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Prodessional wedding photographer located in Peterborough and Stamford, shot taken at Burghley House, Stamford Lincolnshirehttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/...43d69c04_z.jpg
Prodessional wedding photographer located in Peterborough and Stamford, shot taken at Burghley House, Stamford Lincolnshire
I have to ask...why did you position the bride and groom so increadibly close to that background? It's quite distracting. If you had brought the subjects in closer to you, then the door would have blurred into a beautiful yet mysterious bokeh.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sean Setters
Personally, I prefer the deep focus for this shot because I think the fine detail of the background is very much a part of the subject, perhaps even moreso than the bride (and definitely more than the groom [;)]), although I can see the appeal of doing it with a little bokeh.
I second Sean, furthermore, in my opinion, it would have looked better if the groom had closed his jacket..
The couple wanted the detail of the gate, this is a private area in a fantastic house. So they wanted detail, not artistic.
It was very important for them you could see the family crest etc.
But I do understand the views :-)
In many cases, the background is/can be a distraction (such as a bland landscape). In this case, the detail in the gate is worth showing the background, in my opinion.
Otherwise, its just a picture of a newly married couple posing. Plenty of those kind of shots were taken, I'm sure.
This raises the question of bokeh. I understand why it's a desirable thing to have, but the way our eyes work, we'd see that gate in clear focus, whether the couple was further in toward the camera or not.
Our eyes have nearly instant 'auto focus,' yet we spend thousands more for a lens that blurs the background so we can "not" see it the way we actually did.
I like the background, it adds dietail like you said. The one thing that slightlyannoysme is the out of level horizon, it makes it feel lop sided. The line in the gate is the easiest placetosee it.That is easy to correct and would make it much better.
Cheers,
John.
I guess heeding to your clients requests is number one, but the image draws my eyes way too much to the outer edges. My eyes are first drawn to the overly white peripheral wall and some edges of something circular, plus what looks like the bottom of a balcony. Then I see the gate, then finally I spot the couple.
Perhaps adding slight vignette to the outer rim will prevent the eye from wandering and focus primarily on the gate and couple. The couple is a bit too hard to find at the moment...
The gates are key for them to show to friends the location. Although I think they are great gates.
Or possibly draw the viewer
I love the gates too!
Rich
Tried a couple of edits:
[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer-Discussions-Components-Files/14/8132.gate2.jpg[/img]
Straightened and cropped for symmetry, selectively reduced the exposure of the background and slightly brightened the couple, removed the specular highlight sitting on the groom's shoulder, and added an edge blur to draw the eyes to the couple.
Hmmmm....what if everything but the arch, gate and couple was blurred (but using John's crop so the wall looks like part of the arch)? Or, and you'd have to go back in time for this, if the bride and groom were separated, maybe at either end of the gate looking at each other? Overall, it sounds like this is what the bride and groom wanted, which is great.....these are just some random thoughts by someone who only shoots weddings when called into service[:P]..........
I think the photograph is trying to do too much. The couple is dwarfed by the gait. On wedding day, I assume it is all about the bride. Take a separate shot of the gate and put it on the back cover of album if you like or on some intro or fill page. There is no detail in the dress. I would do a 1/2 or 3/4 of the bride and groom, and pull her head out from behind the groom, have her stand on her back foot to keep her from looking like she is falling over, and I agree close the jacket, and not sure I would use the flowers in this shot. Too much going on.
Is it me or does he have on mickey mouse ears and a pole in his head. I agree step them away from the gait and leave it blurred or nor blurred in the background.
Sorry but I think you wanted constructive criticism. Missed opportunity for a potentially great shot.
Well, Paul, look on the bright side. Photographer's opinions are legion! From one end of the Bell curve, to the other.!
As long as the bride and groom are happy, and you were compensated for your efforts, you win!