Outdoor light nightmare...anyone experience this

[Mandy9498]

Wedding ceremony was held on island. Time of ceremony was at 3pm. Ceremony location was located under trees, with sun coming through, making the B&G & wedding party very splotchy. During ceremony, I was not allowed to be between the guests and B&G and of course no flash. Normally not a big deal.

My biggest question, would be, if you were mailing the wedding package to the bride & groom would you explain the ceremony pictures and why they came out the way they did or just not say anything? It was a great place to get married, but from a photographers point of view - horrible!

My 2nd question, would be, was there anything I could have done, to get better shots with the conditions noted above?

If anyone has examples, that would be great.

I will post some pictures in the next 10 minutes, so you can see what I am talking about.

Thank you,
Mandy

[shannyD]

i dont know.. aside from using a flash.. shich you werent allowed, maybe some filters or something.

they curbed you on so many things.. i would be interested to see a couple of shots.

i had a horrible time durring some parts of a couple of weddings. but i wasnt bound by all these rules ( im just new at the game)

[Mandy9498]

Lense: 70-200 2.8f

Example #1

[Mandy9498]

Examples #2 & #3

[Mandy9498]

#4 & #5

[Mandy9498]

Please do not judge me to harshly by the above pictures - here are some good ones

[jackies35]

OMG... This looks like something I would have done with my Rebel.. See, this is why I always turn down all wedding gigs!

The stress and my stupid camera:mad::o get me upset all the time!!

Lense: 70-200 2.8f

Example #1

[Mandy9498]

Pre-Ceremony

[Jackie8o4]

I just shot a wedding this weekend with the same problem.
They didn't want flash being used and it was noon! To add to the issues the groom was in the shade and he is dark skinned and the beautiful fair bride was in full sun light. So i have a blown out bride and a very underexposed groom. EEK! A processing nightmare! Help on this would be great!

[jackies35]

Were you the main photographer? I would have moved in very close and sat on the floor. They would have never seen me especially if I was paid to do this.... I would try different angles and made it happened!

I understand your situation Dave but I would have kept on moving back and forth!!

[Mandy9498]

more pre-ceremony

[Mandy9498]

procession & example of formal

[jackies35]

What's this thing about not wanting any flash going off at the wedding!

The last 10 weddings I went to, everyone pulled out their phones, their P&S, and was clicking like the paparazzi!!

The bride and groom must not know how supportive the extra light will help with their images (memories)!!

I just shot a wedding this weekend with the same problem.
They didn't want flash being used and it was noon! To add to the issues the groom was in the shade and he is dark skinned and the beautiful fair bride was in full sun light. So i have a blown out bride and a very underexposed groom. EEK! A processing nightmare! Help on this would be great!

[donrask]

Nothing you could have done except restage the whole ceremony in a different location. And if you want to be REALLY mean....shoot all the formals BEFORE you reshoot the shots with the restrictive priest/minister.

Can't believe you couldn't use flash outside. When I get those instructions, I tell the officiant to remind the attendees no flash as well.

They may be getting married in the eyes of God, but I'm getting paid more than God's spokesman. I would lay it all on the officiant and let them deal with him.

[Mandy9498]

It was not the B&G, it was the person performing the ceremony, who laid out the rules. It is pretty common not to be allowed to use flash during ceremony and this is only the 2nd time, I was not allowed to get up close. I think, as long as you are not blocking anyones view (crouched down), photogs should be able to come up closer.

[Mandy9498]

Even if I could use flash, I wouldn't have been able to get close enough for it to do any good.

The most stressful part for me, is that I am doing 2 other co-workers of the bride, and I hope they do not think I am a bad photographer because of these pics.

[shannyD]

those arent that horrible.. i mean it would take a good bit of photoshop to help them out. But the sunspots are pretty noticeable.

i tool a look at your website, and you have some really great work.

just looked like some tough lighting there given the rules you had to follow.

but you do have some excellent work in your gallery.

[Fred Eric Norris]

They aren't really bad, would be easier to get an idea though if the pictures were a bit larger, they are hard to see on here. However the white balance does seem off on a few of them, in particular a few of the procession shots.

For future reference it would be a good idea to get these issues out on the table ahead of time and then come to a reasonable compromise between all parties. You are being hired and paid a great deal of money by this couple to capture their memories the best you can, therefore you owe it to them and yourself as a professional to make sure these types of issues don't keep you from getting the shots you need. Perhaps you are a laid back person, but from a business perspective the officiant must be reminded you are being paid to do a job as well and that he is interfering with your capability to provide the customer with a good product.

[viet]

Get longer lens, shoot real tight to avoid distraction, choose your background carefully.
Nothing else you can do, restage key moments if allowed.

[cchooks]

Mandy,
When you shoot in a church for the most part you are in a controlled environment. When you shoot outside, there is nothing controlled about it. I would say that your problem throughout this whole situation is experience.

When a bride comes to me, I show her what I have done in the past, then we discuss what her needs are. If the wedding is outside and I am not aware of the venue then I let them know being a professional, I bring a great deal of experience that the average person would not have and that in the end given the circumstances I will do the best I can. Telling her the potential problem frees you from having to offer what can only sound like excuses later on.

I just do not understand however, I have done probably 300 hundred outdoor weddings and I have never done one where the minister has final say. If we are in the church then it is pretty much their call as it is their church and they set the rules, but for the most part officiants are hired for a specific wedding outdoor and I have never ever heard of one having the final say on flash or no flash. If they did have that ability however, and you were not privy to that info prior to the event then I would make sure and approach the bride and let her know the problem and let her deal with the problem minister.

Finally, be sure and cover this in your contract. I have a clause that says that my coverage is subject to the restrictions set forth by the church or venue and that you are not liable for any problems arising from those restrictions.

[Mandy9498]

Yes, luckily my contract does cover me for such restrictions - and I was not made aware of the situation until I got to the island. The minister or whatever she was, was pumping (just had a baby), so I only got to talk to her minutes before the bride was doing a driveby in the boat and things just started. Maybe I am a little to easy going - and that could be because of lack of experience. I probably need to stick up more for myself in situations like this - because now I feel stuck.

I don't know if I should call them now to talk to them about it or wait until they see the pictures. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have never had a complaint about my pictures - so it almost makes me sick to my stomach that someone might be unsatisfied.

[cchooks]

There have been times when I just hated the stuff I shot for some reason or other. I, like most creative types, are very critical of my own work. During those times it has never failed that I show them the work, and they just love the shots. If you have not revealed your own feelings, then let them go with it. If they see disappointment of your own work on your face, then they will be disappointed. Mandy you did the best within your ability given the restrictions placed on you. Now take this experience and learn from it.

[Mandy9498]

Thanks CCHooks - definitely a learning experience! I think I will not say anything and see how things play out. Ugh...

[tim]

You have to use flash for outdoor weddings when there's a mix of sun and shade. I don't even ask if I can, no-one will notice when it's sunny.

You can fix these up a bit in Photoshop/ACR.

[PMCphotography]

i think the officiant has had a bad experience with amateur photogs taking a nonstop barrage of flash right in their face.

Like Tim said, I wouldn't have even asked.

[cchooks]

I agree, in a outdoor wedding the officiant is basically there to put topping on the cake so to speak and they SHOULD have no say. Hey Mandy, let us know what happened.

David

[Mandy9498]

I will definitely write a follow up post after they receive pictures. Trying to work some magic with photoshop, but I am not the best. Thank you for your replies:)

[Mrsjperry]

Think I'm going to become an ordained wedding officiant....that way I have the BEST VIEW to take pics.

[Mandy9498]

Well, they have been in possession of their photos for 2 weeks, have shared their on-line gallery with friends and family and I haven't heard anything yet. I am hoping that no news, is good news!

[Tim Snow]

I will second the sentiment of outlining on your contract that weddings are very unpredictable, you cannot be held responsible for things that are out of your control. It may also be helpful to share some of these photos with future couples planning an outdoor wedding, and explain to them the possible difficulties they may come across when choosing their location vise-a-vis their photographs. I look at it as an added value to my services, when I am hired by a couple, they not only get an amazing photographer (I think anyways...), but they also get the knowledge I have amassed through shooting countless weddings...not only about photography, but just general information many brides and grooms forget or don't even consider.

[Mandy9498]

Well I am feeling much better! Just heard from the bride and they like their photos. I am glad I didn't say anything. Thank you for the advise!!! It is funny, how we pick apart the photos so much, but to the B&G they are great.

Had a wedding on Sunday and had a different kind of disaster. Locked my keys in my vehicle. That was fun - not! Luckily AAA was there in 10 minutes, which was so awesome. Really saved my butt. The b&g thought it was funny.

Tim - I really like your idea about showing the pictures to future couples. Even though they are happy with pictures, I am not. I would like to avoid that issue again, whenever possible. You are right, a lot of people do not think of those kind of issues.

Thanks everyone!!!

[tim]

Tim - I really like your idea about showing the pictures to future couples. Even though they are happy with pictures, I am not. I would like to avoid that issue again, whenever possible. You are right, a lot of people do not think of those kind of issues.

I don't remember suggesting that, but it's a good idea, so I must've ;)

[jstep7262]

Generally I don't use flash during the ceremony, as it's often not allowed. Also, I stay back as to not get in anyone's way. PP in PS should be able to help some of those images a bit. A little bit of masking and tweaking and images where there is heavy areas of highlights and shadow should improve a bit.

[trancerem]

i see your problem differently.
you, as a photographer should know from the begining all the aspects of the particular wedding, what they want, what u can and can't do, and then decide to go for it.
from the moment u pick a job, it's your responsability. pay much attention before for lil details that might ruin your photos.

[sctbiggs]

It was not the B&G, it was the person performing the ceremony, who laid out the rules. It is pretty common not to be allowed to use flash during ceremony and this is only the 2nd time, I was not allowed to get up close. I think, as long as you are not blocking anyones view (crouched down), photogs should be able to come up closer.

i see this thread is a couple months old but i will say something here anyway.

I've never shot a wedding up close between the guest and B/G. We use a zoom from further back for shots that you are trying to achieve. We do get up close but only from the sides and behind. We do our best to avoid being in the guest way. Also, I don't want my picture taken so I avoid being exposed like the plague.