Assignment
Brief
Having completed my first Wedding as the official
photographer in February 2014 I received another commission for October 24th.
What interested me was that the wedding ceremony was to take place at a Castle.
The venue is Castle Coch, Cardiff, here is a link to
further details about the castle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castell_Coch
Whilst in full time employment I could use this as a
learning activity to both increase my knowledge and skills, increase my
portfolio of wedding images, further my recognition within my local community
in terms of skill set with a view to additional potential work. The key to this
commission was discussing my current skill set and experience with the bride
and groom and setting a fee that would be acceptable to both parties allowing
for this position. From a commercial perspective this balance always needs to
be set, some photographers will have set fees for set options. As I’m not
currently looking to make a living from this I can pick and choose and set a
fee accordingly.
Whilst this Assignment stipulates I should:
1) Take one subject
2) Create between five and seven portraits
3) Images should differ in type and style and be from separate sessions
I will detail my tutors feedback in red and my responses in green
I will present a set of images for this assignment on the
basis:
a) I am treating the couple as a subject, both individually and together
b) I have created 7 images as part of this assignment
c) The type and style of the images will differ, arguable from separate sessions in terms of exact location spot.
This opportunity was too good to miss; wedding images are
portraits with the subject aware and additionally and perhaps selfishly I can
get some professional feedback on my work.
I think I am creatively bending the assignment brief to
meet my personal opportunity and this is also part of the development of my own
personal practice.
Overall Comments
The brief for this assignment was to take
5-7 portraits from different sessions. This was important in order to engage
with the subject in a variety of surroundings and deal with different light
sources.
For the wedding you could have shot the subject in several more
set-ups. For example: While preparing for the wedding, during the ceremony, a
separate portrait in doors, another out doors, during the party etc. Also a
variety of headshots, whole body images etc. would have made the images more
interesting and you would have been confronted with various composition and
lighting issues, which would have been a valuable experience.
This good suggestion unfortunately being an end of October wedding the weather was very poor and cold and so some shots had to be adjusted / taken in alternate locations. It got dark very quick. However it being my second wedding shoot I obviously still have very much to learn.
Assignment
Research
This has included reference to:
- the book Wedding Photography by Mark Cleghorn.
This consists of a large range of advice starting from equipment right through
to post production. I have read this book twice and the third I focused on a
few key aspects that I wanted to apply i) formal images ii) candid images iii)
reportage images iv) ensuring I relaxed people and obtained relaxed happy
images v) my equipment
- The
book Why it does not have to be in focus by Jackie Higgins. I focused
specifically on Chapter 1 ‘Portraits / Smile’. In this Higgins specifically
notes “we expect a portrait to be an act of introspection, to somehow reveal
the artist’s psyche. Likewise, we expect a portrait to expose the character of
its subject.” Whether the face always reflects the inner workings of the mind
is up for debate and perhaps the portrait will at least reveal what the subject
wishes to reveal and/or an expression of their feelings at that time
- Work
of local wedding photographers:
This
allowed me to review the work and style of wedding photographers, including the
portraits, both in terms of the image style taken and the commercial approach
to packages they offer and the type of package. In the digital world of
photography it was interesting to see one photographer offer the approach of
giving the bride and groom a cd/dvd with 300-400 images with full copyright for
themselves to size and print
Assignment Workflow
I
use from a basic position the following workflows. For this event I needed to
carefully review my basic workflows to ensure I was prepared. No running back
home for the extra filter or memory card at this type of event. This has always
been at a simple style in my mind and way of working but has been developed
more formally as part of my DPP course:
Pre-Shoot
Workflow:
My pre-shoot workflow has now evolved to the following:
Mid -Shoot
Workflow:
My mid-shoot workflow has now evolved to the following:
Post-Shoot
Workflow:
For the
wedding ceremony I’ve used a full frame large bodied camera and a fast zoom
lens, 24-70mm. This enabled a good zoom range and is the perfect choice for
weddings. In research a longer fast zoom say 70-200 / 80-200 is also handy from
what I’ve researched. Perhaps in the future an investment with a suitable
harness to hold them would be a good move. I had a back-up camera, also a full
frame body and lens just in case. This is a must else everyone’s day is ruined.
This has enabled a variety of images a different focal lengths and also allowed
the blurring of backgrounds where required, such as Image 6
In the
evening I used the small full frame camera and a fast 50mm lens. This made me
very mobile and more discreet though for framing with no zoom I had to use my
legs much more. For this set of images I have just included one image, image 7
Image 1
The
bride is walking up the steps, with father behind me, to the ceremony room. The
bride’s nerves are beginning to show as she bites her bottom lip.
This
image is cropped from the original to remove clutter from the image which is
distracting and also I’ve cloned out the hand rail and its shadow at the top of
the stairs. Original image is below:
The first
image is exposed well and the light is diffused, which is good. The composition
and the crop you chose are also good although generally photographing people
from a lower angle can be problematic as it often distorts them. In this case
it works well as it emphasizes the large dress but usually portrait
photographers would tend to photograph from a higher angle and point the camera
slightly downward.
Yes, I wanted to include the fullness of the dress. I did also after taking this shot climb up past the bride, avoiding treading on her dress and did a reverse shot looking down the stairs
Image 2
The emotion is clear
to see in the groom’s face as his bride to be enters the room; his expression
reveals his struggle to contain his tears. Unfortunately I also have part of
the Page boy in the image. These types of images are instantaneous. A crop will
leave a stump of an arm for the groom so I feel it’s better like this. I did
clone stamp out the Page boy’s ear which appeared to be coming out of the
groom’s jacket.
The composition of image no.2 is good. The
flash could be subtler though since the contrast is very high. The subject is
far enough from the wall so the flash did not leave a strong shadow behind him but
there is a strong shadow under his chin.
A soft box on the flashgun or any other type
of diffuser like a reflector that you can bounce the light off would have
created much softer light. It is an important addition to your kit if you plan
to work as a wedding or portrait photographer.
This is good advice with a soft-box or diffuser over the flash. I also need to get a bracket to allow the flash to be further away from the lens and not sitting on the camera hot shoe. A hand held reflector is a good idea but in practise for this image it was the moment the bride walked in and was an instantaneous image, it could not be set-up. Also whilst the advice of a hand held reflector is good, this suggests the use of a helper. I will however experiment with the flash bracket, when purchased, and diffuser over the flash
Image 3
The
signatures completed after the wedding ceremony. In addition to the happy
smiles I notice how the bride and groom lean in toward each other and the groom
displays his wedding ring by placing his hand on the table. I’ve cropped in
tighter on this image and performed some minor clone stamping bottom right to
remove a distracting element.
Image no.3 is good although the same issue
with the harsh light from the flashgun applies to this image. Apart from that,
the composition and the face expressions of the bride and groom are good.
The flash does need a diffuser. In the image I'm assuming this is due to some flash bounce on the grooms head and perhaps some shadowing on the suit
Image 4
In some
images there is a decision to be made as in this one a) to crop the bride to
get a close-up of her face, or b) shoot from a distance to capture the bride
and dress but lose some of the facial expression. In this image I’ve taken the
former to obtain a thoughtful look of the bride. In post production I’ve used Imaginomic’s Portraiture software to create a glamour style look.
The composition of image no.4 is
awkward. A headshot or a composition of
her upper half would have been more suitable. Apart from that the subject is
‘touching’ the window in the background, which is a distraction. It would have
been better if the subject were placed more to the right.
Yes, I can see the reference to the face / nose appearing to touch the window. My composition was to obtain a side view shot of the bride looking out of the window, this is an image style I had seen on some wedding photographer's web sites. I clearly have some more work / thought to put into recreating this style of shot
Image 5
The
surprise and the delight is evident in both bride and grooms faces as newly
weds. As a learning point I’ve chopped off the groom’s hand. From a technical
perspective I should have taken this image in portrait format, and need a
bracket for my flashgun that allows easy pivoting between the two formats. This
why all my images with this flash gun are in landscape.
As you stated in your notes, you chopped off
the hand of the groom, which is problematic.
This image does work well in Landscape format
but including the hand would have improved the image. Also in this image the
light of the flash seems too harsh.
Yes the flash comments are correct and a common them in some of my images. Composition I have failed with the hand cut-off. I do not to identify a flash bracket that allows easy switch from landscape to portrait image styles. I've substituted this with another where the hand remains in the frame
Image 6
This
image has the bride and groom outside looking into each other’s eyes. Again the
issue is not having this image in portrait for the reasons above. However this
would still work had I not chopped the bride’s bouquet. Again I feel it’s
better like this than for me to crop higher and leave the pair with arm stumps.
Image no.6 is better. The bride and groom
interact with each other and that is captured well. The lighting is much softer than the ones
that where shot inside.
For portraits that are shot outside a
reflector is a very useful kit because you can reflect the light on the
subjects and make them stand out of the background. Also when the conditions
are not good for instance when the sun is behind the subjects you can light up
the faces by reflecting the natural light on to them.
Yes, I can see the importance of using a reflector, of course a helper would be of great benefit also
Image 7
Following
a common theme for this assignment, a cropped image to capture the facial
expressions and love between the bride and groom as they take their first dance
being a married couple. I’ve used the same software as per image 4 to create a
glamour and stylised look.
Lessons Learnt
On image no.7 the issue with the flash that
is directly pointed at the subjects is most apparent. The strong shadows on the
wall behind them are very problematic. Also the picture and wall are
distracting. This image would have worked much better if it were taken outside
with much softer light.
This was the bride and groom first dance and this being a wedding in October meant it would have been to dark. However the point is well made and the actual portrait could have been taken earlier making use of the fading light
Learning Logs
or Blogs/Critical essays
You described your research and workflow well in your learning
log/blog although you need to start reading the books from the reading list and
start researching the photographers that are mentioned in it.
It is also very important that you do the exercises and port them on
your learning log/blog.
Suggested
reading/viewing
Research
the books:
Charlotte
Cotton, The Photograph as Contemporary Art
Liz Well,
Photography A Critical Introduction
Marta Short, Basics Creative Photography
Thanks for the feedback this will help as I progress with this module and also for future wedding photography
Lessons Learnt
1. Taking
images at a wedding is difficult for a number of reasons these include i)
capturing spontaneous moments where emotion is revealed ii) speed of thought in
preparation of a shot iii) what is going on around you iv) capturing the image
you want fully within the frame iv) working with flash. Its important to know
your camera well so that element is outside the things you need to worry about
and that camera changes and made quickly and intuitively.
2. Relax
your subjects with kind words of how they look, how good the images are
looking. Tell some jokes, get them smiling.
3. In
contrast to above observe and be discreet but capture these images. I find that
people can quickly get used to the flash and you walking around that they almost
ignore you – at times like these you can capture key moments.
4. Not
shown as part of these images but in the formal images I had a helper (bride’s
Father) whom I gave a copy of the formal shot list and he organised the people
in the positions I wanted so I could fully focus on the camera and capturing
the people. These were probably my best images.
1 5. Try
to get a mixture between being observational and organisational for capturing
images. Formal images look just that, the informal however can also capture some
amazing and for most unseen moments.
1 6. I
need to concentrate more on framing, in a few images I have chopped bouquets,
bottom of wedding dress, parts of shoes.
7. I
need a flash bracket that easily allows me to shoot between landscape and
portrait, I have missed many opportunities and also resulted in people cropped
within frame that I would rather have avoided.
1 8. Experience
– I have learnt tremendously for each wedding shoot and would like to think I
have improved. However there is much for me to review and critique and look to
improve on. Improvement is an on going activity.
9. Confidence
in your abilities can propagate out to your subjects. When they feel confident
better images can be achieved.
1 10. Look
at wedding images, whilst the top ones may be beyond the realms of ability they
are great for getting ideas.
1 11. Always maintain that rapport between you and
your subjects
12. Always
check your histogram and captured image. Once you more from a single subject
you increase the chances of one having their eyes closed when the shutter
fires. From experience I’ve learnt to take say 4-6 shots of the same pose then
scan through quickly to ensure at least one is good.
1 13. For
this wedding including early evening I took over 800 images. Reviewing and
performing light processing I’m down to 200 to review with bride and groom for
final selection and potential additional processing. Take too many – its
digital after all!
1 14. If
you can, check out the wedding and reception locations first to understand
layout and potential for images, even which way the light will come at the time
of the wedding.
Below
for interest is an image detailing the amazing location with the wedded couple though it had been pouring with rain up until just before the ceremony started:
