My first bridal portrait session (outdoors)

[MarkBarbieri]

Great shots. I think you did a fantastic job.

So what are you going to do next to improve? Stuff I'd strongly consider:

* Gels - cheap. easy to use. I'd get a CTO, a 1/2 CTO, and a 1/4 CTO. I use those to death. I don't use the others that much.

* Off camera flash - Cables are the cheapest way to go. You can get some reasonably cheap radio poppers, but I don't know that they handle TTL. You could also get more flashes so that you have a master and a slave. Just one word of caution with that route...you always want at least one more flash than you have.

* Retouching software - Portrait Professional has been the most popular portrait re-toucher for a while. I find that it works well for women, but not so good for men. I think OnOne just came out with a portrait package. I think someone else just came out a new package as well. Of course, you can just use Photoshop. If you go that route, invest in some good training videos.

* Training - You already have a good eye, but there are lots of good resources on improving everything about your portrait shoots.

The key is not to rest on your laurels. Keep learning. Keep improving. For me, at least, that is what makes it fun.

 

[10dedfish]

Great shots. I think you did a fantastic job.

So what are you going to do next to improve? Stuff I'd strongly consider:

* Gels - cheap. easy to use. I'd get a CTO, a 1/2 CTO, and a 1/4 CTO. I use those to death. I don't use the others that much. I plan on ordering some gels when I purchase my next camera.

* Off camera flash - Cables are the cheapest way to go. You can get some reasonably cheap radio poppers, but I don't know that they handle TTL. You could also get more flashes so that you have a master and a slave. Just one word of caution with that route...you always want at least one more flash than you have. For an off camera flash, I have been saving up for a T3i, which supports remote flash internally. This also supports higher iso, which should give me a little more wiggle room for portraits and for dark rides

* Retouching software - Portrait Professional has been the most popular portrait re-toucher for a while. I find that it works well for women, but not so good for men. I think OnOne just came out with a portrait package. I think someone else just came out a new package as well. Of course, you can just use Photoshop. If you go that route, invest in some good training videos.
I have photoshop elements 9 now, and I used it to compensate for the lack of gels, but I definitely need to learn more about its uses.
* Training - You already have a good eye, but there are lots of good resources on improving everything about your portrait shoots.

The key is not to rest on your laurels. Keep learning. Keep improving. For me, at least, that is what makes it fun.

I have to agree 100% Mark, I really like to get to the point where I can use this as a retirement option, and do portraits professionally for my income. Right now, I can fill volumes with the things I dont know or understand about photography. I hope to do my daughters dance troops photos this June, and will apply what I learned here with what I learned last time I shot her troop.

I know I have said it before, but once again, thanks everyone for your inputs and critiques, as that is the only way to get better.


Matt

 

[10dedfish]

Just heard from mom and daughter, they both absolutely loved the shots. Mom said that one of the pictures, the profile shot with the reflections behind her, actually made here cry.

They also asked if I would be interested in shooting their "trash the dress" shots. Anyone ever heard of this? After the wedding the bride goes out and completely trashes the dress while someone takes pictures...? Never heard of it before she asked so...

Matt

 

[BillyBuff]

Just heard from mom and daughter, they both absolutely loved the shots. Mom said that one of the pictures, the profile shot with the reflections behind her, actually made here cry.

They also asked if I would be interested in shooting their "trash the dress" shots. Anyone ever heard of this? After the wedding the bride goes out and completely trashes the dress while someone takes pictures...? Never heard of it before she asked so...

Matt

You can try bumping up the ISO to 200 for those sunset shots to bring in more ambient light on her face. this will also reduce the power of the flash if it's in ETTL mode.

Trash the dress is awesome and fun at the same time! She wanted to jump into the fountain in downtown New Haven, CT so she went and did it!

 

[Shutterbug]

Ok Guys!

Here is the link to the Bridal Portraits from over the weekend. I have noticed several things I would do differently next time, and one that I will pass along now is that no matter how many books you read, nothing teaches like experience.

so without further ado....

http://mattbirchfield.zenfolio.com/p316393285

Great photos!

Did you shoot in manual flash or ETTL?

 

[10dedfish]

Great photos!

Did you shoot in manual flash or ETTL?

ETTL, but I did have to dial the flash down about 2/3 exposure value, so as to not overpower the sunset and blow her out with the white dress.

Matt