City Hall Bride, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

This was taken at San Francisco's City Hall building. I was wandering around looking for an interesting angle to capture the building when I saw this bridal photo session. I took this stolen shot really zooming in so I was not intruding the session.
I also have posted a full color version in the Workshop of the whole scene so you'll get the full perspective of the scene and a full view of this beautiful building.

japiey, delic, gunbud, zhelach, ChrisJ, AiresSantos, Photo65Net, dip, snunney, Tue, Matthew-Watt, siolaw, plimrn, syd1946, edytungkal, robertosalguero, patdeph, axiotea, Cricri, stego, paura, danos, salvator, Charo heeft deze opmerking als nuttig gemarkeerd

Critiques | Translate

japiey (10163) 2008-02-01 12:26

Hi Renier..

MAJESTIC !!!!!
The details of the architecture as well as the brides moods of the day is well here..
Congrats, dear friend.
Sometimes.... these moments work well... stolen moments !!
All the best.

jean paul

delic (6735) 2008-02-01 12:29

I too consider brides an attractive photo subject, esp. on the street. You have capitalized on the opportunity very well, Renier. The pov and vertical composition are excellent. Well done. Regards,
Hakan

German74 (777) 2008-02-01 12:37

Hola Renier, bella foto, con excelentes tonos y muy bien compuesta...

Abrazos...

gunbud (34066) 2008-02-01 12:56

Hi Renier,
The wonderful 19th century details to the courthouse makes a beautiful backdrop for the white wedding day. The b&w treament gives this portrait a timeless feel. Very clear lighting and exact sharpness to this happy occasion.
Regards, Tom

claire526 (1267) 2008-02-01 12:58

Hi Renier,
Wonderful shot.
Lovely bride.
Great details of the architecture in the background.
Wise B&W choice.
TFS
Claire

jplebrun (21208) 2008-02-01 13:28

Bonjour Renier
beau cliché en B/W de cette jeune mariée qui prends la pause en attendant, dis moi elle t'attend ?
Amicalement
Jean-Pierre

zhelach (3626) 2008-02-01 22:58

Hello Renier!
Excellent photo! Beautiful architecture! Lovely bride! Good composition and details!
TFS, Best regards, Zorica

ChrisJ (171822) 2008-02-02 1:06

Hi Renier

A fantastic tonal range, in this superb b&w image, with clean whites, & rich blacks. Excellent sharpness & framing. Tfs!

jasmis (58653) 2008-02-02 1:08

Amazing presentation in splendid vertical frame. But... Where is her man?
Regards.

vincz (19113) 2008-02-02 1:20

Great architecture, very majestis. You could not get a better time to make this picture. having the bride really makes the picture and gives us the scale. Very impressive.

AiresSantos (56155) 2008-02-02 1:22

Hi Renier
Nice place to take a picture in the bride. Great architecture and a lovely woman.
Well chosen the black and white and done.
Have a nice weekend
Aires

dip (21408) 2008-02-02 1:41

Hi Renier,
beautiful B&W shot,great contrast and clarity,I like also the details of the building and of course the beautiful bride:)
Greetings,
Dimitris.

Photo65Net (43144) 2008-02-02 1:41

Renier,
A great catch !
This one could tell so many stories, I like a lot.
BW is great choice too, as the whole felling about this image is so timeless.
Regards,
JB.

snunney (130967) 2008-02-02 1:52

Hello Renier,
A superb unofficial wedding portrait. I like the point of view and the bride strikes a pleasing pose. Details are magnificent and the tones great. Very good work.

Nicou (193806) 2008-02-02 3:56

Hello,

superbe image NB, cette marie est bien belle avec sa mangigique robe blanche qui ressort à merveille dans cet ensemble.

Bravo et amitiés

Nicou

Budapestman (82620) 2008-02-02 7:07

Hi Renier,
Fascinating shot with excellent composition, I like the beautiful architecture details and the amazing mood, Great!
Have a nice weekend
George

photographer123 (6248) 2008-02-02 8:38

hi..
very good shot..Architecture, pattern of the background and texture made this shot superb...very good job...subir

gracious (20025) 2008-02-02 16:45

Hello Renier,
The city hall door sure makes a beautiful spot for bridal photo session! also in a B/W version and I loved this!
good pov with sharpness and wonderful details
many thanks for sharing, Renier!
cheers
tony

Gustaw (21670) 2008-02-03 2:10

Wow!
Hi, my friend!
Very interesting photo. I like your idea. Beautiful woman... Interesting old architecture. Well done. It is good white and black photo.
Marek

Tue (92328) 2008-02-03 15:00

Hi Renier,
Excellent photo of the bride. The B&W brings out her white dress very well against the dark, decorated city hall entrance. Good inclusion of the tall gate too. Well seen and thanks for sharing!
Regards,
Lars

jpinkham (870) 2008-02-03 16:20

It is fun when opportunity knocks, Renier. It would have been an engaging doorway, in any case, but the bride certainly adds to the sparkle. Nicely done; good detail and perspective. I like the POV. Too bad the top of the arch is cut off, but one seldom can have everything. Good shot.

Regards,
Jim

Matthew-Watt (5934) 2008-02-03 17:14

Hello Renier,

Beautiful, graceful photo. This scene is the best example of elegance. Not only is the subject beautiful as a centerpiece, the surrounding building provides a good backdrop. I also like the ornate stonework at the top. I like the strong use of shape, angle and curvature which adds plenty of extra character to the image, elevating it from an ordinary wedding photo.

Matt

siolaw (38294) 2008-02-03 21:32

Hi Renier,
She seems to be posing, probably the official wedding photographer was around! The B&W gives a 1950's impression and low POV gives an interesting angle on the buiding... WS is a good addition.
Cheers
LAurent

syd1946 (1167) 2008-02-03 23:36

Hello Renier,
Wonderful moment you capture here with the bride standing nicely in front of the big and impressive door of the City Hall!Love the black and white choice!

Have a nice week,
Thomas

edytungkal (4551) 2008-02-03 23:57

Both pictures are impressed but maybe i prefer on the ws shot, i can see whole the beautiful architectures of the city hall i like the tectures created from the b&w you have chosen. Nice post Renier, i like it...

daniel

robertosalguero (292) 2008-02-04 0:26

Hello Renier,

Interesting shot in black and white. The bride is an excellent subject in this image. The details on the building also look great...Interesting image for me since today I spent the afternoon taking pictures of two couples. Weding pictures are a challenge but also fun to take. Thanks Renier.

Roberto

TopGeo (38220) 2008-02-04 0:49

Hi Renier!!Ηoo!!! yes is a marvellous building, your picture even from distance impresses as much as the door and the bride. Believes the Sity Hall has very good and important architecture and in particular a lot of interest
Compliments
Georgios

John_F_Kennedy (43797) 2008-02-04 0:51

Wonderful shot. Great architecture view with a nice moment. Beautiful perspective. Well composed
Best wishes,
Achim

ifanik (21679) 2008-02-04 1:44

Hi Renier
Very beautiful photo
Impressive POV and i like the B/W
Very well done
Best regards
Nick

delkoo (68) 2008-02-04 3:44

hi renier
absolutely gorgeous, the bride stand out well, surrounded by the huge door.
cleverly framed, treatment is well executed and suits the subject well.

best regards
didier

patdeph (35750) 2008-02-04 3:46

hello Renier
the architecture is splendid,thanks to have post the whole building in WS!I like this B&W version,it could not be better with the white dress of this bride,that give a nice tonality and contrast with the grey!Really excellent!
Have a nice day.
Pascale

ninaL (21348) 2008-02-04 4:50

Excellent composition !!!
All is in its place, here...
Impressive one.
Best regards. Grazyna.

plimrn (21344) 2008-02-04 6:25

Hi Renier,
The WS shows the beauty of the building much better; however, your decision to zoom in on the bride in her elegant formal gown was inspired. Likewise the WS illustrates the correctness of your decision to go with B&W,
HLJ, Pat

axiotea (21651) 2008-02-04 6:58

Hello Renier
She is really posing, but not for you ;) I like her posture in front of this impressive building which has great architectural details and thanks for the full view of it, in WS. The B&W is working very well for this scene.
Cheers
Marilyn

Hellas (7123) 2008-02-05 5:41

Hi Renier,
you made a professional work! The photo in the workshop is also great! A beautiful model just for you! A bride dressed in white under a handsome building like this one. The art of timing!
This is a wonderful exposure, my friend.
Greetings,
Athanasios.

Cricri (176) 2008-02-05 10:09

Hi Renier,
Joli moment heureux de la jeune mariée, une belle image en N/B, bon format et détails du bâtiment
have a nice evening for you
cricri

MarianneS (15338) 2008-02-06 10:02

Hello Renier,
Lovely shot. The B&W treatment enhances the beauty of the bride.... while the bride enhances the beauty of the town hall.
Great composition!
Regards,
Marianne

stego (24132) 2008-02-06 12:36

Hi Renier,
AMusing, but at the same time a very achieved compo. The door is huge! She looks very gracious.
Very good work, I like it much.
Regards, José.

Angshu (56760) 2008-02-08 0:31

Hello Renier
You’re building up an excellent B&W portfolio! Works very well here with the angled POV highlighting the arch of the gate & the bride perfectly framed. The tonalities are excellent...the grey, the white of her dress & the black on the glass door. Wonderful work & thanks for the wider view of the building in the WS...we can definitely appreciate better.
Regards
Angshu

paura (25802) 2008-02-08 12:42

Renier,
Very nice B&W composition here. She is not looking for you, friend. Lightins is perfect.

Abraços

Paulo

crckt (7222) 2008-02-21 21:31

Hi Renier,
This is picture perfect. Your experiments with B/W is very interesting to watch. I like this shot a lot, very well composed.
Regards,
Shaeri

danos (110407) 2008-02-26 1:31

Hello Renier,
very nice this 'stolen shot' with the bride dressed in white and waiting the photographers.I like the perspective and the POV in this and the other of Workshop as that the bride has taken a very beautifully pose all charm.Informative your note too.

Regards,Danos

NMaverick (0) 2008-04-11 6:20

Impressive wedding photo. This kind of shots with the bride not looking at the photograph is the best. When attending a wedding I had the task of photographing the relative couple in addition to the designated photographer. Guess what, they seemed more relaxed and finally they printed most of my shots for their wedding album! This is definitely one that you should donate to the beautiful bride!
TFS
Nick

mikeo (12129) 2008-04-14 3:21

Hello Renier,

I was not here for a while and seems missed lots of good shots:( but I am back and will write you that...she has a pretty dress:P

And seriously - very well show building and the lady. I also like a lot your decision about b/w colours.

Really good job!
Greetings
Mikeo

salvator (19110) 2008-05-03 11:46

Hi Renier,
Wondrful angle to compose this shot, with the bride's dress flowing down. The sharpness and details, the composition with the complete arch is superb.
Best regards. Salvator.

Charo (51290) 2008-05-06 15:52

Hola Renier,
Estupendo encuadre y buena decisión la del B/N pues así la novia con su vestido blanco destaca más. Excelentes detalles.
Cordialmente
Charo

pablominto (53746) 2008-05-18 4:08

Hello Renier,
Ahhh, this is a great composition!
Great tonality in the B&W, that I generally will say is not for bridal images but somehow it works here, probably because of the emphasis on the architecture...
Greetings,
Pablo -

jmdias (115128) 2008-07-13 8:55

renier

excellent image, the bride in front of the door are very nice put iun the scene and this pov show her in a different way. Perfect option for B&W. i liked this light too

hugs

jorge