How To Be A Wedding Photographer | Maui Wedding Photographer

Wedding Photography Careers

Apr 29
2010

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Wedding Photography Careers And What

You Need To Know

Part Three

As we ventured through the first set of lessons on wedding photography careers, you should now be getting a better understanding of this high demanding field. I invite you to continue learning the things you need to know on how to become a successful wedding photographer. Below you will find the next four steps on becoming that type of photographer.

1. Set your ISO to a slower speed, if circumstances will permit. This isn’t too big of an issue with digital SLR cameras, but is important for the point-and-shoot digital cameras, as they generally have tiny sensors that make them more prone to noise. A slower ISO speed, or lower number, makes for a less noisy photograph.

However, be aware as it will force you to use slower shutter speeds. This will restrict your ability to shoot photos of moving objects. If shooting still objects in good light, use the very slowest ISO speed that is available on your camera. This is also a good idea when shooting still subjects in low light when you are using your camera on a tripod or with a remote release.

2. Thoughtfully compose your shots. Before frame your photo in the viewfinder, frame the photo in your mind; get a vision of what you want to achieve with that shot. Consider the following, especially to the last one:

v Use the “Rule of Thirds” technique by lining up the primary points of interest in your scene along the “third” lines. Try not to “cut the picture in half” with any lines, horizon or otherwise.

v Clean up clutter and distracting backgrounds. Even if this requires you and/or you’re subject to move a bit, therefore a tree does not show up appearing to grow out from their head. If you are getting any glare from such things as windows, then change your angle to avoid it. If you’re shooting vacation photos, have your family put down any items they may be holding or carrying as well. Consider those items as clutter and keep that clutter out of the frame of the photo. This will allow you to end up with much nicer and less cluttered pictures. If you have the ability to blur the background of a portrait, try it as it can be a great effect.

v Allow you’re subject to fill up the frame. Don’t be shy away from getting too close to your subject. However, if you’re using a digital camera that contains a lot of megapixels, you can always crop the photo later in the software.

v Instead of shooting the object straight on, try to shoot on interesting angles. Shoot while you are looking down on to the object or try crouching and looking up at it. Pick an angle that will allow you a maximum color with minimum shadow. Try and make objects appear taller or longer than they really are (a low angle usually can make this happen). If you’re looking to shoot a bolder photo, it might be best to even yourself up with the object. You may also want to try and make the object appear smaller as if you are hovering over it. To achieve this effect you, simply put the camera above the object. Without question, uncommon angles make for some really interesting shots.

v Ignore the advice above. That’s right, I said to “ignore the advice above.” Regard the above as rules, which generally work most of the time, however they are always subject to interpretation, and not as strict rules. Sometimes rules are made to be broken and in this artistic field, to get that unique shot, you have to break the rules sometimes. Besides, if you adhere to them to much, it will only lead to boring photos

3. FOCUS YOUR LENS! Most photos are ruined due to poor focusing. If you have it, I highly recommend using the automatic focus on your camera. Generally, you can do this by half-pressing on the shutter button. Be sure to use the “macro” mode function on your camera for the really close-up shots. Unless you are having problems with your automatic focus, don’t focus manually. As with the metering, the automatic focus function generally will do a better job of focusing than you will.

4. Stay still. Most people come away surprised with how blurry their photos turn out when attempting to get a close-up or from shooting at a distance. To minimize blurring, assuming you’re using a full-sized camera with the use of a zoom lens, hold the camera body with your finger on the shutter button and with one hand hold the lens by cupping your other hand underneath it. Keep your elbows in close towards your body and brace yourself firmly. If your camera or lenses possess an image stabilization feature, I highly recommend you using it (this is known as IS on Canon gear, and VR, for Vibration Reduction, on Nikon equipment).

You are now ready to take the final step of these pointers in part four. Keep practicing, because we all know that practice makes perfect.

Getting Started in Wedding Photography

Aug 06
2009

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Getting Started in Wedding Photography

Many people may not consider wedding photography as one of many categories to explore when getting into the field of photography. Shooting weddings should not be considered to be anything less than a serious form. In fact it is one of the most demanding disciplines of professional photography. If you are an aspiring wedding photographer, then there are certain areas you will have to develop to be successful. One of the key areas is strategy. Before you can think about mastering the camera, the lighting and the background, you need to work on a strategy.

The word, strategy, is a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. As a wedding photographer you will have to not only look at the technical side but, also take a look into the business side. In this article I will focus on getting you pointed into the right direction. Then in future articles, I will discuss the business side.

The first place to start is working on your technical skills. When I first began photography, I started with a basic manual 35mm camera, a Pentax K2000 and a few fixed lenses, a 28mm, 50mm and 135mm. I took pictures everyday and practically ran my parents bank account dry developing all the film. In this digital age, you can see the results right after taking a photo and you can easily delete bad results. What your going to need as far as basic equipment is a decent Digital 35mm SLR and a few good lenses. I would recommend a 28-105mm, but 70-200 mm might be a good range to start with. You will also need a good computer and editing software. Most photographers use Mac based computers. However, a good PC will work just fine. As far as computer software, if you are just starting off and on a limited budget, I might suggest beginning with Adobe Lightroom as an editing software. It’s fairly affordable and easy to learn. Presently, I begin the editing process in Lightroom and then finalize in Adobe Photoshop.

The photography profession is not a cheap investment. The tools of the trade are very expensive, so my advice is to purchase a decent camera body and invest in great lenses. I recall one of my first internships was with an Orange County Newspaper and I had the privilege of working with the paper’s lead photographer at the time. One of the things he taught me is that it’s not the camera but, it’s the lens you need to invest in. You can have an inexpensive camera body to begin with and then later upgrade. Now days, you can purchase a decent 35mm Digital Slr for about $600. and then your lens are going to be about double that depending on the size lens you purchase. I buy most of my equipment on–line through B&H Photo located in New York and various other pieces from my local camera shop on Maui.

To get started I would recommend you start shooting to work on your technical side. I would begin shooting friends, family, candids of people on the street and use natural lighting. The time to shoot is early morning hours just after sun rise and then just before sunsets. A photo editor from the Orange County Register once told me when I was beginning to shoot everyday for at least two hours. His advice to me was to shoot ten rolls of film a week. So, my advice to you is to fill a 4 gig card a week and spend at least six hours a week practicing your editing techniques.

Once you begin to get a collection of good images, the next step is to work on your portfolio.

Building your photography portfolio.

As a photographer there is no greater joy than being recognized for what you love doing. One way to ensure you get that recognition is to create a photography portfolio, which is second to none.

Step 1) Choosing your theme
You may already have the pictures to create a themed portfolio or you may be planning on capturing them over a period of time. Either way, your portfolio, like a well written book, should have some unifying themes. This theme can be conceptual or it can be technical. For example, your theme could be about courage, love, urban life, fear or something else you create. Alternatively you can create a theme based on photographic technicalities. For example, you could create a portfolio showcasing all of your best wide angle work or one which displays your best black and white work. The themes for creating a portfolio are only limited by your own imagination. So take your time and create a themed portfolio which means something to you.

Step 2) Choosing the photos
Choosing the right photographs to put in your portfolio will be a time consuming process. By the nature of the portfolio itself, only your best pieces should be placed within the portfolio. If you don’t’ have too many top picks spend some more time photographing until you get those desired results. Your portfolio is something you should be proud of and not something thrown together out of impatience and haste.

Your portfolio should be manageable for the viewer to get through. Too often photographers fill pages and pages with photographs that the viewer will skim through to get to the end. The key is not to take it personally when someone reviews it. Everyone’s eye is different and the key to a good portfolio is choosing your best work, which includes classic as well as avant-garde work. The one thing I recall when working with the photo editors in my past is they would say the picture must tell the story without words. When your images can say something or tell a story, without your having to share a story about it, you’ve done something right. Narrow your portfolio down to 20-50 photographs. There is no hard set number you need to follow, but this seems to be the range that most audiences would prefer.

Step 3) Showing your work
Now that you have put together your portfolio, it’s time to show it off. Begin by sharing it with your friends and family. Next, display your work on-line, there is many on-line photo sharing sites, where other photographers can share their comments with you about your work. Take your time putting it together, but make sure you complete your project. Too many photographers shoot all day long and fail to present their work properly.

If you have one of your friends that is getting married, ask if they mind if you take some photos for them. Once your feeling comfortable with your work, the next step is to get out there and work under a professional photographer. If you are going to school, ask your school counselor about internship programs. If they don’t have any presently maybe it’s time they did. Most schools are happy to give you school credit for internships and will even let you out of school early to do it. Contact local photographers in your area and ask them if they are open to internships. You’ll be surprised at what can happen and what you will learn just by asking. I will discuss internships more in a later article. However; I have to tell you persistence also goes along long way. If I had not bugged a photo editor at a major Orange County Newspaper when I was in college, I never would have gotten to work as an intern there. Because of my persistence, I was chosen first over 2,300 other people wanting an internship, due to my continuous calls and showing up with rolls of film to be critiqued.