Looking towards a brighter future... 1st Post!

[FarFromPerfect]

My friend got married last weekend and I thought it would be a great opportunity to see what kind of damage I could do. I have been a lurker for a few months here at DPS, trying to educate myself as much as possible with the tutorials and forums. First time posting, so I am open for any and all suggestions, advice, comments as to how this could have been a better photo. The shadow or darkness behind the bride, does it work okay? How could this have been lightened up behind her without using the flash (which caused shadows on the wall)?
Thanks in advance!




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Camera Fujifilm FinePix S1000fd
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/105)
Aperture f/3.1
Focal Length 10.9 mm
ISO Speed 64
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

[FarFromPerfect]

Anyone??? Any general advice, good or bad?? Please...

[tyasa81]

i'll give it a shot:

1. The shadow or darkness behind the bride, does it work okay?
personally, i like it a little bit brighter behind her... she's blending in to the darkness quite a bit here...

2. How could this have been lightened up behind her without using the flash (which caused shadows on the wall)?
i'm assuming you meant on camera flash... using flash here would be worse since it'll brighten her more than the wall... the distance the flash hitting her is closer than the distance hitting the wall.. which is opposite of what you want to do... if you meant off camera flash, just point it to the wall from the side and gobo-ed it so none of the light spill on her... which is what you wanted to do..

3. the flowers are blown totally white and is very distracting... not sure what you can do about it... maybe choose a different window facing a different direction to try to find one that gives more even light from top to bottom?

classic posing of a bride in front of window... it's a nice pose so no comments on that one... hope that helps! good start and you are asking lots of question about light... which is a good start

[tyasa81]

oh and welcome to the forum... sorry that you had to ask twice... usually ppl are more than willing to help a first time poster... hope you enjoy your stay and do post more

[FarFromPerfect]

Originally Posted by tyasa81

oh and welcome to the forum... sorry that you had to ask twice... usually ppl are more than willing to help a first time poster... hope you enjoy your stay and do post more

Thank you greatly for your input; I truly appreciate it!
Next time involving similar lighting I will know how to prevent the darker background..practice makes close to perfect!

[Guitarplayr34]

I think the dark background works well here. It really draws the focus to her and her dress. The flowers are blown out, but that didn't bother me. The only thing I didn't like is that her face is a bit out of focus. Other than that I really like the shot.

[FarFromPerfect]

Originally Posted by Guitarplayr34

I think the dark background works well here. It really draws the focus to her and her dress. The flowers are blown out, but that didn't bother me. The only thing I didn't like is that her face is a bit out of focus. Other than that I really like the shot.

Thank you for your feedback! You pointed out the main reason why I personally liked this photo, that the attention is drawn more so to her face and dress. But for future references, I am glad I understand now what I need to do to fix the lighting problem behind her. Also, her flowers were mainly all white, very, very little color and with me not having any knowledge what so ever in PS or any other editing program, I was not about to even try and do anything with them! Thanks again for your input!

[sheila3]

Hi ya! Nice shot and welcome. Now I am not sure about this advice so people correct me if i'm wrong. I had a similar shot posted with light coming in from a window and her hair kinda blended into the background. I was told I cld use a reflector (or white foam board is wht I will use) behind her facing the window. This wld reflect some of the light onto her hair. Think this wld work in your case also.