For those who know me personally, the last thing thing you will hear me talk about is how to behave in public. So why have I decided to write this post on photography etiquette at weddings? I write this post coz I have had it up to here with paparazzi’s at weddings. Who am I talking about? I am talking about you….yah, you!
This past weekend I headed with a couple close friends to witness the marriage of a lady I had known for a while when I lived in Johnson City, TN.
Yesterday I did what I would call my first event photography gig. It was a graduation.
I really enjoyed shooting the event even though I cannot say that event photography is a thing I would like to do for the rest of my life.
Leaving the event I noticed that some birds had done a fly by over my car.
I must say, it got me thinking. It has been the opinion of some people in my life that life has had the habit of doing on me what the birds did to my car.
I see where they are coming from but I don’t agree with them. If it weren’t for the hardships in my life, I wouldn’t have discovered the many gifts and talents that bring me and the ones I love so much joy.
My friend, if life gives you lemons make a margarita out of it.
Kirk Nugent is someone I did not know existed until mwangi, a fellow blogger turned me on to him. He is a cross between a poet and a motivational speaker. And no, he is not an angry black man.
If Kirk Nugent seems too much for you, go ahead and listen to this song.
Guys absolutely hate this season. It is this season when the female species goes loco over flowers, and who can blame them? As an avid photoblogger I noticed that there was a massive amounts of flowers being posted by my blog mates. This observation and realization has forced me to ask….
So what is it about flowers that makes men empty their wallets to buy roses when they screw up? What is it about flowers that causes parents to throw their kids onto a patch of flowers and begin to snap away with their disposable cameras?
I think have the answer. FLOWERS ARE BEAUTIFUL. I know that all you (including me) who are currently having sinus problems would beg to differ, but truth be told if flowers didn’t have pollen, you sinus problem people too would be in love with flowers like most people are.
Gentlemen, heres a suggestion:
Grab a flower either from your local flower shop, field, or neighbors yard and give it to one or all of the women in your life. Chances are you will be in their good books…that’s until you screw up again. Have a cool day!
The other day, a friend showed me a picture she took of her daughter. I looked at it and responded in the most politically correct way, I said, “Awwwww!” What I really was thinking was, “You call that a picture? My 99 year old legally blind grandma takes better pictures.”
What makes a good image? Well I will tell you what makes a bad image.
From a distance
Some of us are afraid to move closer to the people we are taking pictures of. The truth is that most people who want their pictures taken don’t bite. I would understand if you are taking pictures of a person who hasn’t showered for a decade or even one who’s breath stinks but if that is not the case, get closer to the subject!
Long distance shots are uninteresting and include elements that are a distraction. Take for instance this image. There is a crate, cars and a generator in the image. Are they all necessary? I don’t think so.
Chopping heads off
I don’t know how many times I have seen this kind of picture. When I do, usually think, either the photographer had the dog take the pictures, or they were not taking the time to look into the view finder.
Cutting heads and bodies off should be considered a crime and the ones who do it should do some time. I’m just joking. But seriously, don’t decapitate the people you are taking pictures of.
Dark dudes and dudettes.
Never, and I repeat, never take a picture when the sun is at the back of the person you are taking the pictures of. The result is almost always a silhouette. Always have the people you are taking pics of turn so that the sun hits their face. Though black is beautiful, too much black will make the only thing recognizable in the picture is the persons dental formula (teeth).
A good image is…
relative. What I mean, is that it is in the eyes of the beholder. I personally think that the image below is good.
Some other person may look at it and say, “You call that a picture? My 99 year old legally blind chimpanzee takes better pictures!”
Anyway, my hope is that you found this blog informative. For more info about my work check out my photo blog at http://vividpics.aminus3.com/ as well as my other blog http://gengewear.wordpress.com/
