Storybook Elopement (Page 2): This is what I think works. :sm24:...

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

fergmark wrote:

Everyone is saying pretty much the same thing regarding a crop to reframe in such a way as to feature the couple. I absolutely agree. Its a very nice photo. This would be a suggestion for that crop. I think its ok to post an alternation here in the critique section,

This is what I think works.

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

For me, the composition is such that the man is the center of attention to the extent that the girl is almost totally eclipsed. That dominates no matter what kind of cropping is done. The draped fabric behind his head acts like a halo about his head, and her presence is absorbed by the background.

Red in Colorado

fergmark wrote:

I was thinking the same thing. No-one asked the op what he was wanting, or thinking.

I didn't say. I should have. This photo is from a styled shoot featuring a couple "eloping". It was fun that they were newlyweds. The capture was to feature the work of the stylist more than the couple. I am not a fan of the stylist's work, but my task is to feature it, so my taste doesn't matter. From everyone's answers, the background competes with the work. I was trying to figure out exactly what was bugging me in this case and I believe that was it.
I appreciate the input from everyone. I am going to see if there is another photo without all the mishmash or at least with the couple centered. I won't be using it on my website (almost done!) unless I can fix the composition.

Red in Colorado

fergmark wrote:

For me, the composition is such that the man is the center of attention to the extent that the girl is almost totally eclipsed. That dominates no matter what kind of cropping is done. The draped fabric behind his head acts like a halo about his head, and her presence is absorbed by the background.

His suit was black. I could fix some of that by lowering the black values, right? The background again. I wonder why I didn't see it until it was pointed out, lol.

Red in Colorado

Bmac wrote:

This is what I think works.

That makes it less busy without cutting out too much of the archway. I will revisit that.

Red in Colorado

Delderby wrote:

I can't see the wood for the trees.

Thanks for the chuckle. Yes indeedy that is true.

Red in Colorado

Stephan G wrote:

The question that popped into my mind was, "W... (show quote)

The telling part for me is that you asked the question about what to look at. I deliberately left out that the arch thing was supposed to be featured as this is for the stylist. That says to me that I captured neither the wedding nor the stylist's work, but some mish-mash in between.
I love your idea about interacting. I will try that next time. So many people love the arches that we will see them again soon.

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

Beautiful potential, but as most have said it's a bit busy (I like the color in the background tree as much as you do but it has to go) and the subjects need centered.

Now the problem: Center the subjects and lose part of the trellis.

But wait, an easy solution: Center on the trellis then use Photoshop to remove the driftwood and center the subjects with the trellis.

On the other hand, had I not seen the original image you posted, the edit by fergmark might have satisfied me.

Stephan G

Red in Colorado wrote:

I didn't say. I should have. This photo is from a ... (show quote)

A suggestion, perhaps if you circle the stylist's handiwork and show them with a frame about them, with the couple being placed in the center of the group as a collage you can have something that the stylist may like. You can modify the photo to be a photo from a wedding. And highlight the stylist's contributions.

Stephan G

fergmark wrote:

For me, the composition is such that the man is the center of attention to the extent that the girl is almost totally eclipsed. That dominates no matter what kind of cropping is done. The draped fabric behind his head acts like a halo about his head, and her presence is absorbed by the background.

"Senor, that white over his head is his wide-brimmed sombrero. The vaquero (cowboy!) is bidding his new bride (to-be, 'elopement') a farewell kiss before he mounts his trusty caballo and rides off with the rest of the caballeros to .............(Fill in blank)"

The shot is for a Spanish/Mexican love novel cover.

"Yo volvere!" He shouts to her as he runs off into the brush.

[Fade to Black with the Spanish Love tune ending in the middle of the coda.]

[Insert Ad number 6751988]

R.G. Loc: Scotland

The girl is being crowded and the trellis isn't doing a good job of framing the couple. The trellis should completely contain the couple, preferably centrally. As it is the trellis frame is cramping the couple, especially the woman. And I don't see the connection between the lampstand (candle holder?) and eloping, or between the antlers and eloping. But they both seem vaguely domestic.

Red in Colorado

Stephan G wrote:

"Senor, that white over his head is his wide-... (show quote)

That made me laugh. It does, doesn't it.

wham121736 Loc: Long Island, New York

This is a good attempt, but you've included too much that is distracting. I will not repeat what others have very well explained. Let me add however that you could have used the white sheet to your advantage by putting it behind both people. As it is the girls head and flowers blend in with the foliage. My quick example should give you some idea of what I and others have articulated. You have a good eye for composition so keep up the good work!

Red in Colorado wrote:

This is my first effort in the critique forum. I a... (show quote)

htbrown Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

When I look at the photo, it seems peculiarly flat to me, almost like it was taken indoors in front of a photo backdrop. Unless you spread dirt on the floor of your studio, that does not appear to be the case, so I'm not sure why it appears this way. Perhaps you need a different balance between the ambient light and the fill light?

Desert Gecko Loc: desert southwest, USA

htbrown wrote:

When I look at the photo, it seems peculiarly flat to me, almost like it was taken indoors in front of a photo backdrop. Unless you spread dirt on the floor of your studio, that does not appear to be the case, so I'm not sure why it appears this way. Perhaps you need a different balance between the ambient light and the fill light?

I think this is a look the OP was after and achieved quite nicely in post. I rather like it.