Exercise 14: An Organised Event

I had a ready made project for this exercise. We had been invited to the wedding of our good friends' daughter who we also know very well. In fact our children grew up together. I was also asked if I would take the informal photographs at the wedding and especially the reception so this was a tailor-made organised event. I spent quite some time thinking about the project and what I wanted out of it as well as producing a set of photographs that the family would be happy with. I decided that I would like some pictures of the dress and young couple before the event and also some pictures of the preparations at home where the reception was to be held. I also wanted pitures at the wedding, although I would have to work round the 'official photographer', a role I had declined as I wanted to be able to relax at the wedding and at the reception in our friends' garden. Fingers were crossed for good weather and August 22nd didn't disappoint!! I have included here a selection of the images that tell the story of the wedding and, although many are of people unaware some are more infromal portraits but I have also included these in order to tell the complete story.

For these first two photographs I wanted images of Nikki with her wedding dress. Space was rather limited so we decided to take the first one through the door. I was pleased with her reflection in the full length mirror.

I decided to take some pictures of the busy preparations and Nikki's family the one here of her brother.

I was pleased with these two photos of the bride and groom to be and of mum and dad below.

At the church I tried not to attampt too many pictures as I was both working around the photographer and also wanted to enjoy the wedding myself. In the picture below right is Beth, the groom's sister and bridesmaid who was asked to sing during part of the service.

I was able to take photographs of the signing of the register from where I was sitting in the church and I have chosen these two. I like the first one as I have caught a moment when David and Nikki are sharing a joke with David's mother. I like the second one of Nikki and David signing the register. I have caught them both looking happy and Nikki is looking up at the photographer. In some ways I think that an informal photographer can get some shots that the official one is unable to do.

I then took some pictures outside the church. I like the first one of the groom as I have caught him in a contemplative moment - planning his speech perhaps. I took the pictures of the guests on a zoom setting so I could catch them unaware.

I quite like the confetti picure despite hands and arms in the way as it conveys the excited spontenaity of it, I also like the fact that I have caught the official photographer.

Most of the pictures of the guests below were taken with a long lens to isolate individuals and keep well back but some such as the whole group ones were taken at a much wider angle to take in the whole scene.

I took the picture of Nigel, the bride's father opening the champagne at 17mm on my 17-85 lens as I wanted to move in really close so that viewer really feels part of the scene.

Here the bride's father makes his speech while the catering ladies look on.

The groom makes his speech with his father keeping a watchful eye.

I tokk the picture of the first dance below at 17mm in order to be right in there. Nikki and David were too engrossed to notice me.

I experimented with some wide angle shots and also went for some 'fun' framing.

Although the last two pictures of the presents and favours for the guests are not people pictures I felt that they completed the story.

Exercise 13: A Standard View.

For these photographs I used a 17-85 lens set at around 25mm on a Canon 50D