Wedding Event Photography

Your wedding pictures are the most important pictures you will have taken in your life. When you select a photographer you have to be very cautious. Improvements in camera technology has made it almost impossible to take a bad photograph. Many amateurs, prepared with refined equipment, are capable of taking decent photographs. However, there is much more to Wedding Photography than knowing how to operate a camera. Wedding photography is about seizing moments, capturing emotion and creating memories. The technical skills required to do this are essential, but it doesn’t stop there.

Professional wedding photographers photograph people every day and not only have the necessary photographic skills, but are adept at handling people. How do you find a professional wedding photographer?

Initial, you must ask if photography is their full time profession. Even though you are not required to be a member of a professional organization to become a professional photographer, membership is a good indication that your photographer is very serious about his craft. Membership in the Professional Photographers of Ontario (P.P.O.), for example, requires that you are an active, full-time photographer. Another indication of your photographer’s proficiency is the equipment they use.

All right - your photographer is a member of a professional photographic association and has medium format apparatus. What else do you look for in a wedding photographer? First and foremost, you must view the photographer’s work. Not only should your photographer show you a variety from different weddings, but should also show you a sample of one entire wedding. This way you can see if your photographer can produce quality throughout the event, not just a lucky shot from different weddings. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how they would handle different situations, such as crying children, obnoxious relatives or fainting bridesmaids. If you are not comfortable with their answer, maybe you should look somewhere else. There are many types of professional photographers covering a vast spectrum of classifications. Though your photographer may be a skilled nature, commercial, baby or pet photographer, it takes a different skill set to photograph weddings.

A great advantage of choosing a photographer that is a member of a professional photographer’s association is that they have the opportunity to become qualified and recognized. As a member of the Professional Photographers of Ontario, the photographer must qualify, within two years of joining, to retain membership. The letters displayed after a photographer’s name, FPPO, APPO and LPPO indicate that the photographer has passed precise levels of the qualification program. Accreditation, a national designation from the Professional Photographers of Canada (P.P.O.C.), proves that the photographer is capable of delivering above average quality in a given category, such as wedding photography. It also means that the photographer books up pretty fast, sometimes up to a year in advance.



By: Rafi Michael

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(c) 2008 Tom Jackson

Part two of this article will follow and will contain steps 4-6.

Take time to prepare your camera for an important event, such as a wedding, or you may end up without any photos of the occasion. I have seen it happen all too often, even with professional photographers, who fail to take some important basic precautions to ensure a successful shoot. I know many professional photographers who began their careers photographing weddings. It is probably the easiest of all photography areas to get into.

A most important thing to do, does not even involve equipment. Time. If you are going to photograph an important event, you need to be sure that you allocate enough time to make sure that you have everything planned ahead. And that often means starting the process a day or two beforehand. Doing this, will make for a much more relaxed process as you take photos on the day, and a more relaxed attitude will usually mean more creativity and better photos.

Are you used to taking photos with a traditional camera and film? It can be very surprising to you when you realize how easily you can lose a whole memory card full of images due to a simple error. With a film camera, it does not matter if the battery gives out right at the time you take a photo. The only problem that might occur, is that you lose that one shot. You just rewind the film, and you are good to go. Digital is wonderful. But like anything, if you are not careful, it will come back and bite you.

Do I really need to plan? Yes! Lets take a deeper look to see how easy it really is to lose all your photos. Each of the points I cover here carry the same weight as the other. In other words, do all of the following to make sure that you have a successful day, taking wonderful photos for you and the subjects.

1. Be sure all your batteries are fully charged. If you camera does not use standard batteries like AA or AAA then you need to make sure the battery is fully charged because you will not be able to buy and then charge a new battery any time soon. If you will be taking a lot of photos on the day, then it would be wise to make sure that you have a fully charged back up battery available. A lot of the smaller compact cameras, and even the larger DSLRs, often take special built batteries. They can be quite expensive, but if you think you might be taking a large number of photos, then it will be to your benefit to purchase an extra battery. It will always come in handy in the future, so it will never be a waste of your money.

2. You need to have several memory cards with you to make sure you can cover all the photos people request during an event. Many smaller compact digital cameras can only take smaller capacity memory cards. So, if you are planning on taking photos for a special days event, then it would be wise to make sure that you have at least one or two spare memory cards. Also, be aware, that if your camera can take the larger capacity memory cards, and you think you can take all the photos on just one large card, you also need to consider that if you have problems with that card, you will lose all the images from the day. A good photographer will always have a back up for everything, a spare camera body, spare lenses, a spare flash and of course, several spare memory cards which you can use during the day, shooting some images on each card so you can never lose all images from an event shot on the one card. Some of the larger capacity cards available these days, can store hundreds and even thousands of images before you need to change to a new card. I can only imagine the pain of losing a card with hundreds of irreplaceable images.

3. Before starting the days event, make sure that you format the memory cards and get them prepared before you use them. Be sure to format the card in the camera you will be using for the days event. Industry experts all agree that the best way to format and prepare a memory card, is to do it in the camera you will be using. Do not format the card using your computer. By using the camera, it ensures that you have maximum compatibility. And if there is going to be a problem with the card, this is most often the time where the problem will show up. If the card does not format properly in the camera, then do not use that card during the event, but try and rectify the problem when you return home. If a card exhibits any sign of a problem, do not use it and do not spend time trying to fix it in the field, just use your back up card. It is just not worth the effort. You can try all kinds of things once you get home and have the time to spend and diagnose the problem.



By: Tom Jackson

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Photography can be learned by anyone. In this modern age, photography is as common as anything else and there are a lot of people who need useful, solid tips, techniques, advices and ideas about taking pictures. Aperture to shutter speed, framing and film. From the basic principles to the advanced techniques. Amateurs photographers can learn the basics and the adepts can level up their skills by gaining more knowledge of the advance techniques. That is just how things are turning in the photographer’s world. You can’t just slack away and feel confident on your present skills, but you have to keep on learning and studying to be competitive.

The process will take time but displaying passion and showing true interest in photography will make things a lot easier for you. Once you feel you have fully grasped the basics, you can now enter photo contests. The fun part begins and all your effort will be put into the test. The world og photography is vast, you will someday be a part of it and hopefully your name will be listed among the top.

Build a Name, Utilize the Internet

This is the most exciting part and also the hardest. Building a name in a multitude of photo shooter is difficult, just imagine the numbers of amateur and professional photographers. But that doesn’t matter at all, stick to your style, be the best of it and eventually you will shine from the many. You can start by joining online photo contests. The internet offers many picture contest both for amateurs and professional photography ethusiasts. Since you are just starting, I suggest you first focus on picture contests without entrance fee or registration. Win or lose, you will have the chance to experience what it is like to compete with the world. In addition, your entry will still be posted on their sites. Viewers can help you develop your skills by posting comments and feedbacks onm your work. You will be assessed by the world, so be prepared with photo critics who might sound harsh. Their comments will somehow make you feel bad but don’t lose confidence, that’s how picture contests really works, basically these people are the ones who make picture contests more challenging and intimidating at the same time. Use google and find suitable photography contest to gain experience. Remember, stick to your natural style.

Classification of Photography Contests

Black and White Photography

The photographs are taken without colors..

Portrait photography

Photography of individual persons.

Fine Art photography

Photos taken with the intention and purpose for creativity.

Fashion photography

Also known as glamour photography.Photography specialised in displaying clothing, other fashion items and models. It is also a form of advertising photography.

Architectural Photography

Capture of building and architectural elements.

Cityscape Photography

Urban environment captured on photos. Examples of Cityscape photos.

Nature photography

Photography taken with the emphasis on nature, wildlife, flora and fauna.

Advertising Photography

Photos generally done by advertising and design agencies or in-house design team that illustrate a service or product.

Aerial Photography

Photos taken from a plane, helicopter or skydiver.

Landscape Photography

Photographic interpretations of the land and its beauty.

Underwater photography

Photographs taken while underwater. It is usually done while scuba diving, snorkeling or swimming. Needs special equipment. Example of Underwater photography.

Macro photography

Photography where the image is taken close up.

Food Photography

Taking of food in an attractive and appetizing manner.

Night photography

Photographs taken outdoors between twilight and dusk.

Fine Art **** Photography

Taking photos of unclothed persons for the purpose of artistic expression.

Wedding photography

Taking images of a wedding event.

Photography Tips by Geoff Lawrence

Here are some must read tips before joining any photography contests. These guidelines were proven useful by professional photographers during their amateur years. When joining photography contests, stick to these 10 basic rules of rules in photo shooting.

1. Selection - Select only the best of your pictures to show to others and leave the rest in the drawer. Showing someone every picture you have taken dilutes the effect of the best pictures and gets very boring. You may want to show twenty pictures of little Johnny at the park because they are all quite good and you can’t decide which are the best but, trust me, you will be better off making that decision and showing only the few good ones.

2. Turn the Camera on it’s Side - At first it feels awkward holding the camera on it’s side, but it is worth getting used to. If the shape of your subject, a person or a building, fits into an upright rectangle, you waste so much picture space if you shoot in landscape. You paid for all those millions of pixels, don’t waste them.

3. Framing - One of the easiest ways to improve your photography is with careful attention to framing. Look into the corners of the viewfinder to see what is there. Do you need all that background? Can you get closer to your subject or zoom in?

4. Direction of Lighting - Photography is all about light, the direction of the light falling on your subject is most important, you must look at your subject carefully and see how the shadows fall.

If you are able to choose the time of day to shoot your pictures, try to pick a time when the sun is low in the sky, either shoot in the early morning or late afternoon. Shooting pictures of people with the sun too high in the sky, tends to mean the subject’s eyes will be in shadow and/or your subject will be squinting in the strong light, both of which tend to look horrible. A nice side effect of shooting in the early morning or late afternoon is that the colour of the light is ‘warmer’, reds and yellows are stronger which generally gives a more pleasing effect.

If you are photographing in sunlight, try to position yourself so that the sun hits your subject from the side, this will give you nice ‘modelling’ and help create a 3D effect in the picture.

Sunlight behind the subject can give a very pleasing ‘backlight’ effect but be careful that you are not getting ‘flare’ in the lens, which degrades the contrast of the image.

5. Direction of Lighting (2) - The very worst kind of lighting is provided by the little flash fitted into all modern cameras. Not only does it give your subjects the dreaded red eyes, but also flattens all faces into shadowless featureless blobs. Use the in camera flashlight only in an emergency, when there is no other choice.

6. In Camera Flash - When you have to use the in camera flash, keep your subject(s) away from walls, especially light coloured ones, if at all possible, and avoid that ugly black shadow which looks like an outline. This will not show up against a dark background.

7. Exposure - Using auto exposure to your advantage.

If you have a modern camera, the chances are that the default metering system is ‘centre weighted average’, which means that, although it takes an average reading of the whole scene, it takes more notice of what is in the middle of the frame. Which is good news for us. The other good news is that it takes this reading at the time when you take ‘first pressure’ on the button to take your picture. When you push it halfway down and it beeps at you, not only is the focus now set (on an auto focus camera) but the exposure reading is taken and the aperture and shutter speed are set. So, if your main point of interest is not in the centre of the frame, it’s a good idea to put it there temporarily while you focus and take your light reading, then move the camera whilst still holding the button halfway down and compose the picture the way you want it to be. A common use for this technique is when you are taking a close up shot of two people and there is space between their heads, if you’re not careful the camera will focus on the wall or trees behind them. If the background is very dark or very light this can alter the exposure significantly and result in faces that are too dark or too light.

8. Shutter Speeds - When the shutter speed is important as with moving objects, it’s a good idea to set the camera to ‘Shutter Speed Priority’ mode. This is where you select the shutter speed and the camera selects the appropriate aperture according to the light reading.

9. Apertures - If depth of field is important to either make sure everything is in focus or to throw some things out of focus, select the ‘Aperture Priority’ mode on your camera. In this mode you select the aperture and the camera selects the shutter speed according to the available light.

10. Neutral Density Filters - If you are shooting in bright light and want to restrict the depth of field, use a neutral density filter in front of the lens to reduce the light entering the lens. These are available in different densities, 2x, 4x, 8x etc. each one cutting the light in half, quarter, eighth etc. In extreme circumstances you can ***** a couple of them together. Although they are ‘neutral density’ filters and should not effect the colour balance, if you use two or more together you might need a little colour correction at the printing stage.

If you’re really planning big with your photography career, joining photo competitions is the fastest and easiest way to be recognized. Try putting your heart in every shot and try your very best in every photo competition you join. Some people join photo competition for the price, some for experience and some just do it because the of the fun that it brings. No matter what your reason is, have fun in every click of the camera.



By: James Humphrey

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There are many times when it is important to capture the memories of a special occasion and a baby shower is definitely one of these. Now, one thing which the guest of honor can usually count on is the fact that at least one of the guests will come equipped with a camera, but will she capture the truly memorable moments of the party or simply capture those chance shots? For instance, will she photograph that particularly nice moment which occurs while she is eating or that extremely comical moment when she is busy talking with other guests?

Naturally the host herself cannot be expected to take photographs at the baby shower because she will be too busy ensuring that her guests are taken care of. And the guest of honor will not have time to take pictures either, with everything that she has to do. One certain way however to ensure that you get a memorable set of photographs of the event is either to hire someone whose only responsibility at the shower will be photography or to arrange for a friend to make a photographic record of the party for you.

Professional photographers are not cheap and you will find that some are so busy with other work that they do not have time to cover baby showers. However, those who are available will probably do a very good job, particularly if they have previous experience of photographing baby showers. If your budget allows then hiring a professional is certainly the way to go, but do not forget to book early and a reasonable period of notice for most professional photographers would probably be about six to eight weeks.

There are of course other options nowadays, particularly now that digital photography equipment is both readily available and reasonably inexpensive. Photographing or making a video record of the baby shower is almost certainly something which the guest of honor’s father or partner should be able to handle, and it will give them a good reason for not being left out of the fun.

Another option which has become increasingly popular in recent years is to buy a number of disposable cameras for your guests and to ask everyone to snap photos of the party. This is also something which is very popular at wedding receptions and the guest of honor will probably will end up with some very interesting shots. Although this might sound like a very good idea, you do have to be careful as costs can mount up very quickly, especially when your take into account the price of developing.

Another very important reason for photographing your baby shower is that it allows guests who are unable to make it to the party to share in the happy event by simply viewing photographs of the occasion online. This is much simpler than emailing out a bunch of images and then hoping that the recipients will know how to uncompress them and then view them on their computer screen.

If you have your own website then you can of course simply upload them there for your guests to see but, even if you do not have a website, it is still very easy to get your pictures online. You merely need to search for websites which offer online photo album facilities and then sign up and upload your images to the site. Your photo album area will normally be available to anybody who has the appropriate username and password and these can simply be emailed to your guests.



By: Donald Saunders

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