" We will capture your day on film "
This is a very frequently used phrase ! Make sure the photographer does use film ? Film photography and digital imaging , are two entirely different processes . A person , concern or any other organization , who uses this phrase , that do not use film , are in BREACH of TRADING STANDARDS ?
" So called Professionals "
There is many wedding photographers in the UK , advertising there services as professional . For the general consumer , it is often hard to spot a enthusiast , until it is to late ? Professional qualifications are not given away , they have to be earnt . Many enthusiasts who say they are professional are not qualified , or do not even own a professional camera ? Be very aware when searching for your wedding photographer , and if you are not sure , take a second opinion , or simply don't commission them !
" Reportage / Candid Photography "
Be very careful if this style of photography is your wish , when choosing your photographer . Any body can discreetly float around , taking amateur snaps of no interest , of brides and grooms , when they are not looking at the camera ? Many inexperienced , offer this type of style , because they shoot hundreds of images and select only the exceptable images for the client , after disregarding all the images of no interest ! In my professional opinion all wedding couples require some formal portraits , so make sure your chosen photographer , can supply you with the basic professional standard / formal image ?
It takes many years and many weddings to master a unique reportage style of photography , and produce images of natural , un-posed and meaning-full content ! { interesting subject matter }
Many of my past brides and grooms , have commissioned me , because my reportage work is second to none , completely natural and of interest . The art of this style of imaging , is knowing when to press the button and capture the interesting moment and being in the right place at the right time ! { correct exposure settings are vital ? }
" Catchlights "
Catchlight is the light visable in a persons eye ! It is probably the most important criteria required , for a portrait ? Without a catchlight , the image is not a professional standard portrait . A good example of a catchlight , is my eye image / logo , on this site at the top left of the screen , on the film strip !
" Image manipulation and editing "
Digital editing of images is ok , and is only carried out to improve visual quality . Manipulation and editing of images , is clearly visable once it has been done ? ie/ Touching in the whites of eyes or teeth . This is ok while the image is presented in a small format / size , but once the image is enlarged , it can result in a poor appearance and look un-natural . NOTE > digital pixels are square , so colour editing as a flat straight side , and can not be made to bend / curve 100 % truly , like paint on a brush , ie/ around the edge of a eye ? Digital images are made up , of many different coloured squares !
" Retouching / Editing "
The retouching of images , is the same as editing ? It is done to improve visual quality and correct , POORLY , documented images ? Retouching is not the same as restoration ? If a image as to be retouched , to remove a braclet / necklace for example , this maybe a indication , that the creator is inexperienced , has the braclet should have been removed before the shoot , or made to look more exceptable , in the first place ? { visualization }
Digital image creators who offer a retouching service , for red eye removal , are totally incompetent and inexperienced ! No professional photographer or image creator will ever record / document a image that as red eye , as this is a very basic rule of imaging , and can and should always be avoided , by simply applying basic photographic rules ! My professional advice is > NEVER commission a photographer or image creator , who offers a retouching service for RED-EYE REMOVAL ? of there material { it will end in tears ? }
Video professional editing is entirely a different process ! { film makers }
Film photographers can apply certain finishes or effects to there photographs , professionally in the darkroom or by the use of filters , in the first instance !
" The Group Photograph "
This is a photograph , for a expert ? If you want to remember your guests , friends and family , this is a must have shot . Organisation of the group , is a art within it's self ? Groups can be from 50 to several hundred heads ? If you want to have a big enlargement of your guests , this shot must be set-up , correctly and more importantly , recorded professionally , to allow flawless enlargements ?
If you do not see a group shot on a photographers website , that is sharpe in detail and large in size , be aware ? Ask to see group shots of up to 20x16 inches !
If you visit the 30 mixed wedding shots , or the 150 + mixed photo gallery , in my navigation menu , you will find several group shots , that i have recorded !
" Image Quality "
There is basically 3 image qualities >
1/ Medium Format Cameras , produce the ultimate image quality .
2/ 35mm Pro Film Cameras , produce a very close to medium format quality and the same quality if slide film is used !
3/ Digital Cameras , produce a exceptable pro image quality , but only if lens and camera are of a professional model ?
Note : > Not many wedding photographers use , medium format cameras , as they are heavy and usually need support . Medium format cameras are usually used for studio and quality landscape work .
The majority of top class glossy magazines and image libraries , still only except medium format and 35mm film camera images ? As these two cameras produce the ultimate in image quality , through using Slide Film .
Hand printed images in the darkroom are the very ultimate in quality and can not be produced from Digital Files ?
" Photographers starting out "
When wedding photographers start out , they will offer cheap packages , to gain experience and to help build there folios . This is a common practice , as they are inexperienced . So the costs for your commission , should reflect this ?
If a photographer is offering special discounts , to gain wedding commissions , there costs will obviously not be the same as a experienced professional ? Look at how many grooms and brides pictures , are displayed on there websites . This is usually a good way , to tel if they have lots of experience ? More couples displayed indicates many commissions and more experience . If only several wedding couples pictures are displayed , this may be a indication of few commissions and lack of experience ?
" The Wedding Cake "
Regarded as a difficult subject to record , especially by the inexperienced ? In most cases i record wedding cakes with studio lights , which results in all the little details being shown , that have been crafted for your theme , by skilled makers ! If you do not see a quality image of a wedding cake , on a photographers website , be aware ? Ask to see wedding cake shots !
On this site and sites linked to this site , i have several photographs of wedding cakes , check them out . I'am sure you will agree , the quality of my cake shots are the ultimate . See at the bottom of this page a photograph of a WEDDING CAKE , that actually was not recorded with the use of studio lighting ?
" Image quality , clarity and detail !
A photographer who displays large images to view , usually as good image qualities . If small images are displayed , so you can not see close-up details , ie/ hairs on skin , dress detail or daylight in eyes , be aware and ask to see enlargements of at least 12x18 inches !
Digital images can be sharpened and manipulated , to increase visual quality . So if a digital image is displayed that as been manipulated at say 6x8 inches in size , ask to see the same image at 12x18 inches in size , at least .
" Artistic Flair "
A wedding photographer without artistic flair , is like a bear with a sore head ! To create images that are unique and different , takes skill , and experience . This will result in great memories of your day . I Have many images in my folios and websites , that i have created for my brides . ie/ flowers arranged in artistic ways and documented with flattering light . My experience in still photography and product photography , has helped me to perfect this type of work , on-location !
" Mixed print sizes "
True photographic formats are as follows > 5x4 , 6x4 , 7x5 , 8x6 , 10x8 , 24x16 and so on . Sizes of > 3x1 , 3x2 , 4x2 and so on are usually digital images , that have been cropped from the original image recorded ?
If your photographer uses film , all there images will be of a correct photographic format . If you wanted a certain area of a image blown up and cropped , say to 8x8 inches , this can be professionally done , and is known as a selective enlargement ?
" Wedding Commission Costs "
Film photography is far more costly than digital imaging . Your commission costs , should reflect this ? How ever it is the photographers choice , on how much they charge !
As a guide to produce a pro lab film print , it would cost approx twice as much , than a digital print , and sometimes more . Film images and digital images are printed on two different types of paper ? Film images being printed on heavier and more superior materials !
" Table Settings "
You and your partner have probably gone to lots of trouble , to create beautiful table settings , ie/ name cards , flowers , glass wear etc . Without your photographer recording these articles , you would not have any memories of them ? This type of photography , is really specialized , and only the most experienced , create top results ? Ask to see this type of work , especially if you want photographic records to remember them by . Not being able to read a place sitting card , because the photograph , is not sharpe , is so disappointing ?
You will find many examples of this type of work , on this and other websites of mine ?
If you need more information , or wish to discuss any issues relating to this page , send your enquiry by email to >>
Regards Simon
published photographer
competition winner
qualified professional craftsman photographer
market freelance
pro school photographer
photographic artiste