Sharing 2 1 photography skills (1)

The original author is not a professional wedding photographer, but many of the ideas and experiences in the article are very practical, very practical, and very suitable for people who have just come into contact with photography and have the opportunity to shoot weddings for their friends.

After work, I spent some time doing some simple translation. However, due to the cultural differences between China and the West, some contents in the article may not be fully applicable to wedding photography in China. I also added a little bit of my own experience in this part. If you are interested in wedding photography, I hope this translated article can provide some help, and of course you are welcome to share it.

"Please! Help me! I want to shoot my first wedding. Please tell me some skills about wedding photography! 」

This is a question that is often discussed. Although I am not a professional wedding photographer, I feel that I still have some shooting skills about wedding photography.

More operation and technical skills are left to professional wedding photographers, but there are some suggestions for many photographers who will be invited by friends or relatives to help take pictures of weddings.

First, make a list of "to shoot"

Regarding wedding photography, one of the most useful suggestions I often give is to have a good talk with the newlyweds and let them talk about what photos they want you to take on their wedding day, record them and confirm them again and again. This is very helpful for taking a family photo. You don't want anything stupid to happen at that time. For example, after the newlyweds got the photos, they found that they didn't leave any photo records for them and grandma.

* Through the chat content of family members, you can know who is an important person or elder.

Second, the control and coordination of the scene when taking a family photo.

I find it stressful to take a picture of the whole family. On the wedding day, all the people are running around, so it is difficult for you to pay attention to every member. After all, they are all immersed in happy and high-pitched emotions, and some people even stick to their own bottles. In order to cope with the possible confusion, please ask the newlyweds to appoint a family member during the filming process, so that everyone can listen to his command and make this part of the filming go smoothly.

* You can invite the couple's brothers and sisters to play this role to avoid embarrassment.

Third, investigate the site in advance.

On the day before shooting, go to all the shooting locations you may go to for field investigation. Although I know that most professional photographers don't do this, in my opinion, this lesson is very important. Knowing the scene first, you can conceive the details in advance, and roughly grasp the changes of the scene environment lighting, which can make the shooting more elemental. Even for one or two weddings, I first went on a field trip with the couple and took one.

* Wedding venues in Taiwan Province Province are difficult to shoot. You can try to look at the photos taken by other photographers in the same venue on the Internet, analyze and predict the possible situation, and try to overcome it.

Fourth, it is the key to make all preparations in advance.

On the wedding day, anything can happen, so be prepared, so it is very important to record (such as weather changes). In addition, it is also important to confirm the battery charge and the space of the camera memory card. Think carefully about the course of the day and the arrangement and planning of the route time, so that you can at least roughly grasp what will happen next. Furthermore, if you can, by putting some thought into the rehearsal of the wedding ceremony, you can collect a lot of information, as well as know where to shoot, the lighting of the venue, the flow sequence and so on.

* Ask the couple about the wedding process in advance, which will definitely make you get twice the result with half the effort. You can also design your own shooting form for newcomers to fill in, such as when there will be planned activities, people appearing and so on.

Fifth, communicate with new people beforehand.

Let new people see your work, understand your shooting style and what they want. They want you to take some pictures of them. What are the important things to shoot? Where are these photos likely to be used in the future (such as the output printing of photo albums)? If you want to charge them, you must confirm both parties' understanding of the price in advance.

* A contract is the best thing to protect both parties, even friends.

6. Turn off all sounds on the camera.

Except for the sweet kisses and vows of the newlyweds, no one wants to hear the beep during the speech. Turn off the sound that the machine will make in advance to ensure that it will not suddenly appear during the speech.

* I think what he said should be the alarm sound to confirm the completion of focusing and flashing lights.

Seven, don't let go of any details

The length behind the ring and wedding dress? Shoes, bouquets, table decorations, menus, etc. Paying more attention to and shooting some small things can make the photo album have different characteristics in arrangement; Read more wedding magazines when you have something to do, and you can also add some sources of inspiration in this regard.

You can shoot some small things and details, but remember that these things are not the most important. The most important elements in the wedding process are people and interactive emotions. Please don't let these things exceed people's photos. Newcomers don't ask you to shoot these decorations everywhere.

Eight, the use of dual-machine process

If you shoot on the wedding day, it will be much more convenient to kneel down and kowtow to your friends, rent it outside, or even get a camera with different lenses. I used a wide-angle lens and then matched it with another lens that looked far away. Wide-angle lens is suitable for people's natural expressions and is used in crowded spaces, especially before the wedding. If there is a telephoto lens at the same time, it will be more convenient to take some telephoto close-ups. (I use 70-200mm)

* Using dual-camera shooting can save a lot of time to change the lens, especially in the wedding process where China people are so compact and have so many customs, even three seconds may miss many classic moments; More importantly, the camera can be used as a backup machine, which greatly reduces the risks that may be encountered in shooting.

Nine, take the second photographer.

It's a good idea to find a second photographer. This means that you don't have to run around during the ceremony, but you can plan ahead. One of them will take formal photos, and the other will record other events on the scene in a more "sideways" way. Of course, if a person wants to complete these tasks, it will really be a bit north.

* The purpose of the first photographer and the second photographer is completely different. Usually, the first photographer will be responsible for important processes or ceremonies, and the second photographer will capture events outside the first scene. Even the second photographer can usually capture more natural moments from a more bystander's standpoint, so he can often provide photo viewers with different ways and angles to watch the same event.

Ten, bold and cautious

If you are too careful and shy, you will never take a good photo. Many times, you must be bold. It is very important to grasp the fleeting moment opportunity, which is everything. It is very important to get stuck in the right place at the critical moment so as not to miss the important picture.

During the wedding, my position will move at least four or five times, and I will arrange intermittent time with various processes such as music performance, speech or oath reading. When you need to take more formal photos, boldly block the position and guide the photographer (whether a newcomer or a relative) to move or stand according to the picture you conceive, which can make the atmosphere of the whole activity better and everything go smoothly.

* If you are the chief photographer invited by a newcomer, please don't be afraid to stand in front and take pictures. Don't forget to maintain the most basic respect for other relatives and guests who take pictures. Saying "I'm sorry" before getting stuck or communicating in advance can maintain a good atmosphere and interaction at the scene. Wedding date!

(Excerpt from: Wedding Photography, Overseas Wedding Photography Sharing Station)

References: 1 Huang Jue-ya, Guo Pinxuan, Chen Yating's wedding photography; 2. The dream of a beautiful bride goes online easily; 3. Zheng Zhengqing 1999. A cluster study on the consumption lifestyle of wedding photography in Taiwan Province Province.