LKincaid Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

I am so sorry....
I am not a professional photographer, I was recently at a friend's wedding on the beach on Anna Marie Island and brought my camera for practice. They had a very casual wedding and I thought if I got a few good enough shots I would have them printed for them as a gift.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I think they will be pleased with these!
Pat

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Good job - nice photos and creativity -
They should be very pleased :)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Very pretty shots.
Can I ask what you did in Post? I'm only asking because I'm seeing some edge glow around the subjects in a few photos. Not sure if it is from sharpening, or if you did dodging, or maybe a layer mask.

Some of us may be able to help get rid of that if you want. If it is part of your style, and want it there, then that's fine too. I don't try to "pick" on anyone's personal style, just try to help if someone wants it.

All in all, I'm sure they are super pleased with the images.
Thanks for posting.

LKincaid Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

[quote=bkyser]Very pretty shots.
Can I ask what you did in Post? I'm only asking because I'm seeing some edge glow around the subjects in a few photos. Not sure if it is from sharpening, or if you did dodging, or maybe a layer mask.

What did I not do in PP? LOL. I think what you are seeing is my poor attempt at a darker "exposure" for the sky in the background so the people would be "lighter" and stand out a bit better. I darkened the photo overall then "erased" the areas I wanted lighter.

I'll get better at it. Still trying to understand this "masking" thing.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

[quote=LKincaid]

Which program are you using? Several of us here are fairly well versed in post production, or you can zip on over to the Post Processing section and post one of the images (it is OK to repost something from this section to another section) and ask over there the "way" to do it. (Way is in "" because there are 50 ways to accomplish anything)

If you go to youtube, and just search for layer mask tutorials, you'll get tons there.

I use PS Creative cloud but have worked with several versions of elements, and also PS CC versions, as well as gimp.

For what my opinion is worth (since it is free, you know what that means) You do an excellent job with composition, and posing people. The next step would be to get really involved in the Post Processing section, and up your game using their help.

bk

LKincaid Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

[quote=bkyser]Which program are you using?

I am using Lightzone (free program) for my RAW photos and OnOne Suite 9.0 (just purchased on sales recently).

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

[quote=LKincaid]

Aaaah, two that I know absolutely nothing about. :oops:
I do know that people in the Post Processing section do use those programs, so you may want to repost over there. Please don't abandon our little section, we love having you here, but I do think that they could really help with the layer masking issues, and walk you through it. GREAT people (some of ours, even) subscribe to that section.

LKincaid Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Thanks so much bkyser...

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

I think all these images came out great, but I really like your shot of the bride in the doorway what a excellent capture of a special moment in time. Greg

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

Masking and dodging and burning will be a constant in your PP. May I suggest, if you don't already have one, get a Wacom tablet. After learning how to use it which, isn't difficult and more just getting use to it, you will see a great improvement in your work.

Your wedding shot compositions are excellent and way better than several so called "pros" that I know. Your posing skills look pretty good also. Wedding photographers often find themselves dealing with strong back lighting. The best defense for this is to learn how to expose for the background while lighting the subjects with fill light.

The second shot is good PP wise because it is "artsy". I would like it better if it was more of a vignette than a masking job. Forgive me if I am wrong about the PP. Also forgive me if my suggestions are things you already know.

I think you have the skill set of an accomplished wedding photographer. If you ever decide to do it professionally, I say go for it. BTW Whenever I see what looks to be a good amateur/guest photog at a wedding I am shooting I introduce myself and make some photography small talk. This usually happens at the reception and I already know if he/she is a polite, non intrusive type. If they are not then the intro/small talk thing sometimes changes that. By the end of the wedding I will sometimes approach the bride with a compliment of the guest. Sometimes I will tell the bride that if she receives a shot from the guest that she really likes she should have him/her contact me about putting it in their wedding album.

Don

LKincaid Loc: Tampa Bay, Florida

Sometimes I will tell the bride that if she receives a shot from the guest that she really likes she should have him/her contact me about putting it in their wedding album.

Don[/quote]

Thanks Don. Weddings seem to be nerve raking! No pressure as a guest....LOL. Wildlife and nature shots are far easier :)

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

Thanks Don. Weddings seem to be nerve raking! No pressure as a guest....LOL. Wildlife and nature shots are far easier :)[/quote]

Being a wedding photographer is either a vocation or an addiction. You choose. All I know is that I can't stop. LOL

Maybe, for me, the nerve racking part is offset by those long walks through the park with my camera.

Don

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I think mine is an addiction. I'm at the point where I never get my camera out for anything except weddings or portraits. When people ask, are you burned out from photography? My first response is that I LOVE photography, I just don't like taking pictures of boring stuff. I'm not trying to be a snob, but there's something about weddings that keep me excited. About 3 days before a wedding, I start having trouble sleeping. It isn't fear, it is excitement, like when I was a kid at Christmas.

Wonder if there's a 12 step program for this?

fotodon Loc: Oberlin, OH

Ya know, back about 1977, after about the 200th wedding, I said to myself, "I never want to shoot another wedding the rest of my life". Ya... that really worked out!!!

Partner Terri also can't sleep the night before but her's is more a nervous thing. Because of that I have to listen to all reasons why we should not be doing weddings on the ride to the first location on the day of a wedding. But then, I hand her a camera and I swear, it is like a Superman in the phone booth thing. She takes off and a speeding train couldn't stop her.

I just got a new business idea. I'll start up one called WedPhotog Centers of America. I'll advertise that I can cure this addiction using a wholistic approach. Then I will only accept RICH photographers. Opps...I just saw the flaw in my business plan. LOL.