Engagement Portrait

[Minges14]

Got a new Rebel t2i for Christmas, a few days after I got engaged so we decided to go ahead and try to take some photos for the wedding website and possibly the save the date cards. Bear with me I'm new to all of this, should I attempt to edit any further, as far as lightening or darkening? Thanks for any input.



Exif data
Camera Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture f/5.7
Focal Length 47 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV

[ssssnake529]

I don't really like the tree background. It kind of blends with the guy's head, sticks out all over, and distracts from the couple, particularly the guy.

Pose is nice. Smiles are happy and genuine. You can tell they love each other.

It might be better with their eyes open, but I'd have to see it to really know for sure.

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by Minges14

Got a new Rebel t2i for Christmas, a few days after I got engaged so we decided to go ahead and try to take some photos for the wedding website and possibly the save the date cards. Bear with me I'm new to all of this, should I attempt to edit any further, as far as lightening or darkening? Thanks for any input.



Exif data
Camera Canon EOS REBEL T2i
Exposure 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture f/5.7
Focal Length 47 mm
ISO Speed 400
Exposure Bias 0 EV

As already stated the background is very distracting, but the pose is nice and the moment is captured well

The lighting is a bit flat and I think it's a bit underexposed, however it's a good effort if you are very new to it all.

I think it would be easy to give lots of critique on this pic but I think the main thing is that you have a really great moment that means a lot to you captured well and to give an indepth critique might make you look at the areas that could be improved too much and it might stop the pic being quite so special.

My advice would be to take some pics of less important moments and post them for more feedback on what could be improved and how to progress further.

Oh and congratulations!

[BigFuzzy]

First things first:
1. Congrats
2. Welcome to DPS

As Andy noted, the most important thing for this type of photo is that you captured the nice moment and it'll mean a lot to you in the future.

Having said that, if you are seriously seeking ways on taking your images to another level now that you're just starting out, here's a couple of things I'd suggest starting to think about when you take your photos. I recognize you're very new and may not know about some of these things.. but they're basic things that you can start looking into as part of your process.

-Also as noted above, it's never a good idea to have things sprouting out the top of your subjects head(s). Always keep in mind trying to keep the background as clean/simple as possible unless it's part of the story you're trying to tell with your photo. A busy background always takes away from your subjects

-the image is a bit blurry, and that's because of the 1/10th second shutter speed. 1/60th is commonly seen as the slowest you want to go unless your subjects are really still/non-moving. Even slight movements (like breathing) might get caught at such a slow shutter speed. Solution is to either boost up your ISO, get more light into the image, or a combination of both.

- I see you used manual mode.. well done! However, it does feel a bit underexposed, boost it up a bit and I think it'll be better.

- The WB feels a bit off. Feels a bit warm. Might be improved with increasing exposure.

Those are the main things. I wanted to give you a nice detailed review of the image to give you things to think about if you want to take this further. I hope you see my potentially discouraging comments in the constructive manner they're intended.

Again, congrats, welcome to DPS I think you'll enjoy it here!

[Minges14]

Thanks for all the help, the tree did bother me slightly as well. I tried to blur the background with PSE10 in hopes that it was not as disctracting. The other suggestions are more technical, which hopefully I'll be able to pick up with practice. Thanks again.

[ajax_andy]

Originally Posted by Minges14

Thanks for all the help, the tree did bother me slightly as well. I tried to blur the background with PSE10 in hopes that it was not as disctracting. The other suggestions are more technical, which hopefully I'll be able to pick up with practice. Thanks again.

Well please keep posting pics so you can get feedback... Its sometimes a tough pill to swallow (especially when you think your pics great and others rip it to shreds lol) but it'll help you improve no end

[Minges14]

Originally Posted by ajax_andy

Well please keep posting pics so you can get feedback... Its sometimes a tough pill to swallow (especially when you think your pics great and others rip it to shreds lol) but it'll help you improve no end

Haha, thanks. I've got a few on here and I'm sure many more to come. Looking forward to all the feedback and I doubt it'll be too hard to swallow based on the fact that I'm quite sure none of my pics are all that great. There is usually always room for improvement.

[tomservo51]

#1 It says you have a 430ex flash? Try bouncing that off the ceiling.

#2, Upgrade your glass. I'm not a fan of the kit lens. You spent a lot of $$ on that body. It's like driving a sports car and leaving it in second gear. I think everyone should get the nifty-fifty when they get a DSLR.

[Minges14]

Originally Posted by tomservo51

#1 It says you have a 430ex flash? Try bouncing that off the ceiling.

#2, Upgrade your glass. I'm not a fan of the kit lens. You spent a lot of $$ on that body. It's like driving a sports car and leaving it in second gear. I think everyone should get the nifty-fifty when they get a DSLR.

It was bounced off the ceiling, possibly slightly to the rear, which may have caused part of the issue based on where I had to set up the camera. May not have bounced properly.