I did my first wedding during 1997, everything was done by film and each image cost money.
It was stressful process from shooting until the negatives was viewed and images came to light.
Replacing film regularly, deciding on film to use for each time space / project, handling the chosen film in the available lighting. All decisions to make for each unique situation, making setting decisions only with knowledge of light, film, settings. To say the least wedding photography was pure art.
Nothing has changed or did it? Welcome to a new world and really can we compete in this mind-blowing visual age? Every phone, tablet, I Phone with state of the art camera's, video's; each guest a photographer in his own right. How can we compete?
These digital devices are, quick, accurate and state of the art colour and clarity make it close to impossible to compete with. Each guest with his own device, each situated in an unique position from the action; each one with his / her own unique lighting (side light, fill in, direct sun light, reflectors - like white walls) Each photographer at a unique angle (and yes luck does play a role), thousands of options to create a final project, can you go wrong with different angles, situations, state of the art camera's and thousands of images capturing one specific moment in time.
My answer to this can only be, no we can not compete. With each step we go forward technology outrun us.
What is the answer to this visual boom so we photographers / wedding photographers survive?
I do not know, but what I do know is we can still create art "manually" and not by luck. We (specially before digital photographers) understand light, settings, photographic methods (not by luck)
My only answer to you photographers / artist out there and couples is to be aware of technology; use it (do not fight it) and understand it.
This whole photographic boom will only allow more beautifulness, but no camera can create art in itself time after time. This is why I belief there's a use for "multi media" / camera's all over and professional artistic photography.
This will lead to a situation where the client can decide on when and where he need capturing the moment and or when and where he would like art to be created. With careful planning photographer and client can get the best project possible.
Creating alternative art with photographic knowledge I will ensure your wedding photographs will have a creative edge. This will allow me to concentrate on artistic aspects more as this is the area I can still outdo and use technology, not to compete with the changing times. Allow me to do something alternative and different and I might outsmart technology.
It was stressful process from shooting until the negatives was viewed and images came to light.
Replacing film regularly, deciding on film to use for each time space / project, handling the chosen film in the available lighting. All decisions to make for each unique situation, making setting decisions only with knowledge of light, film, settings. To say the least wedding photography was pure art.
Nothing has changed or did it? Welcome to a new world and really can we compete in this mind-blowing visual age? Every phone, tablet, I Phone with state of the art camera's, video's; each guest a photographer in his own right. How can we compete?
These digital devices are, quick, accurate and state of the art colour and clarity make it close to impossible to compete with. Each guest with his own device, each situated in an unique position from the action; each one with his / her own unique lighting (side light, fill in, direct sun light, reflectors - like white walls) Each photographer at a unique angle (and yes luck does play a role), thousands of options to create a final project, can you go wrong with different angles, situations, state of the art camera's and thousands of images capturing one specific moment in time.
My answer to this can only be, no we can not compete. With each step we go forward technology outrun us.
What is the answer to this visual boom so we photographers / wedding photographers survive?
I do not know, but what I do know is we can still create art "manually" and not by luck. We (specially before digital photographers) understand light, settings, photographic methods (not by luck)
My only answer to you photographers / artist out there and couples is to be aware of technology; use it (do not fight it) and understand it.
This whole photographic boom will only allow more beautifulness, but no camera can create art in itself time after time. This is why I belief there's a use for "multi media" / camera's all over and professional artistic photography.
This will lead to a situation where the client can decide on when and where he need capturing the moment and or when and where he would like art to be created. With careful planning photographer and client can get the best project possible.
Creating alternative art with photographic knowledge I will ensure your wedding photographs will have a creative edge. This will allow me to concentrate on artistic aspects more as this is the area I can still outdo and use technology, not to compete with the changing times. Allow me to do something alternative and different and I might outsmart technology.