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Archive for the 'Photographs' Category

Experiment

Author: Rebel

05 10th, 2010

A few weeks ago I had a chance to do an experiment. I left all my fancy professional equipment and took with me only Olympus PEN E-P1 which I could easily hide in my jacket’s pocket. One 17mm lens only. No flash. Thanks to it I had no heavy backpack to carry and I could try to blend in. I arrived to the church long before the couple and had a look around. The guests started arriving and I had a chance to have a few words with them.

So far nobody knew I am a photographer. One of the guests came with a digital SLR and looked much more pro than I did (sic!). Then there was waiting for the bride to come as they got stuck in London traffic. I took some photos, had a chat with guests and the bride arrived and the ceremony started.

The hard part was the lighting and moments when I wanted to do close ups. I did not have a zoom so I had to come closer to the action (I was reasonable enough so I did not disturb anyone during the ceremony). Without a zoom lens I was unable to make a really close portraits. With strong light coming through the windows it was also pretty hard to find a good position to make a proper photo. Signing the register was also accompanied by a backlight.

After the ceremony we went to the reception venue. What I found out was that the couple will sit with their back against a big window which again makes it very difficult to get a good shot without a flash. Then there was a dinner and still nobody realised that I went there only to take photos. During a chat one person asked me if I work with the groom from. As I cannot lie I had to tell te truth that I am a photographer. Then at the end of the wedding another person asked how I met the couple and again they were surprised to hear that I am only taking pictures.

What I learned from the experiment is that professional equipment makes photographer’s life easier as having right tools gives expected results. Photographer with a pro equipment sticks out like a sore thumb though. Having a small camera allowed me to blend in and join the party. This way I could show the “insider’s view” of the day without people posing and aware that they are being photographed. When people do not see a huge lens attached to a big camera body they act more natural and it helps with showing their real emotions. I really enjoyed the day and would be happy to do it again. Anyone interested?