Help me be more photojournalistic...

[BlueTreePhoto]

I am pretty much self-taught and stumbled into wedding photography. I really want to get a more photojournalistic style, but I feel I struggle with this when in the moment. I keep telling myself to change up angles and perspectives, but I guess I have difficulty getting people to be natural (people seem to naturally want to pose).

Those of you who are practicing this style, any advice/suggestions? Any books or websites, something?

Thanks!

[tim]

DVD - "masters of wedding photography". Get it 2nd hand.

[BlueTreePhoto]

Thanks, I will look into that. Anyone else?? Any simple tips when I'm standing there looking through the lens?

[Nate Volk]

My cousin is in the business and does a lot of weddings. It seems like the trend for a lot of photographers towards avoiding them because of the stress, but he says that is where he makes the most money. He started out doing it only with people he knew real well so there was a comfort level.

This helped him overcome the "posing dillema". He said that as time went on and he got more experience he focused less on what the subjects we're doing and just shot away. He stressed that it definitely helped to be less self- conscious about all the things happening and just shoot.

I'll ask him if there are any simple tricks he uses at the moment to get people to loosen up.

I went to a wedding of a family member recently and one thing I noticed was that the results we're fine even though almost every photo taken seemed a little non-authentic at the time. The larger issue for my family we're technical things like the lighting.

Nate

[cchooks]

I am an old traditional shooter, who has had to adapt to some of the PJ style to stay in sync. I researched what stuff I could incorperate and I learned that PJers are becoming traditionalist. There is little spur of the moment shooting just a changing of the angles. PJers from coast to coast are shooting the same images, the hanging dress, the makeup, the multi angles of the cake, and on and on. No matter what site you look at from people who call themselves PJers, they are the same images, so how can that be PJers if the images from all weddings look alike? I don't know what catagory to place myself in, but I would suggest just be the brides eyes, know your client and shoot what you know they want to see.

[SuzyView]

I shoot with a 24-70 on a ff 5D. This allows me to go wide a lot and on the ground. That lends itself to interesting images. Think "off camera lighting" to get the wonderful night skies and cast shadows.

[BlueTreePhoto]

I am an old traditional shooter, who has had to adapt to some of the PJ style to stay in sync. I researched what stuff I could incorperate and I learned that PJers are becoming traditionalist. There is little spur of the moment shooting just a changing of the angles. PJers from coast to coast are shooting the same images, the hanging dress, the makeup, the multi angles of the cake, and on and on. No matter what site you look at from people who call themselves PJers, they are the same images, so how can that be PJers if the images from all weddings look alike? I don't know what catagory to place myself in, but I would suggest just be the brides eyes, know your client and shoot what you know they want to see.

Great perspective, thanks for the advice. It's funny how we're all trying to be more of what we aren't, eh? The grass is always greener... lol.

[elysium]

Photojournalistic? Grab a prime and go shooting.

[Dennis_Hammer]

I am the opposite of shoot wide I get a longer prime and shoot away form people they stay natural. Be observant most of the time you can pick out the more 'animated' guests and bridal party members. Kind of keep track of them and watch they will get into situations that make for great PJ picks. By the way the bride and groom almost are automatically very animated during the day. Nervous energy = great pics.

[MattMoore]

No technique, but some inspiration :

http://www.table4photography.com/index2.php?v=v1

[lil_miss]

I also find it hard to get photojournalistic.. slowly learning and practicing though.. would be interested to hear what others say about 'getting your eye in'.