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2008 Photography Trends
Over the next few months as you start to look at photographers for your upcoming big day you will start to notice a few new trends in photography. A lot of the influence comes from some a few notable West Coast photographers, as well as improvements in both computers and software which allow for some amazing post processing techniques. So weather you like traditional or modern photography, desire a classic or photojournalistic approach, these trend are here to stay, well at least until the next big thing comes around.
Image Enhancement
Photoshop, the word itself has almost become a verb instead of a noun. The first thing that comes to mind is, how are my images going to be altered. Most photographers for the last few years have been doing simple colour correction to the images in their post processing. Lately though, because of new technology, the post processing has taken on a whole new approach. Vignettes, burning & dodging, saturation boost, are all popular trends in the world of wedding photography. If you want a more modern look to your images this is something that you should pay close attention to when choosing your photographer. Do they have the ability to take your image from ordinary to extraordinary? This style of image for the last while has been considered to be an extra or add on to your basic package. The ability to produce this style of image with minimal effort has allowed photographers to apply it to most of there work, setting them apart from the crowd. Keep this in mind when talking with potential shooters, if this is the style you are looking for than make sure they will be able to produce it for you.
Albums
Where to start, there are so many options these days. Long gone are the days of putting together proof albums. Most brides these days are looking to get a story book album put together by the photographer as there final product. Photographers have many options when it comes to producing these, from basic coffee table style books to high end albums produced in Italy. The two keys to look for in choosing your album are the price and build quality. How long will the images last, will the fade as time goes on, or will they keep they colour´s when your grandchildren open them up in 50 years. The album build is also important, is it leather or linen, stitch bound or book bound, all things you need to ask when talking to your photographer.
Shooting Style
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Photojournalistic or "PJ" style has been the big catch phrase over the last little while. Most couples will find themselves looking for a photographer that shoots PJ style, but just remember, there is more to your wedding than just capturing candids from a far. Freestyle photography will become the new catch phrase for 2008. A freestyle photographer will be able to shoot both classic & photojournalistic styles, providing you with a broad range of images from the day. As nice as it is to capture the intimate moments from afar, it is equally as important that the photographer knows how to properly pose and light formal group shots of the family and bridal party.
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Digital Negatives
This is such a hot topic with couples & photographers these days. I don´t think that I have had a couple approach me that did not ask if they received digital copies of their images. Most couples want them so they can post images of there day on facebook or myspace, some want them to be able to print there own copies later on. Most photographers these days do offer digital files to there clients, however, the may not be high resolution files and may also be watermarked. Make sure you ask your photographer about the size & quality of images they will be providing you with.
Second Shooter
Be careful with this one, an assistant is not a second shooter. Most photographers will bring an assistant to help them with setup and hauling gear. This is not a second shooter. A second shooter is someone who will be dedicated to taking pictures for the majority of the day, sure they may lend a hand on setting up lights & such (more to come on that), but they should have a camera in there hand for the better part of the day. Having a second shooter not only provides more images from the day, but can also provide you with two distinct styles of photographers.
Some Other Stuff You May Want To Know
As mentioned in the previous section about second shooters, lighting is a big thing these days. While most photographers still find themselves using a single flash on top of there camera, there are a few that have started to use "off camera" lighting. This can be achieved by using portable strobe or wireless flashes coupled with remotes. I personally bring 3 speed lights along with the proper remotes to all my weddings. The remotes allow me to place my lights up to 1500ft away, not that I would ever need to be that far. It gives the photographer the ability to create one off images right in the camera. Getting back to those remotes I just mentioned, unfortunately I will have to do some product placement here, but I love my pocket wizards. These tiny little remotes can not only control my lights, but they can also control my camera´s. Recently I mounted a camera on the dash inside a 2006 corvette that the bride and groom used as there getaway car. We ended up getting some amazing images from an angle that would not be possible using a hand held camera. Remote cameras also work great when the bride & groom are leaving he church, I have on a few occasions been able to access the steeple and mount a camera looking straight down at the entrance and capturing the couple as they leave the church. The possibilities are only limited to my imagination.
On that note, I wish every couple who is tying the knot in 2008
all the best... Rick Denham
Above Article courtesy of:
©Copyright March 31, 2008.
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