11/25/10

Anatomy Of A Wedding Day #12 – Carina & Julian

The weather this year in Ireland has been exceptionally good. Even the autumn days have often been crisp and dry, with lots of sun. Usually it just rains.

I’m often asked about the best light for photography at weddings. There is no right answer really, just preferences.

On the one hand, overcast days provide nice, even light. No harsh shadows and for the most part easy exposures. Simply watch for the moments and you’re in business.

On the other hand, bright sunny days give you hard light, with very little in the way of transition between light and shadow areas. This is more difficult light, but it is much more exciting to work with as a documentary photographer. It gives you pools of light, it gives you back light, it gives you light reflecting off surfaces – plenty to play with.

Carina and Julian’s wedding day in Co. Kerry was one of those superb autumnal days with lots of magic light. Magic people too.

Here are some faves, with the occasional anecdote or caption.

Scene-setting photographs are important for wedding coverage. This is all about the autumnal colours of the reflective leaves. In addition, the rocks are integral to the location, as you'll see below. (c) Roger Overall 2010

White tie - you can't get classier. And hand-tied too. (c) Roger Overall 2010

The reaction from the guest on the far right is great and adds immensely to the photograph. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Bride sharing a joke with her friends on her wedding day

Groom and best man talking at a wedding in Sheen Falls

Two worlds. My favourite kind of photograph. (c) Roger Overall 2010

The groom standing tall at his wedding in Co. Kerry, Ireland, Europe

There is something heroic about the groom in this photograph. I was too close to include the top of his head and all of his hands, but that only adds to giving him a sense of being a man of substance - someone bigger than the frame. (c) Roger Overall 2010

An almost perfect photograph, foiled by the sloth of my 5DII. I anticipated the kiss, saw it coming, fired the shutter in advance to make up for its ridiculous shutter lag - but got there a nanosecond too early. Nevertheless, it still works as a photograph. Terrific light, story and cute flower girls. What more do you want? (c) Roger Overall 2010

This is my favourite photograph of the year so far. It has everything for me. The bride caught in the light as she walks down the aisle. Her husband-to-be watching her. The radiant smile on her face. This is why sunny days can be so thrilling for documentary wedding photographers. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Church interior during a wedding in Co. Kerry, Ireland

Wedding ceremonies are still predominantly religious affairs in Ireland. The story here is in the gesture of the Christ figure, blessing and watching over the couple. Leaving the photograph in colour accentuates the statue as your eye is drawn to the red robe. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Groom laughing with a guest at his wedding in Co. Kerry, Ireland

The hug at a wedding in Co Kerry, Ireland

Groom and a friend at a wedding in Co. Kerry, Ireland

Bride enjoying a laugh with guests at her wedding in Ireland

Bride and groom laughing at a wedding in Co. Kerry Ireland Europe

Documentary reportage wedding photography by Roger Overall

Wedding guests and the bride laughing at a wedding in Ireland

This kiss I did get. And it's the important one. And a reflection into the bargain. Lordy, I'm predictable. (c) Roger Overall 2010

If you’d like to hear what goes through a wedding photographer’s mind on a wedding day, I recorded a series of AudioBoos throughout the day. If you do listen to them, you’ll hear how Butter-Fingers had a scare early on in the day.

11/16/10

Anatomy Of A Wedding Day #11 – Katie & Kevin

I’ve been shooting a long-term documentary project behind the scenes at Fota Island Resort in Co. Cork – a great project to be doing. In the process, I’ve photographed three weddings from the hotel’s point of view.

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to photograph a wedding from the bride and groom’s perspective at the resort.

Wonderful couple with a great group of guests. Lots of smiles and emotion. And a great rehearsed first dance.

Preparations before a wedding Co. Cork, Ireland

A guest laughs with the groom on his wedding day in Co. Cork Ireland

A Cork bride gets ready outside the church on her wedding day

Bride and groom greet their guests at a wedding in Co. Cork, Ireland

The bride wipes away a tear at a wedding in Co. Cork, Ireland

Wedding guest photographer in Co Cork, Ireland

Bride and groom wedding cake decorations

Bride in front of a window at Fota Island Resort

Guests celebrating at a wedding in Co Cork

Bride and groom dancing at their wedding in Cork

10/21/10

Anatomy Of A Wedding Day #9

Wedding photography of a flowergirl, Co Kerry, Ireland

Wedding photography of a flowergirl and shoes at Ballyseede Castle, Co Kerry, Ireland

Wedding photography of a guest hugging the groom, Fossa, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Wedding photography at Fossa church, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Wedding photograph of a bride approaching Fossa chruch, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Flowergirl at a wedding ceremony in Fossa, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Photography of a wedding ceremony at Fossa, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Wedding photograph of Fossa church, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Photography of wedding guests at Ballyseede Castle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Guests laughing at Ballyseede Castle, Co. Kerry, Ireland by wedding photographer Roger Overall

Wedding photograph of a guest at Ballyseede Castle, Co. Kerry, Ireland

09/18/10

Anatomy Of A Wedding #7

Where is the year going? Half way through September already. It’s like I’m on a giant greased slide going 400 mph.

Plenty of weddings to show you – I’ve photographed five in the past 14 days or so, on top of four commercial shoots. As you can imagine, finding time to post the results is tricky.

Here is a selection of annotated images from a recent wedding assignment – a small, intimate affair that was good fun. This is what the bride had to say: “Words cannot describe how happy I am with the wedding photographs.”

Wedding photography of guests waiting at a church, Cork, Ireland

Guests waiting outside the church. To make the photograph more interesting I included the leaves at the top of the frame and positioned the church spire in a suitable gap. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of guest preparing before the ceremony, Co Cork, Ireland

This is all about the preparations before the ceremony, though in this frame the subjects are the guests. Usually the focus is on the bride or groom, so I like the fact that the story here is a more "behind the scenes" tale. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of two little girls jumping in church, Cork, Ireland

Question: What could be cuter than two twin girls in the aisle at a wedding? (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of two little girls falling over at a wedding in Cork, Ireland

Answer: Two little girls falling over at a wedding. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of a bride walking into a shaft of light, Co Cork, Ireland

I saw the bride walking towards a shaft of light. She was moving quickly, and I instinctively dialled down the exposure to compensate for the flash of light. It wasn't enough, so parts are burned out. Nevertheless, I like that she is smiling and is a beacon of light amidst darkness. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of a bride and groom entering Hayfield Manor, Cork, Ireland

Wedding photograph of a bride talking to a guest at her reception at the Hayfield Manor on her wedding day, Cork, Ireland

The light in the library at Hayfield Manor in Cork city is superb on a sunny day. It shines in and bounces around wonderfully. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of a bride talking to a guest on her wedding day, Cork, Ireland

A wider view of the reception, and a trademark reflection of the bride in one of the cabinets. (c) Roger Overall 2010

09/11/10

3 Of 3

Phew! The marathon is run. I am absolutely done in. Another wonderful day in the company of lovely people, though.

Today’s rough and ready pic:

Wedding Photograph Of A Laughing Bride, Co Limerick, Ireland

09/9/10

1 Of 3

For some reason, the stars always align each September so that I have a series of three weddings in a row. I’m not complaining, but you have to wonder whether the gods couldn’t spread them out a bit.

So for today and the next two days, I’m in bridal mode. Almost exclusively in Co. Kerry.

That means fairly late home, and a couple of hours prep for the next day, before I can relax.

I’ll post a quick (and very rough) favourite from each day as I go.

This is today’s:

Flower girl bounces on bed, wedding photography, wedding photographer, Co. Kerry, Ireland

09/1/10

Anatomy Of A Wedding #6

This is an interesting set of images for me personally for several reason. These will become clear as you read the commentary with each photograph.

Wedding Photographer Cork Father Of The Groom

I've said before that parents are often the forgotten people on their childrens' wedding days. Despite the unfortunate positioning of the clothes line, I love this picture. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photography of a groom and his father Cork Ireland

There was a strong smell of onions in the air. Hardly surprising when the groom had reversed a car over his father's freshly harvested onion crop. Here they survey the damage. A moment they'll both look back on with great humour in years to come. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photographer back stage at a wedding in Co Cork

A special photograph for so many reasons. It shows a small crisis involving some lost paperwork. It turned up in time, but this captures a little of the anxious moments. This is also a special photograph for a very personal reason. The priest you see here was at my father-in-law's side when he passed away and was of infinite comfort to my wife's family. He is also the man who christened my daughter. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photography of a guest at a wedding in Cork, Ireland

Wedding photograph of a father of the bride in Cork Ireland

So you already know I'm the emotional sort and that I love my daughter (see previous post), so you imagine that I'm going to struggle a smidge on her wedding day. There is so much story here in the father of the bride's face as he watches the final preparations before he walks his daughter own the aisle. I see pride and I see love. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Bride and veil, Cork wedding photographer, Ireland

Bride Groom Glandore Wedding Photographer Cork

08/23/10

Anatomy Of A Wedding #5

Another selection of favourites from a recent wedding with commentary.

Bride and bridesmaid looking at a wedding dress, Co Cork, Ireland

I have two photographs of this exchange between the bride and the flower girl. This is my favourite. Just. The other was taken side on with a wide angle and shows more of the room. The light on the bride's face is more pleasing to me in this one, taken with a standard lens. There is great story here and you can almost write the dialogue yourself. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Smelling flowers at a wedding in Co Cork, Ireland

Men do love their flowers. I'll be honest, I was concentrating on the page boy. That was where the story was. I was aware that the groom's father had a bunch of flowers as well, but only noticed afterwards that he was examining them - mirroring the little boy's movement. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Page boy on the run during a wedding ceremony in Co Cork, Ireland

And he was the well-behaved one. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Bride and groom on their wedding day at a church ceremony in Co. Cork, Ireland

On an average wedding day, a couple gets to spend surprisingly little time together - or at least time when they can have a private exchange. Holy communion is usually the first chance they get, and often they take it. I always set myself so that I have a clear view of the couple, just in case. I love the echo of the couple's intimacy and the exchange between lads on the front bench. The bride's gesture is also wonderful to me. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Bride enjoying a laugh with her guest on her wedding day in Co Cork by Cork Wedding Photographer Roger Overall

Weddings are happy occasions. This says everything. (c) Roger Overall 2010

A wedding guest photographer takes a picture at wedding in Co Cork, Ireland

What caught my eye here initially was the light in the entrance, which lit up the bride. The guest, a very dapper man dressed in black tie, was also waiting for them to come in. He makes this picture. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding guests on their way to dinner at a wedding in Co Cork by Wedding Photographer Roger Overall

Something different. I like the almost total blur of the first two people compared with the relative lack of it for the second pair. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Bride and groom on their way to dinner at their wedding in Co Cork, Ireland

A missed opportunity - sort of. I have a series of shots of the couple as they walked down this corridor. This is the best one in terms of the bride's reflection in the glass frames. I've chosen it because the reflection was what I was after. However, there is a picture a few paces earlier where the couple are smiling at each other. Unfortunately, they are too far back to be reflected. You win some, you lose some. This is still pleasing to me because the bride looks so contented. (c) Roger Overall 2010

07/19/10

Anatomy of a Wedding #4

Last week I spent some time working on a new black and white conversion in Lightroom, the software I use to process my image files. In the end, I got close enough to what I wanted to use the conversion on a recent wedding.

This wedding was a bit of a mind bender. The groom has a twin. They are the spitting image of each other – or the “head off each other”, as the saying goes round this way. Once dressed in their suits they were indistinguishable on the day, save for the colour of their ties. I’m not kidding. The bride’s mum congratulated the best man instead of the groom after the ceremony. That’s how alike they are. Fortunately, I’d been warned about their similarity in advance and the groom made sure I had the tie colour code ahead of time.

I’ve photographed identical twins before at a wedding. On that occasion, I didn’t know the bride had a twin sister. It wrecked my head for about 20 minutes when I arrived at the bride’s house. She’d walk out one door in a dressing gown, only to enter again through another a nano-second later wearing a summer frock.

Name tags, that’s what I say.

Fixing a ribbon to a car on a wedding day in Cork, Ireland

Three generations of the same family in a single picture. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of ultimate concentration while fixing a ribbon to a car on a wedding day in Co. Cork, Ireland

This is the best man, the groom's twin brother. I love the concentration that comes with tying ribbons to a car. (c) Roger Overall

Wedding photography of a bride being made up in Co. Cork, Ireland

It's hard sometimes to get a different sort of photograph of the bride getting ready. I like the smile on her face as she talks to the make-up artist and the way the reflection completes a border around the scene. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of of people gathered at the bride's house, Co. Cork, Ireland

Your guess is as good as mine. There are some details that add to this photograph, fleshing out the story. The clock, for instance tells us what time it was. The figure of Jesus in the frame tells us about the family's relationship to religion. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of the best man at a church in Co. Cork, Ireland

The groom... no best man... This is all about the lighting and the verticals. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of a bride smiling at friends during holy communion at a wedding mass in Co. Cork, Ireland

Usually I'm able to get a photograph of the bride and groom chatting as holy communion goes on behind their backs. Here, though, they are thronged by the congregation, which made it hard to get any picture at all. Thankfully, there was a break in the line and I got this interaction between the bride and some friends. I dulled the areas around her to let her sparkle a bit, drawing the viewer's eye in to her. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photography of a groom being hugged in the church, Co. Cork, Ireland

A lovely moment - one that lifts the picture above the usual walking down the aisle photograph. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photography of a groom taking off his wedding ring, Co. Cork, Ireland

OK, what's wrong here? ... Anyone?... The groom is taking off his wedding ring, sure, but that's not what's wrong. What's wrong is that the bride had slipped it on the wrong finger during the ceremony. Once outside the groom quickly swapped it over to his left hand. This photograph is of itself unremarkable, but it does show the strength of documentary photography. The ring anecdote will add colour to the stories of this wedding for years. And here is a photograph to go with the tale. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of a groom watching a group shot being taken at his wedding in Co. Cork, Ireland

Wedding photograph of a bride waving from her car to her mother, Co. Cork, Ireland

One of my most accomplished photographs ever. The bride is waving at her mother as she leaves the church. For me, there is an echo through the ages. The way the mother is reflected in the window makes it almost look as if she is in the car, as she once would have been, maybe even leaving the same church on her wedding day. This photograph will mean the world in the years ahead to both of them. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of the groom's mum's hat almost taking off in the wind, Co. Cork, Ireland

We get a lot of wind in Ireland. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photography of father of the bride laughing in the bar with the groom at a wedding in Co. Cork, Ireland

The father-of-the-bride and the groom - just a terrific interaction full of warmth and sparkle. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of the bride and her friends, Co. Cork, Ireland

I'd been asked to photograph the bride and her circle of closest friends. At one point they all lined up for a bank of guest photographers. This to me, though, is a far more interesting photograph of the group. No, you can't see everyone's face, but you can see the dynamism and fun, which I think are far more important. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photography of a bridesmaid at a wedding reception in Co. Cork, Ireland

Not a classic, by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a very arresting image. The hand gesture is dramatic and what makes the whole thing work for me is the lighting on the bridesmaid's right eye. (c) Roger Overall 2010

07/13/10

Anatomy of a Wedding #3

Wednesdays are normally reserved for PictureBoos. But sometimes your blogging schedule and your life run off in different directions.

The Boo will follow shortly. In the meantime, here is a selection of photographs with commentary from the recent wedding in Co. Kerry.

A quick nod to the bride, Caroline, who helped with the logo for The Circle of Confusion with Peter and Roger by making some wonderful suggestions as we discussed her wedding at Cork Airport back in April.

Wedding photograph of a straightening his hair, Co Kerry, Ireland

They tell you never put your subject in the centre of the frame. It's boring. Possibly. Here the dullness of the composition is helped by the leading lines of the wine glasses and the gesture by the groom. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photography of a groom having his laces tied, Co Kerry, Ireland

Another photograph with the subject in the centre. However, it works because the leading lines in the photograph all lead to the groom - more or less. The railing, the bench and the tiles are the obvious ones. The groups of people either side also help direct your eye to the groom. Lastly the two trees draw your eye in as well because the innermost one is smaller, so you have the sense of a slope from right to left into the centre of the frame. Lastly, I think this photograph works because of the story and the mild humor it contains. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Groom being hugged on his wedding day in Sneem, Co Kerry, Ireland

You can't beat emotion in a photograph, especially if it is joy and friendship. The left of the frame is balanced by the reflection of the smiling lady in the window. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding photograph of a little boy hiding under a table in Sneem, Co. Kerry, Ireland

There is more going on here than meets the eye. Children are often strangers at weddings. They can't really join in, so there is a separation between them and the adults. This is emphasized here by a whole range of things. Firstly, the crouching under the table, hidden from view. Secondly, by the height difference between the small boy and the adults, which is exaggerated by the low camera angle. Lastly, the boy is boxed in by the table structure and the umbrella pole. He is in his own separate frame.(c) Roger Overall 2010

The bride's mother shares a joke with the groom at a wedding in Co. Kerry, Ireland

I just love the expression in this picture. (c) Roger Overall 2010

A couple share a tender moment at their wedding in Co. Kerry, Ireland

This is a real favourite of mine. Importantly, it shows the couple and the tenderness between them. It is also a photograph of twos. Two people. Two chairs on the left. Two windows on the left, and two on the right. Two paintings on the wall. There are even two candles on stands in the background (c) Roger Overall 2010

A couple greets their guests at their wedding in Sneem, Co. Kerry, Ireland

This photograph is all about expressions. They range from joy to gentle smiles, to introspection and, if you look for it, what appears to be shock. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Wedding guests sets up a TV at a wedding in Co. Kerry, Ireland

The ability of the artist who made this sculpture is astonishing. It lives. It is listening to the conversation. (c) Roger Overall 2010

High five between guests at a wedding in Parknasilla, Co. Kerry, Ireland

I don't remember taking this. That's not uncommon for me. I experience a wedding so intensely sometimes that my mind discards photographs as soon as they are taken to allow it to concentrate fully on the next one. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Curved mirror reflection of a bride talking to a guest, Co Kerry, Ireland

A lovely interaction between the bride and a guest, made more interesting by the curve of the reflection. (c) Roger Overall 2010

The groom delivers his speech at a wedding in Co Kerry

Another favourite. I don't need to tell you why. A superb couple. (c) Roger Overall 2010

The Documentary Photographer

Putting Life In The Frame

Category Archives: Wedding Days