Took some engagement pictures and would love some input on what to do better next time.
Not too much. Possibly crop 1 and 2 a little tighter.
The issue with 3 of 4 of them is that the backgrounds are fighting the subjects for the viewer's attention. So, a little more of them and a little less of the background would help a lot.
--Bob
Emmasmom wrote:
Took some engagement pictures and would love some input on what to do better next time.
Emmasmom wrote:
Took some engagement pictures and would love some input on what to do better next time.
Great shoot. To improve the images, I would crop in to the couple on number 1 and 2 to give the image more impact. 3 and 4 are perfect.
What in the pictures says to the viewer: "This is about an engagement?" If you hadn't said it was, I wouldn't have known.
Nice images. A wider aperture would throw the backgrounds out of focus and make them less distracting.
Mike
luvmypets
Loc: Born & raised Texan living in Fayetteville NC
My personal opinion--- I would crop some off the top of each photo but especially in #1 and #3. The couple is your subject and you need to emphasize them. That very white sky draws your attention away from them. All the wood above his head in #3 emphasizes how short she is. On #3 I would have used the other side of the barn to put her on his right side so that she could place her left hand on his arm or chest so that you would see the ring. #4 you might have used a shallower depth of field to blur the background to make them more prominent. If you have Photoshop you can use a layer and create the blur. You would have to YouTube it or have someone here that is more familiar with the procedure explain how to do it.
Keep trying!!! It's a very good start.
Good start. Think about the rule of thirds when following crop advice.
These images can be improved with post processing to adjust local brightness and, if you wish, to blur the backgrounds as suggested.
Rolk
Loc: South Central PA
I agree with everything others have said about cropping, blurring backgrounds, removing distracting elements, etc., but I have a couple more things to suggest...I always double check "hair" and "hand placement."
Her hair could be brushed out a little, but in the first image, while we know she doesn't have a hand growing out of her back, his right hand is distracting. Just have him drop his right hand to his side. And in the third image, his head could be tilted ever so slightly towards her.
I agree with what previous respondents suggested --composition/cropping, posing, the use and purpose of a shallower dof and/or a background blur and such-- but what struck me initially was the couple's placement in front of a barbed wire fence. What might that suggest? a 'thorny' relationship? While that might arguably be subliminal, its easier to dismiss the barbed wire than it is to dismiss the implied fate of people who sit in the middle of a road on a narrow bridge.
Your 3rd and 4th images are a lot more appropriate, and don't suggest a horror movie ending.
Emmasmom wrote:
Took some engagement pictures and would love some input on what to do better next time.
Eliminate the barbed wire in the first one. It does not match the romance. Best shot is the last one. Very nice.
Jay Pat
Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA
I agree about the cropping.
Image 1, consider placing the the guys hand at her waist.
Image 2, I like the way the dress is posed.
Image 3, guys left hand out of pocket and placed at her waist. Have the gals right hand opened up slightly. The top three fingers appear a little tight, to me.
Image 4, do something different with the gals hands. I like the heads being closer in height.
Consider, getting them to laugh to capture personalities.
Please keep in mind, I'm just a snap shot guy.......
Overall, I enjoyed viewing the series. Do you have more? Part 2?
Pat
Emmasmom wrote:
Took some engagement pictures and would love some input on what to do better next time.
Don't quite get the sitting on the bridge thing.
Emmasmom wrote:
Took some engagement pictures and would love some input on what to do better next time.
Again after a further look. On the in field view (#4) A little more face exposure one can hardly tell who they are. Keep the intimacy but give a better look. As far as the height difference it is what it is. Maybe one with them more equal in height and let them choose.
Nice looking couple. You did good.
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