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!