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Elegant Wedding Photography: Photojouralistic, Contemporary, Digital, Techniques And Contracts
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Published: December 18, 2006
Wedding photography is one of the oldest photographic processes to date. It started in the 1840s, not long after the invention of photography by Joseph Nicephore Niepce.
Wedding photography was much different back then. For example, the wedding ceremony often was not portrayed because taking a photograph was such a laborious process. The images were created on glass negatives and it took long periods of time —from several minutes to several hours—to capture, develop and process the image. Usually, the couple would sit down to a wedding portrait either before or after the ceremony.
Wedding photography, however, became incredibly popular during World War II. Wives wanted pictures of happy moments with their husbands before the soldier husband went off to war. Thankfully by the early 20th century, photography had evolved to include paper negatives and prints, as well as shorter developing and processing times. In fact, the same romantic process of getting married before a soldier goes to war is still in practice to this day.
As wedding photography gained footing, many couples sought to take their ceremonies out of the studio and into the world. Burgeoning photographic techniques allowed for this newfound freedom. While this was a boon to clients, it sometimes was difficult for photographers to carry their studio equipment, which included cameras, film and lighting.
Contemporary wedding photography encompasses a variety of techniques and practices. Professional wedding photographers currently allow their clients to choose the look and feel of their wedding portfolio; this can include traditional wedding photography as well as photojournalism wedding photography.
Traditional wedding photography mirrors historically renowned techniques, whereby couples are photographed in prearranged poses. While these shots tend to be elegant, they may come off looking posed and stiff. As North Carolina photographer Joseph Kohn puts it, "the photographer becomes a wedding official, directing the wedding party and guests."
Wedding photojournalism, or wedding photography with a photojournalistic quality, allows for candid shots. It is meant to capture the hidden moments, ranging from adorably heartfelt to downright embarrassing. In the case of wedding photojournalism, the photographer acts as a fly on the wall; he or she acts as an invisible agent, silently capturing the most memorable moments of the ceremony and reception.
The advancement of digital photography has been a boon to the business of wedding photography. Professional photographers benefit because there is little to no reliance on or cost of film and chemicals. Clients benefit because they receive the wedding photography results much more quickly.
Couples also have the option of designing their own wedding albums with use of digital editing software. Using products like Adobe Photoshop lets clients pick what images they want to display, allowing them to get creative with process as well. Wedding couples can choose to show only the most elegant images or the silliest ones and they can keep all of the images where an aunt tried to do the Chicken Dance.
Signing the contract is the most important of any contemporary wedding photography service. While the nature of these contracts vary depending on the photographer chosen, they most likely include detailed information about the photographer's obligations to carry out a shoot and the client's obligation to pay the photographer for services rendered. Under the event of unforeseen circumstances preventing the photographer from doing what he or she initially is paid to do, all funds should be returned. However, potential clients need to be aware that once they sign on the dotted line, they are as obligated to their duties as is the photographer.
Sources:
"Brief History of Wedding Photography." IQPhoto.com. 15 December 2006. http://www.iqphoto.com/
Kohn, Joseph. "Wedding Photography in San Fransisco Bay Area by Joseph Kohn." IQPhoto.com. 15 December 2006. http://www.iqphoto.com/
"Photography." 13 December 2006. Wikipedia. 15 December 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/photography/
Wedding photography was much different back then. For example, the wedding ceremony often was not portrayed because taking a photograph was such a laborious process. The images were created on glass negatives and it took long periods of time —from several minutes to several hours—to capture, develop and process the image. Usually, the couple would sit down to a wedding portrait either before or after the ceremony.
Wedding photography, however, became incredibly popular during World War II. Wives wanted pictures of happy moments with their husbands before the soldier husband went off to war. Thankfully by the early 20th century, photography had evolved to include paper negatives and prints, as well as shorter developing and processing times. In fact, the same romantic process of getting married before a soldier goes to war is still in practice to this day.
As wedding photography gained footing, many couples sought to take their ceremonies out of the studio and into the world. Burgeoning photographic techniques allowed for this newfound freedom. While this was a boon to clients, it sometimes was difficult for photographers to carry their studio equipment, which included cameras, film and lighting.
Contemporary wedding photography encompasses a variety of techniques and practices. Professional wedding photographers currently allow their clients to choose the look and feel of their wedding portfolio; this can include traditional wedding photography as well as photojournalism wedding photography.
Traditional wedding photography mirrors historically renowned techniques, whereby couples are photographed in prearranged poses. While these shots tend to be elegant, they may come off looking posed and stiff. As North Carolina photographer Joseph Kohn puts it, "the photographer becomes a wedding official, directing the wedding party and guests."
Wedding photojournalism, or wedding photography with a photojournalistic quality, allows for candid shots. It is meant to capture the hidden moments, ranging from adorably heartfelt to downright embarrassing. In the case of wedding photojournalism, the photographer acts as a fly on the wall; he or she acts as an invisible agent, silently capturing the most memorable moments of the ceremony and reception.
The advancement of digital photography has been a boon to the business of wedding photography. Professional photographers benefit because there is little to no reliance on or cost of film and chemicals. Clients benefit because they receive the wedding photography results much more quickly.
Couples also have the option of designing their own wedding albums with use of digital editing software. Using products like Adobe Photoshop lets clients pick what images they want to display, allowing them to get creative with process as well. Wedding couples can choose to show only the most elegant images or the silliest ones and they can keep all of the images where an aunt tried to do the Chicken Dance.
Signing the contract is the most important of any contemporary wedding photography service. While the nature of these contracts vary depending on the photographer chosen, they most likely include detailed information about the photographer's obligations to carry out a shoot and the client's obligation to pay the photographer for services rendered. Under the event of unforeseen circumstances preventing the photographer from doing what he or she initially is paid to do, all funds should be returned. However, potential clients need to be aware that once they sign on the dotted line, they are as obligated to their duties as is the photographer.
Sources:
"Brief History of Wedding Photography." IQPhoto.com. 15 December 2006. http://www.iqphoto.com/
Kohn, Joseph. "Wedding Photography in San Fransisco Bay Area by Joseph Kohn." IQPhoto.com. 15 December 2006. http://www.iqphoto.com/
"Photography." 13 December 2006. Wikipedia. 15 December 2006. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/photography/
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