First Big Church Wedding - Please Critique

[swiftmed]

Hey Guys,

Well after many months of planning, my sisters wedding has been and gone, and I can publish some of my shots. I was asked to be the 'official' photographer even though I don't do wedding photography, I am more of a concert photographer.

So having never done a wedding before, it was still all a learning curve. The day went well. I decided on the day that I needed a flash gun so went and bought one that morning. This was a mistake as I never had chance to learn how to best use it, so a lot of my shots were very hit-and-miss in their exposure. Luckily I made up for that in the sheer number of pictures I took just to give myself a fighting chance.

I have posted three of my favourite 'posed' shots from the day and would love to hear your feedback and critique on them. As I said, Im not a professional photographer, so It isn't perfect but the B+G are very happy with the results.

Something I must point out, you will notice the photos have been airbrushed - mainly the skin. Although this is something I wouldn't normally have done, this was specifically requested by the couple, so I had to follow their wishes. I have done my best to not go 'too far' with it.

I also faced a constant battle with getting the groom to smile - it was practically impossible. Of the three, I think my favourite is the one with them and the car. But what do you think?



ISO: 400.
F: 5.6.
Shutter: 1/125th.
Focal: 50mm

[barabe]

I enjoy the shot with the car.
The other two bug me because of the was you cropped. You cut off they feet and it feels weird to me. Either go thght on them or get them in full but not inbetween.
The two first images are slightly over exposed washing out details in the dress.

[Inkjet]

I should say that you did fair as a first-time photographer. The 3rd picture I should say is your best shot. The first two looks as if the couple is not prepared for the shot and the shot with the church as background, could have been better if you did a full shot for the couple as well as the structure making the background blend in the image well.

[swiftmed]

@Barabe - Thank you for the feedback. Now you have pointed it out, I absolutely see what you mean. I can't believe I didn't notice that myself. Unfortunately for me though, those two shots haven't been cropped, they are as they came out of the camera so I can't bring back the feet.

I should say that the Bride and Groom saw the pictures last night, and absolutely loved them. Of cvourse, they aren't keen photography enthusiasts so they don't really see what you guys see therefore haven't picked up about the composition there which is good.

But from a photographers point of view, that is something I shall definitely pay more attention to at future weddings.

@Inkjet - Also thank you for your feedback. Having looked at the picture of them in front of the church afterwards, I also agree that I should have pulled them further away from the church so that I could have got their full bodies in with the church a little further in the background. As you can see from the way it's composed, I had to sit on the floor and shoot upwards in order to get the full church tower in there. If I had have pulled them further away from the church, it would have been a better picture I reckon.

I think that on the day the excitement of it all and getting caught up in 'the moment' played a factor. Not only was this somebody's wedding day, it was my sisters wedding day, so I wanted to do a great job for her - I maybe should have stepped back and thought a little more before I placed my subjects for the official photos.