By Marley Smith
The challenges of wedding photography are distinctly difficult from those of other genres. While landscape photographers await the right light to come, and macro photographers search for new species of the smallest creatures, wedding photographers aim to combine great lighting, composition, as well as action in a single day. The biggest challenge of all? There are no second takes in weddings.
How then can you come up with wedding photographs that are pleasing not just to you as the photographer but also to the couple? Follow these vital shooting tips to make more unforgettable and technically improved wedding photos.
Shoot from the hip, through leaves and curtains, and from the outside looking in. Albeit most photographers are at home with shooting straight at the subject, take the road less travelled once in a while, bending over so that you are at eye-level with that little flower girl sashaying her skirt with the other kids. Look around for curtains and leaves, and shoot through them. Photos from this angle give that kind of mysticism to your photos that is unusual and appealing. While the bride is preparing and bridesmaids flock to her to assist her with her makeup, shoes, and dress, go out of the room and shoot the scene from the outside.
Make effective use of your ISO. Many photographers avoid using high ISO and choose the camera flash instead. Seasoned photographers will tell you that adding a bit of grit and grain to your photos can actually look interesting if done the right way. High ISO in low-light areas usually turn out perfect when there are movement and people in the photograph..
Aim for action photos, particularly when crowds of people are concerned (usually in the middle of the wedding reception). Dances and other performances are captured best with the motion, so do not ditch the slow shutter speed yet. Not all blurred images are bad.
Aim for candid shots using simple compositions. The less cluttered a photo, the more striking it is. Use a lens with a wide opening to capture these moments, which would most probably turn to some of your best shots yet. An 85mm f/1.4 or else f/1.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 are great lenses for wedding photography. Cheaper alternatives include the 35mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4.
How then can you come up with wedding photographs that are pleasing not just to you as the photographer but also to the couple? Follow these vital shooting tips to make more unforgettable and technically improved wedding photos.
Shoot from the hip, through leaves and curtains, and from the outside looking in. Albeit most photographers are at home with shooting straight at the subject, take the road less travelled once in a while, bending over so that you are at eye-level with that little flower girl sashaying her skirt with the other kids. Look around for curtains and leaves, and shoot through them. Photos from this angle give that kind of mysticism to your photos that is unusual and appealing. While the bride is preparing and bridesmaids flock to her to assist her with her makeup, shoes, and dress, go out of the room and shoot the scene from the outside.
Make effective use of your ISO. Many photographers avoid using high ISO and choose the camera flash instead. Seasoned photographers will tell you that adding a bit of grit and grain to your photos can actually look interesting if done the right way. High ISO in low-light areas usually turn out perfect when there are movement and people in the photograph..
Aim for action photos, particularly when crowds of people are concerned (usually in the middle of the wedding reception). Dances and other performances are captured best with the motion, so do not ditch the slow shutter speed yet. Not all blurred images are bad.
Aim for candid shots using simple compositions. The less cluttered a photo, the more striking it is. Use a lens with a wide opening to capture these moments, which would most probably turn to some of your best shots yet. An 85mm f/1.4 or else f/1.8 and 24-70mm f/2.8 are great lenses for wedding photography. Cheaper alternatives include the 35mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.8 or f/1.4.