First wedding in a while
Dec 31, 2014 11:32:30 #
Hello all,
I've been around UHH for a few years now and recently got the opportunity to shoot a wedding for a friend of a friend.
We only shot at the couple's home (they've been together for 8 years and were just making it "official") and at the wedding venue. The ceremony, formal shots and reception were all at the same place.
I've attached a few of my favourites and would love feedback.
Cheers and Happy New Year to everyone!!
I've been around UHH for a few years now and recently got the opportunity to shoot a wedding for a friend of a friend.
We only shot at the couple's home (they've been together for 8 years and were just making it "official") and at the wedding venue. The ceremony, formal shots and reception were all at the same place.
I've attached a few of my favourites and would love feedback.
Cheers and Happy New Year to everyone!!
The Bride
The Bride with her father and step father
A tender moment during the formal shots
The Wedding Party
Dec 31, 2014 12:32:39 #
As an additional note on this event - I was pleasantly pleased at the lack of photos being taken with smart phones and there wasn't an iPad to be seen.
There was one uncle who was sporting pretty serious gear but he was very considerate of me and let me do what I needed to do.
There was one uncle who was sporting pretty serious gear but he was very considerate of me and let me do what I needed to do.
Dec 31, 2014 13:21:53 #
Just a little things to remember, not just for you but for us all.
Wedding/reception venues/relatives decorate based on what they believe the bride wants or that the bride has instructed. Usually this means things like what is shown in your picture ........ branches ........... most pros will agree that branches coming out of heads isn't a good thing.
When I get to a wedding I'm looking for places that will give me a constant background for portrait/formal time.
Another tip, and yes most big time pros will agree (go watch KelbyOne training videos) hat bouquets look best when held a bit lower than what you have in your pictures. This is particularly true when the bride is on the heavy side as it camouflages tummies which isn't an issue with this bride but it's a good thing to remember. Also you point to bouquets out hiding the hands so you don't need to place hands in the right positions.
Love seeing both 'dads' sharing the recognition, more brides need to be doing this when both dads had input in her raising 8-)
One last thing ............ appears you were using on-camera flash and it seemed to work pretty well, don't see a bunch of hot spots so you probably had some type of diffusion, just speculating here. IMO, get the flash off camera except when the wedding is actually going on or for candid shots. Even if it means just getting a 3 foot extension for your hot shoe and hand holding the flash out arms length at 10 o'clock ........ it really helps define the texture and gives that 'loop' effect and if you have the nose 'loop' you will have better definition of the features.
Overall a good job
BTW, I'll take a chance and upload a photo on a new thread. You will notice the solid background around the heads and no horizontal lines going through the heads. Also notice the bouquet down lower and hiding the hands of the bride and groom.
Wedding/reception venues/relatives decorate based on what they believe the bride wants or that the bride has instructed. Usually this means things like what is shown in your picture ........ branches ........... most pros will agree that branches coming out of heads isn't a good thing.
When I get to a wedding I'm looking for places that will give me a constant background for portrait/formal time.
Another tip, and yes most big time pros will agree (go watch KelbyOne training videos) hat bouquets look best when held a bit lower than what you have in your pictures. This is particularly true when the bride is on the heavy side as it camouflages tummies which isn't an issue with this bride but it's a good thing to remember. Also you point to bouquets out hiding the hands so you don't need to place hands in the right positions.
Love seeing both 'dads' sharing the recognition, more brides need to be doing this when both dads had input in her raising 8-)
One last thing ............ appears you were using on-camera flash and it seemed to work pretty well, don't see a bunch of hot spots so you probably had some type of diffusion, just speculating here. IMO, get the flash off camera except when the wedding is actually going on or for candid shots. Even if it means just getting a 3 foot extension for your hot shoe and hand holding the flash out arms length at 10 o'clock ........ it really helps define the texture and gives that 'loop' effect and if you have the nose 'loop' you will have better definition of the features.
Overall a good job
BTW, I'll take a chance and upload a photo on a new thread. You will notice the solid background around the heads and no horizontal lines going through the heads. Also notice the bouquet down lower and hiding the hands of the bride and groom.
Dec 31, 2014 14:25:08 #
Dec 31, 2014 17:43:02 #
Hey Wayne, it is great to capture great images for a very special event. That is why I enjoy doing weddings. I hope your friends loved the images. I love the candid moments you captured and mirror reflections are one of my favorites. I even take a mirror to look for opportunities.
Overall I like the images, I would bring more light. Maybe it is just me but I want those faces glowing and eyes sparkling. Of course off camera lighting is best, but when on the move I have success with an on camera diffuser and when possible I bounce the light. It is always a moving target type situation but managing the light becomes the fun part.
As for the group shot, personally I like it. The branches do not bother me especially since they are a distance away and white in color. It is very difficult to find the perfect uncluttered background in a church or smaller venue. Maybe for improvement you could have brought them further away from the branches and elevated yourself with a stepladder. Again, more lighting. I bring a 7' umbrella for group shots.
Thanks for sharing! We can all learn from each other.
Overall I like the images, I would bring more light. Maybe it is just me but I want those faces glowing and eyes sparkling. Of course off camera lighting is best, but when on the move I have success with an on camera diffuser and when possible I bounce the light. It is always a moving target type situation but managing the light becomes the fun part.
As for the group shot, personally I like it. The branches do not bother me especially since they are a distance away and white in color. It is very difficult to find the perfect uncluttered background in a church or smaller venue. Maybe for improvement you could have brought them further away from the branches and elevated yourself with a stepladder. Again, more lighting. I bring a 7' umbrella for group shots.
Thanks for sharing! We can all learn from each other.
Dec 31, 2014 18:04:36 #
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I was saying "lower the boquet" all through the photos.
They were ecstatic with the photos. I actually stayed most of the night and got a lot of candids both during the receiving line and the dancing.
I was using two off camera speedlites with 36" umbrellas.
They were ecstatic with the photos. I actually stayed most of the night and got a lot of candids both during the receiving line and the dancing.
I was using two off camera speedlites with 36" umbrellas.
Jan 5, 2015 10:19:21 #
Actually, this is just my two cents.
I really like the composition. I'm not way too worried about the branches. The reason for it is, instead of this being an outdoor event, you made use of the decorations.
On my calibrated monitor, they look a little dark, but that's very easily fixed.
As for the bouquet, holy cow, seems that every single wedding I've done in the last 3 years, I'm constantly asking the bride to lower it. It never used to be a "thing". I'm wondering if they don't hold them so high, because they are used to holding their smartphones there. :-)
I know, I'm an old fart. Take whatever I say with a grain of salt. If you want low sodium answers, you can just avoid my posts. HA!
I really like the composition. I'm not way too worried about the branches. The reason for it is, instead of this being an outdoor event, you made use of the decorations.
On my calibrated monitor, they look a little dark, but that's very easily fixed.
As for the bouquet, holy cow, seems that every single wedding I've done in the last 3 years, I'm constantly asking the bride to lower it. It never used to be a "thing". I'm wondering if they don't hold them so high, because they are used to holding their smartphones there. :-)
I know, I'm an old fart. Take whatever I say with a grain of salt. If you want low sodium answers, you can just avoid my posts. HA!
Feb 3, 2015 08:54:46 #
picsbywayne wrote:
Hello all,
I've been around UHH for a few years now and recently got the opportunity to shoot a wedding for a friend of a friend.
We only shot at the couple's home (they've been together for 8 years and were just making it "official") and at the wedding venue. The ceremony, formal shots and reception were all at the same place.
I've attached a few of my favourites and would love feedback.
Cheers and Happy New Year to everyone!!
I've been around UHH for a few years now and recently got the opportunity to shoot a wedding for a friend of a friend.
We only shot at the couple's home (they've been together for 8 years and were just making it "official") and at the wedding venue. The ceremony, formal shots and reception were all at the same place.
I've attached a few of my favourites and would love feedback.
Cheers and Happy New Year to everyone!!
Nice shots,
I do agree about holding the flowers lower. I take about three shots with the flowers at different heights. You can decide later then. When I look at a picture I look for composure, setup, faces, etc. Then look at the background last, unless it is punching me in the eye ball. I am not so bothered by the background. But then, all you need to do is have one person point it out and I will tell you, that is ALL you will see. (see below I don't see the bird anymore, like all I see now is the Bullwinkle antlers branch coming out of the guys head now)) moving a group of people around is hard and extra hard at a wedding. They have their minds on OTHER things and you are in the way of their perceived desire. Be that food or a particular Brides maid.
Feb 3, 2015 11:04:57 #
These are nice and I'm sure they are thrilled with them. Honestly, I don't think the branches are that big of a deal, she probably doesn't even notice. It seems to be a focal point of the venue, and was probably what she wanted.
Yes, it is our job as pro wedding photogs to be aware and adjust for these things and educate our clients, but for all we know it was -20 outside, there was no where else in the room to accomodate such a group shot, and like I said, it's probably what she wanted. Who knows? The shot still works.
I'll have to shout out for the hands though. I never hide hands in the bouquet. I always try to show them off, especially the brides. Now, if the groom has hands that make Frankensteins hands look good, that's another story. Chances are the brides hands are amazing and should be enhanced by the bouquet. There are ways to make hands look elegant and beautiful by posing, and is something I have really been trying to improve on over the years. Don Blair was one of the greatest hand posers (posing in general) ever. Yes, brides and BM's never hold those flowers where you put them, but we keep trying.
Show those hands off, they spend time getting them perfect along with everything else.
Yes, it is our job as pro wedding photogs to be aware and adjust for these things and educate our clients, but for all we know it was -20 outside, there was no where else in the room to accomodate such a group shot, and like I said, it's probably what she wanted. Who knows? The shot still works.
I'll have to shout out for the hands though. I never hide hands in the bouquet. I always try to show them off, especially the brides. Now, if the groom has hands that make Frankensteins hands look good, that's another story. Chances are the brides hands are amazing and should be enhanced by the bouquet. There are ways to make hands look elegant and beautiful by posing, and is something I have really been trying to improve on over the years. Don Blair was one of the greatest hand posers (posing in general) ever. Yes, brides and BM's never hold those flowers where you put them, but we keep trying.
Show those hands off, they spend time getting them perfect along with everything else.
Feb 3, 2015 13:41:18 #
skidooman wrote:
Show those hands off, they spend time getting them perfect along with everything else.
Show those hands off, they spend time getting them perfect along with everything else.
Amen on the hands. Even better if you can get the ring to show as well. Even if it is just a little bit.
Feb 3, 2015 20:57:57 #
greg vescuso
Loc: Ozark,Mo.
You did a great job on these, I really like the mirror shot. The group shot with the decorations pocking up is just that
their decorations, to us photographers we see branches but to the bride she sees her beautiful decorations. Always remember if someone bought it, made it or was given it, decorations are special to the bride so always show them off. The shot of the bride and groom is priceless these are the shots they remember!
their decorations, to us photographers we see branches but to the bride she sees her beautiful decorations. Always remember if someone bought it, made it or was given it, decorations are special to the bride so always show them off. The shot of the bride and groom is priceless these are the shots they remember!
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