So... At my first wedding

[frommrstomommy]

2, 3 and 5 I really enjoyed. Nice captures!

FWIW, I can see how the hired photog might be upset if you were posting these on FB the very next day with your watermark on them.. I'd lose the watermark if you're going to share them like that.

 

[Trever1t]

Wait, I'm confused. Was the OP working for, under or in anyway connected to the hired photographer? If so, then it is respectful to allow the Pro time to post his images and seek permission to post yours BUT if you are a friend/guest of the couple by all means post your images and put your watermark, why not?

 

[Buckster]

Nice job, OP.

As to the rest of the jibber-jabber in the thread surrounding it, I have my thoughts too:

Unless the hired photographer has a contract that prohibits the shooting and/or posting of others' photos of the event, with or without watermarks, advertising or other identification, I think the hired photographer needs to get over it. It's pure speculation that the hired photographer even HAS a problem with it, forumite bluster seen every time it comes up notwithstanding.

If guest shots by x-wacs at weddings are so good these days that the hired photographers need to cringe in fear and get pissed off because someone might see them on Facebook, and presumably demonstrate that the hired photographer probably wasn't worth the money when the guests provide awesome shots for free, then maybe it's time for them to get out of the business, or at least see a shrink about their insecurities.

Welcome to 2013 and the age of social media, like it or not.

 

[Dinardy]

Hey, for a "guest shooter" (in effect), these are great. You did one of the very key things which is not to have your shots look like you were just shooting when the couple was looking at the other photographer.

I loved #4. LOVED it. 5 was neat too but the crop is bothering me a little. Also them not being TOTALLY centered on the chandelier got my attention. But it's still nice and a nice idea.

2 made me chuckle and then go "awww"...

Really. Nice job. Honestly I've shot maybe 12 weddings or so, and I don't really think most of my pictures are anywhere near this nice.

Thank you! thats good to hear, the non center chandelier bugs me too...

 

[Dinardy]

Nice job. I think these are good. I like #1 the best followed by #4. From this small sample, I think your friends are going to be really happy with what they get from you.

Thanks Ron!

 

[Dinardy]

I think you did a great job. I really like #4

Thank you Paige!

 

[Vtec44]

Nice shots. I like the first, third, and fourth.

As a wedding photographer myself, I also agree with Robin. If don't understand his points, you haven't shot enough weddings.

 

[Dinardy]

Alright man, please don't take this the wrong way. I simply want you to start on the right foot especially if you want to do wedding photography. The most important thing to be successful in wedding photography is how you present yourself among other photographers in your area.

1. I am not sure how involved you were at the wedding, but judging from the # of shots you took.. you were pretty involved. Sometimes as a main photographer, I don't even take that many shots. No matter how you put it, more than likely the main shooter was annoyed.
2. If you plan to share this on FB to your friends, take off the signature. There is nothing more annoying than shooting a wedding and you find out someone already posting the photos from the wedding with "professional" signature on it before you do. Facebook is usually the #1 source for wedding photographers to get new clients. If you did that, you kinda stole their glory. Most people just assume the shots you posted are from the official wedding photographer.
3. If it were me, I would not use this wedding on my portfolio. You were just a guest. I may use it to land my first wedding (as main or 2nd) and say.. hey.. I have not shot a wedding before but here are photos I took as a guest so you can see what I can do. Showing wedding photos you took as a guest on your portfolio to promote your self is bad etiquette IMO (I assure you a lot of wedding photographers agree with me).

Other than that.. I think you did well. I am still confused why on earth people would wear baseball caps to attend wedding.

I was pretty involved. I hope I didn't annoy her too much, the second thanked me for how considerate I was compared to the other dozen people with cameras and camcorders. I have removed all signatures and only shared one on Facebook, in respect of the professionals that shot the event. I made it a priority to not do the exact thing you mentioned. I am simply keeping these on my flickr, to share here and with other photographers. Other than that I wouldn't use anything in my port that I wasn't a primary at. First and foremost, proper etiquette is my priority. Especially in this over saturated area.


As for the caps. This wedding was very "Country" we were in a barn

 

[Dinardy]

I'm liking #5 alot! Good job

Thanks!

 

[Dinardy]

You did a good job. You've got color casts on the dress in #1 and #3. Also, I see some chromatic aberration that can usually be easily fixed in LR. Robin has some good points. I am going to California for a wedding in three weeks, but I wouldn't bring my pro gear to the wedding. I am sure I would get some dirty looks from the photographers, and I just don't want to be expected to shoot. It is something I just don't do.

Noted on 1 and 3, I will fix those. I brought a single body and two lenses and left my flashgun in the bag. I tried to be considerate as possible, just hoping these land me bigger opportunities.

 

[Buckster]

the non center chandelier bugs me too...

Content-Aware Move Tool in Photoshop = fixed in 5 seconds.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

It is fine really to share it. They are YOUR photo. Share them! I just think it is a bad idea to share them with your signature. I wasnt trying to argue. I sense some people here think thats all I was trying to do. Theoratically, they are your photos. You can put whatever watermark or signature you want. It is up to you how you want to present yourself to other photographers. When a guess photographer does annoy me, of course I wont show it. The guess is actually a guess and I am just a person B&G hired.

 

[mrbadwrench]

Alright man, please don't take this the wrong way. I simply want you to start on the right foot especially if you want to do wedding photography. The most important thing to be successful in wedding photography is how you present yourself among other photographers in your area.

Huh? I always thought the most important thing was to learn the craft and build up your skills leading to a solid portfolio that clients will book on. I don't really care who else in the trade I impress or don't impress.

1. I am not sure how involved you were at the wedding, but judging from the # of shots you took.. you were pretty involved. Sometimes as a main photographer, I don't even take that many shots. No matter how you put it, more than likely the main shooter was annoyed.

You were annoyed. Okay... that's part of what you paid for.

2. If you plan to share this on FB to your friends, take off the signature. There is nothing more annoying than shooting a wedding and you find out someone already posting the photos from the wedding with "professional" signature on it before you do. Facebook is usually the #1 source for wedding photographers to get new clients. If you did that, you kinda stole their glory. Most people just assume the shots you posted are from the official wedding photographer.

If the hired profesional's work is of such a calibre that it's going to be upstaged by the OPs work, the hired gun should probably find a new job!

3. If it were me, I would not use this wedding on my portfolio. You were just a guest. I may use it to land my first wedding (as main or 2nd) and say.. hey.. I have not shot a wedding before but here are photos I took as a guest so you can see what I can do. Showing wedding photos you took as a guest on your portfolio to promote your self is bad etiquette IMO (I assure you a lot of wedding photographers agree with me).

What???? That makes NO sense! While they may not be the best images in the world, for a guest-shooter, they're pretty darn decent, and why wouldn't he use them? In fact, I would venture to say that if you can get a portfolio-worthy image while there as a guest,and not having the luxury of being able to direct the action, that actually shows a superior degree of creativity!

I agree one hundred percent. Who cares if the main shooter is annoyed, he got paid didnt he? And like you said, if your shots are better than his, time for him to find a new job!

 

[pixmedic]

I think these are all good shots, more so considering you were staying out of a main photographer AND second shooters way.
contracted second shooting gigs typically allow for posting images you shot, but AFTER a certain period of time, whereas the main photog gets to post them all first.
All of my second shooting jobs have been like that. I don't really believe it to be a matter of the main photographer not being "good enough", or feeling intimidated...but rather a simple professional courtesy. The main IS your employer for the day, after all. if the OP refrained from posting certain places just out of professional courtesy, whether he NEEDED to or not, I think that was a good showing on his part and is a reflection of his good character. that's how you get more second shooting jobs, not just showing that you can do the technical aspects of photography, but also that you understand and call follow good etiquette, antiquated or no.

Obviously, the OP was not the second shooter and was just shooting as a guest, but I think it is great that he ACTED as if he was a hired shooter and gave ground to the main and the second.
I agree with Robin. Who cares if the main shooter is annoyed? the OP should if he wants to do this kind of work for other photographers in his area. This job is all about professional courtesy, and if you are known to not give a crap about other working photographers, it gets around, and noone will want you to work for them.

 

[Robin_Usagani]

Lol.. Nowhere i posted I said something about being intimidated.