second time as a second shooter...much better experience!

lilmomma · July 6, 2009

wedding was just yesterday, I got to work with the same main photographer. He is a really nice guy, and really good at what he does. the place was awesome... Way better experience than the first time.

I was so excited about them that I quick processed a handful of my favorites, literally like 45 min worth. I know I need to wait to go through them and I'll probably end up redoing some but here's a few and a link to the gallery for the rest.

I have over 600 to go through and honestly there aren't too many that I need to send to the trash! I will repost the link to all when I get a chance to really go through them.

Another thing I learned this time is you almost have to work quicker as a second because not only are you trying to get the shot, you have to do it without being in the way of the main. Puts a little bit of a positioning constraint... When the main is posing and doing his thing, working around that and trying to get the exposure and focus right at the same time is tough. I tried pretty hard to be as fast as I could and there are a some shots I missed because I wasn't as quick. So some are off a little but overall i'm thrilled! I couldn't decide which ones to post so the link to the rest that I quick processed is here: http://mkayser.smugmug.com/gallery/8813357_CLyej/1/583674373_4KLwY

1.

2.

3.Waiting for the elevator

4.last minute details before the ceremony

5.I blew out the dress in this, but I still really like it!

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Qarik · July 6, 2009

wow..these are soooo much better then the 1st wedding. like night and day. The composition and post are great. I like the desaturated look in some. Nice work.:ivar

mmmatt · July 7, 2009

Good stuff! vast improvement. Maybe a few less nerves and a little more studying? I like 3 and 8 the best, and don't worry about blowing the dress on that window light shot. IMO it doesn't affect the quality of the shot, but others would toss that sucker...

Matt

ctcks · July 7, 2009

Good Job! You had great courage and you were considerate to not get in the way of the main photographer. You worked quickly yet got such good results--that shows your skills are truly increasing. Way to go!

Scott_Quier · July 7, 2009

These are all very good!!!

- not a bad one in the lot (haven't looked at the gallery yet though so there's still hope!

). You can be quite proud of this series!!!

EDIT: Just went and looked at the gallery - Gotta say these are wonderful! Very, very nice job indeed!

lilmomma · July 7, 2009

Qarik- Thank you!! A lot of these I actually thought about the composition before I shot, but had to act really quick because I was working around everyone else. I'm very excited about these this time!

mmmatt- thanks! nerve level was about the same, partially because after the first wedding he asked me to work with him again and paid me this time. So different type nerves were there, ones that were under pressure. maybe that had something to do with it, I do work better under pressure. And of course remembering mistakes from the first one!

ctcks- thank you for the comments!

scott-

(that's all I have to say about that!) thanks!

So I do have another question though... When it comes to processing, how many different styles are acceptable to use? I don't like to overdo it but there are a few styles that i've used on these that I really like but I don't want to be redundant. And I suppose I need to leave some regular-just touch up a little. Anyway I'm not sure really about how that part works.

Qarik · July 7, 2009

I have had thoughts about the number of different processing styles in a set. In the last 300+ wedding set.. I had 4 different styles:

1) BW
2) standard (close to what the eye saw that day)
3) softer focus, slightl destaturated with bluish cast
4) slighly over staturated with greenish cast

I wanted to just stay with BW and standard but honestly I was getting bored with it towards the end of my processing so I threw in 3) and 4). My only advice would be to keep the process styles in bunches where the lighiting/subject/themse are similar. For example I did the getting ready shot in BW, the dancing shots another style, bridal party shots another way. I would avoid doing onesy or twosies in a certain style as that can hurt the the cohesiveness/continuity of the set. One thing I don;'t like seeing is when you open up a wedding set and you see 4 different random styles on the 1st page.

divamum · July 7, 2009

Love 9 and 10 - very sweet shots!

jeffreaux2 · July 8, 2009

lilmomma wrote:

say about that!) thanks!

So I do have another question though... When it comes to processing, how many different styles are acceptable to use? I don't like to overdo it but there are a few styles that i've used on these that I really like but I don't want to be redundant. And I suppose I need to leave some regular-just touch up a little. Anyway I'm not sure really about how that part works.

First off, I think you did a great job. Congrats!!!

As for the processing decision...

Well executed photographs in either black and white or well managed color are always winners. My approach has evolved into this....

I usually do the bride getting ready, and other pre-ceremony shots in Black and white...or some variant of a monotone....and do a handfull of her fully dressed pre ceremony in color. Leading into and through the ceremony I do mostly color, but convert a select few to monotone as well. Then back to all BW until the couple enter the reception. Then I do all color with (again) a select few done in monotone. I didnt consciously decide to do things this way but notice that it wound up that way often enough that I have adopted it.

I personally dont go for the soft focus actions or plug-ins or the desat look in wedding photos, but we each have our own tastes and style....so do what you do in that regard.

In any event....I would try to keep the general appearance of the photographs to no more than three types of processing. Black and white, color, and than maybe something a little edgier if you like......but definately no more than that. In the end the photographs...as a set...should be about the event and NOT about processing or photoshop tricks.

Thats just my $.02 on the matter......:D

lilmomma · July 8, 2009

thanks diva!

thanks for the tips guys!

Ok so I figured as much, that I don't want to throw a bunch into the mix. I really don't like to overdo processing. I had thought about the getting ready/detail shots as all b+w but wasn't sure if that would be overdoing it. So for my color ones, I'm thinking about the style I used in number 7 and these:

or is that overdone/off color? The place was so colorful and I like how it's brought out in that style. And I like the b+w used in this:

but I also really like this, because the dress was actually a champagne color.

so maybe like 2 above styles in getting ready, then b+w, color (above) and another fun style in other shots? or too much? what do you think?

I am probably overthinking it but I don't want them to end up looking cheesy!

second time as a second shooter...much better experience!

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