Strange technique

[uflraptor]

So I’m looking for some help understanding this.

I was at a wedding yesterday. There were 3 photographers. 2 things clearly caught my attention and by reception I just had to ask one of them for some answers.

1. Every shot that all 3 were taking was oriented horizontally. I mean every one. When I asked one of the photographers whey she responded with that is how they were instructed to shoot.
2. They were all only using on camera direct flash, no flack bracket or diffuser. They did at the very end of the reception begin using some bounce off the ceiling for some shots on the dance floor.

The best I could come up with a recipe for ton of post production work. I assume they plan to crop some of the horizontal work into vertical images later? I don’t get the idea of “dumping” the extra pixels from the image just to do this.

I would imagine the lighting on many of the images has to be very harsh from all of that on camera direct flash.

Anyone have any input on this?



PS: I'm sorry if I've posted this in the wrong forum.

 

[Derrel]

Wedding photography, with every shot a horizontal? And direct, on-camera flash, with no bracket, and no diffuser?

Wow...some really skilled shooters. Pretty sad state of affairs.But I've been told by some that horizontals are sooooo much easier to plop into digital layouts later. After all, it's all about making things easier for the photographer.

 

[amolitor]

Maybe they were using high ISOs and using the on camera flash for fill? It would be one way to approach getting a "natural light" look to everything, I guess. Maybe they were going for a photojournalistic feel.

Maybe they're just incompetent.

 

[MLeeK]

I'd be stalking the website to see what the outcome of that is!

 

[KmH]

'she responded with that is how they were instructed to shoot.' - is a tell.

Refer to the discussion in another thread regarding 'fauxtographers'.

 

[uflraptor]

I like your thought process here but the idea of everything being shot at high ISO feels like giving up some quality and detail. No matter what body is being used.

 

[cgipson1]

I like your thought process here but the idea of everything being shot at high ISO feels like giving up some quality and detail. No matter what body is being used.

Some people think that Brackets are a "Crutch" (or maybe they are afraid they might look funny?) lol!
Some people shoot "Natural Light Only" and that FLASHES look unnatural (usually because they don't know how to use flash!) So they UP the ISO!
Some people seem to find flipping the camera over on it's side much too difficult, especially with those small entry level bodies! (Grips do make it easier, but then the Camera / Grip is SO heavy!! NOT!) lol!

A real PRO.. uses whatever is needed to get the best shots... and shoots however it is appropriate for the situation / subject!

I would also be willing to bet that these photographers you mention were all using Entry level gear!!! Did you notice what they were using? (this is always a "Hint" as to ability, in some ways! Not always, but usually!)

 

[uflraptor]

I can understand the cropping idea, I don't agree with it but just can't get over the idea of on camera direct flash.

Surprisingly the "lead" shooter was using a D4. Not as familiar with the Cannon line but the other two seemed to be lower end Cannon.

 

[Seefutlung]

I like your thought process here but the idea of everything being shot at high ISO feels like giving up some quality and detail. No matter what body is being used.

...
Some people shoot "Natural Light Only" and that FLASHES look unnatural (usually because they don't know how to use flash!) So they UP the ISO! ... A real PRO.. uses whatever is needed to get the best shots... and shoots however it is appropriate for the situation / subject!

That's me. LOL ... I use available light and high ISO because I'm pretty crappy with flash. I do admire those who are quite competent as I use it only when I absolutely have to ... and even then I flip a coin ... or a light switch. Even if I was better than crappy with flash, I'd give up IQ for mood any day. I think flash tends to destroy environmental subtleties which add significant mood to photographs. But most wedding lack these subtleties anyway, so blasting away with a flash probably does little harm.

Gary