Wedding Photos

[WingAnimal]

I finally have a couple photos from my son's wedding posted. The story about the photographer is long and more frustrating than you can imagine. The bottom line: she was not good. We got the photos on disk and I am working HARD to get them into presentable shape so we can send them to the printer. The two in my gallery are the first two I've worked on so far. My son's head came from another picture since the one on this picture didn't look so great. I had to do all kinds of work to clean it up. The "rings" photo was suggested by the bride (my new daughter) and was a cute idea. The photographer was having a hard time getting the concept. I think I got a little closer with the work I did with it... but I'm still not satisfied. Comments welcome.

http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/gallery/view_img.php?id=23809 (http://www.photoshopelementsuser.com/forum/../gallery/view_img.php?id=23809)

[Orphanannie]

Hi Norm,
I can relate to a bad photographer. My husband and I attended a wedding of his co workers and the formal pictures were supposed to be made "special" and they were not. She gave me her copy of the disk and asked me to fix a number of them. Been working on them for a few days. One is posted in the before and after and the other is in the scrapping section. Even though I am enjoying this challenge I find it a shame, that when you pay good money for services, you should see such.

I like what you have done so far. Especially like the photo of the rings. Not your typical "ring" picture.

[PegPowell]

Those look very nice. Is this the photographer that was charging based on how many people were at the wedding?

[Wendy]

Hi Norm ...

Oh those are just beautiful ... you really have made a great job of them.

Just perfect !! :)

Wendy

[WingAnimal]

Yes, Peg - It was based on how many people were coming to the wedding... then, the cost changed at the viewing of the photos... and, well... I just won't go into the details. I told my son that he better purchase the photos outright and tell the photographer that she better not ask anyone to call us for a reference. It was a mess. She was NOT a photographer and was expecting to make her money off of the post-production work - including any mistakes she made in her own photography, which was plenty!!!! I was shocked.

[PegPowell]

BTW-I love the artist at Port Gamble picture. My daughter lives in Bremerton and I discovered Port Gamble two years ago when we were visiting. What a neat little town. I was sorry that we will be visiting after their art festival this year. Good luck with the rest of your wedding pics. So far, really good.

[selawela]

Hi, Norm:

The pictures that you have posted of the wedding are beautiful. Thank goodness your son and "new daughter" have you to clean up "the mess."

Norm, the picture of the hands and rings....amazing shot! Great idea by your "new daughter." The hands are cupped together in the shape of a heart...you did notice that; right? Fantastic!

Great job.
Sela

[Cmcburnett]

Norm, your doing a great job cleaning up the photos. The same thing happened at my son's wedding a year ago. Total nightmare w/the photographer. The bad thing about it was that the "professional" photographer that they had asked that no one bring a camera into the church during the ceremony, so we didn't. Big mistake. Good luck with your photos.

[tootie501]

Norm: I think your work on the photos so far is terrific. BUT, you should NOT have to be doing all of that. When you think of how many $$ are spent on the wedding photographer, it is criminal, it is legalized robbery. Your sona nd daughter-in-law are very lucky to have you to clean up after the inept photographer and it looks like you at least have some good digital files to work with. Good luck on the rest of your project and be sure to post as you progress so we can continue to be the sideline cheerleaders for you!

[WingAnimal]

Thanks everyone! Charlotte, we weren't allowed to bring cameras either. I wasn't even allowed to take photos IN MY OWN HOME when they were opening the presents because the photographer was there. It was part of the contract. I was furious!! But I bit my lip and tried to play nice with the photographer. I even tried to carry on a civil conversation with her... asking her what lens she use for the wedding and what lens she was using at that moment and was it an f/2.8 lens. SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AN F/2.8 LENS WAS!!!! I could have screeeeeeeemed!!!!!!!!! I knew then that the photos had a potential of not turning out quite right.

For those who don't know what an f/2.8 lens is... it's okay... don't feel bad. I didn't much know either until I started really getting into the SLR cameras. There is still so much I don't know. But someone claiming to be a "professional" should at least know that much - and have one for that type of assignment. It's obvious she didn't by the outcome of the photos.

[Wendy]

Hi Norm ...

Oh that is awful ... its just so disgusting.

When my stepson got married I was very wary around the photographer but he was great .. first thing he said was my camera was better than his :) then he said come and stand next to me and see how I get the shots.

When he had taken the photograph he asked them to stay put and let me do one too ... needless to say he made a friend for life and I have recommended him to lots of people.

... he taught me a lot about setting up shots and showed he some interesting ideas.

Wendy

[Rusty]

Nice story, Wendy,

I think it illustrates a good point - your photographer was a true professional, confident in his ability and not threatened by you.

The wannabees, like Norm's, recognize their limitations and have little confidence. If they can limit the competition via "no camera rules" I guess they think that makes them the only game in town for the event.

It's really sad when you have a once-event and then learn the selected photographer is a dud.

Rusty

[WingAnimal]

Not to belabor the issue... but here is a perfect example of her "wonderful" photography style that is making me pull my hair out. This is the best (of 3) pictures of "the kiss" during the wedding. She knew it was coming (she was at the rehearsal), she knew where everyone would be standing, and yet she focused on the back of the pastor. Ugh!!!

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/126teWHpPTmLM53i006uA1oyKcH1M_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=126teWHpPTmLM53i006uA1oyKcH1M)

I tried seeing what I could do with that pic.... ANYTHING... this is what I came up with. It's more artsy than it is a real pic. What do you all think? It probably still needs more work, but is it headed in the right direction? Or is there no hope for this picture?

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/16J59fnTbt7n2JJ4XTEJUUK1ak1z0_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=16J59fnTbt7n2JJ4XTEJUUK1ak1z0)

[Tom K]

Norm;
All I got say is thank god that you can can fix them. Can you imagine if that was it, take it or leave it. I guess when that time for your daughter
comes around ( and it will ) there will be much more of an interview process
and a check of references.

BTW - They make a really nice couple.. I hope they have many happy years together...

Tom :D

[Wendy]

Oh Norm :eek:

That is terrible !! ... there really is no excuse for that at all !!

Wendy

[uniqcrafts]

I think you can salvage the kiss picture. Mostly creating a scrapbook page. Burn the outer edge, and the pastor and input a quote or phrase from the wedding.

I like the rings.

[tbrannon]

Oh Norm, what a nightmare for one of the most special days.
Thank goodness you are able to do them the justice they deserve.
Wow, I just can't believe what a horrible experience this has been w/ the
photographer. Truely unbelievable. You have done a great job with the pics.
I love that ring shot, what a great idea by your "New Daughter".
I can't believe she wouldn't even allow you to have a camera out in your own home.
Good luck and hope to see some more.
Congrats to your son and his wife. They make a lovely couple.

[kevq]

Norm,
what a terrible experience for all. Some people claim to be photographers hoping to make some quick money and never mind the poor bride and groom.
On the 18th of this month my niece is getting married and a friend of theirs who is a professional photographer for a local TV station is giving his services for free as a wedding present. He told me that when he is doing the photos after the wedding and at the reception that I'm welcome to stand and watch and then try to take the photo. My niece however still wants me to use his photos to do some montages.
After reading many horror stories of wedding photos fiascoes they are very lucky.
Still you're doing a great job of saving the day.
Kev.

[John L Gray]

Norm,

Your son and daughter-in-law should be pleased with the effort you took and results you achieved. The images are wonderful. Great job.

John

[Shari]

Wow Norm - I think I can feel how angry you must have been. I have not been feeling well lately and have not been on the forum - but I was reading a few today. I was just going to post on the wedding rings and ask if that was one of the photos you were not allowed to take - when I saw this thread. I absolutely love that photo. I love the idea of the rings in the flower. I am so glad you could fix the photo because to me that is well worth framing and having as a special reminder of the day. Who knows maybe on the 10th anniversary (or first) another piece of jewellery comes on a flower!!! Nice job Norm.
Shari

[Robyn]

Very disappointing about the photographer Norm, but YOU have done a nice job so far. They make a very attractive couple!