Wedding photo experience

[drakon09]

Takes some practice, but 11mm is really quite something altogether.

One thing of paramount importance, as CYRN has pointed out in the last seminar, you need to adapt to the ground (and hold that temper!), i.e. kids, too many videographers, too many photographers, too many pesky relatives etc.

Another reason why I don't do weddings... :bsmilie:

 

[Mikefellh]

A fren of mine was warned not to shoot in a public fashion parade. That fashion parade was done in a shopping mall.

As long as your friend didn't get in the way of the official photographers, no reason why he couldn't take photos in a public place.

A mall ISN'T a public place. You shoot at the discretion of the mall owners and security. For instance, in one of the biggest malls in Toronto there are some areas that specifically show "no cameras" (as an image rather than words so that people who don't speak english will understand).

In fact, a few months ago I was shooting a mall courtyard that was OUTSIDE and accessible from the street, and I was asked to stop photographing and if I wanted to take pictures I'd have to ask permission...you're on their property, and have to abide by their rules! If I had shot from the street though, they couldn't legally stop me (even though they might try)...in that case I WOULD be on public property.

After 9/11 though many rules have changed...a lot of people are cautious if you are shooting pictures with a good camera (although if that was your intention you wouldn't use a camera that sticks out like a sore thumb, you'd use a pocket, cellphone, or watch camera so you're not so obvious).

 

[drakon09]

Wow, ok didn't know that before.

Thanks for enlightening, mike. We are living in less-than-innocent times now I guess.

 

[Blu-By-U]

wow mike..I never though of that.

 

[Teo]

101% agree with you.In fact I,ve been asking my friends whether they know anybody getting married soon.not luck at the moment.guess nobody is getting TIED UP so soon

cheers

No worry, you need not try on weddings first. Perhaps occassions like birthdays, gatherings, coming Chinese New Year with friends and relatives....Though not related to weddings at least you could try out the appraoch and have a feel in shooting people during events and also to find out the best settings in your camera and flash.


cheers

 

[microcosm]

Hey, he, irischloe, asked to be there for the experience mah. Not that his service is required. He want to try shooting and if he want to use any of the photos, he gotta ask permission. Anyway, if he wants, I too need to seek permission from the wedding couple if they would allow an extra photographer.

BTW, I am only assuming the irischloe is a he. if otherwise, please correct me.

I think Blu was merely stating what is the fact in fact the photog gets any other idea. He is simply making things clear. As for who the rights belong to, that is a different story altogether. It think there should be a mutual respect for one another.

Blu, if you are not sure how good the skills of iris is, then ask to look at the portfolio and decide if you want to have iris as the assistant/backup photog.

Let's not overreact here ok? I think it is a matter of articulation.

 

[microcosm]

A mall ISN'T a public place. You shoot at the discretion of the mall owners and security. For instance, in one of the biggest malls in Toronto there are some areas that specifically show "no cameras" (as an image rather than words so that people who don't speak english will understand).

In fact, a few months ago I was shooting a mall courtyard that was OUTSIDE and accessible from the street, and I was asked to stop photographing and if I wanted to take pictures I'd have to ask permission...you're on their property, and have to abide by their rules! If I had shot from the street though, they couldn't legally stop me (even though they might try)...in that case I WOULD be on public property.

After 9/11 though many rules have changed...a lot of people are cautious if you are shooting pictures with a good camera (although if that was your intention you wouldn't use a camera that sticks out like a sore thumb, you'd use a pocket, cellphone, or watch camera so you're not so obvious).

I think this applies almost everywhere now. Not only in Canada.

 

[OlyFlyer]

I think this applies almost everywhere now. Not only in Canada.

Fortunately not the whole world is that hysteric yet. Actually, I have read elsewhere (USA) that if the guard tels you not to take pictures you should refuse unless he tells you which law supports his actions. He has the right to call the Police but again, they will not do anything if there is no specific law to support their action. A mall is NOT a private place, it may be owned by private individual but as long as it is open for the general public it is a PUBLIC place. Some buildings are special objects and protected areas, like most airports, security checkpoints and so on but a mall is not.

I am aware of the fact that once somebody start to argue with some people, guard, shop owner or any other person who believes he/she has the right to argue it may take too long time, so most people don't care, just walk away. That said, there is no chance anybody could take my camera or force me to erase any image, except law enforcments like Police. Security guards are there to catch thiefs and hold them until police arrives or ask people to extinguish cigarettes, their power is very limited but some would very much like to excersise and show more power than they have and try to pretend they are equal to police. They are usually not very happy when they are reminded about their very limited power.

I don't know about fashion shows held in a mall but I think the same should apply there also. Of course, there may be areas near the catwalk which is allocated to special guests and official photographers but I hardly think they have the right to forbid you taking pictures from elsewhere. Anyway, if I was a beginner pro, I would start reading about my rights as a photographer. It is important to follow the law and the knowlegde gives you power to argue if necessary. It would give me a very good base to stand on.

 

[irischloe]

Allow me to set the record straight.I respect evrybody's opinion.As the thread starter....let me inform everybody that personally...money isnt a real issue(at the moment Seriously...I was for a fact asking a favor to whoever is willing to pave way for my first wedding photo experience.Blu...sincerely appreciate it bro.But like I said,cant be really sure if I can make it to your place.For me,The OPPORTUNITY itself is REWARDING enough.I'm in no rush to make money out of this passion.I would appreciate success more if I achieve with patience and perseverance.Nevertheless...this thread has at the same time,given me some very impotant insights about good ethics in phoyography.

 

[cire07]

Since everyone is doing some form of explanation...

Here goes:

I agree newbie photographer should be grateful for opportunity to attend an event (e.g. wedding...) and take pictures. :thumbsup:

I was jus surprised that if a newbie is given the opportunity to "learn" at an event, his/her pictures all becomes property of the couple...

Of cos it is the couple's right to make whatever rules/regulations abt their own wedding and for any photographer(s) who participates...

I was speaking in general and out of curiousity. Didn't think it was an issue to begin with...
Well, said and done.

Move on with the topic i guess...

 

[OlyFlyer]

OK, back to topic. In my opinion it is a very nice gesture from Blu to invite irischloe to the event, regardless of who owns the pictures and who is getting paid. Getting experience is some times worth more than money and so far only one person has invited irischloe to get some experience. I would say it would be nice if more people would do the same as Blu did so irischloe would have some choises. The last wedding I did was some 30 years ago, so I can not invite you, irischloe.

 

[microcosm]

Unfortunately, I don't do weddings anymore so I am of no help.

Iris, just for your info, did you know that there are many professionals out there who are looking for assistants? They will look at your current portfolio and then decide if they want to take you in as an apprentice and you start working from there. If you are really serious about this, put up and online portfolio of your works and then start contacting these pros. They can be found within CS.

The tough part about shooting commercially is not the art of photography. It is client relations. You will find out what this is pretty soon if you are thinking of shooting commercially.

 

[Blu-By-U]

No offense to all readers and friends. If I, blu, have step wrongly on anyone's tail, my deepest apologies. I do not doubt iris skills in anyway.

Also any gender makes no difference. I was started in my post as calling him a HE. Reason for that is Iris and Chloe are both feminine. Anyway, that now clarified.

Cheers...and if you do get to do event shoot, do bring a tele-zoom. Was at the Visit Malaysia 2007 launch and was without the 40-150. The stage was so crowded, I just gave up. There was no way I could shoot with the 14-54...just too far away for anything.

 

[catchlights]

a wedding is a private event, nobody can just walk up and start take some pictures than claim he owns the photos.

and yes, is the norm to let the couples own/have/use the photos which a tap along phtographer created, in exchange for the opportunity to shoot their wedding.

irischloe can do like microcosm suggests, post your request in service offered sub forum, than take off from there.

to be frank, there is a risk, and some problems to take a tap along photographer to shoot a wedding, in the main photographer point of view, and also in the eye of the wedding couple.

a photographer won't take someone in zero experience in wedding photography for a tap along, in risking himself may not able to all the shots he wanted to, and spending time coaching someone at the expanse of the wedding couple. bear in mind that his is taking full responsibility of the tap along photographer.

a wedding couple may not feel comfortable to let someone take them as guinea pig, and no guarantee of having additional usable images.

Shooting weddings are not fun, and not as glamourous many of you thought, many people has given up just after a few tries.




.

 

[cire07]

a wedding is a private event, nobody can just walk up and start take some pictures than claim he owns the photos.

and yes, is the norm to let the couples own/have/use the photos which a tap along phtographer created, in exchange for the opportunity to shoot their wedding.


.

Morning all

I think wat i wanted to ask was IF the tag-along photographer (who isn't being paid, and should not expect to be paid for neither services nor pictures taken...) has to turn over his/her pictures to the wedding couple... how will he/she build up a portfolio?

Yo Blu!

Have a nice weekend...

Regards,
Eric

 

[Blu-By-U]

That's why permission is a must. You have to explain where and how you would use the pictures you have taken and also show them which are the ones you will use.

If you are creating your own portfolio, then all the more you should seek permission. I know of another couple to be married soon from another photo forum, they only authorize 1 official photographer. As for the rest, they must agree to have the photos must be vetted before posting is allowed.

 

[catchlights]

experience and portfolio are both important, but
experience should come before portfolio

wedding event is still an event, but is much bigger scale then many types of private events, eg birth parties.

ones can gain experience in many type of other events, but weddings is once in a life time event (at least to most of the people), so, must take great caution when shooting weddings.

there are many discussions about how to start, or get into wedding photography, I shell not touch on this here.

as for are the couple entitle to have a set of images cerated by the tap along photographers? Yes, they should have a copy.

This is a form of thank you and appreciation the couple for the opportunity given to the tap along photographer.

why should the couple say yes to let someone tap along, and if they don't gain anything later? beside, they may have to provide addition logistic to the tap along photographer too.

if the tap along photographer don't intend to give images to the wedding couple, is like someone do a TFCD session for a model, and don't give the model the CD of the images after the shoot.

if the tap along photographer don't think he can produce usable images for the wedding couple, than he may try to polish more on his photography skills first before try it on other people wedding.



.

 

[cire07]

experience and portfolio are both important, but
experience should come before portfolio

wedding event is still an event, but is much bigger scale then many types of private events, eg birth parties.

ones can gain experience in many type of other events, but weddings is once in a life time event (at least to most of the people), so, must take great caution when shooting weddings.

there are many discussions about how to start, or get into wedding photography, I shell not touch on this here.

as for are the couple entitle to have a set of images cerated by the tap along photographers? Yes, they should have a copy.

This is a form of thank you and appreciation the couple for the opportunity given to the tap along photographer.

why should the couple say yes to let someone tap along, and if they don't gain anything later? beside, they may have to provide addition logistic to the tap along photographer too.

if the tap along photographer don't intend to give images to the wedding couple, is like someone do a TFCD session for a model, and don't give the model the CD of the images after the shoot.

if the tap along photographer don't think he can produce usable images for the wedding couple, than he may try to polish more on his photography skills first before try it on other people wedding.



.

Of cos the tag-along photographer should not refuse the couple's rights to the pictures taken... this was not in contention from the start.

What i asked was... Is it normal for the couple to "detain/impound' all the pictures taken by the tag-along photographer as their "rights to property"...

That was the original question...

Building experience b4 portfolio sounds right too... but if can build both at the same time... why not?

It jus came as a surprise to me that a couple will demand for all the pictures taken by the tag-along guy/gal as theirs only and restrict usage for the tag-along...

Not that i am keen to become a wedding photographer, just a matter of opinions i guess.

But if i ever wanna try and follow as a tag-along... 1, all photos i take will be given to the couple... 2, the photos should also be mine to build up a portfolio... 3, i still agree that any couple can set any ground rules they want...

Heck, they can even ask a tag-along photographer to pay a fee for permission to shoot pictures at their event!

Thanks all, learned alot abt u guys/gals and your opinions so far! :thumbsup:

 

[catchlights]

you can build a portfolio by just ONE wedding.
but you can't have the experience you must know about photograph weddings by just ONE wedding.

if the couple not comfortable to let anyone use their wedding day photos as portfolio, be it main photographer or tap along photographer, ones must comply, if the photographers are not agreeable with this, can chose not to shoot this wedding.

somebodies have already offer to shoot weddings for free, and attracted many free-offer hunters come to CS for free weddings shoots, you still want to propose photographers pay to shoot weddings?

.

 

[cire07]

you can build a portfolio by just ONE wedding.
but you can't have the experience you must know about photograph weddings by just ONE wedding.

if the couple not comfortable to let anyone use their wedding day photos as portfolio, be it main photographer or tap along photographer, ones must comply, if the photographers are not agreeable with this, can chose not to shoot this wedding.

somebodies have already offer to shoot weddings for free, and attracted many free-offer hunters come to CS for free weddings shoots, you still want to propose photographers pay to shoot weddings?

.

OK, for the final time, i said, the wedding couple can do anything they want... "even to the extent that they can charge the tag-along a fee to allow him/her to take pictures at their wedding"... be it for his/her training/portfolio...

In any case, after so much to-and-fro, plus obvious articulation problems, and now even got reading/understanding problem... ONLY result/opinion that seems obvious is that COUPLES can state whatever rules they want. It is THEIR wedding after all... Up to photographer(s) to decide. Freedom of choice mah...

I did not at any point in time "propose photographers pay to shoot weddings"... pls read the posting right... dun put words in my mouth... or rather read between my posting lines... there are no hidden meanings.

Blu: Nice of you to offer the opportunity to irischloe, no arguments abt that. No matter what the rules the couple stated... :thumbsup:

I have nothing more to say on this topic.

Have a good weekend all... :thumbsup: