Photoclubalpha

I NEVER shoot portraits. The last thing we did before we blew out of town last Friday was pick up Scottie's dress from the bridal store. I asked her before we left "Don't you want to leave your dress here so you don't get it dirty on our trip?" "No Way. I am NOT leaving my dress here...." Ok...

So, 24 hours later, after waking up at 5:00 am to catch sunrise in arches, riding in the car all day, and hiking to several of the ruins I have already posted on here, we are in monument valley. 1/2 jokingly I say to her, "You have your dress, don't you want me to shoot your dress pic?" "No. I am not getting my dress dirty on this red dirt." "Ok".

So I'm standing around, taking a few random shots, waiting for the light to get good, and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen walks up to me and says, "Ok, are you ready?" She had changed into her dress in the car in front of God and the world. 3 mins later, this is what we had. I litterly shot only 12 frames to catch this. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out.

Hi Lonnie,

I think it would be appropriate to ask if she's your bride... ?

As for the frame, by placing her at the center, she reminded me of female Greek sculptures, wearing chitons in a more modern style.

The light is good and I'm sure there could have been many different compositions of her into the scenery. But it's a nice shot all the same and the lace and the satin pearly whiteness of the dress works with that special local light that bounces off of the surrrounding red terrain.

Yildiz

Aster,

Yes, she's my fiance'.

Thanks for that. You'da been surprised. I didn't want to place her anywhere she could get the dress dirty. Also there were SOOOO many people around, that my options were rather limited in composition. This type of photography I am not very good at, so I was happy with the results.

An amazing backdrop for any portrait, but I should think that is just about unique for Bridal shots . I really like the quality of light you have captured there.

Lonnie,
I have some what different reaction. While technically it is excellent, the disproportionate scale of the background to the subject is causing a jarring reaction. It makes me feel that the subject is an Amazon Goddess. If that is the intent then you are right on the target, if otherwise, then the scaling is not sitting well with me. I don't know how better to express my reaction without sounding unduly harsh. My apologies in advance, for I assure you, that is not my intent.

With best regards,
Sury

Sury, how would you have shot it differently?

I was really limited on angles as there were people (and stray dogs!) all around and and if I went too far left, given the angle of the sun, I was in the shot. I had some high and low options to change, but those aren't flattering for the female figure. I also couldn't get her dress dirty so I couldn't move her off the wall.

Here's the exif info.
Camera: SONY
Model: DSLR-A900
ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/60 sec
Aperture: 22.0
Focal Length: 40mm
Flash Used: No

I was already at 40mm. I couldn't really go much wider (to bring in more of the surrounding landscape) at that point because if would start to distort her proportions. I shot a few at F2.8 to isolate her from the back ground and they look awful. What's the point of isolating the subject from a background that is that beautiful?

I guess what I'm getting at is that given the limitations that I had on me (I had a lot of things going FOR me here too!), I think the shot turned out well.

If you or I like it or not doesn't matter. She loves it, and bottom line, since she is the bride, that's the only thing that counts.

Lonnie,
You are absolutely right about the bottom line, not to mention you are happy too. Thank you for the details of the location and camera setting and your constraints and degrees of freedom. Being a neophyte in these kinds of shoots, I will certainly take them as insights rather than merely data. Much appreciated.

With best regards,
Sury

Birma wrote:An amazing backdrop for any portrait, but I should think that is just about unique for Bridal shots . I really like the quality of light you have captured there.

Forget the light, did you see that woman?!? WOW! Does she have twin? Oh, wait, I'm married. Never mind.

You're one lucky man, Lonnie, don't screw it up!

Dusty

I agree, she does look lovely, but isn't it a no no for the 'groom to be' too see the bride beforehand? or is that only on the wedding day?
Greg

ps. I'm not big on doing portraits either Lonnie, great setting, great lighting you had there, and of course a great model, did you try any different focal lengths apart from 40mm?

I was using my Sigma 24-70 2.8. I'll have to look at the exif data, but I think they were all about that length.

This is how we spent our memorial day. It was a lot of fun. She loved the results (well most of them! ) I learned alot. I think this one was my fave. It says ALOT about my girl.... She told me last night that there was no way she would have had anyone else shoot her dress pics. I have some more that I might upload later when I have some time here...



Feel free to critique.

I love the Sepia treatment. It captures a very personal moment (as if lost in her own world) and emotionally very rewarding. The hat was a nice touch. I certainly learned a fact that without necessarily showing the face/eyes, one can still convey the beauty of the person. Thank you for the lesson as well.

With best regards,
Sury

Hi Lonnie,

Nice shots, looks like you are coping with some strong lighting well, easy to blow the white dress detail.

I think the cowboy hat ties in with the log cabin, although personally I would liked to have seen more face, and I think the details in the second image are all in the lower half with the dress contrasting with the wooden logs rather than the smoother top bit of the cabin (only my opinion).

Thanks for showing these - its always hard to put up personal stuff and ask for cc

Best wishes

Paul

ps When is the big day?, and please show us a couple when it happens

A few others....

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