Something a bit new from me - a slideshow of images from a recent wedding, set to music. I've been teaching myself Final Cut Pro X for another project I'm working on and this was my first attempt at a full slideshow. Its intentionally short and fast moving - a whole wedding in under 3 mins! I'd love to know what you think.
Documentary wedding photography at Huntsham Court, Devon
Documentary wedding photography at The Cawdor, Llandeilo
I usually try to take a picture of the table plan. Lots of couples put a lot of thought and effort into the table plan, so its worth trying to make a good picture out of it. This is by far my favourite table plan picture so far.
I was struggling to get a shot of guests looking at it and then I noticed the reflection might work. I photographed a couple of different guests and then this lady took up exactly the right position. The position of her head in the empty space, combined with the light jacket and blonde hair has made her stand out nicely in the reflection.
Its another example of putting the details of the wedding in context.
Documentary wedding photography at Canada Lodge, Cardiff
Some pictures only work if you get the timing right. A split second before or after the moment and the picture fails. Even a fast motor drive on the camera can miss a moment like this. I think the girl did this three times and I got one carefully timed picture for each jump, but this is the best. I love the expression on her face.
Documentary wedding photography
I've written before about my frustration at the idea that wedding photography should involve hundreds of pictures of flowers, table settings, bunting etc. Its easy to overdo the details and forget the main purpose of the photography, to record the wedding day in full, particularly all the family and friends that made an effort to be there to celebrate with the bride and groom.
Having said that, I do shoot a few details, but they still need to be good photographs, not just record shots. I immediately liked the light in this picture. I didn't hang the dress there myself, or ask the bride to do it. I saw it, and it made a good picture, so I photographed it. Those are my only criteria.
Documentary wedding photography at the Vale Hotel, Cardiff
I spend a lot of time waiting for things to happen. For this picture I spent around an hour following the groom and his "best men" around the golf course. Its surprisingly difficult to get good pictures of a group of men playing golf. Apart from the tee-off they don't spend much time next to each other, making it difficult to get a good picture of the whole group. Even at the tee its not easy to get a good combination of action, composition, and faces.
This is where patience becomes important. You've just got to stick with it and wait for the pictures to happen, as here, where the groom tees off and the four friends are all visible and paying attention.
