When do you begin to appreciate your work?

[ababysean]

THIS is where I want to be in my wedding photography!

Vestuv?s :: R?ta ir Tomas :: 2010

I love that photographer.
But another person and I were talking about this the other day.
I mean look at her! Look at the bride. She is sitting in a chair with jeans and a napkin in her shirt and she looks gorgeous! Think that has anything to do with why the photos are great?

We are at the bottom right now. 200 dollar weddings... I think, if you sold yourself to a high priced wedding, even as a second shooter for pennies, you would be able to get some amazing shots because you know the technique and have the eye and ability. You know this.

It might even be worth it to pay a model and a make up artist and go stage some shots similar to these...

I say this to be ever so nice, but with our cheapie weddings, the client base, and there is no other way to say this without seeming like a total *****, but in my opinion, lacking in the desire of being attractive department. And no, I'm not saying poor people are ugly, because I'm poor and I don't think I'm that horrible (hehe) but there is a certain respect for something of value.

So if someone pays 200 dollars for a photographer, that is just what they feel, now if someone paid 5000 dollars, you better believe they want to look their best and try everything to HELP you achieve this.

From that website, Im assuming the bride is getting ready in a well lite area/house/church. The photog might have suggested this, or might not, but for 5 grand (probably more in this case) you better believe the bride is going to do whatever she can in terms of location to get the best shots... and she will listen to the photogs advice.

What I'm saying is you have to give yourself the chance.

Hit me up on Facebook. I miss our chats!

 

[gsgary]

THIS is where I want to be in my wedding photography!

Vestuv?s :: R?ta ir Tomas :: 2010

I love that photographer.
But another person and I were talking about this the other day.
I mean look at her! Look at the bride. She is sitting in a chair with jeans and a napkin in her shirt and she looks gorgeous! Think that has anything to do with why the photos are great?

We are at the bottom right now. 200 dollar weddings... I think, if you sold yourself to a high priced wedding, even as a second shooter for pennies, you would be able to get some amazing shots because you know the technique and have the eye and ability. You know this.

It might even be worth it to pay a model and a make up artist and go stage some shots similar to these...

I say this to be ever so nice, but with our cheapie weddings, the client base, and there is no other way to say this without seeming like a total *****, but in my opinion, lacking in the desire of being attractive department. And no, I'm not saying poor people are ugly, because I'm poor and I don't think I'm that horrible (hehe) but there is a certain respect for something of value.

So if someone pays 200 dollars for a photographer, that is just what they feel, now if someone paid 5000 dollars, you better believe they want to look their best and try everything to HELP you achieve this.

From that website, Im assuming the bride is getting ready in a well lite area/house/church. The photog might have suggested this, or might not, but for 5 grand (probably more in this case) you better believe the bride is going to do whatever she can in terms of location to get the best shots... and she will listen to the photogs advice.

What I'm saying is you have to give yourself the chance.

Hit me up on Facebook. I miss our chats!

This is where the skill of the photographer comes in, if the room is dark supplement window light with off camera flash from the same direction so itlooks like window light, a lot of top wedding photographers use HMI lights in doors because set up time is quick, what you see is what you get aslong as it is meter correct

 

[MohaimenK]

hmm HMI lights....

I have 3 white lightning strobes 2 of them are x1600 and one x800. Is it a good idea for me to put them up indoor?? I can use my triggers to make them go off. I can either face them straight at the crowd or point them toward the walls and have them reflect back?

I never thought of that!

 

[gsgary]

hmm HMI lights....

I have 3 white lightning strobes 2 of them are x1600 and one x800. Is it a good idea for me to put them up indoor?? I can use my triggers to make them go off. I can either face them straight at the crowd or point them toward the walls and have them reflect back?

I never thought of that!

Well that's what they are for, do you have them just for show

 

[MohaimenK]

Well that's what they are for, do you have them just for show

LOL no but I use them for the studio shots only. It never crossed my mind to do that during the weddings. Not that I've done many, just 3-4. I've been noticing some pictures like this

http://pics.meninenuotrauka.lt/0f0/0f0c51452814b94ffd0b1d0a6e51c293.jpg

if you notice 180 degree from the camera man there's a light. But it never crossed my mind till you just mentioned LMI lights. Thanks A MILLION!!!

 

[ababysean]

Well that's what they are for, do you have them just for show

LOL no but I use them for the studio shots only. It never crossed my mind to do that during the weddings. Not that I've done many, just 3-4. I've been noticing some pictures like this

http://pics.meninenuotrauka.lt/0f0/0f0c51452814b94ffd0b1d0a6e51c293.jpg

if you notice 180 degree from the camera man there's a light. But it never crossed my mind till you just mentioned LMI lights. Thanks A MILLION!!!

didnt that ebook you sent me say that he puts a strobe in 3 corners of the reception area, so that anywhere he shoots he always has a backlight, and two side lights?
If it wasnt in that ebook, it was in another I read.

 

[MohaimenK]

didnt that ebook you sent me say that he puts a strobe in 3 corners of the reception area, so that anywhere he shoots he always has a backlight, and two side lights?
If it wasnt in that ebook, it was in another I read.

Hmm not sure I kindda went through it fast. Maybe?

 

[Jeatley]

it just must be winter

 

[Jeatley]

The perfect exposure on everyshot was amazin and I doubt they had flash going in that church!

 

[MohaimenK]

That church doesn't need flash. it's light up really well. The strobes would be set up during reception. not during ceremony

 

[ababysean]

nevermind, it was in this other book I have.
He sets up 4 strobes on light stands, bare, in each corner at the reception.

That way he says he always has a main light, a fill light and two rim lights....

 

[GeorgieGirl]

I am so happy the juices are flowing.

And yes, if stuck with some dark or uninteresting churches, maybe some baptisms or confirmations or communions to get the lay of the land and some practice of the locations with less risk than to a Bride to be ready for the bigger events. Love Ya!

 

[MohaimenK]

nevermind, it was in this other book I have.
He sets up 4 strobes on light stands, bare, in each corner at the reception.

That way he says he always has a main light, a fill light and two rim lights....

yes something like that. I have 3 and I have the 580EX so that should be GOOD! The strobes will be bare pointed in at the people. I could get some really nice shots out of that. I've practiced w/ the wife and came out really nice! U guys seen it.

I am so happy the juices are flowing.

And yes, if stuck with some dark or uninteresting churches, maybe some baptisms or confirmations or communions to get the lay of the land and some practice of the locations with less risk than to a Bride to be ready for the bigger events. Love Ya!

Im not so worried about churches anymore. I can get some really nice pix with low light since not a lot of movement in churches, raise the ISO up high and drag the shutter. Reception is what Im worried bout mostly.

 

[JWellman]

Of course you eyes to see with. You've got two of them like the rest of us. But they need to be trained.

Some people will tell you that you either have it or you don't but I don't agree. No one is born with a knowledge of composition or the know-how to look at things in a creative way but everyone can learn if they are willing.

You don't need to be on the streets, you can do the same at home. Especially now when it is freaking cold Take your camera and walk around your place and try and get interesting shots. Keep walking around until you do get interesting images.

Now, I have suggested a number of times on this forum and others to actually go to an art school and take Design 101 and Design 102. From a recent search through schools' websites it seems like this doesn't exist anymore but they most probably have something very similar. Just need to figure what they call it today. Someone younger may give you the right answer...

I'm going to repeat myself here but you may have missed my previous posts on the subject... I grew up surrounded by artists and I learned a lot about "the eye" from just listening to them. But not enough to feel comfortable when I quit PJ work and decided to go commercial so I went to school and took the aforementioned 2 classes.

Besides my "Art and Law" class, they were the 2 most useful classes I took. There is so much involved in DESIGN, so much more than just composition, that it is harder to learn on your own. Being in the classroom, you get instant reaction/feedback and you can try again. And again, get instant feedback.

The one thing I often push to the forefront is that it is a 100% easier to learn that part of "imaging" when you have the reaction of others. Not too long ago someone put forth the proposition that you can learn by osmosis. My response to that is BS. BIG TIME BS!

You can look at all the photos and paintings you want and it will make no difference if you have no idea what you are looking for. On the other hand, when you do have the slightest idea what to look for, you will discover incredible amounts of info by just looking at other works.

You know, one thing that really amazes me on these forums is how so few people have seen a real show/exhibit. I don't get it. I go see every show I can because they inspire me, give me ideas (good or bad), they teach me.

How can you learn if you don't look at what else is being done?

Thank you for the inspiration Cloudwalker. I'm also in the same boat as Mo, but just a hobbyist at the moment. I have spent the last six months trying to self teach via manuals, forums, and looking at the work of others. Sometimes I get aggravated with the many trials and errors so reading your words tonight (and that of others) has given me hope.

Hang in there Mo! In ten years hopefully we will be laughing at our old photos and giving advice to others.

 

[GeorgieGirl]

I swear I wrote something more....I swear I did.