Wedding Photo - Do you "get" this

[scootermcq]

Do you get this one? I deliberately set DOF to blur the bride and groom and focus on the rings while the blessing was being given. Does it work, or does it look like I am just OOF?

1/500
F/8
ISO 200
70mm

[ReenaG]

I think if there had been a bit more of the person holding the rings, to see what he was doing with them would have helped a bit more...right now it's just a person holding the rings.

Since I know what is going on now (since you told!) I can't make a decision about it....

not sure I really like the shot....the bride is frowning (even though it's probably from the sun) and even though she is not totally in focus, it's not flattering.

[zona5101]

I think the shot could work but you'd have to get rid of the two people in the background! A small bit of teasing really. Neither of them look happy and it just smashes any chance of this shot could of had. When I opened the image, first thjing I note: it's a wedding, second thing I note is their expressions then I see the rings in focus then I go back to their expressions and stay there, even the out of focus can't pull me away. I like the concept. Maybe at a future event this could be one of your posed shots so you can control the lighting.

[digirebelva]

It doesnt look like the rings are in focus since they are so small in the picture..it does tend to look like you got the wrong focus point

[Jerry.Hammond]

I never want to tell another shooter they are "oof", but sense you asked I have to go with "oof" on this one. Sorry, could just be me and my particular taste. Fwiw, the cause of my opinion may be more the pained expression on the Groom's face than anything other element of this shot.

[swilliams61]

I get the concept, but I agree, the focal point needs to be more on the rings. If the angle was different, you could crop down to the hand holding the rings and still get the bride's gown and groom's tux in the background.

[LeeR]

In short, no, this image does not work. It looks forced and contrived and should not be a part of a wedding set. Great wedding photography is not about contrived images, though there are a few that sell well. Great wedding photography is about capturing the people and emotions of a very special day in their lives. Skip the corny poses and the ring on the Bible and concentrate on capturing the moments that make each wedding unique and you will be a lot more successful.

[scootermcq]

Well, I guess that answers that. Thanks for the feedback. When the minister held up the rings for the blessing and they were in front of the couple I thought it would make a neat picture, but when I saw it in lightroom I was not sure. I guess bottom lne is to go with your gut.

[BigVinnie]

I like the concept.

Unfortunately you have to work with what you have. What is missing in the shot is something leading your eye to the rings.

Always easier to come up with ideas AFTER the shot. What might have made this shot would have been to take a step to your left and get the minister in the shot and use a wider angle. That way his arm would be leading down to the rings giving the eye a path to follow. With the wider angle you could keep the bride/groom in the shot.

Might even be better to use as a setup shot for the rings before orafter the ceremony. Little more control on the expressions that way. Maybe have the best man hold the rings?

Just tossing ideas out here.

[Life in Motion]

i like the concept...but i think it could definitely work from a different perspective. maybe if you had the hand with the rings closer to you and filling up more of the frame then if you'd got down on one knee and shot slightly up given the dof even more blur with the bride/groom in background and the rings more of a focal point...i think it could be better and work...sometimes changing perspective slightly does a lot!