Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/03/25

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Subject: Re: [Leica] 1st wedding shoot - critique please
From: "Michael E. Bérubé" <MEB@goodphotos.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2001 10:49:12 -0500

At 05:08 AM 3/25/01 -0500, Hoyen wrote:
>Well, I did it... against the advice of many... even against my own better 
>judgment... I shot my first wedding on March 10, 2001.  Actually it's not 
>as bad as it sounds... the couple had an official formals photog, I was 
>just in charge of the pseudo-photojournalistic details... :) <snip>
>I've pared down the latest edit to 56 frames, but I would really like to 
>get it as close to 40 as I can.  I've also arranged the shots in the order 
>that I will present them in the album.  <snip>
>All right, go ahead, fire away, don't pull any punches (as if I really 
>have to tell the LUG that).  I really want this album to be in top form 
>when I present it next week, and am hoping you guys can give this 
>booger-nosed greenie a hand.

Hoyen,

You've got some great work here. I find it hard to believe that this is 
your first wedding. (seriously) I know wedding shooters who've been in the 
biz for a long time and who can't get half as many keepers as you have here 
with your first attempt.

Here are the shots that I feel are the best and help tell the story. I've 
winnowed them down to 23. It seems that it is far easier to edit someone 
else's work than it is your own. :)

4, 5, 6, 10, 14, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28, 29, 33, 34, 36, 39, 42, 43 (though I'd 
try to crop out the other shooter if you can), 47, 49, 50, 51, 53 and 56.

If you NEED 40 here are the shots that I would certainly exclude (that I 
feel are the weakest and honestly why) :

1, 2, 3, 7 and 12 are all unflattering to the bride.
in 8 you have the same detail as in 6 but in 6 it adds more to the story
13 is just confusing without the caption and it is crooked
15 and 16 are basically repetitive to the story that 14 tells (ei " Bride's 
brothers? walked her down the aisle")
17 is flat (though it may be the scan or flare)
18 & 19 are good content shots, but with the flare I still think that the 
couple would judge you too harshly for including them...besides you have 
some great and more expressive ceremony shots in keeper images 21, 22, and 24
25 unflattering chins of the toaster and you are shooting right up the 
brides nose. :)
44 and 46 have too many distracting elements and looks like a snapshot that 
any guest could have taken.
55 is pretty boring and you've got shots showing the get away.

I hope that doesn't all sound too critical but you are only considered as 
good as the weakest presented shots from your last job. I honestly think 
that over all the couple will be overjoyed with the preponderance of the 
images that you have to present add to that the fact that this is your 
FIRST wedding shows that you have a wedding shooters eye.

Carpe Luminem,
Michael E. Bérubé
http://www.GoodPhotos.com