Engagement photos

[sgeary]

I am not sure how to post the technical info. I use flickr so any help would be appreciated...


I want some critique on composition and lighting. I am new to this and have very think skin so have at it. It was taken with a Nikon d5000 with the 18-55mm lens

[sgeary]

pic stats:

Camera: Nikon D5000
Exposure: 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture: f/4.5
Focal Length: 55 mm
Focal Length: 55.0 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Fired, Return detected

File Size: 3.8 MB
File Type: JPEG
MIME Type: image/jpeg
Image Width: 4288
Image Height: 2848
Encoding Process: Baseline DCT, Huffman coding
Bits Per Sample: 8
Color Components: 3
Orientation: Horizontal (normal)
X-Resolution: 300 dpi
Y-Resolution: 300 dpi
Software: Nikon Transfer 1.4 W
Date and Time (Modified): 2010:01:18 17:06:40
YCbCr Positioning: Centered
Exposure Program: Not Defined

Max Aperture Value: 4.0
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
Light Source: Unknown


Color Space: sRGB
Sensing Method: One-chip color area
CFAPattern: [Green,Blue][Red,Green]
Custom Rendered: Normal
Exposure Mode: Auto
White Balance: Auto
Digital Zoom Ratio: 1
Focal Length In35mm Format: 82 mm
Scene Capture Type: Portrait
Gain Control: None
Contrast: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Sharpness: Normal
Subject Distance Range: Unknown
Maker Note Version: 2.10
ISO: 200
Quality: Fine
White Balance: Auto
Focus Mode: AF-A
Flash Setting: Normal
Flash Type: Built-in,TTL
White Balance Fine Tune: 0 0
WB_ RBLevels: 5.0039062 1.00390625 0.00390625 0.00390625
Program Shift: 0
Exposure Difference: 0
Flash Exposure Comp: 0
ISOSetting: 200
Image Boundary: 0 0 4288 2848
Exposure Bracket Value: 0
Crop Hi Speed: Off (4352x2868 cropped to 4352x2868 at pixel 0,0)
Serial Number: 3167662
Color Space: sRGB
VRInfo Version: 0100
Vibration Reduction: On
Active D- Lighting: Auto
Picture Control Version: 0100
Picture Control Name: Portrait
Picture Control Base: Portrait
Picture Control Adjust: Default Settings
Picture Control Quick Adjust: n/a
Sharpness: Auto
Contrast: Auto
Brightness: Normal
Saturation: Normal
Hue Adjustment: None
Filter Effect: n/a
Toning Effect: n/a
Toning Saturation: n/a
Timezone: -05:00
Daylight Savings: Yes
Date Display Format: D/M/Y
ISOExpansion: Off
ISO2: 200
ISOExpansion2: Off
Lens Type: G VR
Lens: 55-200mm f/4-5.6
Flash Mode: Fired, TTL Mode
Shooting Mode: Continuous
Auto Bracket Release: Auto Release
Lens FStops: 4.92
Shot Info Version: 0215
Noise Reduction: Off
WB_ RGGBLevels: 2848 0 0 0
Lens Data Version: 0204
Exit Pupil Position: 70.6 mm
AFAperture: 4.1
Focus Position: 0x11
Focus Distance: 2.24 m
Lens IDNumber: 144
Min Focal Length: 55.0 mm
Max Focal Length: 201.6 mm
Max Aperture At Min Focal: 4.0
Max Aperture At Max Focal: 5.7
MCUVersion: 146
Effective Max Aperture: 4.0
Retouch History: None
Image Data Size: 3981631
Shutter Count: 572
Flash Info Version: 0103
External Flash Firmware: n/a
External Flash Flags: (none)
Flash Commander Mode: Off
Flash Control Mode: iTTL-BL
Flash Group AControl Mode: Off
Flash Group BControl Mode: Off
Flash Group CControl Mode: Off
Flash Group AExposure Comp: 0
Flash Group BExposure Comp: 0
Flash Group CExposure Comp: 0
Vari Program: Portrait
Multi Exposure Version: 0100
Multi Exposure Mode: Off
Multi Exposure Shots: 0
Multi Exposure Auto Gain: Off
High ISONoise Reduction: Off
AFInfo2 Version: 0100
AFArea Mode: Auto-area AF
Auto Focus: Unknown (2)
Primary AFPoint: Center
AFPoints Used: Center, Bottom, Mid-left, Upper-left, Far Left
File Info Version: 0100
Directory Number: 100
File Number: 0074
Compression: JPEG (old-style)
XResolution: 72
YResolution: 72
Resolution Unit: inches
Preview Image Start: 19767
Preview Image Length: 26555
GPSVersion ID: 2.2.0.0
Compression: JPEG (old-style)
XMPToolkit: Public XMP Toolkit Core 3.5
Rating Percent: 0

[naeno]

Good job for your first attempt! You followed the rule of thirds, keeping them out of the center. They have a pleasant look about them (he could have used a small shot of happiness, but not bad).

Your white balance is a bit off. They have a slight blue tinge. There is a few sticks to the right side of the picture that should be cloned out. I probably would have moved her hands a bit lower or had her move a bit closer to him as her arm seems a bit close to his neck.

As I said, though, for a first attempt this was well done.

[LeeR]

First of all, when they ask for EXIF data they are usually looking for exposure information like type of camera, shutter speed, aperture, and focal length. The rest of the information you posted is not usually important.
Second, your camera is being fooled by white balancing for the scene behind your subjects, which is being lit by sunlight, rather than your people who are being lit by sky light which is significantly bluer. This is easy enough to fix in Photoshop or one of its clones.
Normally, skylight is great for people; it is not as directional and doesn't leave harsh shadows. I often seek out areas where direct sunlight is blocked. Just try not to get the harsh difference in light like you have here between your subject and background.

[SusanH1970]

They're a bit underexposed as well as being cool. Try spot metering when you're shooting against a brighter background (and you won't have to use your pop-up flash and get flat lighting as well as pinlights in their eyes). Do you have a reflector you can use to bounce light onto their faces? If you don't even a piece of white foamboard for $2 will help.

Did you shoot in RAW? If so, you can bring up the exposure and fix the WB.

Great job nailing the focus.

[sgeary]

Thank you for all the help. I forgot to turn the flash up which would have helped. Is there a way that I can adjust the WB in the camera settings. I did shoot in RAW so I know I can fix the white balance there as well as the underexposure. Keep the help coming I appreciate it.

[sdstone00]

If you use the "Cloudy" WB setting it will usually warm the image a touch. Also as mentioned above, use either center-weighted or spot metering. Just be sure to hold your shutter release half way down while you recompose after you take the center-weighted reading.

[Thomas93]

I know im a bit of a newbie and this probably wont be of much usem but anyway.

The background is pleasant, the bokeh works well and it complements the subjects, rather than detracting from them and they both look properly happy, not forced which is what couple pgotography is all about, keep up the good work!