While the other photographers were pointing their cameras elsewhere, I decided to play with the rings and other items.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/2248359872_5ffaf77489_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightchasers/2248359872/)
1/80s @ f/5, ISO 200

description as seen on Flickr page:
An image from a wedding I covered recently (http://lightchasersphotography.com/blog/off-camera-flash-on-camera-style/) - see other shots here (http://lightchasersphotography.com/blog/dex-iya/)

for Strobists (http://strobist.blogspot.com/):
- 430EX somewhere the 1 o'clock pointed at white pillow directly across the subject
- triggered by Cactus triggers

While the other photographers were pointing their cameras elsewhere, I decided to play with the rings and other items.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2060/2248359872_5ffaf77489_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lightchasers/2248359872/)
1/80s @ f/5, ISO 200

description as seen on Flickr page:
An image from a wedding I covered recently (http://lightchasersphotography.com/blog/off-camera-flash-on-camera-style/) - see other shots here (http://lightchasersphotography.com/blog/dex-iya/)

for Strobists (http://strobist.blogspot.com/):
- 430EX somewhere the 1 o'clock pointed at white pillow directly across the subject
- triggered by Cactus triggers
.. am no expert but the shot you posted doesn't strike me or doesn't tell me that you are trying to tell your viewer about the wedding rings.... emphasize more on the subject.. again sorry but that is how I feel...maybe the experts can comment on it...

sorry for my ignorance, just wondering whats that "siopao-like" thing?:)

I agree, the crucifix seems to be the focal point, putting the light yellow rings on top of a reflective silver item made it nearly invisible in the frame.

No clue what that white blob is either... Looks like a used cloth with hair strands... Not sure what the white thing underneath the black cloth/paper is as well.

The 2 semi-petals at both upper corners aren't pleasing and doesn't seem to serve any purpose in the frame as well.

Lighting is a bit too harsh, based on the shadows alone, the lighting is quite confusing and made the image quite flat...

A smaller DOF would've kept the text sharp as well.

sorry for my ignorance, just wondering whats that "siopao-like" thing?:)

i think its a rose petal? :Shock:

i think its a rose petal? :Shock:

yeah your right and the one underneath the invitation[?] too:Grin:

When doing ring and detail shots for a wedding, it's important to first "style" your subjects, as you would treat a product or food shot. As a wedding photographer, you are also your own "wedding details stylist". Always arrange the items before you take the shot.

An external flash whether on or off cam may not be a good option when doing shots of wedding details as it can give harsh shadows that can wipe out a lot of details. Using a macro lens can help. Set your focus points to your main subject, i.e., rings and not spread them all over the place as it can distract the viewer. a f/2.8 or bigger opening can help blur items you don't wish to emphasize in your shot.

It may also be good as a photographer to know the couple well, even their love story so that your ring and detail shots will always be unique for every wedding that you do. Knowing them and their love story can help you craft a "love story" within your ring and detail shots! Be aware of your surroundings and other elements within the room as they can be "characters" to a good plot.

Cheers!

Thoughts of a newbie...

I am only assuming but I think you shot this with the intention of getting the couple's name in the frame. Unfortunately, with all the other items also in the frame, it looks cluttered thus taking attention away from your subject.

I agree that putting the rings on the rosary made them inconspicuous. It's not the first thing a viewer would notice and there are no guiding lines to lead the eyes to the rings.

It might have helped to blur the background a bit to make your subject pop out.

Lastly, like the previous posters, I found it hard to figure out what the white object is.

I agree. there a too many things going on in this picture. If the title did not say wedding rings, I wouldn't be able to tell from the picture which one was the subject.

It always help to keep your pictures simple.

My wife said that the white rose petal looks like tissue paper. Also, what is that white thing in between the black cloth and white mesh cloth?

.. am no expert but the shot you posted doesn't strike me or doesn't tell me that you are trying to tell your viewer about the wedding rings.... emphasize more on the subject.. again sorry but that is how I feel...maybe the experts can comment on it...

No need to apologize. I think others have also elaborated on your point.


sorry for my ignorance, just wondering whats that "siopao-like" thing?:)

I think others have answered this question - it's a rose petal. Now that I look at it, it


I agree, the crucifix seems to be the focal point, putting the light yellow rings on top of a reflective silver item made it nearly invisible in the frame.

No clue what that white blob is either... Looks like a used cloth with hair strands... Not sure what the white thing underneath the black cloth/paper is as well.

The 2 semi-petals at both upper corners aren't pleasing and doesn't seem to serve any purpose in the frame as well. The 2 semi-petals at both upper corners aren't pleasing and doesn't seem to serve any purpose in the frame as well.

Lighting is a bit too harsh, based on the shadows alone, the lighting is quite confusing and made the image quite flat...

A smaller DOF would've kept the text sharp as well.

You raised quite a few points, and I get them. Thanks for the critique.


i think its a rose petal? :Shock:

Bingo!


yeah your right and the one underneath the invitation[?] too:Grin:

Damn that hidden petal. I wasn't careful enough, I guess.


When doing ring and detail shots for a wedding, it's important to first "style" your subjects, as you would treat a product or food shot. As a wedding photographer, you are also your own "wedding details stylist". Always arrange the items before you take the shot.

An external flash whether on or off cam may not be a good option when doing shots of wedding details as it can give harsh shadows that can wipe out a lot of details. Using a macro lens can help. Set your focus points to your main subject, i.e., rings and not spread them all over the place as it can distract the viewer. a f/2.8 or bigger opening can help blur items you don't wish to emphasize in your shot.

It may also be good as a photographer to know the couple well, even their love story so that your ring and detail shots will always be unique for every wedding that you do. Knowing them and their love story can help you craft a "love story" within your ring and detail shots! Be aware of your surroundings and other elements within the room as they can be "characters" to a good plot.

Cheers!

Thanks for the advice. Will work on styling in my future setups. Will also be more particular about my settings.

As for knowing the couple, I will take that advice, but I sort of have an excuse. It's in my description: "While the other photographers were pointing their cameras elsewhere, I decided to play with the rings and other items." Of course, I won't deny that I probably could've given the setup a bit more thought.

Thanks!


Thoughts of a newbie...

I am only assuming but I think you shot this with the intention of getting the couple's name in the frame. Unfortunately, with all the other items also in the frame, it looks cluttered thus taking attention away from your subject.

I agree that putting the rings on the rosary made them inconspicuous. It's not the first thing a viewer would notice and there are no guiding lines to lead the eyes to the rings.

It might have helped to blur the background a bit to make your subject pop out.

Lastly, like the previous posters, I found it hard to figure out what the white object is.

Gotcha. Thanks for the critique. As for the white object, it's a rose petal.



I agree. there a too many things going on in this picture. If the title did not say wedding rings, I wouldn't be able to tell from the picture which one was the subject.

It always help to keep your pictures simple.

My wife said that the white rose petal looks like tissue paper. Also, what is that white thing in between the black cloth and white mesh cloth?

Thanks. I give the same advice (keep it simple) a lot, and here I am eating my own words. Thanks (to you and everybody else) for giving me that little slap to remind me to keep things simple.

As for "that white thing in between the black cloth and white mesh cloth," it's another rose petal that I failed to notice when I set up the shot. Too much playing and too little thinking, I guess. I'll take more care next time.


Again, thanks for all the critique and advice.