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My sister-in-law just got engaged and wanted me to take some photos for their "Save the day" cards - so this is my first photo shoot - much anticipation and little time to prepare - I'd love to hear some honest feedback. The lighting was kinda harsh, so I think we're going to give this another go in a day or two with softer light - closer toward sunset. Anyhow, fire away!

Oh, BTW, the girl's dad is an almond farmer so she wanted some shots in the orchard during blossom time..

Thanks for looking,
`S





Rest found here - http://scottvd.smugmug.com/gallery/7549 ... 6785_YbzYC

`S

Scott,

Hello, former neighbour. We used to live just down the road, in Modesto, and if I'm not mistaken, that railway line ran just a half mile or so from where we lived. In those days I used to work for the user of that other major crop in the Central Valley ... surely the only winery in the world with no grapes!

Crop image #4 square, excluding most of the background. Basically just heads and shoulders, using a line from just below her fiance's elbows as the bottom of the image. Give the colour saturation a little boost, but be careful to not oversharpen.


Cheers.

Gary-
Why'd you leave the car theft, meth, and fat people that Modesto is so well known for? (: I live about 1 mile from where these shots were taken - the tracks run into Del Rio CC - that's cool you recognized them. (: I have a few friends that do IT work for Gallo.. Thanks for the tips for photo #4 - how'd the other three look?

`S

Nice photos, Scott.

Number one has a nice intimate feeling about it.
Alex

scottvd wrote:Gary-
Why'd you leave the car theft, meth, and fat people that Modesto is so well known for?

When we were there - 1992 - 1995 - Modesto was revered as a "safe" place to live. People used to revel in the fact that there was little in the way of crime being reported in the Bee. As compared with, for instance, The Chronicle. What they failed to realise was that while the incidence of crime was on the low side, that is an expectation from a city with a low population.

The actual rate of crime was about the same as in the Bay area, however.

We left 'cos I moved to somewhere pretty. DFW. Except for a small area around 50 yards either side of the river, there's not too many places around Modesto where the word "pretty" could be used.

Mind you, the Gallo property isn't too bad.

We lived just off Standiford, in the block between McHenry and Tully.

(: I have a few friends that do IT work for Gallo..

Which is exactly what I used to do. Do any of them date back that far?

Thanks for the tips for photo #4 - how'd the other three look?

The B&W is nce, but it suffers from the mid afternoon winter sun. Shadows plus sunlight across the faces makes this a difficult one to use, with, I suspect, some of the areas on the faces blown. Might be a shot to redo, using some fill flash to help counter the sunlight.

I don't like how crooked the second one is. Knowing how few hills there are in the region I think it probably needs major straightening. For the intended use, I don't know if the rear view of the groom will be practical.

Obviously you want the non-straight appearance of the first one. As a portrait of the couple I think it's nice, but the I prefer the fourth one as a nicer image ... more life, more relaxed ... seems less contrived.

Seem very happy together - which is the main thing of course!
I would have liked a bit more variation in the clothing colour. I dunno...I'm no style director...maybe a white open neck shirt for him and and a red T shirt for her?

Hi there Scott, you've captured great perspective here.

The couple look super-imposed on to the backgrounds, mainly because they are vibrant and sharp, whereas the background isn't. I don't recommend changing anything - they are perfect imho.

From a customer POV, these pictures are good enough to hang on their wall. They should be stoked.

Great work!

Gary-
Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it! The guys I know (from Gallo) are all pretty young 29-32ish - but one of the IT guys is Chris Shook, who's dad and brother are both pro photographers - and have been for sometime now - http://sessionsphotography.com/ not sure if you knew them from the Modesto area?

Shakey-
Thanks for your ideas - during the re-shoot I think they're going to have some different clothing on. Apparently the groom thought we were only going to take 4-5 pictures and call it a wrap.. (: We weren't even planning on going to the train tracks I just threw that in there because they were just around the corner - but they were fairly happy with what they saw so we're going to do some more. Thanks for your thoughts.

Matthew-
Wow! Thanks for the words of encouragement! (: It's fun to take the photos when there is no pressure and we're doing it just for kicks - takes out all the worrying. Take care!

`S

Great shots Scott. I like all except #2 where I agree the groom's back does not do anything. There also seems to be a softness in the bride's face.

Great set, I am sure they are stoked about the results.