The Evolution of a Photo
I’ve posted this photo before, but I thought it would be interesting to go through the photo’s evolution. It’s sometimes the little things that can make a big difference in the finished image.
The first photo below is the starting point. The composition places the couple near the back of the sanctuary so that a wide angle lens takes in the entire setting. That also creates a number of leading lines that all converge to the center, so the bride and groom are easily the center of attention.
The main light on the bride and groom is coming from camera left where my assistant is holding a strobe shooting through an umbrella. That creates the direction of light on the couple so that they have depth and dimension. It also causes the colors of the dress and the flowers to be rendered naturally. Again, the colors lead your eyes right to the couple. The gold colors of the background are from the tungsten lights in the church. Since I was using a relatively high ISO and slow shutter speed (ISO 800, 1/20th of a second at f/5.6) the background is under exposed a little bit, again so that the couple stand out.
It’s a good starting point, but the next step was to add a second strobe behind the couple (see the photo below). It’s the same basic picture, but the addition of the backlight creates a glow around the couple, and especially, it adds reflections to the ends of the pews. Now, the line of pews is another strong graphical element that helps lead you eyes right to the bride and groom.
But, there are a few distractions in the photo, and I feel like the background is too gold, so it’s Photoshop’s turn. No real dramatic changes. I adjusted the color of the background separately from the foreground. I didn’t completely neutralize the warm tones, but it’s about half way to neutral. I also removed the two light fixtures at the top of the frame, and the two Exit signs on either side. That last big change in Photoshop was to brighten the two hanging tapestries on either side of the cross.
Contests and Decisions
I don’t normally enter photography contests, but the annual Morton Pumpkin Festival Photography Show is an exception. I started entering through a rather round-about process. A few years ago, my mother took a couple of my photos off of her wall and entered them in my name while I was away on a business trip. I didn’t know about it until she called to tell me I’d won second place.
I don’t know how many years it takes to become a tradition, but I’ve entered the contest each of the next three years. I guess I’ve done pretty well since I’ve earned four more ribbons, including a Best of Show and a Professional Division 1st Place. Since this will be my fifth year, I think my mother would say it’s become a tradition.
So, now I’m preparing for this years contest on September 11, and I have to decide which photos to enter. I’m on the fence about the image below. I really like the image’s story, and its unanswered questions. There’s obviously a woman taking in the sun on the horizon, but the body language and the solitary set of tracks on the beach leave you to wonder what she’s thinking. Is she pondering some of life’s biggest questions? Is she sad? Or lonely? You can’t see her face, so you have to look for other clues. Of course, you can always make up your own story.
The actual story is somewhat less dramatic. The woman is my wife, and we were enjoying a quick trip to the San Simeon area, which is along the Big Sur coastline in central California. I was busy with the camera, and she had walked ahead to enjoy the sunset. When I saw the composition of the large rock, sunset and her, I quickly set up the tripod and started taking pictures. She started to move out of the frame, but I asked her to stay there. The body language is a reaction to the cold January weather.
OK, the story isn’t dramatic, but I still like the photo.
The Changing Face of Wedding Photography
I’ve started advertising my wedding photography on Facebook. You may never see the add on your Facebook page, but you can see the linked page right here.
Digital processes have been something of a two-edged sword for both photographers and brides. For photographers, it has lowered the cost of getting into the business, but it’s still pretty expensive if you want equipment that will produce professional results. The bigger change is post processing. Instead of simply sending rolls of film off to a lab, most photographers spend hours in front of the computer. I typically spend as more time processing images than I spent photographing the wedding.
There are big changes for brides as well. Proofs can be viewed online, and they’re normally available in just a few days. That makes it really easy for out of town guests and relatives to see the images. But even with online proofs, most of my brides still request a set of printed proofs, which I provide in a convenient proof book. That gives her something to take to work, or to dinner with friends. It can be passed around, and she doesn’t need a computer to show them off.
Albums are another huge change. Today’s albums are a far cry from the one from my wedding in the 1970′s. Modern albums look more like high-end photo books or magazines, with full-page and double-page layouts, text and graphics. They’re truly a keepsake that will last for years.
I do worry about brides who opt to not get an album. I think many couples simply settle for a DVD of images, and they probably have good intentions of putting together some sort of album. But, I’ll bet most never get around to doing it. And, most DVD’s will fade over time. In as little as a couple of years, the images may be gone, and then it’s too late. That’s why I also offer album design as service, using either my photography or your own images.