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

07/15/10

PictureBoo – 15th July 2010

This week’s PictureBoo gives a little insight into photographing in public for an annual report.

I’ve also had a request for a longer post about shooting documentary work for corporates based on this assignment, and that will follow soon, most likely in the form of a permanent article called called “The Art of Documentary Corporate Photography” to accompany the articles on wedding photography.

Meanwhile, hit the play button or the link below the photograph to hear its story.

Centra employee helping a customer with her shopping

CorporateBoo #3 – Musgraves

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

07/5/10

Anatomy Of A Wedding Day #2

After the 2010 National Photographic Awards, I made a bold statement. I wouldn’t be entering any more photographs of children. It is too easy to score well that way.

I’m now somewhat regretting that pronouncement. Well, part of me is. The lazy part. This is by far the bigger part of me, so it gets a lot of airtime in my head.

There is a panel of four photographs from this wedding alone that would make a very decent stand at the national awards. Each photograph shows the same little girl.

My lazy voice notwithstanding, none of her photographs will go to the awards. This year, I want to concentrate on the bride and groom. It is their day after all, and I want to show that in my awards entries.

At least, here in Ireland…

These photographs are from a wedding I covered in May. Superb, warm, loving couple.

The bride's family are big greyhound enthusiasts and this scene-setter at the house in the morning helps tell that bit of the story. I was helped by some people coming out of the house to greet me over on my right, which distracted the dog for a second. It's the mimic of the head direction that makes this work. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Flower girls playing at a wedding in Cork, Ireland

Flower girls are an endless source of great photographs. Rarely do they do as they are told. Boredom prevents them from doing so. And they often escape into their own world of play when they can. This was captured just before the ceremony, after the girls had marched dutifully for the third time down the aisle to prove they knew what would be required of them. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Flower girl crying at a wedding in Cork, Ireland

What can I say? Pure genius by the little girl. Talk about scene stealing. This was taken with a 135mm lens - a rarity. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Dancing flower girl at a wedding in Cork, Ireland

When you're bored, you're bored - so you make your own entertainment. Everyone else was busy with the signing of the register. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Veils, wind. It's a familiar story. The bride's wonderful warmth here adds dynamism to the photograph as well. In terms of photography, it was a case of looking for the expression. The veil is an added bonus. Documentary photography for me is about emotion first. Any additional occurrences are extras I take gladly, but you need to lay the foundation first by looking for the emotion. (c) Roger Overall 2010

I love the tenderness here. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Old men talking at a wedding reception in Co. Kerry, Ireland

The older guests at weddings are often overlooked by photographers. In a way it's understandable. They are often there at the parents' request. While I do try to concentrate on the younger guests, I like to keep an eye out for older guest interaction. They could be a favourite great uncle, after all. (c) Roger Overall 2010

A couple on their wedding day at their reception venue in Co. Kerry, Ireland

Two worlds exist beside each other - one of my favourite themes. (c) Roger Overall 2010

A boy does acrobatics for a bride and groom at their reception, Co. Kerry, Ireland

Children and sugar. 'Nuff said. From a photographic perspective, this was something of a grab shot, as the boy announced what he was going to do and then did it before the words had fully left his mouth. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Flower girl and groom talk at the dinner table during a wedding reception in Co. Kerry, Ireland

And here she is again. This time in discussion with the groom. I like the way that her hand gesture is mirrored to some extent by that of the groom's mother in blue. I've tried this picture cropped tighter to exclude the window highlights at the top and the two men at the far end. The crop makes the picture claustrophobic; leaving it uncropped keeps the context and depth. (c) Roger Overall 2010

The couple's parents share a joke at dinner, Co. Kerry, Ireland

The parents are often the forgotten players on the wedding day of their children, so I try hard not to. I love this interaction between the bride's mum and the groom's dad. (c) Roger Overall 2010

This is all about the ring. I was able to get quite close with a 50mm lens without the couple noticing me. Until the shutter clicked. Taken on a Canon 1DS Mrk II - a camera whose shutter lives up to the brand name. I sometimes wonder whether I should wear earplugs. (c) Roger Overall 2010

Getting an interesting shot of the cutting of the cake can be hard. So I leave it to someone else - as shown here. (c) Roger Overall 2010

A groom address his bride during the wedding speeches, Co. Kerry, Ireland

I love the look on the bride's face. It conveys so much. Photography of the speeches is all about reactions to what is being said. Usually, you get a couple of outstanding speakers at Irish weddings, and there are lots of great expressions. Rich pickings for a documentary photographer. (c) Roger Overall 2010

06/11/10

Focus on Friday – Peter Cox

Unlike the previous Focus on Friday photographers, I’ve actually met Peter Cox. Several times, in fact.

You might ask why, apart from being a good friend, I’ve selected a landscape photographer to appear on a blog given over mostly to documentary photography.

Simple really. Who says documentary photography has to include people? To my mind, landscape photography is about documenting the natural environment around us. It records the world we live it and often reveals its breathtaking, heart-stopping beauty.

A volcano by Peter Cox. Actually, if you live in Europe, it's THE volcano. You know the one. (c) Peter Cox 2010

What appeals to me about a lot of Peter’s work is the immediacy that I feel looking at it. It’s almost as if there’s nothing between me and the scene. I could almost step into the photograph because it feels so real. That’s a hard thing to do.

Peter is also very good at spotting remarkable things where to the untrained eye they simply don’t exist. Take the picture on the left below. I think it’s genius. The swirl is only revealed thanks to a longish shutter time. In real time, it wouldn’t have such an impact. In the photograph, it does – something Peter pre-visualized.

Two of my favourite Peter Cox photographs. (c) Peter Cox

That in itself raises an interesting question. If a photograph can only show something by virtue of a long exposure that produces an image the naked eye can’t see, is it truly documentary? I would argue that it is. It reveals the world to us in a way we hadn’t perceived. It illuminates. The longish shutter speed helps to describe the swirl (which by the way is a magnificent contrast to the static rock in the background) that we otherwise wouldn’t see. It helps tell the story of the pool of water and of the landscape. And telling stories what documentary photography is all about.

That particular photograph tells another story. Look at the layers in the rock. How many centuries did it take to create them? And how many more for water and wind to erode the rock to its current state?

The final photograph here is another favourite. The Dark Hedges in Co. Antrim. They look as if they were designed by Tolkien. What I love in particular is the way Peter has revealed the structure and form of the branches. There is almost a motion to them. That takes craft.

06/3/10

A Shift?

I don’t do colour wedding photography. Not much anyway. That’s what I tell everyone. Pigs’ll fly before I shoot lots of colour.

Thing is, is that really true?

Looking at some of my latest work, I have to ask whether I’m experiencing a shift.

Take these photographs from a recent wedding, for instance. It was only after I’d uploaded them on to the blog (originally with the intention of running them without text) that I realized half of them were colour pictures.

Is it a blip? Or the start of a bigger development in my shooting style? Should I even care?

Maybe not. But in light of what I’ve said about colour photography in the past, all I can say is that if you are a pig farmer you’d better go and check your livestock are still on the ground.