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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
My only shot from yesterday's wedding...

eppievojt
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Jun 11, 2007, 5:32 PM

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My only shot from yesterday's wedding...	Can't Post

Not thrilled with the groom's facial expression on this, but I was given all of 1 frame to get my shot, so... I think it turned out ok. Backstory - I had asked the couple and the photog for 3-5 minutes at the end of his formals to shoot a couple of shots for DVD cover and menu (ahem... and portfolio, especially since the couple was quite photogenic). Anyway, after an hour and a half of formals (all taken inside), we were significantly behind schedule and my time was cut short to 1 pose... which turned into 1 frame when people kept trying to open the door behind the B&G. Ugh. So... here's what I got:

Brackish
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Jun 11, 2007, 6:07 PM

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Re: [eppievojt] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

For one frame you did a pretty good job, eppie!

What was causing the indoor formals to run so long?

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

eppievojt
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Jun 11, 2007, 7:37 PM

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Re: [Brackish] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

What was causing the indoor formals to run so long?

The photog just took a long time with everything. I really don't know how to explain it. He took forever to pose groups, then took forever to actually take the picutre, then chimped for a while, then took it again. Plus, he shot too many of his creative shots at the altar. They were basically all the same shot. It's a shame too, because it was perfect day outside for photographing (even cloud cover softening the sun), and the grounds of the church were super nice.

As soon as time was turned over to me and I took them outside and posed them here, you could almost see him kick himself for wasting time inside. He could have had some great shots outside. Oh well.

Anyway, I'm pleased enough with the shot that it can find its way into my display book somewhere. Maybe I'll liquify his face and adjust the "let's get this over with and get to the reception already" look he's working. Tongue

Brackish
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Jun 11, 2007, 7:47 PM

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Re: [eppievojt] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Did the B&G and the wedding party and family seem
to be bothered by taking so long with the formals?
Were they impatient to move along?

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

eppievojt
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Jun 11, 2007, 8:30 PM

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Re: [Brackish] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Towards the end, yes. They were getting very... anxious. Reception was an hour drive from the church, and we didn't wrap the formals until 6:40. Official bridal party arrival at the venue was around 8:00. They were hoping to be there by 7 or 7:15. The actual ceremony ran long too, so the blame is shared on the late arrival... but they were pretty much done with having their picture taken.

I was glad that I wasn't the cause of the delay. Smile

RustyB
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Jun 11, 2007, 8:56 PM

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Re: [eppievojt] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.....As soon as time was turned over to me and I took them outside and posed them here.....

You do your own formal session posing shots for the video, after the photographer is done? Is this a popular option with your clients?

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

(This post was edited by RustyB on Jun 11, 2007, 8:57 PM)

eppievojt
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Jun 11, 2007, 10:56 PM

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Re: [RustyB] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.....As soon as time was turned over to me and I took them outside and posed them here.....

You do your own formal session posing shots for the video, after the photographer is done? Is this a popular option with your clients?

Normally, no - but I asked for about 3 minutes to pose them for photos for the DVD cover, menus, etc. Really, the goal is to grab a few shots to help build my photography portfolio. It takes only a few minutes (while the photog packs up his gear). I already have my video stuff put away and grab the DSLR from my bag. I've done it at a few weddings now, and nobody minds. I tell the photographer right up front that I'm not going to sell prints or albums - the couple will only get the pictures on their DVD and packaging. Also, I clear it with the couple early on - I don't spring it on them last second. I guess I could shoot over his shoulder during the formals, but the photogs I've tried the separate shooting approach with appreciate that I don't want to basically rip one of their photos for my use.

RustyB
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Jun 11, 2007, 11:04 PM

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Re: [eppievojt] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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.....As soon as time was turned over to me and I took them outside and posed them here.....

You do your own formal session posing shots for the video, after the photographer is done? Is this a popular option with your clients?

Ah, I see! That's a great idea. Using actual photos for the video case/surface/menu artwork looks amazing compared to frame grabs, but I just never felt it was worth carrying the extra camera. But, secretly building up a photo portfolio, and sneaking in some wedding photography experience in the meantime....I might have to start doing that. Cool

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

szerangue
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Jun 11, 2007, 11:18 PM

Post #9 of 17 (1027 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

I like the shot, Eppie... looks just a tad out of focus but that could be the resizing thing. I kind of like the expression on the groom's face... unexpected, the bride looking up at him... pretty artistic to me... and thats what its all about anyway.
Miracle Pictures
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eppievojt
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Jun 11, 2007, 11:35 PM

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Re: [szerangue] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Regarding focus - I broke the cardinal rule of post processing and sharpened before resizing that, so it may have something to do with it. I recall thinking that at full size, it looked better than the scaled down version. Maybe it's wishful thinking on my part, though.

I was happy with how I posed them - bride looking up, groom looking into the distance... but (maybe because I was there and know how anxious they were to get to the reception), I see a *let's get this over with* look on his face when I view the picture. Maybe I'm reading too much into it. It turned out well enough that I'll include it in my book, though.

eppievojt
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Jun 11, 2007, 11:45 PM

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Re: [RustyB] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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Yeah. I shoot HDV, so the frame grabs from there make nice cover art in a pinch... but I had a photog volunteer files for my cover once and it spoiled me. I have a DSLR with me almost all the time anyway, so it's not much of a burden for me... and it facilitates a possible move to the darkside. Shocked

Silly as it sounds, I know the 3 minute bursts I'm getting here at being a photographer at these weddings will help a lot as I shoot more primary assignments. Every time I work with a couple, I gain more comfort in instructing them for poses. That's the part that always scared me about doing weddings - you have to be good at posing people and managing a crowd. I always pay close attention to how the photographers do in this regard.

The other major plus with this approach is that potential brides don't think I'm some guy who just shot his cousin's wedding. Even if it's only 1 picture of a couple in my book, that's another wedding to them. It helps build credibility.

RustyB
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Jun 12, 2007, 12:06 AM

Post #12 of 17 (1008 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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....The other major plus with this approach is that potential brides don't think I'm some guy who just shot his cousin's wedding. Even if it's only 1 picture of a couple in my book, that's another wedding to them. It helps build credibility.

Great point! Man, I shoulda started doing that years ago. Laugh

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

Brackish
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Jun 12, 2007, 4:12 PM

Post #13 of 17 (962 views)
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Regarding focus - I broke the cardinal rule of post processing and sharpened before resizing that, so it may have something to do with it.

So far I've been breaking that rule, too. What I've been doing with good success so far is just re-sharpening after the resize. Has worked okay so far.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Brackish
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Jun 12, 2007, 4:16 PM

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Re: [RustyB] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

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Great point! Man, I shoulda started doing that years ago. Laugh

I thought you have no interest in wedding photography.

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

RustyB
Veteran

Jun 12, 2007, 4:41 PM

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Great point! Man, I shoulda started doing that years ago. Laugh

I thought you have no interest in wedding photography.

It just depends on how hungry I get. Laugh

I have about 9 wedding videos in May/June, but starting in July, I only have like 2-3 video bookings for the rest of the year. I only got the May/June surge of bookings because of the unlimited time/full video package package $999 sale I ran for a few weeks. Now that I limited the package to 4 hours+hourly rate, I'm getting tons of inquiries, but few bookings. At least the ones that do book, are usually buying a couple of extra hours.

the People's Video Collective blog
wedding video and the means of production

Brackish
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Jun 13, 2007, 5:01 AM

Post #16 of 17 (929 views)
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Re: [eppievojt] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, where is your photography business at this point, eppie?
Are you advertising a photo service?

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"We'll always show up at the wedding with a gift bag for the bride. Inside we have these incredible fuzzy slippers in the teal of our branding."

Postal Boy
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Jun 13, 2007, 9:40 AM

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Re: [RustyB] My only shot from yesterday's wedding... [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, rusty...you went from nothing to 8 or 9 in two months? At least you can afford your cheesy tuna now.

-Postal