Wedding
Photography Tips
Portrait
Photographer and Photojournalist
Wedding
photographers balance between portrait photographer and
photojournalist. Portrait photographers learn lighting
ratios and portrait composition. They spend time setting up
their shots for a desired lighting effect. I like to refer
to it as being a "light smith". They strive to
control every aspect of the portrait.
The photojournalist on the other
hand is "quick to draw" you might say. He or she
is able to capture a fleeting moment in time. They are on
their toes looking for the chance shot. In a wedding you
are expected to get portrait like images but you are
limited in time and equipment. You are also expected to
catch those fleeting moments and memories.
Photographs tell
the Story
All
weddings are different and you should plan the photography
with the bride and groom. Try to see the wedding through
their eyes and give them what they want. You are a
storyteller capturing memories in your images.
Start your
story with engagement photos if you can. The tip here is
this is the best opportunity you will have to get to know
the bride and groom. You will find out what they like
and don't like. When you photograph the wedding you
will start with a good rapport and you will get better
results. Some couples will want you to start at the
brides home to record the preparations. If you plan
and tell a good story the wedding couple will remember you
forever.
For a sample check list of pictures
to take click here.
TIP- Be Prepared
-TIP
If something can go wrong it
will. You may have heard of Murphy's law. This law was made
for weddings. Unlike portrait photography, you need to act
fast. Tip...You only get one chance. I know it
is obvious but it's worth saying that you can not redo
wedding photography.
You should visit the site of the
wedding at least one week before the ceremony. Check out
all the areas you might be able to use and take notes. You
will want to review those notes immediately before the
wedding. Keep an eye out for special backgrounds etc. If
there is any place to do outdoor photography make notes of
where you will take your shots. Another photography tip for
weddings...If you can, talk with the person performing the
ceremony. Find out if they have any special rules for
photographers. You should have at least one backup
for every piece of equipment you use.
Tip..Take extra cameras, flashes, filters,
stands, meters and lenses. Take more film than you will
need and check the speed before you leave.
Make a check list and check it to
cover all your bases immediately before a wedding. Also
plan ahead for changes in the weather. When the day comes
for the wedding be early. If you have planned on taking
certain pictures before the wedding starts be prepared for
the people in those shots to be late because they will be.
They can be late, you can not.
Equipment
All
photographers prefer different equipment. Here is what I
use. I use 35 mm for speed. For large print
quality the 2 1/4 is incredible. Even if you crop
close on a small part of the negative, the enlargements are
still great. My favorite camera is the Mamiya RB67.
For lighting I use Vivitar flash and I always have three
extra flashes. I put these on infrared slaves in case
I need extra lighting. I use a Gossen Luna Pro light meter.
I always take backup for all equipment
Try to
develop a style that sets you apart from other wedding
photographers. I enjoyed special effects techniques
such as double exposures. These tend to be more
popular with younger couples. One of my favorite
techniques is the black glove.
Black Glove
Technique
A black
glove made out of soft cloth makes in camera double
exposure easy to do. The idea behind the black glove
technique is that any part of a negative that has not
been exposed to light can still have an image put
there. Use the glove to put two images on one
frame. In the first shot use the glove to cover
the lens and block the area you do not want the
second shot to show through. Rewind film to the
same frame and do the same for the second shot.
1 
2 
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It is easier
to get good results if the glove is only used in one
shot. If you use it in both shots make sure the
glove in one shot does not overlap the glove in
the second shot or you will get black areas where
they overlap. This is because there is no image
in the overlap area. It takes practice, however
if done right, you will get the image you want.
These three photographs were done with this
technique. |
| The Jesus image was
a triple exposure before it was used in the
wedding. To see the original and other double
exposures click
here. |
NOTE: In
silhouette image the glove was only used in the second
shot, to get their upper bodies. The diagrams
above are to show how to use the glove. |
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