[sinhob]

August 15, 2010 at 10:20 pm

What a fantastic photo… the colours, sharpness and composition are all amazing!

I’m a huge fan of close up and macro photography too and must admit to being a little envious of you as I REALLY REALLY REALLY want that lens.

I’ve read a few fantastic books recently about close up photography and lots of the images I aspire to were taken with it. Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Close-Up Photography: Creative Close Encounters with or Without a Macro Lens is a fantastic book if you’re wanting to read up on macro.
Sinead :)

[sinhob]

August 13, 2010 at 10:00 pm

I think it’s beautiful and the composition is fantastic…

Sinead :)

[sinhob]

August 10, 2010 at 7:18 pm

Sorry Mark, but I prefer the first one (each to their own, I guess!!)

For me the sunlight reflected on the water draws me towards the land and the fact that the water is so empty of traffic serves to give it a sort of meditative feel. :) It’s a very serene picture and if it was mine I’d have it printed so I could drift away into it whilst having a nice glass of red!!

Beautiful colours too :)

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 10, 2010 at 7:12 pm

Hi from me too :)

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 6, 2010 at 8:17 pm

Be careful with f1.2, the depth of field will be almost nothing (even more so on a full frame). Unless tripod mounted for very specific applications, avoid going below, say f2.5. You can also try different f-stops to see what you like.

Okay, I’ll do that and thanks so much again for all your help! Your photos show you know what you’re doing so I’m delighted to take all your advice on board :)

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 6, 2010 at 6:09 pm

Thanks so much this. I don’t have a flash yet but I’m using a 50mm f1.2L on a 5D . I’ve been hankering after a flash for a while now as I know it will make a difference to my photos but as I said above getting both eyes in focus is my main problem. It drives me crazy as I’m getting beautiful results but only one eye in focus – not always a good look!

I usually do have the focus point set the same as yours and do get down to their level most times so maybe it’s the f-stop that I need to pay more attention to. I also tend to have the iso at 100 or 200 so I’ll try the 400 too.

Thanks again for your suggestions. I really appreciate it!

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 6, 2010 at 4:31 pm

These are great – they really show the mischievous side of the children. Some lovely catchlights too. Do you mind me asking what lens and f-stop you were using? (Don’t feel obliged to answer if you’d rather not.) It’s just that I’m finding it really difficult to get sharpness in both eyes in a lot of my pics so am trying to learn from those of you who have got it down to a fine art! Thanks :)

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 6, 2010 at 4:20 pm

Fabulous photo – the b&w adds a lot to it. Well done on capturing such a great image :)

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 6, 2010 at 4:18 pm

Brilliant and very horrible indeed! Thanks so much for sharing… I think!!

[sinhob]

August 3, 2010 at 7:52 pm

Fantastic shot – but I also think that the man must go! Sorry…

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 3, 2010 at 4:33 pm

Hi Ben,

Firstly the praise: I think you’ve got some lovely images here and would never think you’d been nervous looking at them. The bride and groom appear very comfortable in your company, which is half the battle won!

I’m not a professional photographer, just an avid amateur who spends far too much time trying to read up on photography techniques and attempting to practise at every opportunity – so whilst I’ll give you my opinion please don’t be upset by some of the negatives – hopefully it will all help you improve your technique, which is what we all aspire to!

The first picture shows some nice catch-lights in the couple’s eyes, although I think the the car seems a little crammed – the bride’s arms and bouquet are cut off a little, as are the groom’s fingers. I get the feeling you were perhaps taking this from the front seat and would advise possibly taking it through an open window next time. We got a great picture from a relation who did this and it was the one we put in the paper rather than the official photographer’s!

I think you need to be a little more careful with your framing. For example, again in the second picture, part of a small table is present and the bride’s veil is cut off. If you had changed your perspective slightly and moved the table this could have been avoided. I’m not sure what caused the dark edge, perhaps your flash (I don’t have one yet!) so maybe try bouncing it off the ceiling next time as the bride’s face is also lit up but the groom’s isn’t. By bouncing it, you will possibly get a better distribution of light. (Scott Kelby has written some great tips in his books, advising on flash and perspective.)

I love the mirror shot; it’s a very intimate moment, but possibly slightly over-exposed. Also, maybe if you’d got a little closer to the bride, you could have avoided shooting the make-up lady’s exposed back! ;)

The rest of the pictures are great; I particularly like the groom as it shows him looking quite pensive and deep in thought.

I think they’ll love the cake, menu and wedding booklet photos which are all very thoughtfully composed but note that the cake is a little over-exposed too.

Overall you did a great job and I think the newly weds will love them all. Most people won’t notice the little flaws above but by being aware of them yourself you can make every photo even better in the future. I understand how intimidating it can taking wedding photos as I’ve done a few family ones myself. If you think this is an area you may like to explore further, there are some fabulous wedding photography books available which can give you some inspiration for poses and impromptu pictures in the future.

Good Luck,

Sinead

[sinhob]

August 2, 2010 at 4:06 pm

What a fabulous portrait. There is so much personality evident in this photo. I love the catchlights in his eyes and the frown lines across his forehead – you must be very pleased with this capture :).

Sinead

[sinhob]

July 31, 2010 at 6:13 pm

Thanks Brendan for sharing all this information. I plan on getting out to capture a sunset very soon; I did get a lovely one in Donegal a few years ago but as yet have been unable to replicate it – family commitments and lack of time being my real reasons!!

However, I do have a great camera and a fab wide angle lens – but unfortunately a useless Jessops tripod which has never worked for me and no filters aside from UV. I’m also not very proficient on Photoshop just yet, although I have taken several evening courses which helped enormously and I have a couple of great books but I need to get around to practising the skills within!!

I’m hoping to treat myself to a new tripod and a few filters soon and then there’ll be no stopping me! I’m going to keep a note of your suggestions so I can try them out and I’ll let you know how I get on.

Thanks again for your advice :)

Sinead

[sinhob]

July 30, 2010 at 4:26 pm

Fantastic! There’s a great sense of peace in this photo. I only wish I could get such a shot!
Sinead

[sinhob]

July 30, 2010 at 4:23 pm

Very sweet :) and the colours and composition are great… A lovely capture.

Sinead