Love the shoot but I was 2 stops under: I toyed with this in LR and got it looking pretty good for being 2 stops under exposed. First shot of the night for flash use and I didn't have...

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

I toyed with this in LR and got it looking pretty good for being 2 stops under exposed. First shot of the night for flash use and I didn't have the exposure dialed in yet. My other snapper was also pulling still shots with no flash but she was using a 5DIII with a 24-70 2.8 at 2400 ISO so she got some nice stuff, but I like this composition so I wanted to salvage what I could out of it.

Does this picture pass or is there anything else I could do to it? If you want to play around with it let me know by PM, I'll send you the RAW.

Thanks everyone 8-)

(Download)

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Beercat wrote:

I toyed with this in LR and got it looking pretty ... (show quote)

First thing I would think of is cropping a little to get rid of the dark circumference at the edges. Yep you will lose some of the story the picture is telling.

On the other hand, maybe it's an interesting effect that presented itself by accident. Of course the ultimate decision maker is the customer.

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

superpijak wrote:

First thing I would think of is cropping a little to get rid of the dark circumference at the edges. Yep you will lose some of the story the picture is telling.

On the other hand, maybe it's an interesting effect that presented itself by accident. Of course the ultimate decision maker is the customer.

The dark circumference is by design in PP ;-)

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Beercat wrote:

The dark circumference is by design in PP ;-)

If that's the case, don't mess with it. :thumbup: 8-)

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

I agree this shot is worth salvaging. The joy and spontaneity of the couple is priceless and they will cherish it.

That being said, to me, a vignette that you notice right off is too heavy handed. When you cannot see the transition, you've done it well. A quick trick I picked up from a Kelby book long ago is to make a dupe layer,

draw a loose selection oval around the couple
change the refine edge feather to 200
hit delete
change layer from normal to multiply
play with the opacity of that layer to make your vignette.
If the vignette is too large or small, simple delete the layer and repeat with a properly sized oval/circle selection.

I would also use a plugin like viveza to brighten her dress and lose the gray/brown tones it has now. Viveza is great for this because you can adjust and pinpoint an area and color to adjust.

I would be happy to give you a quick pp of your shot if you would like to see what I envision.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I think you did a fine job with PP. Not blowing sunshine up your skirt, because if you ask for an honest opinion, that's what I'll give you.

I downloaded it, and really, the noise from being underexposed is completely managed. If it looked like sand or something, I would say it.

If it were mine, I would include it with the "keepers"

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Beercat,

Thanks for allowing me to play with this. Here is a gif of that. I am sending you a link to download the tiff file from my adobe acct. I left most layers in so you can see some of the progression. About 15 minutes of playing with it.

I didn't touch the background other than to put a vignette around the couple fading out to the edges.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

BC,

I love that image. The expressions are great even in the audience. The dynamics of the dance with the dress sweeping is perfectly timed. Maybe I am easily impressed, but this is one of the best wedding shots I have seen.

It is good as is, but I am compelled to brighten things up just to add pop to the moment. I added to the refection on the floor and to the smiling faces in the background. Also selective exposure here and there. Some additional noise reduction through Define. Probably too much to some, but here is a brighter version just to compare.

(Download)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Thank you guys .............

It is nice to be able to share and learn. We all know this isn't the norm in wedding photography forums and I appreciate our little group so much. For me with only a few weddings under my belt (for still photography) there is so much to learn and you guys are making the adventure more fun ..... thank you again.

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Beercat wrote:

Thank you guys .............

It is nice to be able to share and learn. We all know this isn't the norm in wedding photography forums and I appreciate our little group so much. For me with only a few weddings under my belt (for still photography) there is so much to learn and you guys are making the adventure more fun ..... thank you again.

:thumbup:

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

jaysnave wrote:

BC, br br I love that image. The expressions are... (show quote)

I like this PP also.

I toyed with the idea of taking the blue out of the reflection (reflect blue sky or tone it out), but ultimately decided not to touch the background and leave that up to the OP. Merely showing how to do a subtle vignette and bring the dress out of the dark and correcting the tint.

I agree with Jaysnave, this is a wonderful capture.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I don't know folks. The attempts at PP didn't quite stand out as much as the original for me. No offense, but sometimes, just leaving it alone is the best alternative.

BC, I think it is good as is. Only my opinion, which is worth exactly what you are paying me. :-)

bk

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Here is a further enhancement from my first pp, using de-haze and enhancing the midtones, all in ADR.

(Download)

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

jdubu wrote:

Here is a further enhancement from my first pp, using de-haze and enhancing the midtones, all in ADR.

I like this one better than your first try. The lighter look is nice but you kept the skin tone, nice!

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Beercat wrote:

I like this one better than your first try. The lighter look is nice but you kept the skin tone, nice!

Thanks, I originally just wanted to show how a vignette can work better when you don't actually notice it and to take the dress up a notch from the background. But now it's a challenge to push it a bit further for fun. Play with it so you are happy with it...

The de-haze works wonders in clarifying, but also darkens contrast, hence the playing with exposure sliders.