Farm-4.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by jjstager2:
I really like the fundamental concept behind this shot.

The fabric of the dress is reflecting some harsh light - and that is a bit distracting. NikonJeb's point about the dress being a busy pattern is right on - with such a varied BG you might do better with a solid color garment.

You can see that the light is a bit harsh because of the shadow halfway down her right arm. A second light set up at a 45 degree to the left side of the frame would help with this.

I also think you need to have her doing something other than curtsying - either juxtaposing her beauty with an interaction with one of the implements - or engaged in some other quirky activity that would help to compliment the fundamental concept of this shot.

Farm-4.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by PennyStreet:
I have never done any fashion photography as such, but I like the idea of pattern on pattern in the busy environment (my guess is that's what you were using to tie the contrasts together) and I love her facial features. I just think the colors of the dress would work better against the background if they looked more earthy. I believe that could be accomplished by using a differently colored dress, a dress with material that didn't reflect the light so well, or changing the light up a bit so that there is less glare on the dress itself.

Farm-4.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by NikonJeb:
I think it's cropped a tad tight for the tool shed's effectiveness for the dichotomy of the composition. I also think that a solid, and probably darker, color dress would help as this one stikes me as too busy.

Farm-4.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by klstover:
I think the lighting works because it helps to show that she is in an environment that is a bit more natural or everyday. But I do not like the post as much, because it seems a bit forced. I'd really love to see her interacting with the environment somehow so that the image tells an interesting story. Also the background seems a bit tilted. I love the colors - the bright colors of the dress are still somehow matching with the colors of the background, I think because there are a lot of warm colors.

Amanda 4 (39)e.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by suemack:
You captured a gorgeous candid moment. Lovely shot!!

Amanda 4 (39)e.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by Melethia:
"He forgot the ring... how could he be such a dummy?"

Heh! Really quite a delightful shot. I like it.

Amanda 4 (39)e.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by peterish:
The main problem are the kids' expressions. You always want to get happy (or at least neutral) expressions. A picture where the subjects look awful is worse than no picture at all.

With that said, the composition and lighting are pretty good!

Amanda 4 (39)e.jpg
by judojoe

Comment by GeneralE:
Nice tones and background.

Their expression makes me want to clone in some rings and add a caption along the line of "Oh no! What did we just do?"

Definitely not your typical wedding portraiture.

IMG_0111 DPP.JPG
by judojoe

Comment by LadyK:
a bit much room at the top and a bit tight on the right side, but other then that, nice dof, good color, nice face

IMG_0111 DPP.JPG
by judojoe

Comment by JH:
Off-camera flash? Life will never be the same for you... Google 'strobist' if you haven't already.

You been posting some beautiful portraits to your portfolio the last few weeks, and this is another great example. Beautiful girl, beautiful pose, beautiful expression.

My only (minor) criticism is that her leg looks very pale/blown out and attracts the eye, whereas her face should be the centre of attention.

ETA: Doesn't look as 'blown out' on my calibrated monitor.

Message edited by author 2009-04-21 21:27:38.