Originally posted by axl I know what you're saying...
I didn't mean to be disrecpetfull or anything, all I was saying that those shots were not to my taste. But then probably many wouldn't like my stuff. That's the way it goes....
Well, technically speaking, I agree with you that those images were a step below perfection. But since the photog has not asked for our opinion and his clients were probably ecstatic with the results its hard to really fault the guy. He's out there doin' his thing and making people happy and what more could we really ask for eh?
I have been blown away by VERY FEW wedding photogs (and NO I don't think i'm better than anyone else). The problem can be seen in some of Benjiman's recent posts. He described how he will take 1000's of images to get a dozen or so keepers. Keep in mind:
1. he is better than most of us
2. he is working in a controlled environment with no sun, cloud or rain to contend with
3. he is working with professional models who know how to look good for the camera
4. he only needs to produce a dozen perfect images in a full day of shooting (not the 100-200 a bride and groom will request from 2-4 hours of shooting).
5. each of his keepers may be subject to several hours of post processing, which is not possible with the volume of images required for weddings.
Like I said - I've seen a couple of photogs that can produce several hundred exceptional image (CONSISTENTLY IN ALL CONDITIONS) but for the most part there can be something found lacking from almost every wedding picture I've ever seen. Its just a fact of life.... Too much flash... too little flash... bride looks unhappy... bride looks "uncomfortable"... crop looks awkward (often due to someone being in the way).
A wedding is nothing more than a series of fleeting moments that will never be repeated. A wedding photog needs to capture those moments within the limits of his equipment, his own skill set and his environment. This invariably requires compromise at some stage. An exceptional photog will make those compromises invisible to all by the most discerning eye. This level of proficiency is something that I am happy to pursue with the knowledge that I will never actually get there