Pre-wedding photos...

[schrackman]

or, if you wish, engagement photos of my sister-in-law and her fiance. We had planned to go to the Huntington Library but at the last minute opted for Descanso Gardens in La Canada. I have a bunch more I have to process yet (will post later tonight) but here is a sample of today's shoot. This is the first time I've done this type of portrait work, so if you have any suggestions or comments please don't hesitate to pass them my way.

Canon EOS DRebel, Sigma 70-300mm, 550EX, softar filter and other other editing processes in PS.

Ray

[schrackman]

the second one is just a tad out of focus, but it was cute so I thought I would include it. The last one is Rito's son, who accompanied us on the shoot and helped carry some gear.

Ray

[schrackman]

you can also go to my website here to see the pictures. Be sure to click page 3 too.

Ray

[Hodgy]

well, the second last one (her over his shoulder) I particularily love. I do this one all the time. Bring her up just a little more, and if you have to have her kick her hip out to the side so that she can get closer to her fiance. Also, always remember this (I made this mistake alot), bring her face forward so that she covers his ear. Now some of them I find a little too soft in areas. There, there's my "bad points".

Good points. These are GREAT! They will both love them. Lighting is excellent on all of them, you handled your exposures well, and your post processing and presentation are great. Watch out Resada! Great images, truley professional!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Now, on some I just noticed the clothing. I tell my clients this, always go with the same tones. They dont' have to have the same colors, but the same tones work well. So I don't have one in white, and one in black, as it's very contrasty and the eyes are drawn to the subject with white. Stay away from prints, patterns and stripes. Solid colors work best.

#1. bring her chin down just a bit, even bring her other hand up to hold flower (if she's going to hold something) another variation after that is to have her look down to the flower, and then after that just bring her eyes back up to you.

#2. Watch your background (red clutter on the left) and watch his hands, I see chopped off fingers, bring his left hand back and place it on her butt. I see this alot (in myphotography) and im cracking down on myself. Also, have him cross his legs at the ankles. Her neck is a little awkward, but you captured a moment, and sometimes you have todo that no matter what the pose is going on. I think I tighter cropp and B&W would really enhance this image.

#3. Burn around the edges, right after this shot do the "hands on your hips and give me some attitude". women will usually kick out the hip and give a sexy smile. You can get some great shots with that.

#4. Clone out the flower that's growing out her shoulder. 2 variations with this pose. Have them both looking off ot the left, and then have them both looking at the camera. This is a great pose, and I did the exact same thing in my Engagement shoot post, I just had the women swing her legs around more to the side. Bring his chin up just a bit.

#5. Just a little ps (burn down his chin just a bit), other than that, you nailed the moment.

#6. Well, it's a good shot, but for me, I just don't do this, and will never do this shot (again). Heres my point about clothing, my eyes go directly to him, and with the 2 different shirts, it's varying your exposure.

#7. I already mentioned above. Great Job.

#8. Perfect except for the shirt (but you might not have had any say in this and this is what they showed up in, sooooo good job)

#9. some as I posted above.

So, this is pretty lengthy post and I just woke up. Don't take any of this the wrong way, Im trying to help you here because I see talent, lot's of talent! This couple will be thrilled!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[schrackman]

wow, that certainly was a write-up, Hodgy, and even though this isn't critique forum I'll take critique anytime I can get it (especially since I asked for it). You've weighed in with some very helpful advice, and I appreciate it very much since I would really like to continue doing this sort of photography work and your expertise will come in handy next time I attempt it. I really enjoyed this shoot, despite having to deal with my sister's-in-law inability to take it seriously. Rito, her fiance, on the other hand, was much more composed and cooperated well.

I agree with you about the clothing, but I was under the impression she was going to wear a nice sun dress for this (at least that's what I suggested my wife tell her). But, lesson learned, and I will to some extent nicely dictate next time what type of clothing should be worn. We had overcast skies that day, so that helped a lot with exposure and saturation. All in all I took about 135 photos, 14 of which are decent. All in about an hour and a half.

I also appreciate your kind comments and encouragement regarding my photography skills. That means a lot to me since it comes from someone who is experienced in this type of photography, and because I really only have been serious about photography for a little over a year. It helps me to know that I am making some progress in photography but still have more to learn. I will definitely incorporate your suggestions the next time I get this kind of opportunity, and thanks for being so thorough.

By the way, #7 was also my favorite, and next to that #5.

Ray

[JTurner538]

Beautiful pictures. I notice something about the colors....they seem so vivid...i don't know...almost painted portraits instead of photographs. I don't really know what I'm trying to say. I just love the colors. No other way to say it but vivid....well there's one other way: BEAUTIFUL. How'd you get it that way? I saw that you did some PS work...what exactly? Once again: bravo!

[schrackman]

Thank you, JTurner! Well, in addition to utilizing Hodgy's softar action for the softening effect, I do some manipulation of selective color balancing, saturation control (individual channels as well as the master channel), contrast, curves and burning. The extent to which I apply these differ with each photograph but in a series like this you want to achieve consistent results so that they all have the same "feel" to them.

Thanks again for your comments!

Ray