that I gave up after a few minutes. What I did see shows promise though.

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/26/2006 11:28:35 AM · #4

I have to agree with Leroy (as much as it pains me). The photos take a tremedously long time to load, even with cable.

CalliopeKel

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/26/2006 11:37:08 AM · #5

Cindi- The page is loading ok for me. Pics look darn good for something you don't do very often. It seems you got all the important shots of the event.

Lovely couple. Boy are they cute. Nice Job!

ReallyColorBlind

Canon EOS-70D

Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

06/26/2006 11:46:41 AM · #6

I didn't have too much trouble with load time and looked at a few dozen shots. I like the pre-ceremony shots a lot. I oftened wondered what people were doing at my wedding while waiting for the service to start.

A lot of your exposures are very good. The backlit ones need a little work though. Learn to expose for the backround and use fill light for the foreground.

I didn't look through all the photos, but from what I saw, you're off to a good start. The choice to be a wedding photog will have to come from within. As the others mentioned, I would imagine it's a lot of work (I don't shoot weddings). Good luck.

06/26/2006 12:27:52 PM · #7

thanks for all the valueable comments.

as for the gallery load time issue, I actually have that somewhat covered with another gallery option.

//www.mcvisual.com/weddingphotos/

breaks it down into 3 directories...and the thumbnail images are more compressed.

:)

06/26/2006 12:30:28 PM · #8

"The backlit ones need a little work though. Learn to expose for the backround and use fill light for the foreground. "

yea, I don't grasp the backlit concept and sorta struggled with fill light somewhat.

Message edited by author 2006-06-26 12:34:23.

fall_leaf05

Canon EOS-10D

06/26/2006 01:09:19 PM · #9

Kevin,
I am going to comment only on pictures since that is what you wanted.

I second on that you should take off all the pictures where people are blinking, etc.

Overall you have a nice style. The formals look good. Some of your pictures are a bit overexposed, but not too many. I have a great eye for what was going on. You might want to play with DOF a bit, to bring out your subject a bit more. I am sure that the coulple will be happy with their pics.

06/26/2006 02:50:58 PM · #10

I did take out alot of "blinkers" but some had to stay because they are the only shot I got of that group... but of course some other could go...good point.

yea, my exposers are all over the board...was really hard to find a consistantly good exposer/iso setting for all the different environments....that was most stressing!

fotomann_forever

06/26/2006 03:49:31 PM · #11

At a wedding or for any live event for that matter, you have to ride your exposure settings. Things change a lot and you have to be on top of those changes. If you know how to get the most out of your camera's auto mode or Av, Tv modes, you can make it easier, but you do have to know when and when not to trust the camera.

As far as blinkers, it always pays to shoot a few of each group. You lessen your chance of getting nothing but blinkers or in worse case scenearios have something to work with if you want to try cloning in open eyes.

Another trick for the blinkers is to have everyone close thier eyes and open them on the count of three, just as you are pressing your shutter.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II

06/26/2006 04:02:58 PM · #12

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

yes, I mixed it up quite a bit, but sometimes got stuck without time to fix... suppose that comes with experience.

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

As far as blinkers, it always pays to shoot a few of each group. You lessen your chance of getting nothing but blinkers or in worse case scenearios have something to work with if you want to try cloning in open eyes.

I typically will take 2 photos per shot...sometimes more depending on time. With the larger groups it's tough though... I had 4 shots of the same group but each time someone else blinked! Oh yea, I did have to do some head/eye swapping, edited out a cup on the ground, coverd up an air conditioner and took out some signs... so yea, photoshop was in effect!

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Another trick for the blinkers is to have everyone close thier eyes and open them on the count of three, just as you are pressing your shutter.

That's a good idea, I will have to try that in the future...

Message edited by author 2006-06-26 16:13:26.

CalamitysMaster00

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

06/26/2006 04:14:59 PM · #13

I thought the pictures were bright and casual - which I think reflects the wedding well. I lOVE the early picture of the Cathedral and I think you did a great job for not doing this religiously.

Weddings are so messy and hard. :)

CalamitysMaster00

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM II

06/26/2006 04:15:37 PM · #14

PS.... that little oriental girl and her bright orange flower melted me!