Fair haired groom in a white tuxedo.

I was just informed by the wedding party that the groom, very fair

complection/blonde, is planning on wearing a white tuxedo.

I feel this is really going to wash him out and I don't think the

bride is all that excited about it either.

I have a fairly good repoire with the couple and was involved in

there engagement shots.

The wedding is the 27th of August.

Am I overstepping or is this a legitimate concern?

 

I shoot mainly B&W and really dislike the white on white, groom/bride

thing.

Your thoughts.

Thank you all in advance,

Ruben.

""Am I overstepping or is this a legitimate concern?""

 

This all depends on if you understand exposure or not? At most weddings the brightness range of the groom in black, bride in white causes the real problem. Both in white wouldn't create problems, it would solve them.

"Am I overstepping.."

 

yes

 

 

 

"or is this a legitimate concern?"

 

no

Use a medium yellow filter if you are using 'old' B&W film and bracket your shots. You may have to meter the face (of the bride or groom) and base your exposures on that, not the white dress/tux areas.

 

 

 

 

If you are using C-41 B&W film, you have to bracket your exposures, I guess [...not sure if filters will add contrast like with B&W Tri-X film.]

This is not a problem, in fact it should even make it easier for you.

Really no need for filters. Overexpose by a stop, or to ensure that all is exposed properly, shoot manually with the flash unit. I'm getting great wedding B/W's with Neopan 400CN (chromogenic) film. Ilford's XP-2, is quite good too.

 

Russ

By overstepping, are you suggesting that you say something to the couple to not go with a white tux??? Then, yes. White tux & White wedding dress....what's the issue. You still expose for the shadows and print for the highlights. Could also be a neat opportunity for some hi-key stuff.<div></div>

Your main problem will be metering for available light and using any kind of auto-exposure flash. Make incident readings of the light and put your flash on manual, using guide numbers or the flash's calculator dial. Shoot and process a roll beforehand to check how the negatives look and print. A yellow filter won't do much good in this situation. My choice would be Tri-X or Ilford HP5 Plus in the old standby, D76 1:1.

Ruben, we shoot blonde brides in white dresses all the time. And men with jet black skin in black tuxes.

 

Maybe you are over-thinking this.

 

And yes, while we don't hesitate to recommend clothing choices for engagement shoots I wouldn't make a tux recommendation.

 

Be sure to post some examples after the event.

Are you printing this yourself?