Cake Topper Couple.....

[ChowChi-Ching]

I shot my first wedding on Saturday! Here is one of the shots that I liked.....I wish I could have given them better expressions but they did not know I was taking this. I was behind a lattice type wall, the cake was right next to the wall, so I had no choice but to get back there. The cake topper would have been nice to be a bit more centered but was impossible with where they were sitting and with where I was. So, OTHER then that! How did I do?

Also, I know it is a bit dark, but they had turned down the lights for dinner and being behind the wall, I had my flash pointed up and was able to get the cake topper illuminated.....

[Guitarboy]

Considering the circumstances I would say you did a great job! I think the darker tone gives it a calm feel and suits the subject matter, and the people in the background give it a sense of depth and meaning. This is definitly something to try again next time you are at a wedding (whenever that may be), only this time hopefully you can take the shot without having to fight the world for it .

[swmdrayfan]

And I'm sure they're glad you didn't knock over the cake.;)
Any way you can increase the levels to bring up the shot without blowing the highlights in the cake topper?

[CLKunst]

I think John is right, a levels or at the least a contrast adjustment while keeping the highlights in mind, would bring out the couple a little more and liven the image quite a bit.

[drg]

You might even go for a sepia or b/w conversion and then you could really pump up the contrast and bring out the couple without worrying about color related issues.

[Anbesol]

AWESOME idea but i think you fell a bit on the execution. could you show us some of your other faves?

[Ronnoco]

Hindsight is easy but given that cake topper, it certainly indicates the requirement for some posed shots. Duplicating the cake topper in a posed job and then combining the two shots would be perfect. Some wedding photographers do posed shots with combinations in mind...particularly with the bride and groom. If you can do so, and keep everything looking un-posed and natural, then it works.

Ronnoco

[CLKunst]

Hi Chow~

Please, please, please forgive me. This is twice in one day I have squinched your pictures but I think this shot has real merit and I just want to show you what trying three steps consistently in post processing will do for you. I don't think this image has fallen short at all!

1. Contrast Adjustment - almost every photo editing software program has the ability to adjust this to some degree or another. I did this to about 20%-30%.

2. White Balance Adjustment - I'm not sure how universal this feature is but if used properly makes white look white and black look black. If not under "white balance" try "filters". You can also adjust white balance on your camera while you are shooting, check your manual.

3. Shadows adjustment to bring out the couple in the background. This of course is even more hit or miss as to whether you have this function with your particular software but if you've got it, it's effective.

All of these things I adjusted to taste, yours of course may be different.

I assume of course that this image is more or less straight out of the camera. If you have already considered all of these options, again please forgive my forwardness. I think that you did a very good job of getting your light source around the lattice and accomplished the best possible out come for this photo that you could given the circumstances and conditions.

Regards,