MaggieMay1978 Loc: Calgary Alberta

I tried to shoot with candles as the main light source CC?

(Download)

superpijak Loc: Middle TN

Love how you captured the intimacy of the moment. Way to go!

:thumbup: :thumbup:

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Very creative Maggie. Love it. The lighting and emotional expressions work well. Did you like the color version? I am intrigued to see the warm candle light on their faces.

MaggieMay1978 Loc: Calgary Alberta

I didn't like the colour as much.

Bobbee

I like the lighting effect. The candles draw your attention imed.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

I like the colour, but maybe the pink vest adds too much soft yellow/pink to the image. B&W does look better. This is my own internal struggle deciding whether to go B&W or colour. When in doubt I usually do both.

I did some newborn images for the first time this week and having that same struggle.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Man, I just hate being "that guy" but I have to say it. Please level the photo, the candles look like they could slide into her lap.

Drives me nuts when others jump on people for uneven horizons, but I just can't get past the "candles in the lap" thing.

Now, I hate to disagree with Jay, but on this one, I like the warm glow of the candle better. In the black and whit version, the whites draw my eyes away from the faces too much. It does a little bit in the color version, but not as much.

I did a similar shot with the "unity candle" lighting, but actually used Lightroom to bring down the highlights, then used PS and made a black layer, and layer mask to create a bit more light on the faces, then lowered the opacity of the overall black layer. It made the candles have the "glow" but the main light showing was mostly on the face. If I can dig up the photo, I can post a copy. Hard to explain.

I do like it as it is, just trying to give a suggestion on how I addressed the same lighting issue. With art, there is never one right or wrong way to do something.

Thanks for sharing. (BTW, I think you are the one who posted some newborn and baby photos, love your work there too!)

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

"that guy" ...

Maybe a new nickname. I think we have to give Maggie a pass on the level of the table & candles. I got my level out on the B&W version and it is fine. She probably did not fully edit the color version because she only sent it because I inquired about it.

Yes, she does some amazing work with newborns and weddings if you check her website. I am glad she paid us a visit.

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Usually, lighting emanating from below the subject is not the greatest for portraiture but in this image, it seem to work well with the mood. Thre rest is a matter of a bit of "custom printing or editing.

A tighter crop gives the image more of an intimate mood, levels the tilt and eliminates the distraction of the messy clothing on the groom's back. Darkening of the candles gives them more detail and brings the viewer's eye more toward the motif of the portrait, that is, the expressions on the bride's and groom's faces. A bit of texture and diffusion also helps in creating a more romantic mood.

My own trick with "candlelight" is to place a candelabra in a higher position, as you would with the main light in a portrait lighting situation, thus creating a more traditional portrait lighting on the faces.

See edited image.

Bobbee

I just reread this and should have said...

I like the lighting effect on the people, but the candles draw your attention imed.

MaggieMay1978 Loc: Calgary Alberta

Thanks for all the input :)appreciate it!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Just for giggles, and the fact that I'm nosey :)
I would love to know which version the couple picks.

I'm fascinated sometimes by what "normal" people pick, vs. we "weirdo" photographer types.

Several times, I've walked away scratching my head because clients picked the one photo that I was half sorry I included in the proofs, then that ends up being the one they want the largest print of.

Anyway, if you get a second, and let me/us know, it would be interesting. As you can see, even among us nutjobs, there is a lot of differing of opinions.

Thans again for sharing Maggie
Bob

Beercat Loc: Central Coast of California

Nice intimate shot. However, I agree with Ed on the light location. In this setup the light source lights their forearms more than anything else and there is a bit of distortion from the lens used. These two issues make the forearms look slightly larger, especially the brides which is a no no. A bit of correction in PP could help eliminate some of the distortion which may also correction the angle of the candles in relationship to the table.

As always the shot is more important than the technical stuff but next time you snap this type of shot you will be able to create a masterful photo, one that is intimate as well as technically perfect ;)

MaggieMay1978 Loc: Calgary Alberta

They liked the colour version :(

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Sweet! I normally love the black and white options of most images. That comes from years of my own B&W darkroom starting in the 70's as an Ansel Adams wannabe.

Sometimes, however, color actually grabs me, and this time the color won.

Thanks for sharing. Always interesting to find out what "normal" people pick. I'm around "normal" very little, especially if I'm alone.