Special wedding picture: I am assisting in a wedding shoot Sat. May 21st. One of the pics the bride wants is the Bride and Groom are walking towards each other. The final picture is...

cableguy Loc: Germantown Hills, IL

I am assisting in a wedding shoot Sat. May 21st. One of the pics the bride wants is the Bride and Groom are walking towards each other. The final picture is multiple images of the bride & groom walking towards each other until they reach each other and imbrace. My question is how is this accomplished. Is it multiple pics and post processing. If so how is it done?

MWAC Loc: Somewhere East Of Crazy

If you are assisting the main photographer at the wedding, the setup and post work on this final product will rest on them. Follow their direction and don't worry about how to do it, watch and learn.

cableguy Loc: Germantown Hills, IL

MWAC wrote:

If you are assisting the main photographer at the wedding, the setup and post work on this final product will rest on them. Follow their direction and don't worry about how to do it, watch and learn.

She asked me if I knew how to get the pic. So I am trying to find out how.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

I agree with MWAC.
An assistant wouldn't ordinarily be doing this.
But since this is supposed to be a helpful website- I'll give you a BIG hint:
Tripod, lock your exposure (use manual), use layers, erase what covers the B&G. Merge.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

cableguy wrote:

I am assisting in a wedding shoot Sat. May 21st. One of the pics the bride wants is the Bride and Groom are walking towards each other. The final picture is multiple images of the bride & groom walking towards each other until they reach each other and imbrace. My question is how is this accomplished. Is it multiple pics and post processing. If so how is it done?

Ah, walking pictures. In the pro world, when you see a walking picture, the model is not actually walking. The reason is, to attempt to shoot a person walking normally guarantees awkward placement of every limb. I once photo edited a 200+ shot sequence of a model walking toward the photographer, a semi pro, who walked backwards in pace with the model to keep the image size close to the same in each shot.

For arguments sake, I will say the sequence had 200 images. Of those 200, exactly ZERO were acceptable. The model looked awful, completely awkward. Had the photographer known how to shoot a "walking shot" he could have had at least dozens of good frames, having shot so many.

So, here is how walking images are done:

The model simply rocks toward the front foot, where the body line is controlled, the hand positions are controlled, and the expression controlled. Another way to put it: the model makes a half step into a pose, NOT stepping randomly, which creates the awkward, gawky, awful looks.

With two people doing a sequence walking toward each other, then it is done with several individual setups, using the same technique. The photographer decides on the pose needed for each, ever closer image. The only thing that matters is that the bride and groom sync their half step moves toward each other.

Shooting this way may seem non-spontaneous, but the result will be MUCH better than any other attempt. Actually moving toward each other guarantees less than acceptable images, and will finally appear amateurish.

Using the correct technique, with the shooting camera on a tripod, NOT moving the camera between shots because when controlled, you don't have to... will allow the "movement" sequence to be composited into ONE image.

Make SURE that the final embrace is ALSO shot in closeup in a second pass.

Nuff said...

Have a good shoot!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

PhotoArtsLA wrote:

cableguy wrote:

I am assisting in a wedding shoot Sat. May 21st. One of the pics the bride wants is the Bride and Groom are walking towards each other. The final picture is multiple images of the bride & groom walking towards each other until they reach each other and imbrace. My question is how is this accomplished. Is it multiple pics and post processing. If so how is it done?

Ah, walking pictures. In the pro world, when you see a walking picture, the model is not actually walking. The reason is, to attempt to shoot a person walking normally guarantees awkward placement of every limb. I once photo edited a 200+ shot sequence of a model walking toward the photographer, a semi pro, who walked backwards in pace with the model to keep the image size close to the same in each shot.

For arguments sake, I will say the sequence had 200 images. Of those 200, exactly ZERO were acceptable. The model looked awful, completely awkward. Had the photographer known how to shoot a "walking shot" he could have had at least dozens of good frames, having shot so many.

So, here is how walking images are done:

The model simply rocks toward the front foot, where the body line is controlled, the hand positions are controlled, and the expression controlled. Another way to put it: the model makes a half step into a pose, NOT stepping randomly, which creates the awkward, gawky, awful looks.

With two people doing a sequence walking toward each other, then it is done with several individual setups, using the same technique. The photographer decides on the pose needed for each, ever closer image. The only thing that matters is that the bride and groom sync their half step moves toward each other.

Shooting this way may seem non-spontaneous, but the result will be MUCH better than any other attempt. Actually moving toward each other guarantees less than acceptable images, and will finally appear amateurish.

Using the correct technique, with the shooting camera on a tripod, NOT moving the camera between shots because when controlled, you don't have to... will allow the "movement" sequence to be composited into ONE image.

Make SURE that the final embrace is ALSO shot in closeup in a second pass.

Nuff said...

Have a good shoot!

quote=cableguy I am assisting in a wedding shoot ... (show quote)

Glad he said it. Exactly as described above.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Toby

PhotoArtsLA wrote:

cableguy wrote:

I am assisting in a wedding shoot Sat. May 21st. One of the pics the bride wants is the Bride and Groom are walking towards each other. The final picture is multiple images of the bride & groom walking towards each other until they reach each other and imbrace. My question is how is this accomplished. Is it multiple pics and post processing. If so how is it done?

Ah, walking pictures. In the pro world, when you see a walking picture, the model is not actually walking. The reason is, to attempt to shoot a person walking normally guarantees awkward placement of every limb. I once photo edited a 200+ shot sequence of a model walking toward the photographer, a semi pro, who walked backwards in pace with the model to keep the image size close to the same in each shot.

For arguments sake, I will say the sequence had 200 images. Of those 200, exactly ZERO were acceptable. The model looked awful, completely awkward. Had the photographer known how to shoot a "walking shot" he could have had at least dozens of good frames, having shot so many.

So, here is how walking images are done:

The model simply rocks toward the front foot, where the body line is controlled, the hand positions are controlled, and the expression controlled. Another way to put it: the model makes a half step into a pose, NOT stepping randomly, which creates the awkward, gawky, awful looks.

With two people doing a sequence walking toward each other, then it is done with several individual setups, using the same technique. The photographer decides on the pose needed for each, ever closer image. The only thing that matters is that the bride and groom sync their half step moves toward each other.

Shooting this way may seem non-spontaneous, but the result will be MUCH better than any other attempt. Actually moving toward each other guarantees less than acceptable images, and will finally appear amateurish.

Using the correct technique, with the shooting camera on a tripod, NOT moving the camera between shots because when controlled, you don't have to... will allow the "movement" sequence to be composited into ONE image.

Make SURE that the final embrace is ALSO shot in closeup in a second pass.

Nuff said...

Have a good shoot!

quote=cableguy I am assisting in a wedding shoot ... (show quote)

Very good point about the walking pics. I shoot track and almost always the runners look awkward. Hard to get the perfect pic even when shooting at 6 pic/second bursts. Doesn't seem to be a problem for other sports, maybe because the focus is on something other than running.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

PhotoArtsLA wrote:

cableguy wrote:

I am assisting in a wedding shoot Sat. May 21st. One of the pics the bride wants is the Bride and Groom are walking towards each other. The final picture is multiple images of the bride & groom walking towards each other until they reach each other and imbrace. My question is how is this accomplished. Is it multiple pics and post processing. If so how is it done?

Ah, walking pictures. In the pro world, when you see a walking picture, the model is not actually walking. The reason is, to attempt to shoot a person walking normally guarantees awkward placement of every limb. I once photo edited a 200+ shot sequence of a model walking toward the photographer, a semi pro, who walked backwards in pace with the model to keep the image size close to the same in each shot.

For arguments sake, I will say the sequence had 200 images. Of those 200, exactly ZERO were acceptable. The model looked awful, completely awkward. Had the photographer known how to shoot a "walking shot" he could have had at least dozens of good frames, having shot so many.

So, here is how walking images are done:

The model simply rocks toward the front foot, where the body line is controlled, the hand positions are controlled, and the expression controlled. Another way to put it: the model makes a half step into a pose, NOT stepping randomly, which creates the awkward, gawky, awful looks.

With two people doing a sequence walking toward each other, then it is done with several individual setups, using the same technique. The photographer decides on the pose needed for each, ever closer image. The only thing that matters is that the bride and groom sync their half step moves toward each other.

Shooting this way may seem non-spontaneous, but the result will be MUCH better than any other attempt. Actually moving toward each other guarantees less than acceptable images, and will finally appear amateurish.

Using the correct technique, with the shooting camera on a tripod, NOT moving the camera between shots because when controlled, you don't have to... will allow the "movement" sequence to be composited into ONE image.

Make SURE that the final embrace is ALSO shot in closeup in a second pass.

Nuff said...

Have a good shoot!

quote=cableguy I am assisting in a wedding shoot ... (show quote)

YOU, my friend are a treasure trove of useful and interesting information.

Do you have a website where you've posted any of this kind of knowledge?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It doesn't sound easy. Looks like there's going to be some trial and error involved.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

jeep_daddy wrote:

It doesn't sound easy. Looks like there's going to be some trial and error involved.

Actually, shooting "walking" as staged the way I have described is very easy once you try it once. It is simply the way it is done.

Stoney Loc: Florida Panhandle

I know nothing at all on this subject. However, I was wondering ...
Since most digital cameras also have a HD Movie mode (not sure this is what it is called), couldn't one use that mode and then just select individual frames to achieve the end result?

Just wondring.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Stoney wrote:

I know nothing at all on this subject. However, I was wondering ...
Since most digital cameras also have a HD Movie mode (not sure this is what it is called), couldn't one use that mode and then just select individual frames to achieve the end result?

Just wondring.

I believe that HD video only produces a 4 megapixel image.

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Stoney wrote:

I know nothing at all on this subject. However, I was wondering ...
Since most digital cameras also have a HD Movie mode (not sure this is what it is called), couldn't one use that mode and then just select individual frames to achieve the end result?

Just wondring.

Not really. Regular walking ONLY looks good in video or in the movies, in motion. Individual frames will ALWAYS look awkward. Same goes for shooting six or eight frames per second with a motor drive. The technique I described earlier is basically how every "walking shot" is done in the real world.

cony25

Hi Photo Arts... I would love to see a sample of your work,,,,you always delight us....sample....sample...sample....(chanting).......a picture is worth more than a thousand words....

PhotoArtsLA wrote:

cableguy wrote:

I am assisting in a wedding shoot Sat. May 21st. One of the pics the bride wants is the Bride and Groom are walking towards each other. The final picture is multiple images of the bride & groom walking towards each other until they reach each other and imbrace. My question is how is this accomplished. Is it multiple pics and post processing. If so how is it done?

Ah, walking pictures. In the pro world, when you see a walking picture, the model is not actually walking. The reason is, to attempt to shoot a person walking normally guarantees awkward placement of every limb. I once photo edited a 200+ shot sequence of a model walking toward the photographer, a semi pro, who walked backwards in pace with the model to keep the image size close to the same in each shot.

For arguments sake, I will say the sequence had 200 images. Of those 200, exactly ZERO were acceptable. The model looked awful, completely awkward. Had the photographer known how to shoot a "walking shot" he could have had at least dozens of good frames, having shot so many.

So, here is how walking images are done:

The model simply rocks toward the front foot, where the body line is controlled, the hand positions are controlled, and the expression controlled. Another way to put it: the model makes a half step into a pose, NOT stepping randomly, which creates the awkward, gawky, awful looks.

With two people doing a sequence walking toward each other, then it is done with several individual setups, using the same technique. The photographer decides on the pose needed for each, ever closer image. The only thing that matters is that the bride and groom sync their half step moves toward each other.

Shooting this way may seem non-spontaneous, but the result will be MUCH better than any other attempt. Actually moving toward each other guarantees less than acceptable images, and will finally appear amateurish.

Using the correct technique, with the shooting camera on a tripod, NOT moving the camera between shots because when controlled, you don't have to... will allow the "movement" sequence to be composited into ONE image.

Make SURE that the final embrace is ALSO shot in closeup in a second pass.

Nuff said...

Have a good shoot!

quote=cableguy I am assisting in a wedding shoot ... (show quote)

Stoney Loc: Florida Panhandle

PhotoArtsLA wrote:

quote=Stoney I know nothing at all on this subjec... (show quote)

Thanks for the explanation. Like I said, I know nothing about this but was just wondering.