October, November and December of the lunar calendar are the peak seasons for marriage. Beginners can learn about engagement and wedding photography before the end of the year, or have a basic concept, so that they can make full use of other people's wedding days to hone their skills.
◆ Before moving the "machine"
A competent photographer must have careful planning and preparation before leaving home, such as what kind of photos he needs to take and what may happen, which must be conceived and planned in advance. Secondly, it is the preparation of equipment.
First, the camera: usually ordinary photographers mainly use 35 mm cameras, which are also relatively mobile. Unless shooting on location is enlarged, there should be no need for a large camera of 120.
Second, the lens: a zoom lens of 50 cm to 24 cm is enough, and there are few opportunities for long lenses. When shooting a wedding location, you can use any lens, depending on how you use it flexibly.
Third, flashlights and dry batteries: there are many types and brands of flashlights, but in principle, fast-return flashlights and brightness segmented flashlights are better. It is best to prepare several sets of dry batteries in case there is no electricity in the middle of the ceremony and you miss the shooting.
4. negative film: prepare ASA 100 degree and ASA 400 degree sensitivity negative film. As for how many rolls to bring, it depends on how many rolls each person has to bring, but it is best to bring more rolls.
5. Color filter: such as soft focus lens, moving image lens, polygon mirror, unilateral polygon mirror, etc. However, only the soft-focus lens is used more, and others just show some special effects, which will be used when shooting on location.
◆ When signing the "contract" and moving the "machine"
Generally speaking, engagement is like signing a contract, which is a "procedure" before marriage. Rituals such as bride price and wearing rings are inevitable, so the scenes of these important events must not be missed. Most of these ceremonies are held in the woman's home. As soon as the representative hired by the man arrives, it is time for us to start the "machine".
When the man comes to the woman's house, the matchmaker or elder will hold the bride-to-be and invite the representatives of the man's relatives and friends with sweet tea. At this time, because of the high speed, if the flashlight returns slowly, the ceremony may have been completed before the first photo was taken. In this case, it is suggested to use segmented flash, broadcast under116 light or 1/4 light, use ASA 400 degrees for negative film, and choose F3.5, F4 and F5.6 for viewing distance, so as not to miss any shots. Similarly, the bride collects tea cups and the man presses red envelopes, which is also taken in this way.
Then, parents receive engagement money, and both men and women wear engagement rings. In this ceremony, we can ask the parties to stand, while the photographer tries to find a simple background or a clear background of the environment. After these photos are taken, you can also invite the brothers and sisters, relatives, colleagues, friends or parents of the bride-to-be to take photos with the groom-to-be and the bride-to-be. You can even ask the hero and heroine to take pictures with the calendar as the background. First, the picture is simple. Second, if you forget the engagement date in the future, just take out the photos and have a look. If you take all these pictures, then the "starting task" on the engagement day can be said to be "completed".
On the wedding day, both the bride's house and the groom's house must be full of busy, lively and happy atmosphere. This day is also the busiest time for photographers. Usually, according to the custom of this province, the man's representative must go to the woman's house to marry the bride, starting at the woman's house and ending at the wedding reception in the evening. In this process, it may include shooting outdoor scenes in suburbs, parks and other places. Most of the wedding photos in the studio are taken by modern young people before they get married.
If entrusted by the woman, the bride can be photographed before the representative of the man's marriage arrives. Generally, brides will ask classmates or colleagues to be bridesmaids (commonly known as weddings). Before the bride puts on the white gauze dress, these people may help her arrange her headdress or make up. These lenses are also good. Maybe you will meet a sad mother or a bride with tears in her eyes. These are also the objects we can't miss. Put on the bride's white gauze dress. If you have time, you can also use the decorations of the bride's house, such as windows, mirrors, curtains, bars, calendars, table lamps, flower pots, or oil paintings, and take some bust photos with the bride alone. Take a photo of the bride alone, then take a family photo, or take a photo with your parents or siblings alone. As for framing, posture, background and lens use, it depends on the photographer's personal ideas and the adaptability to the "machine" according to the scene at that time.
When the groom's wedding representative arrives, the woman will treat the man to egg tea first. Then, the groom gives the bouquet to the bride, and then burns incense to worship the ancestors. Finally, the groom puts on the bride's veil to thank his parents for their kindness, and the woman's etiquette is completed. In this process, of course, photographers should be witty and never let go of any lens.
Before arriving at the man's house, the photographer must arrive earlier than the limousine, choose the first car if necessary, and get off the bus after arriving. When the man's family comes to ask the bride to get off the limousine, the photographer will start taking pictures. When you enter the house, you should worship your ancestors first and then send them to the bridal chamber. At this time, the photographer must follow. Usually, the "bride's room" must be beautifully decorated. We can use the scene at that time, such as the wardrobe, dressing table and trinkets on the bedside table as the background, and then take photos with the man's parents, relatives, friends, brothers and sisters. The shooting method is still decided by the photographer according to the scene.
If there is plenty of time and the weather is good, the photographer can suggest location shooting. There are several suitable places near Taipei, such as Youth Park, New Park, Rongxing Park, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and Shuangxi Park. Location shooting, like our girl portrait, emphasizes composition, lighting, posture, expression and background treatment. At this time, we can also use special mirrors to show the changes in the picture, but remember not to shoot too much, because if you shoot too much, you won't feel special.
For the wedding reception in the evening, if there is a ceremony, the photographer should arrive early. The scenes to be filmed at the ceremony include the entrance ceremony, the official seal, the witness, the introducer, the bride and groom, and the speaker. Other shots can only grasp the atmosphere at that time. As for the banquet, take some photos of the main table and the bride and groom when toasting, which may appear when seeing off, for example, the bride's female colleague or classmate wants to kiss the groom, or the groom's male colleague or classmate asks to kiss the bride. This unexpected thing will happen at any time, so keep a clear head, be vigilant and adapt to the "opportunity". Also pay attention to the negative control. If both parents didn't ask for a group photo, but all the photos have been taken, then the wedding reception on this day will be regarded as a "complete success".
◆ Precautions for starting the machine: First, every time you change the negative, you should really pay attention to whether it is installed correctly. Second, always pay attention to whether the aperture and speed have changed. Third, always pay attention to whether the indicator light of the flash is on.
(Excerpt from: Taoyuan Wedding Dress Exchange Zone)
References: 1 knowledge learning 2 Huang Jia Wen 1999 memory? Wandering? A study of wedding photography space in clothing-consumer society, Master thesis 3 of Institute of Interior Design, Chung Yuan Christian University, Gao Lin 2005 product attributes, wedding photography, female role, special report of lunghwa university of science and technology Department of Business Administration.