jefferies1 wrote:
The bottom line is the more cameras around and in sight of the subject being photographer the more they look away and a great shot turns into a missed or average shot. "Uncle Bobs" also prevent the spontanious moments that make a good album when the bride or couple are alone and relaxed or just interacting. I never worry the quality of my images as they are well lit, well cropped and of print quality. It is the other factors I have no control over that take album images from just being well shot to full of feeling and emotion. More cameras around, mean less natural the interaction between the couple, less chances for good shots.I start working on this when doing the engagement and bridal shoot way before the wedding so they are used to my style on the wedding day.The weddings with big cameras all over the place never have as many "emotion" shots due to the distraction. In the end the client is the one hurt, not the photographer. Uncle Bob may get one good emotion shot while I would have got a dozen without the couple being distracted. As a professional I will always get my shots with or without Uncle Bobs using a pro camera or a P-S. It is just a lot easier to do the job I am paid for with less of them around. If you want wedding practice shots go volunteer as an assistant for someone in town.
I would NEVER bring my camera when invited to a wedding. ...Show more →
i guess thats the difference...i do not want wedding practice shots, i want them for my own personal collection.
I agree with Maurice Ramirez' assessment, though jefferies1 also has a good point. I find that the sheer number of cameras being used at weddings makes it impossible to get certain types of broad view, atmosphere shots that really used to be a nice part of the wedding keepsake.
However, you are so aware of the situation that I can't believe you would cause any problems. You certainly won't be clicking, buzzing, and flashing indiscriminately, which describes 30-40% of the guests at some weddings. I've been in a bride's "getting ready room" doing pre-ceremony photos with four bridesmaids and three or four other friends and family members - there have been as many as five cameras being used in there along with mine! It gets to be a bit much.
Bottom line is I think you'll be fine and the pro won't mind what you do. Good luck and enjoy the wedding!
Chuck, I'll go to the wedding as well with my 500L on the 1DII, throw on the 580EX with a better beamer and ever time I take a shot I'll loudly announce "Ohhhh yea, that's a keeper.". No one will even notice you are there
Actually I usually just carry my 5D 35L as a point and shoot, it's really not a large set up and as you already know it's quite versatile.
formula4speed wrote:
Chuck, I'll go to the wedding as well with my 500L on the 1DII, throw on the 580EX with a better beamer and ever time I take a shot I'll loudly announce "Ohhhh yea, that's a keeper.". No one will even notice you are there
Actually I usually just carry my 5D 35L as a point and shoot, it's really not a large set up and as you already know it's quite versatile.
dude I laughed out loud.
I thought of that combo but I really wanted to shoot some film and I only have 35mm on the leica. Maybe I can borrow your 500! And I prefer to yell "I f ing nailed that shot"
jefferies1 wrote:
The bottom line is the more cameras around and in sight of the subject being photographer the more they look away and a great shot turns into a missed or average shot. "Uncle Bobs" also prevent the spontanious moments that make a good album when the bride or couple are alone and relaxed or just interacting. I never worry the quality of my images as they are well lit, well cropped and of print quality. It is the other factors I have no control over that take album images from just being well shot to full of feeling and emotion. More cameras around, mean less natural the interaction between the couple, less chances for good shots.I start working on this when doing the engagement and bridal shoot way before the wedding so they are used to my style on the wedding day.The weddings with big cameras all over the place never have as many "emotion" shots due to the distraction. In the end the client is the one hurt, not the photographer. Uncle Bob may get one good emotion shot while I would have got a dozen without the couple being distracted. As a professional I will always get my shots with or without Uncle Bobs using a pro camera or a P-S. It is just a lot easier to do the job I am paid for with less of them around. If you want wedding practice shots go volunteer as an assistant for someone in town.
I would NEVER bring my camera when invited to a wedding. ...Show more →
Excellent points.......BIG PLUS on the intimacy issues......i have had people in the background behind me yelling out stuff as I'm tyring to get the couple to be intimate, romantic........but they couldn't due to the guests yelling stuff.............
"Oh baby, yeah, that's it, kiss her"..."
Whistling, whooping......you name it.................how can a just married couple feel comfortable with each other when crap like that is going on around them.......it's just impossible to capture special shots......when all the uncle bobs and aunt janes are causing a ruckus in the background.
So it's not merely an issue of taking photos, it involves distractions.
I've spent the last few days visiting my Daughter and family to celebrate my Grandson's 14th birthday. Last evening I was showing her around the 'Uncle Bob' thread and we had some laughs.
This morning she asked about it again. In my family and extended family I'm known as the photographer and have the biggest one around, a D100 w' grip and a SB800. When I show up at a family function I automatically get promoted from participant to official photographer. It just happens.
I told my daughter I'd introduce myself to the Pro, explain to him/her that I'm Uncle George not Uncle Bob. That's my brother. I'd let the Pro know that I was going to shoot for myself and would stay out of the way. That I would put my gear down if it got into that 'eyes' thing that each and everyone of us hates.
The Pro's getting paid to produce and doesn't need me or anyone else screwing up their job.
It would be a balance though, Uncle George or just another Uncle Bob.
Wow, i'm really surprised at how many uncle bob's there are out there......that belong to this forum........there's a post nearly every day regarding this..........
I remember one wedding where the wedding coordinator took the couple in a golf cart to the lake area and I was following them.....as we were leaving uncle bob had the nerve to actually want to hitch a ride with me ...........it was funny watching him standing there as we sped away.........
well, i wasnt going to address this one because no matter what I write, it will come off as me being ultra defensive, but since it got a +10,000, why not.
it is such a silly statement on so many levels. it would be like me saying to you, 'chocolate ice cream is yucky, you should have vanilla...i dont know, just an idea'.
by writing your statement you assume that I have 'fun' the same way that you do. i can assure you that I am very different than you in many ways, thus, I am going to bring my camera AND have fun. i know it sounds CRAZY, but thats one of the many ways *I* have fun.
Ok, this is one thing i've always wanted to ask the unpaid wedding shooters.
What exactly do you do with the photos and what exactly do you do for the bride and groom ?
Fully edit and make a flush mount album ? Give them a fully edited disc ? Print cheap 4x6 proofs for them ? Or give them selective images on media ? Is it a gift in lieu of a real gift ?
my intentions are to capture images for my own personal record, the way that I see their wedding. the photos that i take will most likely get printed to 4x6 and put in one of the photo boxes that I have going.
if i shoot something that is of quality (and I am not delusional about my abilities) that is unique or of something that the pro probably didnt get (after all, i know the style of the people in the wedding WAYY better than the photog), then I will probably get an 8x10 mounted, matted, and framed for them (I use WHCC for prints). i will especially do this if i get a good film shot...my lab does excellent hand processing of enlargements (including all dodging and burning where necessary).
and none of this will be a substitute for my gift to them (this couple will get $400).
I see.......but you are more than some uncle bob.......you do photography in other areas..........so you can do that for the couple. You appear to be the exception.
I once asked an uncle bob what he was going to do with his photos........he stated, and i quote " Uh, gee, i don't really know"..........."but it's fun"............
canerino wrote:
by writing your statement you assume that I have 'fun' the same way that you do. i can assure you that I am very different than you in many ways, thus, I am going to bring my camera AND have fun. i know it sounds CRAZY, but thats one of the many ways *I* have fun.
+1
I bring my camera to parties because I enjoy photography! And that includes weddings.
I give from the registry, and I post some edited photos on flickr. If there's one I particularly like, I print it and give it to the couple too.
well, i wasnt going to address this one because no matter what I write, it will come off as me being ultra defensive, but since it got a +10,000, why not.
it is such a silly statement on so many levels. it would be like me saying to you, 'chocolate ice cream is yucky, you should have vanilla...i dont know, just an idea'.
by writing your statement you assume that I have 'fun' the same way that you do. i can assure you that I am very different than you in many ways, thus, I am going to bring my camera AND have fun. i know it sounds CRAZY, but thats one of the many ways *I* have fun....Show more →
Don't sweat it canerino, just go and have fun....YOUR way!
I might be an "uncle Bob" at a weeding in NEw York on Augsut 9th at St PAtricks Cathedral. I don't plan on being in the way of the photographer but would like to take nice pics on the wedding.
