Yeah I think the colors really made it pop - I tried to use some guide lines and tweak it a bit, then threw your color back in it.
Just playing around - Really like your pic!

Now that made me chuckle :)
Let's have some respect for 'Uncle Bob', and quite being so insecure.
I have been 'Uncle Bob', Hated and despised by the Paid photog, And my pics were saved and the others thrown out because of the quality. So far... Now that I deal will all the Uncle Bobs from the other side, it hasn't been big deal. I see them lurking, and invite them to take shots 'after' I'm done. When I have a couple minutes, I'll talk to them, give them pointers, And a couple I Dare say, Have given me pointers! (The retired professionals).
One 'wanna be' that I gave tips to, recommends me to all his friends and extended relatives. Of course he shows up too, but thats ok :)
I've learned that Family members are family members...you have to deal with it, Sometimes their pics will be technically awful-but cherished, because they are family. And sometimes the 'Professional' pics will be technically awful-but cherished, because they were the "paid Professional".
I've also learned, that Sometimes others are better photogs than me... I'd rather learn and improve than hate and despise.

I do see your point - esp the 'BOB'. Personally, I could only wish that I meet you at one your families events. You could give me pointers, with no pressure or expectations on you-(from the family) :)
Maybe we should start circulating an Uncle 'Bubba', certainly he doesn't deserve to ruin our year!

Great job! I really Like your composite of the background, very believable.

Jay, thanks for the tip! Liquify is really handy :)
ED! Thanks for taking the time and putting in so much detail!
I agree we are trying to emulate the studio as best we can in the field. But, Having no training in studio or proper portraiture - I appreciate you explaining how to do it in studio & what to shoot for in the field. I really like your examples of real life situations.
No matter how much I cringe at the attire, I still strive to make it the best I can... maybe they will see themselves as never before because no one cared enough to try.
A couple questions...When one eye is bigger than the other, was that a typo to put the smaller eye "away" from camera? Or is that desirable?
And the skinny bride kicking a leg out .."can add body to the skirt of the gown and shoe off its shape".., Can you explain this? Are we trying for a bell shape? Or to do this, would it be better to have the bride on a bench? Just curious.
Thanks again!

Thats pretty neat! I've been there a few times, don't remember it looking that good!
On a personal preference, I'd tone down that blue sky - a bit too much blue, and maybe get rid of the power wire on the first light.
Just my 2cents. But I really like the picture!

Well I moved to mid-west and I'm finding I didn't shoot enough 'Large' people.Corn fed is a great description :) Out west the beyond skinny is the norm & they tend to have the deep sunken eyes, easy to raccoon them.
Good idea about turning away from main light and using short lighting. I'll give that a try.

I've been involved in a hair pulling photoshop composite for a product advertisement... But troubleshooting the computer & a glitchy Wacom cord are making me crosseyed!
OK - I have a Question (Always have questions)...... How do you pose & light ... brides and guests .... To flatter them? Lets say The somewhat beyond skinny? But also the skinny~bony bride and maids??
My go to... On the beyond skinny: I try to use short lighting to slim the face, I try to get a little above to decrease proportions below... & I try to cover the belly...flowers, kids or slide them behind someone else. I never shoot strait on. try to keep arms away from body. Usually try to bend leg closest to camera.
For the skinny-bony, I broad light the face, and will shoot waist level for full length, eye level for headshots. Usually hands on hips to simulate a waist line.
Not too long ago I had some 'beyond skinny' bridesmaids, in very unflattering short thin dresses. I really didn't do a good job flattering them. But I used up my tricks :(
Anyways - What do you guys do?

I use a MacBook Pro ... Photoshop is a resource hog, ...so my two cents, for any laptop.... get the fastest processor, and the most ram you can afford, then a SSD hard drive, and the best video card to can get.

Wouldn't that be great. I feel like I owe him a computer. :)

Thats a good idea. A Plastic container would work good inside and out. At least it would be light weight.

Yes!! Had to have help finding them! I did the rest of the shots in a shell, you wouldn't believe how quick they sink! and how deep!
I was already stressed and everything was behind schedule.. No one knew why I was so sweaty! (he was just taking pics of the rings).
Here is a couple more...

Wow, Lots of great information!!
My computer not usable for a couple weeks, topped off 3 used HardDrives and bought another, now I have to download All this info to catch up! May need another drive :)
Love that ringshot Bkyser! I have one here that is similar... It was really a happy accident. On the beach, Bible opened to same verse, Used a shoot thru umbrella - laid on ground to help knock down the harsh light, and 1 bare flash of center.
(100 macro lens)... right as I was about to take the shot, the wind blew the pages, rings went flying (they sink fast in sand!)-
So I used a random page, rings kept falling, but then I saw this pattern, And liked it for the shot.
A lot of the white in the diamond was from the umbrella, where the blue was the sky, I tried turning it several times to get the best reflection.

bk - I like that idea.I was kinda thinking the same thing, there is alot of good info that is going to get lost or overlooked in long threads.
Jay- I really like the idea of "reflections" :) I found a long time ago, that I learn more from making mistakes, & how to fix them...Doesn't mean I'm happy about it :) I've had people ask me how I learned to do so many things with photoshop, I grit my teeth- because I have spent so many hours in Photoshop...DUE TO BAD PICTURES!! (mainly mine I might add). I never intended to Learn PhotoShop, I wanted to learn Photography!
Before I moved I had a small group - we would share and compare photos...I found great value in that. Many times I knew something was wrong, but couldn't put my finger on it. From a distracting piece of trash, to a pole coming out of a head...sometimes I don't see those, but even bigger - was 'learning'-so thats what foreshortning is, or wow, the head is bigger than the Body!
Now I'm at... You made her round face bigger with broad lighting- or you added 30lbs by shooting straight on with 24mm! The value in those who have been there and done that, that can spot the posing - lighting- camera angles is worth so much !
Ed- Love your idea with the worksheets. I have several "Pages" documents(I'm on apple)... that I have started taking the main points, taking a screenshot-so that I have a jpg, then transfer to a folder on my phone called "Cheetsheat". Some are just to review when I go "brain dead". Some are for quick reference-settings.
I'll throw a couple up as examples....
And I'm looking for a good pic to review for improvement :)

Ed, Thanks for clarifying. I was thinking a whole different direction. your example was great and makes sense.
I'm still absorbing your post :)
Jay, as a one light shooter-usually solo, I'm not really qualified to critique.
30+ people moved to another location, I was gritting my teeth :) But you pulled it off! Looks like in the group shot you were up on a ladder?
I don't usually notice the falling timbers 'till after the fact, so I like Eds' thinking on how to prevent it.
On the big group I'd like to see the bride sit up,move a couple women, maybe a better pose for the lady in second row, and have all their attention. The Giraffe is great! :)
On the smaller portrait, When I'm paying attention to details(which isn't often) -I try to keep women from pressing their arms where the skin shows...where in this case, it's the husband hand, & I'd like a better pose for the lady in beige, maybe more of a turn? Maybe the kid in front? (I try to make the Moms look good, because they usually pay the bill)...The girl in yellow is taller, and dress is almost as bright, I don't know what to do with her, maybe in just a bit closer?
These are things I notice... doubt I could have done better... You made it look like there was no kaos at all, Must be that good camera you have!! Great job!

Nalu, I only bought one usb to usb-c adaptor, but I found an inexpensive card reader, that has 3 more usb ports, over at OWC computing. Makes it handy for my external drives and Wacom... Without buying a bunch of expensive adaptors.