Once Upon a New Year's Eve

[Marie Hass]

I have embarked upon a journey....

Always I have found my work lacking. So...I set upon a rigorous path. I research...and research...I read and read and practice, but still....lacking.

So....I decided I wanted to work with a mentor to strengthen my overall knowledge base. Mentoring turned out not to be what I expected. For example, when I met with this mentor, I thought we would follow certain rules of engagement, but this has not been the case. We have covered basic camera usage - simple stuff like how to use focus tools. I have been introduced to new software - and expected to use it. We have walked through volumes of images and PP'ed them - always, I am asked - 'What do you need to do with this?"

What I have found is that a mentor challenges you to find the answers and encourages creativity. A mentor is a ready voice if when help is needed with projects. For example, several times, in the midst of a shoot, I skyped my mentor and bombarded him with questions. Just that ready availability has been so worth it.

So....is there a difference in the quality of my work in the past 6 months?

Here are some wedding pictures i did last night. For me, certainly the biggest factor was that I did not have to spend hours in PP to correct mistakes. Many of my pictures with be close to SOOC with only minor adjustments.

Please c&c. I value your input on both the mentoring experience and on these images themselves. None are final. This was just the first run through.

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.



Thank you for commenting.

'Rie

[Shadowman]

Congratulations on your recent and future undertakings through your photography.

Images:

1 and 5 are great, followed closely by #6. Image#2 the bride's face looks a bit flat and the overall shot looks a bit soft. #4 looks a bit better but again a bit soft. #7 looks very sharp, however the white balance looks off. Nice efforts on some very challenging shooting environments.

[mknittle]

Very nice Marie, my thoughts mirror John's.

[Marie Hass]

Good morning, John and Mark!

I really appreciate your comments. Regarding softness of One of the things that has plagued me has been focus issues and camera shake. I have had surgery on both of my shoulders, and find that I cannot hold position for long.

Regarding softness of #2 and #4, it is possible. None have been sharpened. In the past, I was sharpening to compensate for poor focus. Now I keep my fingers off the sharpening/clarity slider. I cannot tell you how difficult that is!!!!! I do have other similar images I will inspect to see if they are better.

Regarding WB on #7, the DJ had blue spot lights trained out into the dance floor and weddding party. I actually turned my flash off for a portion of the activities so that I could take advantage of the lighting. I should have explained that. If the bride and groom don't like the current rendition, I could convert to b&w? I did that in #6.

'Rie

[IzzieK]

'Rie...I think I know who your mentor is? Used to be a member here at CiC? He is good if not one of the best. Moving on...of all in this series (not that I do not like the other shots...) my favourite is #1 and #5. These are very cool shots of all.

[Marie Hass]

Dear Izzie,

My goal is to encourage others to try mentoring, either in a short term or long term contract. One my have a very specific goal in mind or general "improvement" ones. CiC has some wonderfully talented and skilled members, and all it takes is to ask.

For me, I did some extensive research before asking my mentor to mentor me. I looked at the galleries on his website and asked questions. He "interviewed" me as well. We agreed to terms.

From there, my own mentoring experience has been intense. Not a session goes by that has not left my brain (and my palms) sweaty. For me, I really needed the intellectual challenge a mentor can provide.

'Rie

[bnnrcn]

Hi Marie , I loved #5

[rpcrowe]

My monitor shows that the color balance seems to be a bit off in the ice-rink shots. I copied the image and then opened it in Camera Raw (using Photoshop CS6). Then I simply used the white balance dropper tool and placed it on the bride's dress (which I assumed was white). This is the result...



Then I cropped it a bit and thought that a vignette might ne nice. I was disappointed at the look of a dark vignette so I decided to use a lighter vignette. I kind of like the result...



Of course, things like cropping and vignetting are artistic license and will vary from one photographer to another. Some photographers consider light vignettes as old fashioned.

Upon looking at the image after the vignette was applied, I realized that I should have done a tighter crop to eliminate the beams at the top of the image...

When I shot weddings, I often wished that I could have had some input as to the brides choice of dresses. In this case, the dress is not off the shoulder which is a plus for heavier female subjects, but the folds of material around her waist definitely makes her look heavier.

I once read a portrait photographer's suggestions for the attire of his subjects (both male and female). The information contained in these suggestions would go a long way to improve portraits. However, I suspect that the photographer is often hired after the wedding dress is selected AND the selection of a wedding dress is more emotionally involved for the bride than is the selection of attire for a portrait session...

[Geoff F]

#1 and #5 are tricky scenes which have come out well; although I do wonder about cropping a little off the top of #1 and having a wider size ratio?

[purplehaze]

'Rie, congrats on your hard work. I'm thinking you have answered your own question as far as progress is concerned. As for C&C on these specific images, my favorite is #6, but am wondering if the light isn't hottest on the wrong people (the two women behind the bride). I don't know whether you could pull it back a bit on them and throw a little more on the bride & groom & child without it being obvious, but I really like the naturalism of the scene, and of that little moment captured.

[rpcrowe]

Rie,

Regarding camera shake. I have arthritis in all my joints, including hands and shoulders.

One of the greatest boons for me has been the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens. The Image Stabilization (IS) in this lens is a great help. I once thought that IS would be wasted in a relatively short focal length lens but, as I grow older, the IS becomes more of a positive factor.

Regarding focus, some camera/lens combinations seem to be better at grabbing sharp focus. The combination of Canon 7D and 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens is super in this regard.

I am sure that Nikon would have a similar combination that would facilitate focusing as well as minimizing camera shake...

[wilgk]

Hi Rie
Again can I add my Congratulations on the challenge you have set yourself, well done.
The forum here is fantastic, but the instant feedback & challenges you will have can only add to your learning.
With these images #2 & #6 jump out as my favourites, I too am a lover of the concept of lifelong learning, in anything really! But for the purposes of this discussion, I'll focus on the photography.
One of my course presenters had a few wee sayings, I have them off by heart now, 1 of which is " walk the arc" see what you want in your frame, then just take even 1 step, (or a wee walk) to either side & suddenly the scene improves.
Another is that backgrounds ruin more shots than anything after exposure.
Both of these apply here in the #2 image.
If you had taken a step to the right suddenly that pole thingy would not be behind your bride's head.
Having said that and knowing how tough wedding photography is, #6 is wonderful, top work. I agree re toning down the brightness on the guests and lifting your subjects a bit in pp, great suggestion from your forum friend.
Best wishes as you continue the journey.

[Marie Hass]

Binnur, thank you. #5 is my favorite, as well.

'Rie

[Shadowman]

Marie,

Regarding hand held shots, try to utilize the camera's fps, of course getting the subject in focus and making it stick is a prerequisite before finally pressing the shutter.

[Marie Hass]

Dear Richard,

As always, you inspire me.

My finished version of this image will incorporate some of your suggestions. I liked your white balance corrections and in the end will probably come to some middle ground between your example and mine.

Actually, I am old school and have a secret fondness for the reverse vignette. I will propose examples to my client and give them the options.

I have looked at the 17-55 lens. Thank you for validating my thoughts. Based on your endorsement, I will consider it as my next lens purchase.

Getting older has been an experiece in making adjustments - and compromises. I will be 60 this year and sometimes feel all of that - and then some. I still have not fully recovered from my illness in October and often find that I am exceptionally tired. But - i am better, and for that, I am grateful to be able to heft the comforting weight of my camera and gear again.

Thank you, also for all of the time you have given me.

'Rie

[Marie Hass]

Janis,

As always, your commentary is astute. I totally missed what you saw!!!!

My finished version will incorporate your observations and recommendations.

Thank you!!!!

'Rie

[Marie Hass]

Dear Geoff,

Thank you for looking in!!!!!

You are right. #1 lends itself to nicely to a more pano style. I did not crop this version because I wondered about leaving that negative space for a title, a saying?

The bride had expressed to me a desire to have pictures taken on the ice at the rink, but was too shy to ask. She said that she and the groom had grown up skating on the ice. So, I asked the events planner at the White Palace and she said it was okay to have pictures taken on the ice. I thought the first picture would be the first page in their wedding album....

What do you think?

'Rie

[rpcrowe]

Rie...

The 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is an expensive lens and I held my breath when I bought it. However, it is my go-to medium focal length lens and I probably use it for 60% of my imagery. I probably use the 70-200mm f/4L IS lens (another costly bugger) for an additional 30% of my shooting. I have four or five other lenses that I probably only use for 10% of my images in total...

Regarding sharpening of an image... I shoot in RAW and after I open the RAW image in Adobe Camera RAW, I don't use ACR for sharpening. Instead, I use the various sharpening tools in the NIK Software. Here is an in depth overview of the various NIK sharpening capabilities...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GE_JeP06IG4

IMO, all RAW images need sharpening (JPEGS are often sharpened in the camera). However, the sharpening is not to remedy poor focusing or camera shake...

[Marie Hass]

Good morning, John,

My kit is very vertically heavy when assembled. I use a flash bracket an off camera flash, and a good size reflector. I will try your suggestion of using the camera's FPS.. It may help get a well focused picture before muscle fatique sets in. lols.

'Rie

[Marie Hass]

Dear Kay,

What a stupid mistake! I wonder about cloning the post out?

I may try it, especially if I do Richard's crop.

Thank you for pointing that out to me.

'Rie