Weekly Assignment: Capture a Special Moment

[PWS-Staff]

Photographing weddings is all about capturing the special moments that unfold throughout the day, and this assignment is to capture one of those special moments and share it on the Web site. Although moments like the ring exchange, the bride and groom exchanging their vows, and the first dance are planned, in those moments real emotions occur spontaneously. The unplanned moments are much harder to catch, but with careful planning, you can be prepared for them when they do happen. Some things that can help when it comes to capturing those special moments include staying focused, always having your camera ready, absolutely pay attention — especially during the ceremony.

Naturally, this assignment need not be limited to weddings. Any special moment will do, such as a party, children playing, etc.

From "Digital Wedding Photography," by Kenny Kim

[steffan58]

My girlfriend was sitting by the lake in the Adirondacks with a boat on anchored in the bay. I tried to get some nice shallow depth of field in this shot but my lens was f/4 and I pushed it to the limits with the afternoon sun.

http://steffan58.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d49v457

[StearnsJD]

Oops......
How you guys doing?

[goldcoastgolfer]

Took this one on the day I got my new camera.  I happened to be playing with some settings when my wife and daughter started trying to bite each other's noses off...  they were having a lot of fun.

Taken with a Nikon D7000 and a Sigma 17-70mm lens:

Focal length: 55mm (82mm in 35mm format)
Exposure: 1/60
F Number: f/5
ISO: 800

[InspiringFotos]

These are the pictures you look back on and remember what the person was doing to made the moment so special.

[InspiringFotos]

Here a special moment that I captured at my nieces wedding in June 2011. This is a picture of my other niece, just sitting on the alter stairs waiting while pictures were taken after the ceremony. This photo was taken with Canon EOS Rebel T1i, f/4.5, 1/60 sec, ISO-400, 79 mm.

[goldcoastgolfer]

The picture's missing

[InspiringFotos]

Sorry about the missing picture. Thanks for letting me know.

Here a special moment that I captured at my nieces wedding in June 2011. This is a picture of my other niece, just sitting on the alter stairs waiting while pictures were taken after the ceremony. This photo was taken with Canon EOS Rebel T1i, f/4.5, 1/60 sec, ISO-400, 79 mm.

[goldcoastgolfer]

I like the pose and position.  The photo looks a bit soft and blurry to me though.  Was there supposed to be a flash that didn't fire off?

[goldcoastgolfer]

I happened to have the day off with my wife yesterday so we went for a drive up to some wineries in the mountains to take some photos.  I couldn't resist taking a few shots of her at lunch - as stunning as she is, to me in any case.  Actually, it was more than a few, but I thought this series of three shots really captured the essence of our day. 

Something I've started doing is stopping down the aperture a little on portrait shots to try and get a sharper image of the subject.

Taken with a Nikon D7000 and a Sigma 17-70mm lens:

Focal Length: 70mm (105mm in 35mm format)
Exposure Time: 1/125
F Number: f/5.6
ISO: 2800
Exposure Bias: +2/3
White Balance: Auto

[InspiringFotos]

The nice thing about the pose and position on my niece's bridesmaid picture was it was a natural pose. She was not posing for a picture, she was just sitting waiting while pictures of the bride (her sister) and groom was being taken. I took this picture at a distance about 10 - 15 pews away from the alter. I did have flash and it did go off but I was at a distance, so most of the lighting was coming from the church.

On your picture of your wife, I like the first one because it is natural shot. She is looking down read a menu or something and is smiling. Nice smile  . After she knew you were taking more shots of her (the other 2 pictures) her smile went flat. I also like the window lighting that was picking up the highlights in her red hair.

I like the candid pictures of people that are not aware you are taking their picture at the time, because it really "captures the moment". Once they are aware then they change their smile or pose for the camera.

[StearnsJD]

Some nice portraits. Nice control on the DoF  and the lighting is well seen, but for me I think the images might need a touch more contrast by tweaking the “Level” or “Curve” in the post production. Another suggestion would be to not sharpen too much because than the image will start picking up blemishes. Keep it toward the “soft” side.  

[goldcoastgolfer]

Thanks for the feedback folks - really appreciate it   

I do actually have the camera set up as being a bit sharper at the moment so I might tone it down a bit for portraits - of adults at least - and wee what it looks like with a bit more contrast.  I prefer the candid photos as well - the one where my wife isn't looking is my favourite as well.

One question for the newbie - what's DoF mean?

[goldcoastgolfer]

This is what the first photo looks like after extended the curve a bit.  I agree - the increased contrast definitely makes the image look better.

[StearnsJD]

DoF... depth of field.
Here is a very good learning site. They get a little technical but they usually explains everything pretty well.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/