Wandering Eye Fix

I've grown tired of fixing wandering eyes in photos, so during the formal portraits today I requested that all the guests that were watching put their cameras away until we were done. (With the brides permission)

Worked great, a few still took them (Not to point fingers but Grandfathers never listen

Plus we had a good conversation going about it with lots of jokes which kept the photo subjects laughing.

Yesterday I wouldn't even let people stand behind me, I moved them all clear. If you can manage that it's even more succesfull.

Given our proximity to the smoking area today I think we would have had a riot if we tried to move everyone away. But I will try that next time.

Take a water pistol.

isophotostudio wrote in post #11070470
a few still took them (Not to point fingers but Grandfathers never listen.

That's why I stopped doing this; you'll never stop them all. I'm just real demonstrative about it and I find I do a better job just commanding their attention instead of making the distractions go away (since the never do).

Oh the joys of wedding photography. I have found that being stern about what I need people to do is what works best. As mentioned, there is no way that you can get everyone to focus on one camera at all times but with a little confidence and direction, you can do your best to make it work.

scrapbooking paper

Depending on the situation I usually will just let them shoot first, just say everyone look at so and so. Once they get the picture they wanted I just politely ask them if they can step over to the side and direct the group to look back at me. The times where I've needed to do it, it's worked out fine.

It's an exercise in futility. Almost everyone has a camera in one way shape or form. You'll also have the various GWC types there as well. I'll yell out "look at my camera" while waving my hand but I won't go beyond that.

put a flash with an optical trigger facing those n00bs, for you, use proprietary trigger. Just kidding. I don't ask people to put their cameras away, but rather ask them to let me shoot first with a promise to let them shoot when time allows. If it's too hectic, I just clear the whole area, they can shoot 2 miles behind me if they want.

i just tell everyone that i shoot first, and ill give them a chance when im done. then i watch everyones faces to see whos not looking at me!!

howzitboy wrote in post #11075953
i just tell everyone that i shoot first, and ill give them a chance when im done. then i watch everyones faces to see whos not looking at me!!

This is how I was planning to do it, but people always take such a long time with taking a picture. Its like they are writing a letter to the president rather than pushing a simple button. The faster I get the formals done, the more time I have with the couple. I just try to be loud enough to have them all look at me, take a few snaps and be done with it. Some people just dont get it, and even if there aren't cameras around they still cant look at you.

Agreed with above, time is at a premium and I have rarely had the time to do as many photos as I would like. And although I'm getting better at being louder I have a long way to go before my voice is the one heard above all the others.

I don't do the "let me shoot then you shoot crap". It takes up too much time and most group/formal shots are rushed to begin with. I start off each time stating loudly and clearly (and the only time I get stern during a wedding) that I do not care who's girlfriend or uncle is taking photos around me, that they need to look at my camera and only mine or else they are ruining everything for the bride and groom. If I was the one having my photo taken I would probably pay attention to the photographer after being told that.

I don't loose sleep over it if some one looks another way, they were warned. But thats just my view on it

JoeyBowman wrote in post #11079177
I don't do the "let me shoot then you shoot crap". It takes up too much time and most group/formal shots are rushed to begin with. I start off each time stating loudly and clearly (and the only time I get stern during a wedding) that I do not care who's girlfriend or uncle is taking photos around me, that they need to look at my camera and only mine or else they are ruining everything for the bride and groom. If I was the one having my photo taken I would probably pay attention to the photographer after being told that.

I don't loose sleep over it if some one looks another way, they were warned. But thats just my view on it

i like this advice actually!

tim wrote in post #11071000
Yesterday I wouldn't even let people stand behind me, I moved them all clear. If you can manage that it's even more succesfull.

I had this issue at my last wedding. I had to move everyone out until I was done. Several of the guests were from out of town (Hawaii and Virginia) and were snapping away with their P&S. I asked them all to leave until they were needed for their portion of the photos. I only ruffled one set of feathers, but I don't really care. I'm not there for them. That was my first real issue with wandering eyes, though.