Jenn M
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Sep 8, 2006, 1:21 PM
Post #10 of 42
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Re: [szerangue] So you want to be a wedding photographer
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I do however, believe that photography, good photography, would be harder to capture at a wedding than good videography.
Really, you think so? I don't know, maybe I'm nutty but I think videography is much more difficult. You can't come in to something half way through like you can with a picture. If you miss half the toast with video, half a parent dance, half the vows - you're screwed. Photos - who cares, you can take 10 shots in a row and they can appear to be taken over a span of several minutes. If someone walks in front of you and blocks your video camera, you can't move without it being noticeable (camera shake) and you could possibly lose a huge chunk of the story which you know have to work harder to 'fix'. With photo, big deal, you step aside and snap off another picture. They'll never know when you took that photo. You can restage things much easier with photo, if you have to, though I would never rely on that fact. AND you can get your shot off before they even know what you're up to. With video, especially in a dark room (because we need those pesky lights) they see you coming and scatter.
And here's a biggie - You don't have to worry about what it sounds like! The band sucks? Who cares. The DJ mispronouces the bride and groom's name during the intros? So what. The MOH curses in the middle of her toast? Ha - you can actually laugh and not worry about whether or not you should include it b/c someone might get upset.
You can take 50 shots during the one and only song people get out of their seats all night, and the Client will never know they difference - they could think it was a rocking party and people were dancing all night. However, with video, again, you're screwed. You can't create something out of nothing. Video is more honest, which sometimes isn't necessarily a good thing.
With photo, you have much more control over lighting - backlighting? So what, use your flash. You typically have more cooperation from your subjects and your setting.
I'm not trying to say that there aren't challanges with photography, b/c I know there are. You have to know how to take a good photo, but once you do, you're golden. Perhaps it's because I've been doing video for SO long and I've run into so many challanges, which I saw the photographers skate through, I'm less worried or intimidated by photography. Do I believe anyone can pick up a nice camera and shoot killer wedding photos? No. But as far as the challanges go on the wedding day, I think video is much, much harder and I'm getting sick of it.
I've seen photographers snap off photos of ANYTHING - the bridal party just standing in a freakin' parking lot, and people think they're the greatest thing. Try including that in your video and watch people's eye glaze over.
Yep, I think video is MUCH harder. Just my 2 cents.
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But none the less, the rant was entertaining, and did have some great tips for noobs! 
As with video, I think it will help to have discussion with the couple PRIOR to the wedding day about this part of the event, to get everyone on the same page. I see so many photographers winging it, turning to the couple on their wedding day and asking them what they want. IMO, that is NOT the time to have that discussion b/c they have no clue and they are overwhelmed so they can't even think straight. Again, a little pre-planning goes a long way. 
(Still not sure what to think about all the crooked still photos I see. I guess it's the norm. But, seeing it in stills has made me quit doing it in video...after seeing it in photos in looks odd to me now.) 
There were normal colored lights on some spots on the altar and over the pews, but they must have purchased some bargain bulbs at one point. You can't tell from that small pic, but they all have bright green highlights on their heads and arms. Made them look sickly. 
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