Disaster

[KellyL]

It is so very embarrassing to post this picture, but I have some disasters on my hand. I didn't pay attention to these things when I shot some of these pictures.

1) Tungsten lights abounded
2) SPOT lights...halogen spot lights were on during the ceremony and got left on during the picture session
3) Flash unit

Anyway, I have these dreadful, dreadful pictures and don't know what to do to help them become better. ANY advice would help. It is so embarrassing. Please forgive me for impersonating a pro photographer. If I weren't so desperately in need of help, I would not show this picture.

[Winnie]

Not sure it's that emabarrassing to be honest but the more experienced wedding photogs might have a different idea.

Maybe this is a good candidate for B&W?

One thing I did notice was the 2 ladies in the front obscuring the bride and groom, I think I would prefer to see the happy couple instead.

Cheers
Alex

[Paul Shields]

Like Winnie I'm no expert on this type of photography but the first thing that sprung to mind was to spread out the guests a bit more as they do look a little bunched up. Obviously it's not possible to re-arrange them now, so maybe there's something else that can be done in post? I'm sure some experts on here can advise better on that.

[Weebol]

As the others said I also am no expert but the white balance/temperature can be brought down to clean up some of the orange tint, next the men at top left need some ps work, a mask layer with some opacity to cut down on the blown out highlights( I saw this on the photoshop guys videocast).

Heres a link also
http://pstutorialsblog.com/50/contra...shop-tutorial/

[KellyL]

I am becoming addicted to this site. First of all, I am so impressed with the number of photographers with much more experience and talent than I have are willing to share/discuss. From the moment I joined, I have met photographers that have been nothing short of encouraging. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by KellyL

Anyway, I have these dreadful, dreadful pictures and don't know what to do to help them become better. ANY advice would help. It is so embarrassing. Please forgive me for impersonating a pro photographer. If I weren't so desperately in need of help, I would not show this picture.

...forgive me for mentionning, but by accepting the job for a pay you are the de-facto pro photographer as far as this job is concerned, so stop whining it's your responsibility to save what you have and make best use of it, and prevent collateral damage to the good name and fame of Professional Wedding Photographers...

...so time for some creative thinking... many good ideas above... maybe an example to encourage you and get you started

how's this ?

cropped to square, levels adjusted, highlights and shadows pulled, local contrast added, dodged and burned some faces, convert to B/W, vignette added (all in PS Elements 5.0)

...hope this gets you going

...*my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[KellyL]

Thank you Mr. Max. 8-)

[TonyK]

Here's my go.

Original


Modified


Its a little hard working on such a small image.

At a wedding I did, grandma closed her eyes 2 out of 3 times I photographed her. But I never say it until I was processing the images. Each image was with a different group and all groups were precious to the bride and the bride's family. What to do? I Photoshopped the images by using layers and taking the first set of eyes and sizing and rotating them until they fit the other two images. Made small layer adjustments for any exposure issue and the images were good for up to 8x10.

Now my process for this image. I selected the group on the left going to the bride's right side (to include her) and coming down excluding the woman in the middle of the first row. In PS CS I applied a Shadow/Highlight fix of 5 on shadow and 15 on highlight (experiment until it looks right). With the right selection one could tone down the brightness on the photographer's left for the stage but the main issue is to get the group looking better, which this does. Don't do too much on the Shadow/Highlight control or it will look fake.

On the original I would work with layers, never touching the original image.

Good luck,

[KellyL]

Thanks Tony! I have been playing with the picture all day. I must keep in mind that I did this wedding for peanuts. I did manage to get several good images...if you would like to see my initial collage, check out www.kellylylephotography.com/marymichah.htm

I have learned a GREAT deal today. Reading all of the posts. Having folks from around the WORLD check out the picture and comment. A spanking by Mr. Max , some great examples...I am very, very grateful.

Here is what I have done today (I have played with the highlight/shadow tool, but haven't had much success. The exposure tool is also one that needs a delicate touch.)

The first image is the original, the second image is the one I have been working on. I can't even begin to tell you all I have done. I took skin from the bride's chest and patched it into the man on the far left - with the blown out highlights - grafted skin here, there, everywhere...then did some dodging, burning, curve adjustment, multiplying, vingetting....well...here is where I stand so far.

[KellyL]

Now that I am looking, I made the carpet too orange on the left. Oh well.....

Tony...LOVE the doll pictures. Just the other day I was thinking I needed an inflatable doll to put in my "studio" so I could use her/him to photograph...since I can't always find a willing subject who will sit and let me practice lighting!