Here is a quick post about capitalizing on potential opportunities. I will also explain a little about exploring your subject in more depth, even from a static shooting position. I will be using some photographs I took yesterday morning after it had snowed all night to illustrate my thoughts. Now, these are certainly not the best photographs I have ever taken, but just think of this as an exercise for the mind and eyes. I believe a lot of what I am going to get into here is in fact transferable to wedding photography as well.
Here is the set up: The other night I was stacking some firewood, just as it had started to snow. I knew that we were expecting a fairly significant (for NJ at least) amount of snow. In the past I have thought about placing “interesting” objects in the grass before it started to snow so that I could photograph them afterward. For one reason or another I just never followed through with the idea. So, last night, since I was already outside, and it had only just begun to snow I decided to seize the day, or more appropriately, the night! I didn’t have too much at my disposal as I wasn’t truly prepared to do this. Time to improvise, (kind of like a wedding huh?) I saw a bunch of our outdoor chairs sitting upside down on our table, grammar school style. I knew that these chairs would become my “subject”. I am a big fan of line, shape and pattern in my photography, so I started thinking of how I could use all of these chairs in an interesting way. I had to previsualize the photograph before I made it. This is another device I use when photographing the bride and groom. In my head I am sorting out where the light will fall, how I can use that to my advantage, how am I going to compose it, what focal length and aperture to use, where is the best angle to shoot from etc. Keep in mind that this is usually just a starting point, and sometimes it doesn’t work, or you need to tweak things, or even rethink one of those components for whatever reason.
In regards to the following photographs, I knew that I wanted a clean and simple snow laden background for the shot I was previsualizing, and to show the chairs in a semi-random pattern. Because my backyard isn’t terribly large and has a fence all the way around it, some trees, and other various objects, I knew the only way for me to achieve a clean background in such a small space was to shoot down on top of my “subject”. So, now I knew that I would be shooting from a window inside the house on the second floor. In my head, I tried to visualize what it looked like from that specific window. From there I began placing the chairs in a semi-random pattern. I also knew that I didn’t want any of the chairs to overlap one another from my shooting angle, so had to space them accordingly.
If you know what someone is likely to do before they do it, you can better prepare yourself for it right? I knew we were expecting a lot of snow and wanted to construct an interesting photograph utilizing that snow. I put everything together to achieve that goal and then executed. The same can be said of a wedding day. While it is true that every wedding is different and unique in its own way, there are a few things throughout a wedding that you can anticipate happening before they actually do happen. So prepare yourself for those moments, think ahead of time about where the light will be, what’s the best focal length and aperture to express your vision for that shot, where is the best angle to photograph it from etc. So, let’s see what I came up with…
Here is the shot pretty much as I had envisioned it the night before. I accomplished my goals; a clean and uncluttered “backdrop”, the chairs set up in a semi-random pattern which shows off their lines, and no chairs are overlapping each other. It’s pretty straight forward and I was relatively happy with the result considering I didn’t actually put too much thought into this.
So, now it’s time to subtly “explore” the “subject”, all from the same exact shooting position. The above shot was my starting point, and was how I had envisioned the shot to begin with, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best “solution”. I then zoomed in a bit to only show 3 complete chairs, and let the others be slightly cropped out.
I then zoomed out, changed to a portrait orientation and included all the chairs in the frame again, just as in the first shot, but this time I included some negative space below them. Also notice that I have gone from a square crop, to a landscape, and now to a portrait orientation.
I liked the look of all that negative space, so I decided to include just one chair in the frame this time.
As I was photographing, I noticed some birds flying to our bird feeder, so I tried to do a few shots with the birds in the frame. Obviously I couldn’t tell the birds where to go in the composition, so I just kept shooting and hoped something interesting would come out. I thought the following shot was the most interesting of the bird photographs. I liked how these two birds were positioned in the frame. I really enjoy this kind of shooting because you don’t really know what you will get, so it’s more exciting.
I kept the idea of including some negative space, but this time just changed back to a landscape orientation. When doing this, I picked up a little bit of our tree swing in the frame, which I kind of liked.
Then I decided to venture away from my “subject” and decided to only include the tree swing with a lot of negative space around it. Part of the framing decision of this was only due to other distracting elements that started creeping into the photograph.
So, you can see, I have not changed my shooting position in any way, and was able to come up with a few different looks of the same subject (except for the lone swing, but you can see how I got there). So, don’t just shoot what you think is the final photograph and pack it up, explore it a bit more and you will more than likely find something you like even better!
Don’t be shy now, chime in with comments or questions. Also, if you think this might be useful for someone else you know, please send them a link to it: http://lafflerphotography.com/blog/?p=4509
Well, it didn’t happen, but I’m glad to see you are considering workshops now, especially since I’m back in the US (AZ) and logistics would be simpler. I’m most impressed with (and would be most interested in learning) your control of light for these beautiful exposures. Your light work, whether using natural light or stobes is simply stunning; your exposures perfect. So light technique, metering, etc. would be of most interest to me. Additionally, you obviously have such a great rapport with your clients and watching you work and interact with them would be great. Cheers, Ryan
Rachael Earl - Man-Alex gives a mean roundhouse kick to the face
Once again, you are awesome. That last shot is killer.
scott neumyer - OMG the fisheye shot is PERFECT and makes me sad that I sold my fishy
Kay English - Omg Todd! These are so amazing! The dress shot is ridiculous! Is that at f22? I love all of the kicking shots and how they laughed in every picture! Thank you for letting me assist you. You are a true genius!
mum-Grandmum - Fantastic as ever, Todd. Just how do you do it? So proud of my boy!!!!
Kristy & Alex - Todd, we are so pleased with your work. I can’t really express the extent of our gratitude in this blog post! So looking forward to the rest xoxo
Barbara Forrester - These are absolutely brilliant. I was there and you captured the love and the fun and the sentiment of the day.
Karen Putnam - Best wedding photos I’ve ever seen. So artistic! And I love Kristy’s vintage-looking gown. Just beautiful.
ChristopherDavid - One of my favs that I’ve seen from you Todd! Simply awesome!
Leigh - These photos perfectly capture what was an unbelievable day. Beautiful!
Scott Petrillo - How beautiful this event looked. Thank you so much for sharing these pictures of a most memorable day! Best of luck!
Susan Lauricella - Todd, what a special gift you have of capturing the moment, a true artist,looking forward to being blown away again when we see the rest of your work! Thank you for documenting this magnificent day in our lives so perfectly!
Veronica Hyland - These pictures are fabulous, what a magical time.
susan tardugno - congratulation to both of you may you have much love and happiness . kristy you looked beautiful
Kim Adlerman - These are some of the most amazing wedding shots I’ve ever seen! The emotion captured in every picture is incredible, not to mention just the beauty and artistry.
Todd - Thanks Rachel!
Scott, you have to be a good little boy scout and always be prepared for anything!
Thanks for your help on this wedding Kay! Not F22, probably more like 5.6 or something.
aaawww shucks, thanks mum!
Kristy and Alex, glad you guys enjoyed these teasers! No need for gratitude, just doin’ my job ma’am!
Thanks Barbara and Karen!
Christopher, thanks ma man, I’m pretty proud of this set myself!
And many thanks for the kind comments regarding my work to the rest of you too!
MattW - Awesome set. The fisheye shot is amazing and the karate sequence is hilarious. Love that last one as well. They’re all good!
paul - i’m gonna have to agree with everyone else here todd, the fisheye shot and the last shot are amazing! as always enjoy seeing your work ^^
Justinelement - This is why your photographs have become inspiration to me. You are my favorite photographer of the millions i’ve seen because your work is so alive, full of flow and emotion and your post production has so much pop and essence. it truly is exquisite. Just thought you should know from the other side of the states, fellow photographer to photographer. Thanks for having something new to look at every couple days. -Justinelement
Todd - Thanks Matt and Paul!
Wow, thanks Justin!!!
quelyn - HEyyy!! That’s Alex the owner of The Raconteur!! The best bookstore in NJ (in Metuchen!) Ah he’s such a good guy, it’s great to see he had a lovely wedding!!!!
kristin - beautiful moments there! Well done!
Maia - Love your work! Great pictures…personally love the last shot. To the couple, congrats!
Doug and Mark - We were the florist for Kristy and Alex. She sent us the link for your blog and just wanted to tell you how amazing your photography is!! You capture so many different personalities!! You are truly an artist!