Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Creating wedding portraits which leave people awestruck is not blind luck. The portrait work Robert undertakes throughout London is performed according to a mixture of innate feel, an eye for detail, and a wealth of knowledge on producing quality prints over and over again. This article will look at a some of the aspects of portraiture which play a part in creating a portfolio to amaze and astound. Of course every wedding photographer has their own methods, their own unique style, and as with any art form, the science behind the art can only be applied into a fully realised work of art by someone with the vision, the flair, and a natural ability for the art.1. Preparation.
You need to know what type of wedding portraits you want to achieve. The finished images maybe the most beautiful you've seen, but if they are all head shots and you would have preferred more of the body on show, then you have missed the point. As with most things in life, preparation is key. Fail to prepare ... prepare to fail.
2. Bear in mind the subject.
A mis-match between the setting and the subject can cause problems with the finished look. Backgrounds and props should be chosen according to those which suit the person in the portrait.
3. Lighting.
Searching for help or tips in taking good quality wedding portraits will no doubt provide a wealth of information on lighting, and how important it is to the finished product. And this is no coincidence. A change in lighting can change the entire expression of a person, or cause the portrait to emphasise the wrong features, and can often render the subject unrecognisable! There are various methods of lighting, including different variants in the number of lights used.
4. Equipment.
Achieving the best wedding portraits is only possible with the right equipment. This doesn't just apply to the camera you use. Tripods, light deflection and umbrellas, as well as the various light forms, as mentioned above, all play their part.
5. Setting/Background.
Placing the subject against the right background is critical to the success of any portrait. Whether this be the correct colour choice, adding props or including a backdrop. Great care should be taken when making this decision.
6. Pose.
There are various essays and techniques on the subject of pose, but it is so important in creating the desired image. A good wedding photographer needs good communication skills (as well as patience) in manipulating the subject to the right positions.
7. Mood.
Creating the right mood for the picture is of paramount importance to producing beautiful wedding portraits. Not all portrait sessions will be about reflecting beauty, but with wedding portraiture setting a relaxed mood will be best in order to create natural and charming photographs.
The tips presented here are really just the tip of the iceberg, but they provide an idea of all the elements a wedding photographer in London must be aware of, and account for within the short space of time they are given for each session. You can see examples of Robert's wedding portraits London via the portfolio pages on the web site. If you have any questions at all about the service on offer, then please don't hesitate to contact Robert.
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