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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot

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szerangue
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May 30, 2007, 9:28 AM

Post #1 of 37 (1490 views)
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Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot	Can't Post

Here are a few samples I posted on my website. I had a few focus issues but not too bad I guess. Comments welcome. Thanks

Wedding Shoot
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Jenn M
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 10:17 AM

Post #2 of 37 (1478 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi Shane,

Looks great! Glad to hear yours went better than mine. I'll have to post it in the Members Only forum, b/c I can't have it in the public forum. I was worried about posting it at all, b/c there may be legal things going on between the bride & the hotel, (not me), but it may be fine in the private area.

Keep up the good work.

The worst part for me now is just waiting to get more gigs. My next photo wedding isn't until July, and then again, not until Sept. How about you?

We shot both this past Friday, and it was challanging - but not for the reasons I expected. I'll have to post more on that later, too.

One tip - remind the bride to lower her flowers to belly button level, so she's not scrunching them up to her chest. I say that now, but remembering all those little things in the moment is tough. I know. At Friday's wedding, I forgot to pay attention to the groomsmen's hands and when I got home and looked at the formals, I noticed some of them had them down by their side and some were clasping their hands in front of them. Uniformity is better. Felt like I dropped the ball on that one.

Thanks
Jenn M

szerangue
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May 30, 2007, 10:28 AM

Post #3 of 37 (1473 views)
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Re: [Jenn M] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Jenn... you are right, it would be hard to remember those details... I guesst that comes with time, like video. Funny that yo mentioned the hands on the groomsmen.. I have a shot of all the groomsmen with the groom and the first thing my wife noticed was that the hands were not uniform. My next photo gig is in October.. hopefully I will be able to get a few more before then. I plan on putting something together with these and giving copies of an album to my favorite vendors.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Brackish
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 4:55 PM

Post #4 of 37 (1454 views)
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Re: [Jenn M] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

The worst part for me now is just waiting to get more gigs. My next photo wedding isn't until July,

Hi, Jenn. So ... are you totally getting out? Going to the dark side? It sounds that way from a couple comments Brian has made recently.

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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
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 7:32 PM

Post #5 of 37 (1441 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hi, Shane.

Just some quick comments.

Nice job overall. Looks like you really got the exposures down
properly.

Focus can be tough with the still cams - I think the video
cams give you a little more leeway for error.
What are you doing as far as focus points you are using?
Are you using multiple focus points? I've heard some
people are having success with selecting the center
focus point, locking focus, and then re-composing.

Another tough thing is to get decent white balance when
shooting in mixed lighting, such as near a window when
the subject is indoors under incandescent/tungsten lighting.
It's really problematic (for me) to get that blue out
of the dress. Sometimes I think it might be better
to select daylight white balance on the cam and
worry about pulling out the orange from the indoor
light bulbs. In some mixed lighting I've even had
more luck using auto white balance instead of
the indoor light bulb setting.

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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
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 8:16 PM

Post #6 of 37 (1434 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Some of the shots that stood out and looked nice:

cuff links/hands black and white

candle lighting (uncommon angle for that)

"twins" from behind, looking out window

kiss shot with flowers in foreground

dance shot with background of nice reception area

flower/cake shot

bouquet out back of dress (never seen that one - your idea?)

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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."

DGates
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 8:49 PM

Post #7 of 37 (1429 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Nice work. The bride's a hottie! Wink

I'll never be one of those vidtogs that thinks photography is easy, as I'm sure you know. Our job is almost passive, compared to the interactivity the photog has with the clients. You have to be a photographer, choreographer, baby sitter and coordinator. Just getting families lined up for the the formals would test my patience.

The only positive I can see is that post would be somewhat easier, especially when fixing a flaw. If a person's hand is in the way, just clone it out. Fixing flaws in video is much labor intensive.

(This post was edited by DGates on May 30, 2007, 8:58 PM)

szerangue
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 10:38 PM

Post #8 of 37 (1415 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

I think early on I was using multiple focus points then the photographer who was helping me told me to use the center mark. Not sure which is wrong or right, focus was an issue however, especially during the ceremony.

Thanks for telling me which shots you liked. I liked those also. All of them were my idea except the bouquet in the back of the dress. the photog had the idea about putting the bouquet there but the framing was my idea.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

szerangue
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 10:47 PM

Post #9 of 37 (1413 views)
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Re: [DGates] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, it was an easier work to photograph a wedding than to video a wedding... my back definitely felt the difference. But the interactivity and choreographer are definitely harder. It was good that I had experience with weddings in general and knew what was needed and what to expect but I was glad I had the photog with me to help with poses and stuff like that.
I will try not to do much photoshop stuff except for color correcting and exposure. I had real problems with exposure but luckily I was shooting in RAW and was able to fix the bad shots.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Brackish
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 11:22 PM

Post #10 of 37 (1404 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

I notice you don't have any dutch angle shots in there.
Do you plan to be doing any of these? Or is that not
really your style?

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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."

szerangue
Veteran

May 30, 2007, 11:39 PM

Post #11 of 37 (1400 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Well, I would say that it is much too early for me to have a style. I think I did get a few dutch angles in some of the shots but I did not think about that much. I think however that I will incorporate that into my style once I get a style. Wink

Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Brackish
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 12:00 AM

Post #12 of 37 (1392 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

For a bit of dutch-angle inspiration, here's one I snapped at a
recent engagement shoot in the city - they were an amazing couple:

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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

May 31, 2007, 12:07 AM

Post #13 of 37 (1390 views)
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Re: [Brackish] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I notice you don't have any dutch angle shots in there.
Do you plan to be doing any of these? Or is that not
really your style?

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

RustyB
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 12:22 AM

Post #14 of 37 (1383 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I still don't understand how using multiple focus points in AUTO is supposed to be helpful, since I don't know how the camera would know which one you want to use? But, I have started to manually switch between the focus points (my Olympus only has 3 in a horizontal row), since just using the center one and re-composing can throw the subject out of focus, especially if you're working with a very shallow DOF.

I have no idea how anyone could possibly manually focus with an Olympus E-500 DSLR. The viewfinder is small and dark and there's no split focus screen. On the other hand, my low-end Olympus 35mm is a whole other story...they're a dream to manually focus. But they're the same way....if you use the split screen to focus, then re-compose, it can throw the subject out of focus. At least you can see it, however, and fix it.

For a fast-paced wedding, I'd probably just use the center point, except for formals where you can take a second to switch points and the subjects aren't moving around.

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

DarrenS
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 12:32 AM

Post #15 of 37 (1378 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow. I'm surprised at how good most of the pictures are. No offense of course, they're just much higher quality than I expected to see from ones premiere shoot.

Off to a running-start!

Brackish
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 12:42 AM

Post #16 of 37 (1374 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Off to a running-start!

Thanks, Darren. That means a lot coming from you.
It was my first engagement shoot. I must admit it did
help having such a photogenic couple.

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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."

DGates
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 1:38 AM

Post #17 of 37 (1368 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I have no idea how anyone could possibly manually focus with an Olympus E-500 DSLR. The viewfinder is small and dark and there's no split focus screen.

Agreed. I have one, and manual focusing it would be a joke. I just snap 5-6 pics at each wedding (DVD cover and menus), so I don't really use it that much. By comparison, the Canon 5D's viewfinder is big and bright.

RustyB
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 2:20 AM

Post #18 of 37 (1361 views)
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Re: [DGates] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

I have no idea how anyone could possibly manually focus with an Olympus E-500 DSLR. The viewfinder is small and dark and there's no split focus screen.

I'm hoping the new pro model Olympus' will have a big, bright, viewfinder in it. Hopefully I'll be able to afford one by the time they actually come out. Laugh

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

szerangue
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 9:45 AM

Post #19 of 37 (1330 views)
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Re: [DarrenS] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Darren, if the compliment was thrown towards me, I appreciate the kind words. Of course, those were what I considered some of the better shots of course, there were many many more that were pretty darn bad.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Jeko
Enthusiast

May 31, 2007, 10:06 AM

Post #20 of 37 (1327 views)
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Re: [RustyB] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Cameras generally select the focus point that is closest to the camera as the subject. This is why using another focus point may be necessary at times.

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Jeko
Enthusiast

May 31, 2007, 10:07 AM

Post #21 of 37 (1326 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

I must have messed up my original post yesterday, but just wanted to say they look great. Get a demo album quickly to get it rolling!

Jeko

Sony VX2100's, iRivers, M-audio 24/96, Canon 5Ds/20Ds (and too much glass), Vegas6, PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom, etc.

Brackish
Veteran

May 31, 2007, 2:11 PM

Post #22 of 37 (1307 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Thanks Darren, if the compliment was thrown towards me, I appreciate the kind words.

Yes, his compliment was for you. Smile

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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."

Xray
Veteran

Jun 5, 2007, 6:42 PM

Post #23 of 37 (1189 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey Shane,
I just stumbled on this post. Great work man. Who cares that those are the �selected� shots. Doesn�t it work that way in the photo world anyway? I can�t wait to get my hands on a good cam soon. Originally I wanted to say that for the first time those look very good but then again those don�t look any different from what I see from other photographers I know. Put those in the album and it will sell itself.

Keep up the good work� and good luck!

Marcin
_______________________________________________________________
If it's sent by ship then it's a cargo, if it's sent by road then it's a shipment.

szerangue
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Jun 5, 2007, 7:18 PM

Post #24 of 37 (1179 views)
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Re: [Xray] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks Marcin... I am actually working on a proof book right now. I have a meeting with another bride next week and I told her I would have some prints to show her. I sent her to my webpage to view the shots you see here and she seemed impressed. Like Darren said, frame it up, expose it correctly, keep it in focus and the brides will love it. I think that is right. Anything creative is just extra frosting!
That is the philosophy I am going in with and until I can get a nice little portfolio, I am basically going in on the cheap.
Miracle Pictures
"If it's a good picture, it's a Miracle!"

"Life Productions, coming out of the dark, into the light"
4EVER GROUP AFFILIATE

Brackish
Veteran

Jun 5, 2007, 9:32 PM

Post #25 of 37 (1168 views)
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Re: [szerangue] Photo samples from my first Wedding shoot [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Thanks Marcin... I am actually working on a proof book right now. I have a meeting with another bride next week and I told her I would have some prints to show her.

So, you're having a small demo album made, to show her the prints?

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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."

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