First Dance

[hellamark]

My wife and I shot our first wedding this past weekend. It was for our good friends, so although we were a little scared that the pictures wouldn't turn out well, we felt a little more comfortable knowing that it could have been more nerve wrecking with someone else.

I took this shot during the first dance. I decided to take a risk by taking a few shots with a remotely triggered flash, and I think it turned out pretty darn well. Here's the original:



Here's the after:



What I did...
I obviously wanted the attention to be on the couple than people watching, so I created a vignette around the couple.

Adjusted the curves

That's pretty much it. Do you think that the vignette caused the flash on the ceiling to look a little unnatural?

[SJH Foto]

I like it. Good job!

[Loose_Canon]

Very nice shot! I would make a few suggestions - clone out the strobe near the groom (hot spot), I would keep the background (adds to the sense of place) whiten the dress some, and crop a little for aesthetics.

Overall good job!

[sandman935]

Exellent edit. Darkening the background makes for a more interesting shot.

[wisemanleo]

A smooth job! The subjects are right on the third line, and the light/curve edits couldn't have been executed more perfectly.

[lindyannajones]

What a nice memory you created for this couple. Your PP is great. I especially don't miss the vent on the ceiling left. On the original, my eye goes right to this vent and gets me thinking about... well...all the vents I have known...oh...wait a minute...I should be looking at the couple. The vignette removes the offending distraction and takes my eye back with the help of the finial at the end of the chandelier.
I also agree. Remove the bright light for the same reason you removed the vent. Great Job.

[hellamark]

Good point on the vent. I often overlook the seemingly trivial things that can really catch another person's eye. When I go back to PP this picture again, I'll probably clone it out just so it looks a lot cleaner.

[Skarlett]

Nice edit. Did you sharpen the portrait at all? If you did, how did you go about doing it?

[hellamark]

Originally Posted by Skarlett

Nice edit. Did you sharpen the portrait at all? If you did, how did you go about doing it?

No, I didn't sharpen it. Just adjusted the levels and curves

[DanaLane]

Fantastic work on the post, you turned a so-so image into a stunning keeper, I think. I would agree about cloning out the flash though, but that's the only thing I'd change. Very nicely done.