This is the original version of the photograph as it was delivered to the couple.
Toronto-based wedding photographer Pavel Kounine has dissected the various post-processing styles of wedding photography.
Written in a tongue-in-cheek manner, the post is an interesting reminder for couples to seek a photographer whose visual approach matches what they have in mind.
Read the full entry here.
The Au Naturale—This is perhaps the most authentic rendition of the scene. I preferred my original edit over this because of its more uniform skin tones and darker, slightly cooler, greens (I used a modified VSCO preset). However, I have great respect for any wedding photographer that chooses to go with a natural rendition of the scene.
The Daguerreotype—Calling this black and white would be reaching; it’s grey and greyer. Used to disguise distracting details in medium to close shots and portraits, and hide poor exposure.
The VSCO—There’s a reason this looks familiar: everyone is using it. The stronger the filter’s settings (more ++’s), the better. Because why should you exert more effort than the push of a button?
The Jeff Ascough B&W Special—Just like Jeff used to do it, using the luminance channel of the LAB Colour Space. This method creates very pleasing tonal transitions between highlights, midtones, and shadows. Need a bit more punch? Use the High-Pass filter. I really admire this look—it’s how black and white should be done, you know, with blacks and whites and all the tones in between them (I’m looking at you, Daguerreotype).
The Moody Hipster—Sunny days too typical? Try this variation on film simulation. For that rainforests-in-Oregon-on-a-cloudy-day feel, guaranteed. [Serious side note: did you know that although the faded shadow look is quite popular, it simulates the results of poor photographic technique? In the film days, if you delivered an underexposed roll to a consumer lab, the technician would manually push your prints, which would raise the darks and expose the film grain.]
The Madame Tussauds Extravaganza—I frequently see this approach to skin “enhancement” committed by photographers with a broad brush and a very 1990s mindset. I like nothing about this approach; it makes adults look like cherubs from Renaissance paintings. The results are unnatural and waxy, hence the name. Far superior results are obtained with a little help from the Spot Healing Brush, a Wacom Tablet, and lots of time.
The Selective Color—THIS IS MY FAVORITE. Usually reserved for colorful details, such as red roses and…that’s it. Unfortunately, I only had the groom’s face to play with. The results are far superior.
[via PetaPixel, images and captions via Pavel Kounine]