The challenges of wedding photography are uniquely difficult from those of other genres. While landscape photographers wait for the right light to approach, and macro photographers look for new species of the smallest creatures, wedding photographers aspire to combine great lighting, composition, as well as action in one day. The biggest challenge of all? There are no second takes in weddings.
How then can you come up with wedding photos that are as valuable to you as the artist as it is to the groom and bride? Follow these shooting ideas to make your wedding photography more meaningful.
Shoot through leaves and curtains, from the hip, and from the outside looking in. Albeit most photographers are comfortable with shooting straight at the subject, take the road rarely travelled every so often, bending over so that you're at eye-level with that little flower girl sashaying her skirt with the others. Look around for curtains and leaves, and shoot through them. Photos from this angle provide that kind of mystery to your photos that is unusual and appealing. While the bride is getting ready and bridesmaids flock to her to assist her with her makeup, shoes, and dress, go out of the room and shoot the scene from the outside.
Make creative use of your ISO. Lots of photographers stay away from using high ISO and opt for the camera flash instead. Seasoned photographers will tell you that adding a bit of grit and grain to your photographs can actually look interesting when done the right way. High ISO in poorly lit areas usually turn out great when there are movement and people in the photo..
Aim for action images, particularly when crowds of people are involved (usually during the wedding reception). Dances and other performances are best captured with the motion, so do not ditch the slow shutter speed yet. Not all blurred images are bad.
Capture candid moments with simple compositions. The less cluttered the composition, the better. This is a job that wide-aperture lenses would do wonderfully, and more often than not, they turn out to some of your best shots of the day. An 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 is a great choice, as is the 24-70mm f/2.8. More affordable alternatives are the 35mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8.
How then can you come up with wedding photos that are as valuable to you as the artist as it is to the groom and bride? Follow these shooting ideas to make your wedding photography more meaningful.
Shoot through leaves and curtains, from the hip, and from the outside looking in. Albeit most photographers are comfortable with shooting straight at the subject, take the road rarely travelled every so often, bending over so that you're at eye-level with that little flower girl sashaying her skirt with the others. Look around for curtains and leaves, and shoot through them. Photos from this angle provide that kind of mystery to your photos that is unusual and appealing. While the bride is getting ready and bridesmaids flock to her to assist her with her makeup, shoes, and dress, go out of the room and shoot the scene from the outside.
Make creative use of your ISO. Lots of photographers stay away from using high ISO and opt for the camera flash instead. Seasoned photographers will tell you that adding a bit of grit and grain to your photographs can actually look interesting when done the right way. High ISO in poorly lit areas usually turn out great when there are movement and people in the photo..
Aim for action images, particularly when crowds of people are involved (usually during the wedding reception). Dances and other performances are best captured with the motion, so do not ditch the slow shutter speed yet. Not all blurred images are bad.
Capture candid moments with simple compositions. The less cluttered the composition, the better. This is a job that wide-aperture lenses would do wonderfully, and more often than not, they turn out to some of your best shots of the day. An 85mm f/1.8 or f/1.4 is a great choice, as is the 24-70mm f/2.8. More affordable alternatives are the 35mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.8.
Post a Comment