First Wedding for 20 years

The daughter of a photographer friend was getting married on Wednesday. I offered to shoot the wedding if he he didn't get fixed up elsewhere. He did know I had little experience at Weddings. I'd only shot three previously, the last one being over 20 years ago

The weather wasn't on our side. It rained off and on all day. Although were lucky with the sun poking through just at sunset. Because of the inclement weather I also took a couple of studio flashes. I bought these a couple of years ago, but just played with them a couple of times, producing nothing that I thought good enough to share here.

Anyway it seemed to go ok, and he is very pleased with my quick edits. I've given him the RAW files to develop to his own taste.

The K3 was used mostly with the 16-50, and either the 540 flash or the studio flashes. The K5 was mostly used with the 50-135. I did swap over the 2 lenses between the 2 bodies for a few shots.

I'd be grateful for any feedback/advice, as I could fancy doing some more of this

Here are some, which outline the day.

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20

I would think everybody would be very happy with these,, apart from the guy with his eyes closed in the first shot.

Well spotted Don, here's an alternative. Some funny lighting streaks on the floor though, that the clone tool can sort

Great inventive shots Alan. I'd be happy with those

There are some very imaginative pictures there Alan, for instance the bridesmaids posing in the mirror. I also love the shot with the bride's veil blowing up and filtering the setting sun. 1 and#2 are the weakest in the set but the remainder are very attractive pictures which I'm sure the bride and her mother (the most important people at a wedding) will treasure.
I've been driving myself mad trying to identify the location, it seems familiar but I can't place it. I assume its somewhere in Northumberland.
David

PPG: http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/artists/davidtrout

......of course No. 12 is the stand out shot, what great timing and the boy's expression! I also like 15 and 18

No signs of rustiness here, Alan - some great shots with lots of obvious happiness thrown in.

Until it was pointed out, I didn't notice the closed eyes in the first picture - I was more greatly concerned by the missing apostrophe!

Well done Alan.

Good work and impressive results.

Best regards

All very nice photos. A lot of standard shots but still very nice. Many years ago when I had my 645 I used to do weddings. and before I started I went on a course with the FUJI professionals. and one of the first things they told me was (photo No. 1 both versions) make sure the men do not place their hands over the family jewels.
No.14. When shooting the wedding cake get some side lighting on it so that all the fancy icing work shows up.
I do like No. 19. I bet that took some organising?
As for No. 12 I had a similar shot. The brides veil blew straight up in the air (it was windy) I retook the shot for the album, BUT the photo everybody wanted to buy was the shot with the veil straight up in the air. It was a fun shot on a fun day.
Good luck with your future efforts, I hope it works out for you.
CHEERS Vic.

Far better than many wedding albums I've seen, and better than most of my early weddings (ones I've photographed - not been the victim of )

The blend of creativity and tradition is not easy to achieve, but you've managed it really well!

The wedding cake shot is the weakest one. It looks like a snap a guest made while the couple were posing for the professional.

I would have like to see the men looking less like a football team line-up, with hands over the "jewels"as Vic puts it. Something more along the lines of the bride and her attendants would have been more pleasing.

I love 12 and 19.

I am sure everyone involved is really happy with them. Brave of you to hand over the editing to someone else!

I echo all the comments praising the creativity here ... lots of imaginative techniques that all come off well and evidence of good planning and setup. There is also great use of the location and various 'props' (like the mirror and the bed cushions), and a real sense of occasion. Lovely variety and a happy couple .. what more could you want!

A couple of ideas ... in the first one, the flash looks quite direct with telltale shadows behind (was it held off camera left?) Have you seen the Gary Fong Lightspheres? Great, they turn your flash head into a giant lightbulb pointing up - most of the light then comes diffused off the roof, but they pass through light forwards as well giving catchlights and soft front illumination - would have done a great job in that space!

I find the colour balance in most a little warm - some of the guys faces look like they have some foundation on (maybe they did!) .. but I'm sure a small tweak would improve it.

Cracking shots - difficult lighting to deal with - well done

I am sure they will be very happy with these I can see 9, 11, or 12 on a canvas. They looked like they had fun. Thanks for shareing.

This is a very fine set Alan, lots of creativity as the other posters have noticed. For me, 12 is clearly the best of the bunch, but the standard is high almost without exception. I'm not going to pick up on anything specific that needs addressing as it would be churlish to do so.

A good photographer can turn his / her hand to any style as you have proved here.

Regards
David