Love & Light

[jw_ott]

Exiff
Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV
This was part of an engagement session I did. I am looking for critique on the lighting and positioning by the window and the composition ?? Could I have done it different ?? What are your thoughts ??

[terri33inne]

By no means an expert here so take my feedback for what it's worth. My initial reaction is that I like this picture very much. Her expression is genuine, and you can feel the closeness of this couple.

I like the composition very much... it might be nice to see a bit more of his face. My first reaction w/ their hands on her stomach makes me think that she's pregnant...

The lighting coming in the window is nice... it looks a little bright on my monitor. Also, I like the idea of the vignetting in this photo, and it creates a timelessness to the photo, I would however like to see a version without it just to compare.

Very nice... it's very warm.

[ericakg]

I also think that this is a warm photo - it looks like a sweet moment between the two of them, and you can see the love in her gaze. But I think you could definitely make it better.

First, as for composition... The first thing I notice is that it is a sweet pose. I like her hand on his face and how she's smiling at him. But then I think it's too bad that I can't see his face at all... what is his expression? I feel like it's missing something without seeing his eyes and his expression. Try some different poses and shoot from different angles to get both their faces in the shot.

Another thing that bothers me is that my eyes keep being drawn to the veins on his forearm, I think because there is so much light focused on the bottom of the image. I think maybe a crop will fix this problem. And one more small thing... I said I liked her hand on his face, but at a closer look, I think it looks like she's scratching his chin or something... maybe she should put her fingers flatter against his cheek... just a suggestion.

Now for lighting. The first thing I noticed for lighting was the woman's face is mostly in shadow, and the cheek closest to the window seems overexposed. I would position them differently in front of the window so that the light hits their faces more evenly, and so that you can capture the light in their eyes. Maybe move them to the side so they are more in front of the window and turn them a bit so they are facing the window more.

I'm still learning photography myself, but I hope these comments are helpful!

Nice work, and thanks for sharing!

[jw_ott]

Thank you for your input. I agree the light is off and I should have repositioned them. I did get some shot were you can see his face much better and his expression however I had focus issues on her face so I didn't use it. All points are well taken and will be puting them in my note book. Will try and apply the advice on my next couple. Keep the coments and input coming as I am new and looking for any help and coments to help me improve. Here is the photo before processing. as requested.

[BK553]

I think I like it better without the brown vignette, which makes it feel a little dated. Maybe instead try a very subtle black one.

[alexsimpson]

agreed - i prefer the original to be honest.

[NgaiHill]

I like this photo too, although when I first saw it I thought she was pregnant. When I found that it was an engagement shot I looked for the ring hand and was surprised at hard it was to see. Perhaps if her hand was further along his arm?
With the lack of light on her face, perhaps you could've used a white reflector (I just use a large piece of white card) behind them to bounce light from the window back onto her face. Did you have anyone else that could've held it?
Otherwise a good shot, i'd be happy if it was mine

[sabrina860]

I love the composition and love the photo. The lighting is a little off... try a little fill light. Also i don't like the vingnetting at all. If they were centered in the frame and the color of the vignetting was deeper OR a little bit more transparent it would be good.

[miyukisarah]

Definitely try a soft black vignette. The brown made it look dirty. Beautiful photo