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Photography Question 

Paul
 

Sometimes I wonder why?


Being a semi-novice-beginner-learning all the time from this site. I have found out something that sort of bothers me. I have done several weddings and so far they have gone fine. However, most of the time the shots that I think ,,and some of my photos buddies do also ,,that are really creative and different that as photographers we work on a little more to get some different composition. People don't seem to like them very much.
So, my question is this,,do any one of the professional photographers that come on this site ever get to thinking that they could have taken just a disposable camera to take the shots since all any one really wants is just a good image.In other words,after working to get some fairly good shots ,its seems like they ones they want are just the regular run of the mill snapshots .Not all the time but so much of the time that is what they like most.Now,that has shown me that people really don't know or understand what we try to show them. I take pride in clear sharp pictures and that isn't what bothers me it just that what they pick out is just that ,,sharp clear pictures ,, and some of the ones that are a little imaginative ,they don't want those. But,they are paying ,,ha ha. I will do what ever they want and John Linds site on weddings is a great one in that he's right ,,just keep it simple and since so many people don't even know the difference from a photograph and a snapshot ,, then it the best way to go.
Just was wondering ,,, thanks for any responses ,,
Paul


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August 07, 2005

 

Brendan Knell
  Are these photos more creative than they are memories? Because most people hire you because they want to remember their wedding in 30 or 40 years. If they just have creative photos that aren't memories, they might not remember their wedding. So if they aren't memories then that's probably why.


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August 07, 2005

 

Brendan Knell
  PS. You should post a few of the photos you think are creative and they don't want to buy.


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August 07, 2005

 

Debby A. Tabb
  PAUL,
AS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE CREATIVE AND SUPPLY THOSE,
BUT THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IS DOCUMENT AN EVENT-PHOTO JURNALISUM.
** THIS MEANS CANDIDS AND PORTRAITS OF THE EVENT.
MOST OF THE "CREAVITVE" CAN MEAN *BEING SHOT ON A TILT-
NOT REALLY WONDERFUL IN A FRAME.
* A HAND ON A WAIST- NO ONE REALLY KNOWS WHOS -WE JUST TAKE IT'S THE BRIDE AND GROOM OF THIS WEDDING.
* A GLASS OF WINE AND NAME PLACE CARDS SAYING BRIDE AND GROOM.
ETC,ETC.. ALL THAT I DO MYSELF(THOUGH VERY LITTLE OF)
THEY AREN'T THE ONES MOST WANTED OR APPRECIATED RIGHT OFF THE BAT- BECAUSE WHEN THE BRIDES FIRST LOOK AT THIER WEDDING PICTURES
THEY ARE MOST TIMES LOOKING TO REMEMBER-
TO SEE WHAT THEY MISSED AND
FEEL THE MEMORIES THAT THEY HAD TO PUSH ASSIDE AS THEY GOT ON WITH THIER DAY.
THOSE THEN WOULD BE FRIENDS AND FAMILY HAVEING FUN AND LOVING EACH OTHER.
AND THAT DEPICTS THE SUCCESS OF THIER WEDDING PARTY.
AND THAT IS WHY WHEN I PUT MY BOOK TOGETHER IT WAS ON THE -REQUIRED WEDDING POSES AND CANDIDS ONLY.
A HAVE HAD A LOT OF PHOTOGRAPHERS SAY-WHY AREN'T THIER MORE ORINATE POSES INCLUDED?
WHY DO THEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO POSE THE REQUIRED ONES!
SEE , NO MATTER WHAT -IN MOST CASES YOU GET THIER POSED SHOTS, THE CANDIDS OF THE PEOPLE THEY LOVE HAVING A GOOD TIME- YOU ARE A "GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER!"
BOY , YOU MISS THAT STUFF-EVERYONE COULD HEAR ABOUT IT.
DON'T DO ALOT OF "CREATIVE" STUFF- THEY PROBUBLY WON'T NOTICE-IF YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED POSES.
I DO HOPE THIS HELPS,
DEBBY


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August 07, 2005

 
- Bob Cournoyer

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Bob Cournoyer
Bob Cournoyer's Gallery
  This may relate and it may not, but I think it does.
I went on vacation last month, somewhere I'd never been, planning on taking those "creative" shots. Snapped alot of "creative" shots...took just a couple "we'll never be here again" shots....got home, hated most of the "creative" ones and now only have the memories in my mind of the trip....which I can't really share totally with anyone but myself......If only I would've relaxed and just snapped away....:-)
Bob


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August 07, 2005

 

Karma Wilson
  Save the creative shots for the coffee table wedding books if you do them. They make great little "asides" to all the normal photos. Pictures of the cakes, the rings, tilt shots, etc...etc...

Try combinging "memories" with creativity. Instead of just shooting a shot of the bride's bouquet (something almost every bride wants to remember) do a selective focus of the boquet while the bride is holding it out smiling. Use wide angle creativity. Some of the best photographers do this to great success. It catches so much of the whole "feel" of the wedding. I don't shoot much wide angle (due to lack of lens which will soon change) but wide angle wedding shots blow me away! For instance, a ground level shot showing the flower girl going down the isle with the flower petals being in the foreground. Wow!

I don't shoot weddings, but if I did I'd probably save some of my creativity for photoshop compliations because I really enjoy selective coloring, soft focus techniques, painting techniques, etc.... Then I could flex my creativity muscles while giving them traditional shots.

Karma


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August 07, 2005

 

Nancy Grace Chen
  I agree with Karma... I think a lot of the key is combining creativity with emotion. Couples LOVE candid shots of themselves... shoot lots of candids, try creative angles... maybe include other elements such as a doorframe in the foreground so it gives the viewer a feeling that they're peering into an intimate moment, etc.

It also depends on your clientele. If you are able to charge a lot and market yourself as an 'artsy' photographer, you will get more clients who are interested in the creative shots. I know for my wedding, I'd want a photographer to get lots of cool shots.

And in the end, if nothing else, you can have the satisfaction of getting artsy shots, and you can put them in your portfoio and what not.

Here is an amazing wedding photographer who, I think, does a great job of combining the artistic with the emotional...
JVS Weddings


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August 07, 2005

 

Paul
  Thanks so much for the responses. After reading them they do make sense.It is a chance to give them memories to relive. Clear ,sharp and good composition is what I will stay with when I show the photos to them. I just never thought of some one else looking at them and not really knowing ,in years ,what exactly were we trying to do.
You have helped me again,,
Paul


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August 08, 2005

 
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