Well, it came and went
Jun 25, 2012 00:01:58 #
So last wk I posted photos of our nephew's bride to be in her 'bridal photos'. The wedding was Sat. evening and everything was so nice. No I was not the photographer thank goodness, but the guy they got was super nice. He worked alone and didn't mind my asking some questions. I did take a few that really weren't that great. Location means a lot so because of where I was sitting I had the 'limbs growing out of the brides head' from the flower arrangements. I thought I'd use my 50mm since it would do better in the lower light of inside and I didn't want to use a flash interfering with the photographer. Think I should have just stuck with my kit lens of 18-105. I had thougt I'd go around and get some behind the scene shots but that really didn't work out either. I was busy getting my grandaughter ready as the flower girl and helping my daughter with her hair and makeup. Later at the reception I took some photos of my kids outside and still was using my 50mm. Was not happy for the most part. Manually focusing and more than not were far from sharp. Very disappointed with my efforts. :-(
Jun 25, 2012 00:17:08 #
Sorry to hear you had such a tough time but we often learn more from our goof ups than from our successes. What did you learn?
Jun 25, 2012 00:28:16 #
Sorry to hear you weren't as satisfied as you would've liked to be. Trial and error helps a lot though in photography. 2 cameras also help too.
Jun 25, 2012 00:36:55 #
deanna_hg wrote:
'limbs growing out of the brides head'
or devil's horns?
Jun 25, 2012 00:41:21 #
Sometimes it's just good that we can put something behind us and say: It just wasn't meant to be! Oh, well...
Jun 25, 2012 04:39:29 #
Glad you at least had a nice photographer, and one that was willing to answer questions too. Weddings are hard.
Jun 25, 2012 17:24:47 #
Thanks all. It just makes me feel like I've taken steps backwards instead of forwards. I don't know what the deal is with the focusing on my part. I hope to stay in touch with this photographer. I did ask if he ever had anyone 'shadow' him in order to improve their skills. Of course he had not and he mentioned it would be like telling 'trade secrets'. Here is my thing, I'm not a pro, I'm not trying to take your clients or business, I just want to learn and I like hands on and 'this is how you do it' type instructions. Then have someone look at the photos and give me the feed back on doing something to improve it. Turn around and do the photo again. Does this make any sense? He didn't talk as if he wouldn't allow it but there was not an affimative either. Can't you have apprentices in photography?
Jun 25, 2012 17:40:26 #
deanna_hg wrote:
Can't you have apprentices in photography?
Yes, but with all the wannabes out there, I can understand the view that training your next competitor might not be wise. That has nothing to do with you and your situation, just a general observation.
You would be better served by joining your local PPA and seeing what classes are offered - usually at the annual convention (which you just missed).
Here is their link: http://www.ppma.net/
Jun 25, 2012 23:25:08 #
[quote=CaptainC]
Yes, but with all the wannabes out there, I can understand the view that training your next competitor might not be wise. That has nothing to do with you and your situation, just a general observation.
I completely understand that, guess it was more rhetorical than a valid question. So guess I will do like many on here have said and he did as well, just get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot.
deanna_hg wrote:
Can't you have apprentices in photography?
Yes, but with all the wannabes out there, I can understand the view that training your next competitor might not be wise. That has nothing to do with you and your situation, just a general observation.
I completely understand that, guess it was more rhetorical than a valid question. So guess I will do like many on here have said and he did as well, just get out there and shoot, shoot, shoot.
Jun 26, 2012 10:49:43 #
I don't know if you have something like this around you, but
I found Meetup.com. There are several groups around my area that are started by professional photographers and do exactly what you said above. They give advice, go out on shoots, you shoot, get advice and reshoot as needed.
I have never really taken advantage of this type of assistance from the leader of the group, I tend to like to just pull the trigger and see what happens, make my own adjustments and go for it again until I am satisfied, but I have gone out on several shoots with this group and many of the others take advantage of the assistance.
Maybe try out something like this. I am sure there is something in your area like that.
As for the shots you took on this occasion
Don't be hard on yourself. You were in an emotional situation as well as occupied with something else altogether. By the sound of the wedding itself, it sounds like it went well considering you didn't mention any other problems there, so your primary goal was achieved and all are happy with the occasion. As far as focus There are many reasons that manual focus can be out. All the way from your eyes being out of focus due to weather to it being a special/personal occasion and you just weren't concentrating.
The point is The wedding was nice. You were involved. Don't worry about taking steps back when you had the deck stacked against you.
I found Meetup.com. There are several groups around my area that are started by professional photographers and do exactly what you said above. They give advice, go out on shoots, you shoot, get advice and reshoot as needed.
I have never really taken advantage of this type of assistance from the leader of the group, I tend to like to just pull the trigger and see what happens, make my own adjustments and go for it again until I am satisfied, but I have gone out on several shoots with this group and many of the others take advantage of the assistance.
Maybe try out something like this. I am sure there is something in your area like that.
As for the shots you took on this occasion
Don't be hard on yourself. You were in an emotional situation as well as occupied with something else altogether. By the sound of the wedding itself, it sounds like it went well considering you didn't mention any other problems there, so your primary goal was achieved and all are happy with the occasion. As far as focus There are many reasons that manual focus can be out. All the way from your eyes being out of focus due to weather to it being a special/personal occasion and you just weren't concentrating.
The point is The wedding was nice. You were involved. Don't worry about taking steps back when you had the deck stacked against you.
Jun 26, 2012 11:18:38 #
autofocus works great...how come you used manual focus? just a question.
Jun 26, 2012 11:45:26 #
Sorry to hear that also. Such a disappointment for you. I understand this event had its special meaning to you but do it again whenever you have the chance. Ask yourself, what did I do wrong, lens, settings, sit in better location, etc.? What can I do different next time to improve my photos?
Better luck in the future.
Better luck in the future.
Jun 26, 2012 13:17:32 #
I don't know what camera you are using but maybe something I learned with my canon may help. I was having a problem getting sharp pictures in the manual mode with it. What I did was to set the camera up on a tripod with a remote, found an object the lens could focus sharply on. I then let the lens focus and I looked through the view finder and adjusted the diopler setting so my eye was seeing the same thing the camera is seeing. That has helped me with my manual focus. I don't know if other cameras have the same options or not, it worked for me with a Cann T2i. Hope this will help
Jun 26, 2012 14:03:24 #
A number of years ago my wife & I were invited to her boss's wedding - Very wealthy "Old" Italian family at a private home from on of the Comstock Silver Barons in San Francisco. Ya - the Zelerback Paper , Folgers & Hills Coffee, Langendorff Bread family s were all in attendance. I was new with my film SLR and kind of stayed back but took a lot of candid shots with soft & reflected lighting - when the boss saw my shots he ask if he could have the negatives to have "Lots" of my shots made as many of them were far better than the pro got of the same composition. Been patting myself on the back over that one.
Harvey
Harvey
Jun 26, 2012 14:06:32 #
I wouldn't be disapointed that the Photographer wouldn't commit to your request. Here you have a vast arena for information, and education. You have us, the UHH'ers, the internet with many free sites that provide information, and a local library with books, and videos.
The important thing is you were there to enjoy the wedding festivities. Like they say it is nice to be on this side of the grass.
The important thing is you were there to enjoy the wedding festivities. Like they say it is nice to be on this side of the grass.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.