Photographer's Comment: Got a book that Jim Stearns recommended a few weeks ago, and been playing with different bw conversions. This is also how I really like shooting people, put them in a situation and shoot the candids that result from it. This is just a fun couple, he is home on leave from Iraq and they are getting married next year so they were in a "playfull" mood anyway. :) May not be technically perfect, but personally I would rather have a "moment" shot, then something really stiff, posed and boring. All I told them to do was give her a piggy back ride. So let me have it, feedback is always good for next time out. :) This was also shot about 6pm and it was still 90 degrees out, they were brave enough to venture out in the heat. But then again, he said the temp was like a cool spring morning in Iraq. Color version is on my BV. Softness and cropping in ps as well as bw conversion. Thanks in advance. :)

Tags: portraits couples Engagement

Viewer Comments:

By johnwillems (2007-08-12 23:57:38 ): I love your spontaneous Photography-style.

By nicoramos (2007-08-12 22:13:09 ): Iam in agreement with the sepia, emphasizes the first plane of couple, with a smooth tonality, that harmonizes with those of background more dark. In some occasions, when the range of grays is not very rich, or there is dificult to find a good contrast, sepia is to solution. Fine shoot, I like as fall the little of light behind the lady, aid to its pair to almost maintain her.

By Isachsen (2007-08-12 21:04:28 ): Sure Carl, we live in different worlds. Down here in the Arab world people work all day in 100 to 120 degree heat, hard manual labor, this be throwing bricks and building materials up to the man on the next level, digging diches with old fashioned hand tools, etc. Even I - a freaked out snapper - who just havie to put of with the hardship of pushing the damned trigger on my camera, have learned to cope with the heat and move about outdoors for at least half the day. We can get used to anything if we just have to do it. But I still admire these people who day after day work so hard in such heat without any complaining and still have a smile for you when addressing them. I like your snap. It is also very causual and upbeat. In this type of a picture, the suroundings/background you have choosen fit well in too. Thanks for sharing it with us.

By BeatriceFriedli (2007-08-12 20:34:41 ): for these 2 lovebirds and the hardships they are enduring right now..perfect !

By maureenyoung52 (2007-08-12 16:53:32 ): I love the color version and the sepia is a nice alternate. I think the sepia puts more focus on the couple. The sepia looks a little hot, but I know the high contrast is very popular now. I love the pose and the playfulness so much better when people are relaxed. Our temperatures are 106 today so 90 sounds good to me.

By smokeydawg (2007-08-12 16:52:08 ): Duh, the sepia / toning is added in the Hue Sat Layer, just play around and you will get different tints. You can also play with the opacity of the different layers, for different looks.

By smokeydawg (2007-08-12 16:45:48 ): Thanks Emily. On the bw it was pretty basic actually and involved 3 adj layers in ps. Gradiant, Hue Sat (w colorize box checked), and Curves

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