Here are a few from Mandy and Adam’s wedding on Saturday. Today let’s discuss the gift from bride to groom and vice versa . . .



Aperture Priority Mode; ISO 1000; Shutter 1/800; Aperture 1.4; Focal Length 50mm. No Flash.




Aperture Priority Mode; ISO 1000; Shutter 1/640; Aperture 1.4; Focal Length 50mm. No Flash.




Aperture Priority Mode; ISO 1250; Shutter 1/1000; Aperture 1.4; Focal Length 50mm. No Flash.




Aperture Priority Mode; ISO 640; Shutter 1/250; Aperture 1.4; Focal Length 50mm. No Flash.

Aperture Priority Mode; ISO 640; Shutter 1/400; Aperture 1.4; Focal Length 50mm. No Flash.




Aperture Priority Mode; ISO 1250; Shutter 1/200; Aperture 2.8; Focal Length 155mm. No Flash.



For the Planner


Maintain good communication with your photographer when potentially emotional moments are about to occur or are occurring. Make sure we’re ready and ask if we have a preference on where the gift opening takes place. Ask the bride and groom if they will be giving gifts to each other and plan accordingly. It’s awesome if the bride or groom is fully dressed when this takes place. And make sure the make-up artist hasn’t taken off since mascara may have to be touched up!


For the Photographic Observer


I did not position Mandy for any of these shots. Fortunately, she found some great light on her own. It was just up to me to nail it. Notice, she turned toward the window light for some and away from the window light for others. The paper was back-lit when she was facing the window and probably difficult for her to read. Don’t mess with her at this moment! If I say “Mandy, turn back towards the window” I’ve just stomped on an unbelievably intimate moment. I’ve made her inordinately aware of my presence and then she starts thinking about how she looks for the camera instead of about the best letter she’s ever read in her life! Keep your mouth shut and your hands off this moment, photojournalist!


Notice my ISO ratings were high and the shutter speeds were well more than I needed to freeze the motion on some shots. Keep in mind I was changing lenses quickly between 1.4 and 2.8 maximum apertures. I set my ISO with the thought that she might do a 180 away from the window at any second (which she did) and with the thought that I might switch to a 2.8 lens. I knew I would have to be ready for anything so I went for a higher ISO than the 1.4 lens warranted. It paid off. The only adjustment I had to make when she turned around was to increase my exposure compensation.


Remember last week’s tips on framing within the image here, here, and here? I double-framed one of the shots of Mandy with the 2 doorways! It was a conscious decision (possibly enhanced because I’d been blogging about framing all week). Two doorways in the same shot made for some awesome framing. Gravy.


I put several similar shots in for a reason. I liked having the shots with the bridesmaids watching and taking pictures. It added to the significance of the moment because more folks than me wanted to shoot it. I also liked the shots where it’s just Mandy, no one else there or paying attention. It’s just her and the letter. Shoot like crazy, you crazy photojournalist. Shoot like there’s no tomorrow. A variety of small detail changes can make editing excruciating but everyone wins when the editing gets tough . . . except your free time.


QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Every artist was first an amateur.” - Ralph Waldo Emmerson

Tags: East Tennessee Wedding Photography, Massengill House Johnson City, Wedding Planning Tips

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008 at 8:54 am and is filed under Photographic Observer Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.