stacy Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 I'm running low on ideas for posed shots of the bridesmaids or groomsmen. Would anyone like to share a favorite? The one I'm posting is good for smaller groups. Also crops as a panorama pretty nice- just heads and shoulders.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melisa Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 Stacy that is a beautiful shot. Warm/soft filter? I love the softness. Here's a shot of guys just walking, playing it cool, not necessarily a pose, but it was done on high speed B&W. It's grainy, but I thought it had an interesting look about it when used outside in bright light.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy Posted November 22, 2004 Author Share Posted November 22, 2004 Thanks Melisa! No filters on the camera- but softened a bit in PS and warmed a bit too- 10D camera I like your photo too- especially the trees in the background. I'm not sure I've ever tried high speed B&W in the bright sun- Was it 3200 Kodak or Ilford- or 1600 Fugi? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melisa Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 I had actually never done this before, nor would I have ever thought to try this, definitely seems pointless on such a nice day, huh? Well, here's the story, this picture was taken 5 mintutes after the ceremony was supposed to have started, so I had my B&W film choice loaded for the santuary. These handsome young men cooly strolled in, got some last minute instruction from the priest as you see, I took a couple of shots--expected crap w/ the speed, they pinned on their boutonnieres, and down the isle they went. I kind of like it, will I do it again on purpose. I don't know, what do you guys think? Now, Stacy, I'm interested in your pose. What's your approach in getting such a wonderful expression and pose? What did you tell them to "act" like here and how much time do you allow yourself to work on posed shots like these? My formals have not been so creative, I have barely had enough time to get the smiles before we have to run. My "creative" shots always end up more humorous, then sweet like yours. You've definitely given me some ideas to work with!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melisa Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 Sorry, that's a little confusing, that first paragraph was intended for my first shot, "Cool". The second shot was just a funny pose we came up with, was on NPS, converted to B&W. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy Posted November 22, 2004 Author Share Posted November 22, 2004 I got the idea for this pose from the August 2004 (I think) Vogue cover. That cover has a fold out with lots of girls very close. The hard part about this pose is getting everyone close enough- they don't understand just how close they have to be so I end up having to kind of push their faces together :) It's also a little tricky to get them all at similar heights and everyones hands in a nice place. I've tried this at other weddings as well- but it dosen't work well if the girls are too shy to get this close. I normally take a couple of shots of them smiling (normally everyone is laughing from feeling so silly) then I ask them not to smile. Sometimes it works and sometimes...well not so much. We probably spent just 2 minutes getting them into this pose- we were very rushed at this wedding because the girls were running so late! I like the sword picture! I don't think we've ever had a wedding with props for the guys- but after seeing Marc's cigar photo a week or so ago I'm going to buy some cheap ones for Saturday- for the boys though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb- Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 I shot and assisted a few weddings with a wonderful photographer down in Baja mexico earlier this year who always got great group shots by first doing some fun silly shots to get them loose. his favorite was to lay on the ground with the 16-35 fully wide and have the bridesmaids or groomsmen stand around him in a circle, all put their arms around each other and lean in. Made for both some really fun shots as well as a group then much more at ease for the more posed formal shots. his trick for getting large groups to keep their eye's open was to take a shot and then ask if the flash went off. Everyone replies yes but he pretends to be concerned that maybe it didnt' go off. He then takes a second shot, first asking everyone to make sure his flash goes off this time. They all keep their eyes open. it works, and he is able to pull off the fumbling but loveable routine very well. Might not work for everyone but it sure worked for him. If anyone is familiar with Philippe Halsman's Jump Book, it's a trick I steal and use regularly. Just had my first bride and groom do it a few weeks ago and the shots are wonderful. I will scan and post one or two as soon as I get home. Philippe's book is a series of portraits with very important people of the day (mid 1950's) like kings and queens and presidents, all in fairly formal poses except that they are jumping straight up in the air. The B+G loved the shots and again, it really helped to get them feeling relaxed which I know is not so easy minutes after you get married. cheers lucas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fotografz Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 Sometimes just an informal gathering of the Bridal party results in something better than the "deer in the headlights" standard poses... maybe somewhere other than the church alter.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 Are you asking about the girls adn guys separately or together? For your example shot--I always tell the girls to "put your cheeks together" and they seem to understand instantly. Also, sometimes, even though it's corny, I have them say, "Girlfriends..." (shoot just after they say it). Also try the one similar to the movie poster for "Mona Lisa Smile". This works for both girls and guys. Another thing to try is to casually have the group standing and tell one of the bridesmaids or groomsmen to think up some good last minute advice and then just photograph the results--usually lots of smiles and laughter. I sometimes recreate a girls pose from 50s wedding albums where the bride is being lovingly "adjusted" in various spots by her maids (veil fluffed, one maid on her knees, etc.)--this is deliberately overposed to get the old timey look, and is better done in black and white. The walking shot of the guys I refer to as the "Reservoir Dogs" shot. A violent movie I've never seen, but basically you space the guys out, tell them to look anywhere but at the camera, no smiles, and just have them walk toward you. Shoot from a low angle--either a wide angle or a telephoto will get good results. Or do the football huddle shot--sometimes, again corny, but does get results, you can have them do the wrestler thing with the fists and biceps. I've also shot pyramids (both front and back) and even though way overdone, the usual sunglasses/Mafia/Frank Sinatra coats/holding the groom sideways shots, if deliberately overposed, is actually quite popular. The thing about these shots is that they have to convey the "tongue in cheek, we know this is corny" feeling or it isn't "cool", just corny. For more mood, you place the bride or groom forward in the picture and the maids/guys farther back, maybe slightly OOF. You could shoot this in various degress of moody and arty--low angles, with sunglasses, etc.--depends on the personalities of the subjects as well. And the one where everyone is walking/running toward you in a line always gets some natural expressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khitrovg Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 I usually try to put the b or g at ease and let them be themselves as well as the rest of the party<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khitrovg Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 Here is another one<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khitrovg Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 Sorry for the mishap.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenifer Selwa Photography Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 This one has become one of my standard and is a favorite among my girls...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenifer Selwa Photography Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 OOPS! *BLUSH* Wrong image...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenifer Selwa Photography Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 One more from a wedding last year...I was standing on a stage so I had a looking down perspective...this idea I got out of a book and the bride really liked this shot as well...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy Posted November 22, 2004 Author Share Posted November 22, 2004 Thanks everyone! Nadine- I agree- there is a very fine line between good and cheesy which I try not to cross. But sometimes...well. Most of my posed shots just look very unposed which I like, but I am running out of ideas for anything more interesting. And Lucas- that book sounds hysterical and I can't recall ever seeing it, but I found it used on Amazon for $4.75! Thanks everyone...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb- Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 hi stacey, it's a great book. you'll love it One of the images from it is quite famous. It's the shot of salvador dali jumping in the air with a splash of water and some housecats flying though the air. amazing photograph. also, check out the shot of Richard Nixon jumping. really funny! $4.75 is a great price! I'm a reformed rare book collector and am ashamed to admit I once paid almost $200 for a signed pre-release print proof copy of it. it gets even worse, the book was in Holland in a private collection which I had the opportunity to pick though before they went to market and I actually flew there to buy books! shortly after I found a good deal on an M6 and a 35mm sumilux and I never bought another book. I"m much happier bankrupting myself with cameras then with books. Much more practical for an obsessive collector/photographer! anyway....., back to poses. the negs from the last wedding with the jumping are still in NYC and I"m in california, but I've got the contact sheets so I scanned two of them on a $70 flatbed scanner. the pinnacle of high tech I know, so they look terrible, but you get the idea at least, the couple in this case were a pretty relaxed pair to begin with, but it just seems that asking people to jump for joy in the moments following their wedding vows can never hurt! cheers lucas<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lb- Posted November 22, 2004 Share Posted November 22, 2004 <div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anner Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 This is really more of a detail shot- but women invest so much into getting the perfect hair for the occasion (and sometimes it's forced upon them by the bride) so getting a record of where the money went can be appreciated!!<BR> <BR> <img src="http://homepage.mac.com/annetics/.Pictures/Photo%20Album%20Pictures/ 2004-09-02%2022.54.04%20-0700/Image-A72FEAB2FD6C11D8.jpg" width="510"><BR> <BR> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikew1 Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 nice pic Marc, where is that, Andiamos in Rochester? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anner Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 On second thought, I think this one looks better cropped for panorama, as you mentioned for yours, Stacy.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adrian_morgan Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 Stacy - Only 1 criticsm on the above picture - the location of the bridesmaids hand makes it look like the bride is pregnant :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacy Posted November 23, 2004 Author Share Posted November 23, 2004 Aghhh! That bride would fall over if she read the post about looking pregnant! I will watch where I put the girls hands! Actually, the version she put in the album was a panorama...maybe she thought that as well! Lucas- those photos are great! If I remember correctly the B&G for Saturday seemed a bit stiff, but I'll see if they will do it! I'm looking forward to getting my bargain book.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smittyatthebeach Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 This is one of my favorites that I try to do at every wedding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picturesque Posted November 23, 2004 Share Posted November 23, 2004 Couple of comments about the jumping photos. I've done this with the couple as well, but I usually freeze them--no motion blur. Also, I've done a variation where I have the bride standing and the groomsmen and groom take a running leap around her. You have to have a lot of room for that one, but it usually is quite funny. Once, the groom was a black belt tae kwando (?) instructor and some of his groomsmen were proficient as well, so the resulting photo was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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