View Full Version : What not to do at a wedding
Just developed a strip of film from the wedding I had to photograph yesterday,
I was using a EOS-1D-mkII for the majority of the time, but I brought my Zorki-4k along, hoping to get a few vintage feeling shots. thanks to RJ I bulk loaded myself some Ilford Pan F+ 50.
So yes, what NOT to do. The first photo here shows everything that could go wrong shooting at a wedding, especially with a rangefinder.
-Pressure plate had got knocked, so you may be able to see the line about 2/3 the way down horizontally.
-Composition is totally off - parallax error with rangefinder
-Catching the subjects totally off guard. Vacant look from the bride, closed eyes from bridesmaid, groom is speaking to the best man, who has their back to the camera!
Of course, other criticisms are totally welcome. The positive thing I can say is, RJ you are amazing - I am in love with Pan F+ now!
I've also included a couple extra photo's that aren't as bad, kinda trying the classic wedding photo style. Slightly photoshopped (emulating graded paper etc).
ClaremontPhoto
05-21-2006, 08:19
So yes, what NOT to do.
Three rules:
1 Do not fondle the bride.
2 Do not fondle the groom.
3 Put the film in the camera right, focus right, expose correct for white dress and black suit, compose nice and next week take them round some nice prints and let them pay for the Chicken Tikka Masala.
(I think you did OK on No. 3)
So you could have done another thing not to do at a wedding, taking the bride upstairs to an unused bedroom while you're not the groom :)
back alley
05-21-2006, 08:21
never drink while photographing a wedding.
fuzzy pictures...;)
Personally I would have used a faster film. Delta 100 or FP4+, maybe even up to HP5+. I have some Pan F in the fridge. I will not be getting it out until summer has properly arrived, the light at the moment is simply too dull for an ISO 50 film.
So you could have done another thing not to do at a wedding, taking the bride upstairs to an unused bedroom while you're not the groom :)
You are too naughty, Socke!
Personally I would have used a faster film. Delta 100 or FP4+, maybe even up to HP5+. I have some Pan F in the fridge. I will not be getting it out until summer has properly arrived, the light at the moment is simply too dull for an ISO 50 film.
Andy, do you use a tripot with the Pan F?
Andy, do you use a tripot with the Pan F?
Somtimes. It depends on where and what I am shooting. But come summertime the light is good enough to easily shoot handheld.
The attached were shot on a tripod.
Never get into a drinking contest with the grooms mother.....
With a little judicious cropping and maybe some toning, shots two and three have a lot of potential. Even shot one, which really can not stand on its own has potential with the correct caption.
I was in my local camera shop a few years ago. There was a photographer in despair - one of his pictures of a happy couple who had paid him plenty, had a very rude word spray painted on the church wall in the background (why didn't he see it?). The nice lady took it off him and said she would photoshop it for him. Imagine spending the rest of your life looking at the word "F**k" in your wedding pics?
MelanieC
05-21-2006, 10:47
A couple of weeks ago my brother got married. There was an official photographer (giant Canon dSLR in hand) but I took pictures with my M3 (mostly), Rollei (three rolls) and D70s (not much).
I got the 120 developed at a lab and determined to do the 35mm at home, but have been too chicken to do it because I'm afraid I'll mess up. I've been developing my own at home and am satisfied with the results, but none of what I've developed so far has been important, and at the wedding I shot a bunch of Neopan 400 and 1600, which I'm not used to working with and which I understand can be tricky to develop. I'm less afraid to develop the Tri-X.
Anyway, here's a scan of a contact sheet from the Rollei. Sorry for the crap resolution. There's nothing innovative here, but I like them anyway and I think they're worth having. Basically what I did here was follow the official photographer around and get different angles from what she was setting up, and then I set up some of my own shots. The latter tend to be the ones I like best. Pictured are my brother, his now-wife, and my mom.
I was in my local camera shop a few years ago. There was a photographer in despair - one of his pictures of a happy couple who had paid him plenty, had a very rude word spray painted on the church wall in the background (why didn't he see it?). The nice lady took it off him and said she would photoshop it for him. Imagine spending the rest of your life looking at the word "F**k" in your wedding pics?
Hm, maybe I take the hint and act acordingly? There was a reason for mariage except saving taxes, wasn't there? :angel:
back alley
05-21-2006, 10:58
i think the worst thing i ever did at a wedding was ...to get married.
a few times...a few weddings...:)
joe
I've been asked to shoot weddings several times but I allways declined.
I'd mess up big time!
A friend did that for another of our friends and he had no fun on the wedding, allways busy getting people to pose for the formals where he had set up the lighting, when we had fun during the reception he was looking for informal shots and and and.
No, you have to be very profesional to do that.
amateriat
05-21-2006, 11:03
Well, one of my "dont's" involves using more than one camera format. Since I only shoot 35mm (and almost entirely RFs at that), no problem. The last two weddings I shot (arm twisted severely by the bride in each case, since I shy away from doing wedding stuff) were b/w, PJ-style (as requested...I could get used to shooting weddings if I could do it this way only), and all went largely well.
- Barrett
Somtimes. It depends on where and what I am shooting. But come summertime the light is good enough to easily shoot handheld.
The attached were shot on a tripod.
Love the texture on the stone wall...
When I develop my own B&W (someday), then I will use this baby...
i think the worst thing i ever did at a wedding was ...to get married.
a few times...a few weddings...:)
joe
Joe, I am young, you are scaring the **** out of me...
back alley
05-21-2006, 11:18
Joe, I am young, you are scaring the **** out of me...
excellent!
I will never shoot a wedding, because I´m no a pro, but I like doing some photos (or rolls) only for fun, and an album or a big print is always well received :p .
Of course, only b&w.
I think you were smart to have the DSLR for all the "conventional" shots, but I also think you did well with the photos you posted -- the bride and groom might enjoy them as an alternative view of the proceedings. They have a "historical" look that goes nicely with the background and the style of the men's apparel.
Thanks for all the responses. Its great to have some feedback.
Of course I'm only 18, this was the second wedding and its a bit daunting having a hundred people with P&S camera's trying to get in your way, and bucking up the confidence to move people into place. I left my photo's to be the alternate angles, as it can give a bit of interest, rather than the square on shots.
I think next wedding I'll remember a lightmeter as well!
ClaremontPhoto
05-21-2006, 12:27
Well done mate.
Did you have sex with a bridesmaid? That is traditional you know.
Thanks :)
I actually used to work with one of the bridesmaids. She worked at ASDA, and she's still with the same boyfriend years later. As for the other two, they weren't so attractive. I had to scoot off to an RAF/cadets ball that I was invited to. I had my share of flirting with the ladies there instead ;)
ClaremontPhoto
05-21-2006, 12:38
Wow, one from ASDA, and then you went to the RAF ball. You west country boys know how to have a good time.
It brings back memories of when I was eighteen and spent a few weeks or months in Warminster.
Something you definitely should not do at a wedding is return the bride's knickers during the vows.
bmattock
05-21-2006, 12:54
i think the worst thing i ever did at a wedding was ...to get married.
a few times...a few weddings...:)
joe
Now I believe you when you say you're poor. Took me two times, but I think I got it right, finally. Oh, and that time with the circus animals, but we won't talk about that now.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
Joe, Bill, and myself, several times married. Anyone else?
ClaremontPhoto
05-21-2006, 13:30
Something you definitely should not do at a wedding is return the bride's knickers during the vows.
Thank you Andy. I had never thought about that.
If I was the groom could I return her mother's panties part way through the ceremony do you think?
BrianShaw
05-21-2006, 13:30
Oh, and that time with the circus animals, but we won't talk about that now.
'animals'... plural?
If there's one thing that has to be more stressful than being the bride at a formal wedding, it has to be being the photographer.
I've never shot a wedding, and I don't intend to, not in this life. I want to keep my friends! :)
However, whenever I see somebody's wedding photos, I can't help but think to myself along the line of "Oh {expletive}, I know I can do better than that!" They're almost always cliche' shots. Even things like the eternal gaze superimposed on the champagne glass and the all B&W except for the bouquet are becoming trite.
It has to be a very lucrative business, tho ... The last wedding I attended (a couple months ago) was a semiformal ceremony in a Las Vegas Chapel. The photographer (probably under contract to the chapel) used a nondescript DSLR of some kind with a grenade-launcher zoom lens and a rube-goldbergish strobe frame with a rather small flash. The photos were very "ok" but nothing spectacular or imaginative, all cliches, and although I don't know the exact amount, I was told it was several hundred.
Oh well ...
No, 46 and turning 47 in august and still not married.
Once saw a bumper sticker:
Man is incomlet until he's married, then he's finished.
ClaremontPhoto
05-21-2006, 13:38
'animals'... plural?
I saw something on the web today, from a good news source, about a guy who had died in this situation with a horse.
I'd stick with bridesmaids, sisters and the mother - nice and traditional.
It is also not wise during his speech to inform the groom your herpes test was positive.
bmattock
05-21-2006, 13:42
'animals'... plural?
Sung to the tune of 'Eric, the Half-a-Bee'.
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
BrianShaw
05-21-2006, 13:42
I saw something on the web today, from a good news source, about a guy who had died in this situation with a horse.
I'd stick with bridesmaids, sisters and the mother - nice and traditional.
Bridesmaids and sisters, maybe, but not the mother... never the mother!
BrianShaw
05-21-2006, 13:47
Sung to the tune of 'Eric, the Half-a-Bee'.
OMG, Bill... that's a real song!
http://www.geocities.com/fang_club/Eric_half_bee.html
back alley
05-21-2006, 13:55
Joe, Bill, and myself, several times married. Anyone else?
a new poll?
noooooooo!
;)
bmattock
05-21-2006, 14:00
OMG, Bill... that's a real song!
http://www.geocities.com/fang_club/Eric_half_bee.html
Strange coincidence? You be the judge.
But, "I'll bet you they won't play this song on the radio."
Best Regards,
Bill Mattocks
Volker there may still be hope for you yet, though you've lasted longer than I! Around age 28 I decided to start looking to settle down, but it took me to age 36 to find the right gal.
back alley
05-21-2006, 17:38
No, 46 and turning 47 in august and still not married.
Once saw a bumper sticker:
Man is incomlet until he's married, then he's finished.
you sir, are a true hero!
never been married?
i only wish i could have figured out how to be like that.
joe
never been married?
i only wish i could have figured out how to be like that.
I used to think women weren't interested in me because of my crooked teeth, but eventually I concluded it was really because I'm drab, tedious and uninteresting. It's hell on the self-esteem, but saved me a small fortune on orthodontia.
wlewisiii
05-21-2006, 19:30
Joe, Bill, and myself, several times married. Anyone else?
Once only, going on a dozen years & usually still acting like it's only been 2 or 3 months
;)
William
Some people nail it and some people don't. The examples I see here are pretty darn good (photos). I want very much to go in and shoot a wedding but do not think that I am ready to be the sole photographer for the event. MelanieC's medium format shots had very a very classical look to them but then I usually like shots that are taken with the lens wide open.
Anybody seen the movie the Wedding Crashers? Funny stuff!
I used to do weddings and really got off on the adrenaline/pressure. It was a validation of my photo skills to consistently have satisfied couples (and their parents) recommending me to others. I always considered it a privilege to be included in a family's intimate moments. It was also a great way to build up my photo gear. I recently decided not to do any more since my gear is all I need and even though I've never screwed up a wedding, it's bound to happen some time, and I'm happy to stop before it happens to me. Now it's just paid portrait work. I have several couples whose wedding, pregnancy, baby, and family pictures I've done. I wouldn't mind getting into CD cover/insert photography for musicians, but none of the musicians I know have any money.
thanks for the comment. and yep! i love the film wedding crashers. I got the wrong kinda tips for what to do with the guests tho!
ClaremontPhoto
05-22-2006, 06:34
...but none of the musicians I know have any money.
Do you need money?
If you like them and their music you could do the photography for them anyway.
Yep Jon, if I were single I could do whatever I feel like doing, but a family means I have to prioritize and allocate my time rationally in such a way that everyone, especially the significant other, stays happy. :)
What not to do at a wedding...
Under no circumstances say "I do."
rpinchbeck
05-25-2006, 08:36
Joe, Bill, and myself, several times married. Anyone else?
Just finished #2 myself...
Reminds me of the following:
The World's Shortest Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl "Will you marry me?" The girl said, "NO!" And the guy lived happily ever after and went fishing, hunting and played golf a lot and drank beer and farted whenever he wanted.
The End
Cheers,
Russ Pinchbeck
back alley
05-25-2006, 09:27
Just finished #2 myself...
Reminds me of the following:
The World's Shortest Fairy Tale
Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl "Will you marry me?" The girl said, "NO!" And the guy lived happily ever after and went fishing, hunting and played golf a lot and drank beer and farted whenever he wanted.
The End
Cheers,
Russ Pinchbeck
i love that story!!
;)
still haven't worked out why there's the scratch along my neg...
jtzordon
05-25-2006, 09:35
My grandfather used to always say, "If you're not married by the time you're 30, you'll never be; you'll be too smart." I just got married last year (age 24), so I can't comment on his wisdom yet. He's almost 90 and celebrated their 60th anniversary a couple of years ago.
Ash: you can tell all those chimpin' haters off. Digital is simply superior for event coverage.
ErnestoJL
05-25-2006, 12:21
WARNING!!!! THIS ISN¨T SERIOUS, JUST FOR FUN!!
It was said the the only animal able to hit the same stone twice is the human animal.
Then, I can realize that I´m really human.
Fortunately the curse has ended.
Now I´m a man in good situation, meet at any time we want, but not living together. nor wedding ideas of any kind.
Any way I´ll never say "I do" again!
For this reason I never shoot weddings.
Now seriously, the only NO is to bring only one camera. The few times I had to shoot a wedding I used only RFs as they were easier to focus and light enough to carry them all night long, besides there is no temptation of switching lenses.
I used a Vitoret DR for flash shots and when needed the Kiev loaded with any ISO 400 colour film did the rest. A handheld meter is also advisable.
Ernesto
Joe, Bill, and myself, several times married. Anyone else?
Just this once please. Hasn't been a year yet and I'm happy. I know why I waited so long......
I think.
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