Comments on: The One Location Technique for Wedding Photography

By: acierman

acierman — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:51:17 +0000

i so agree with Julie …this so called pro photographer ..well …lets see your portfolio …if your a photography God …why not post your link …im sure you are a great photographer …but at least have the balls to give us your link …and like Julie said …this is a site for learning …so what the hell are you doing here bashing the amatures ..we all start at the bottom …and work our way up …did you forget your first cheesy wedding …the stupid fake poses ….that cheesy bridal pose with the bouquet …and shes looking at the husband with love in her eyes …while hes thinking …crap …im broke after all the crap i just paid ……so what the hell is your problem …if you fell like bashing people …start up a site for just that reason …not here

By: julie

julie — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:20:11 +0000

I usually like to look at these help articles and either take the info or leave it, but seeing these comments above I just had to post. Seriously, everyone here on this site is here to LEARN. And, um, to the “mega professional” above with all this education from a top-notch school, etc, why are YOU here? This is Digital Photography School. Didn’t you already learn everything you need to know about photography??? And, I sure as heck wouldn’t hire an arrogant photographer like you if I were needing one. Are the photographs for this article stunning? Maybe not to some, maybe very much to others. Who gives a damn. I just hate to see a person dedicate their time and love for photography to this site and then get it ripped to shreds by people that are supposed to be here learning, not signing up to put other’s work down so they can feel better about their own. I’d like to see any of you jerks post an article or two if you are such gods of photography. It seems to me that the ones that are quick to put another down in such a distasteful way are photographers because of the love of money, NOT the love of photography. ??? I love these articles, and I take what I can from each one written. And it just makes me proud to be such a PROFESSIONAL photographer with a professional attitude for the fact that if I don’t like another’s work in my area, then maybe more clients my way, or that someone else probably loves the person’s work. Good for them. Moving on with life now……..

By: acierman

acierman — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:07:19 +0000

sorry if i pissed some of you off …but its what people tell me also …how they regret paying so much for a photographer …then they dont even look at there pics ….so ya …go out and spend a few thousand on a photographer …..keep a few shots in a book …then a few years later look at them ….was it really worth a few thousand dollars ….tell me the truth …i dare ya

By: paul saulnier

paul saulnier — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:00:22 +0000

well….all i can say is that i know so many people that paid 5-8000$ for a photographer …a so called pro that has done beautiful pictures …but one thing …all cheesy ….all over rated …looked at once or twice ,,,then the pics are put away and never looked at again ….when i got married …i took a couple that where cheap…but i loved there style …they where photo buffs …but not pros ….and i loved the pics …they dont look cheesy …they are natural ….people around here loved the result…we got most of them done in black and white ,,,even some are sepia ….the thing is …who the hell cares …its the client that counts …i find that wedding photographers are over priced …over rated …and also …most but not all …are full of themselves …thinking school helps …ahhh maybe …but ….rules are made to be broken …some photographers use one studio light …some up to 6 lights …who is the one to judge …not me …i do what i think is nice …and dont care what others think about it …some like my style …some dont …you cant please everybody all the time …so before bashing pics ….think of this…..if i like a picture …who the hell are you to tell me its wrong …i like one style …you like another …so what …good for you ….if i where to say …a photoshoped picture is not photography …well …some would say yes …some no …i like organic myself …simple …crisp clear …but some times a bit modified and cropped …but if other photographers dont …oh well ..it doesnt do anything different to my life .i and others i know would say the same as me …simple …natural …organic …not cheesy …some others would say …traditional …cheesy …it depends one the way you look at life …so what …its just my way of thinking …i may be wrong …but photography is about what makes you happy …get it.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 11:10:05 +0000

All photographers are critics … artists analyze other artist’s work, take from it what works and what doesn’t. Unfortunately the wedding industry has been over run by amateurs with cheap DSLR cameras trying to fund their hobby off ignorant bride and grooms looking to save money. Photography is an art {period} you need to have natural ability and proper education. This article serves as a prime example how you can have the knowledge but not the ability. This is packed with great advice but the photographs are second rate at best. As a profession wedding photographer and someone, has studied photography at one of the top art schools and exhibited extensively these photos make me sad. The detail shots are stock standard and poorly executed and do not actually convey any significant detail – how many of you didn’t even notice the 1st photograph contained rings?! Everything looks heavily altered in photoshop. Every rule of composition is ignored. The step 3 photograph of the dress in the window is an embarrassment – the lighting is wretched, the curtains are haphazard, the table with the shoes in the foreground is unnecessary clutter. Here are some of my professional tricks – one always have a prop bag with you … invest in a nice wood or silk padded hanger {you wouldn’t believe how many gowns are on plastic} always have a hook with you those pull and release ones are fab. Use a window with Northern exposure since the light will be more diffused. Then you can even leave the curtains open so the dress isn’t directly against the curtains – remember that depth and light add interest flat and monotone light is boring. I always bring a nice piece of satin ribbon in white and ivory so that if need be I can hang the dress lower so you don’t get that alien high in the sky dress look. If you want to have the shoes in the photo don’t put them on a table that you can’t fit in the frame like was done here, arrange them nicely on the floor or perhaps there is a nice chair you can move into the frame then you can drape the veil over the back of the chair and arrange the shoes on the seat. Here are some other great places to hang a dress … back of an antique door on hook, from a canopy bed, doorway, etc. be creative! If you are desperate and there is no where to hang the dress arrange the dress nicely on a bed or draped on a chaise lounge and then get up high and take a photo at a downward angle. But never ever ever skip this shot!!!
to address Tyler’s comment – blown out dresses are common. First, thanks to places like David’s Bridal that only use cheap poly fabrics that are over-bleached and often taffeta if you exposed for the dress specifically your photos would be so dark. The best you can do is minimize the light hitting the dress with keeping the light source on the brides face – an assistant with an umbrella works wonders or just a piece of black foam core to shade the light on the gown. You can also use reflectors to light the face to balance out the difference and then expose for the dress – that works well in gardens and outside.
If you are lucky to have a bride with a gown that is made of silk your job will be much easier since it radiates not shines. Also pay VERY close attention to any reflections from jewelry or beading on dresses that cast on the face … the “bling” brides can be a challenge especially outside in direct light.
The blogger is right … you do not need multiple locations or fancy studio lighting to obtain a quality, professional and artistic look. Being a photographer, especially a wedding one, mean being resourceful! Always remember that you are documenting their day … it is a story of one man and one woman becoming one and celebrating that with their family and friends. Don’t get too caught up in trying to photograph everything and everyone … you will not like your results in the end.

By: brimadtor

brimadtor — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:43:09 +0000

Thank You for the information. I really like this Post.

By: Paul Saulnier

Paul Saulnier — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:13:05 +0000

thanks …big c#^ck ha ha ….i like it ..ha ha …its a great comment

By: MeiTeng

MeiTeng — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:39:08 +0000

I have to say I don’t quite like step 3 of the dress on hanger up in the window. Definitely could have been composed better. Photo in step 5 is a nice one!

By: MemoriesbyJenn

MemoriesbyJenn — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:08:39 +0000

I have never shot from the inside to the bride waiting outside, but often do the reverse. I like to capture the bride looking out the window as she is waiting for her groom. The #1 request of lately is the dress hanging, so being only 5′3″ I stand on a chair to be at mid-bust level of the dress.
Thanks for all the great tips!

By: acierman

acierman — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:44:00 +0000

and for God sakes…..shoot in RAW people …you will be able to adjust everything later