Wedding Dress - Vermont wedding - Shelburne Farms

Second thoughts...

After a while looking at the picture, I'm now wondering whether I wasn't the victim of some sort of optical illusion...

It *seems* to me that the window immediately behind the gown was open at the bottom (in this white area), because the gown feels like it swell somehow, but is it really so ? Maybe not. Maybe the gown appears swell and almost flying off simply due to the fact that the image is slanted and that the gown itself has a lot of layers... Now this is getting really interesting... Could you possibly have slanted the shot to add to the impression that the gown is flying off ? If so, I'm starting to wonder whether the slant is not the most interesting and original aspect of this image - together with the light...

When I said I could *feel* the wind, I really meant just that, and yet, it occurs to me now that there was maybe no wind at all...:-) Fascinating illusion if there was indeed no wind...

This image was shot quickly Marc and it might be a DOF issue but I also always shoot with a #1 soft warm filter and then again - maybe a scan problem or a breeze. I honestly don't know. But I do agree with your observation. I don't have the original image or negative any more so I can't even analyze it.

As to the thought that this not being a typical representatation of my work - it actually is.. I'm always thinking of "detail" mood shots for the album. This was the opening shot I chose for the brides's formal album. I usually upload "people" images because my instructions to the lab is to give me 4-5 CD's of their choice of the couple and group shots. My lab is in VT and it is cheaper to do CD's at the time of processing. Then - I upload them and also e-mail them to clients. I invite them to check out a few previews of the wedding on Photo.net. Since at that point they are mostly interested in themselves and the wedding party - that is what I post.

I love getting creative with the flowers or the dress and other important "non-people" details in the attempt to elevate the final album with a little "art".

Kudzu - the backlighting of the dress was exactly what prompted me to shoot this shot. Not many wedding dresses are transparent enough to shoot in a window taking advantage of that light. Thanks to all for your thoughtful critiques. Negative or positive constructive comments are very welcome.

Mary, First, congratulations on POW. This one is worthy of it. When I ask myself what I like about it most I find it's the fullness of the dress & the translucence of it on the left side. Details like this shot are an important part of the wedding photos as long as one doesn't sacrifice the 'must' shots such as the full length and 3/4 length posed shots of the bride. Looking at your folder gives me confidence that they are indeed extras, not taken at the expense of the more traditional & expected shots. Best, LM.

This is a great shot. Very moody. I hope that when I get married, my photographer thinks to take some shots like this.

Elegent & Sexy ... Simply Beautiful!

This is an average image at best. There is nothing to say about it, and it is very uninspired. This does not inspire me at all. A dress hanging by a window. Nothing to conjure up here. Sorry. Wedding images have so much more to offer.

I feel quite uncomfortable with this one Mary.

The overall quality of the image (scanning quality?) is quite dull IMO: not very sharp (large part of the dress in not in focus especially in the large size version, so is the hanger), not very much contrasted despite the lighting effect.

The symbolism of the image itself is quite interesting: one part of the dress (the outside part: the part that people can see from outside ... the window) is so bright that you cannot see the detail and its mixed with light (overexposed) and the other part, the one inside, looks so grey and dull, very sad. Sadness feeling is even more accentuated by the fact that the dress is 'empty', and the hanger is dark, the lines of jail-like tapestry, ... Is the party over? is the dream finished? just remain the smell that the blowing wind bring in the room,... for how long?!

Definitely a sad image IMO.

My first responses to this were positive, mostly because of the light and the subject

selection. The light has unquestionable beauty, imo, and the subject is emotional-

and ghostly.

 

After closer viewing, though, I felt a little let down. Nitpicky gripes include the hot

spots( I don't feel they resonate with the rest of the image), and the lack of a

vignette(I think it would help the somewhat boring top left). Also, I don't really like

how the black inner-window on the right competes with the hanger in terms of the

blacks.

 

Most importantly though is the compostion itself. This may not have been possible at

the time of exposure, but I feel like the subject could have been treated better.

Without trying to sound like a zen photo-guy, this subject evokes feelings of solitude,

time, and a little sadness. The way the frame was filled with the dress, though,

speaks more of product photography to me. I wish you could have included a little

more environment, so long as it didn't detract or clutter.

 

It just kind of feels like a shot that was taken quickly instead of one that had time and

thought invested into it . Oh wait, thats what it was. So I guess that makes it

something between a fantastic snap-shot and a not-so-great shot of deliberance.

cheers

I like the Mary's picture very much, but I can not understand, how Paolo Cardone's folder (http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=146059) could go unnoticed, when the elves were looking for wedding pictures.

In the context of the brides day, I feel that this image is a great opener for their album, which is after all why Mary shot this photo. It will without doubt, prompt memories for the bride, of all the anxieties and excitement during the preparations on the morning of the big day. For many (if not most) wedding albums, they contain a series of formalised and posed photos of all and sundry; couples, groups, or single shots, but here Mary has thought about the programme of the day from start to finish. This makes the day into a story.

I don't feel the sadness that a couple of viewers have expressed, or the ordinariness. Instead I see the beauty of the dress itself, and think of the hours the bride perhaps took to choose that special one, in order to bring her "princess for a day" dreams into reality. Many little girls long for the day to be that princess. The absence of the bride in the photo brings a sublime element to the photo and makes this a fairly artistic piece of work - using the dress for symbolism of the brides innocence and purity, only later at the finish of the celebrations of course, it will vapourise [if they're not too drunk on champagne]....... well okay, maybe that was the case in the old days :)

Congratulations Mary, a very well deserved POW.

ps In response to Bernhard, yes I agree that Paolo's pictures are very strong and do stand out with his unique approach. But, let's not use that fact to take away anything from Mary's style and efforts! Where this particular image is very "light and airy" as somebody else relates, I find Paolo's photos extremely dark and oppressive. For me that isn't really conducive to the emotions you want to remember from your wedding day. Paolo's style is much more "italian fashion", or "movie still" orientated imo, which would undoubtedly look great in magazines or photography books, but not my wedding album thanks.

A very original image indeed. I can really imagine how the bride is going to feel when it's all set up and the dress is waiting for it's moment, hanging by the window. A lot of people seem complain for thechnical details, but this could have been taken with a disposable camera and would still be better than most of the perfect (and boring) usual wedding shots.

 

Simone

I just want to say that I think that this is one of the best POWs that I have seen in a while (sorry all, my personal opinion). I would compliment you more but I think that most of it has been said. It just hit me as a REAL POW the instant it filled my screen. Congratulations!

I'm very disapointed by this POW... The framing isn't very special, the play with textures is OK but I find the overall image quite commmon. Sorry Mary. Maybe it is just me but the photo doesn't look inspiring, which, to me, one key issue in the choise of POWs.

Jacques - I have to agree that it looks dull on my monitor as well. Not on the print from what I remember. I upped the contrast and lowered the brightness on on my monitor it looked better... I'd love feedback as to how to improve it.. I appreciate your constructive comments...Sorry it made you sad.. So interesting how images strike people in different ways.. Very helpful to hear.

Peter - Thank you.. I also like the simplicity and "realness" of the shot. My slogan for my business is "Real Moments...Real Memories". Usually the room I shoot in while the bride is getting ready with all her girls...is a mess!!! I have to shoot what is there without making a big production to interfere with the goings on. It can be a challenge.

And Kelly - you are right -- It was shot fairly quickly. I have to work with the constraints of time, location, people in the room and at that time a totally manual camera. I shoot about 500 to 800 frames in a six hour period. Have to be quick enough to "see" a shot that carries beauty and mood. Saw the light coming through the dress -- had to have it.. Shot about two frames and moved on to the "people oriented" activities in the room. I've also done a lot of commercial work where you have the luxury to take your time to create the perfect shot.. Not possible with weddings - it is a whole different animal.

Bernhard, Paolo's work is awsome! Marc Williams also has some great stuff. I admire them both. I also agree that Paolo's work is like movie stills - and on the dark moody side. I love the shot of the groom looking at his reflection. Awesome. I think many many people on this site are very aware of his great work. And if not - Go see his work it is very artistic and dramatic!

Adam and Simone - Thanks - I do try to make my images capture the precious real moments of the day. Including when I do the "standard group shots". I go for lots of interactive expression in the groups as well as the couple shots. A few standard group shots on a page with the next page being the group clustering around the couple with hugs and kisses - I then zoom in on the action. I tell them at that point -- to ignore me and pay attention to the couple and the results can be sooo much fun! Takes away the static feel of stiff posed pictures.

All photographic attempts can be improved.. This is why we are here so thanks for your input of an encouraging, appreciative nature as well as the honest and helpful critiques of a negative nature!

Nice idea, Mary. This image is very pleasing to my eye, and is worth more than one look, to me meaning its a pretty good photo. The manner in which the backlighting emphasizes the needlework of the dress is a most dramatic presentation, making this the best photo I've seen of this subject matter. Please ignore the nitpicking you're getting - those folks need to get out more.

Thanks for your reply, Mary. Interesting to read you do more of this sort of work. It appears then that I was wrong assuming it wasn't your usual style. Apologies.

I read quite a few interesting comments in this thread.

Jacques... Once again we are talking about "overexposure", and perhaps it's a language problem, but to me this picture is certainly not overexposed and that white area should be called a highlight, and a highlight with no detail is not a bad highlight - just a "strong" highlight.

I'm also a bit surprised to read that a few people get no emotion from this image. At first glance, this image didn't do much for me either; fact is, that it is not a "pretty" picture, it is indeed a bit dull, lacks shadows, seems almost faded, perhaps printed using a developer that would have been too long under the table...

Yet, all this, to me, contributes in conveying a subdued, quiet, solemn and nostalgic atmosphere.

This image is about a big moment in a person's life, and looking at this dress, I have to agree with Peter A: what's extraordinary about this picture is that everything is so ordinary, so timeless and almost abandonned - which is probably why some found it sad. To me, this image is only sad this you really focus your eye on the details of the dress, on the way the dress swells, on the way the light shines through. At that stage, I think there is some life something that ressemble the big day ahead... This picture takes time to appreciate. I don't think it is perfect at all, but I do think it is a lot more subtle than what it may seem at first glance. It all feels so light, bright an inhabited, as if a breeze would have brought the soul of the bride in this dress through the window, before the "arrival of the body"...:-)

And as I was writing the previous post, Mary found appropriate to upload a "proper" conventional print with the right amount of shadows...:-)

I must say this new upload looks awesome compared to the original. A lot more beautiful, no doubt. Still, if posted side by side at the same size, I'm not absolutely sure the new version would stand the test of time as well as the imperfect version... Too early for me to tell - there are pros and cons to each version imo -, but perfect tones are not always the perfect treatment for an image. Sometimes, too beautiful lacks soul... I'm not sure whether that's the case here, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

I find in that sense that Kelly L. made an interesting comment about the "missing vignetting". It is true, I think, that this sort of shot would look gorgeous taken with a toy camera...

Since we were talking about Paolo Caldone's work just now, which I have admired for a very long time on this site, Paolo's work is very often what people would generally call *too* dark, but Paulo's dark moods often add lots of drama.

Here, similarly, I'd tend to think, that the dull tones and the strong highlights added an interesting mood to Mary's image (with pros and cons).

This is a gorgeous dress(great choice on the bride's part), hope her groom was a good choice too, lol. The light is soft, chimmering, transparent, lovely. Maybe more detail on the dress? The somewhat more elaborate dress is in contrast to the stark quality of what is included in the rest of the composition. It does seem odd since as you say it's usually very hectic as one would expect, so we expect maybe a more cluttered image. But the simplicity is what sets the mood. I admit there is a little sadness here for me maybe. For the bride however I think it will bring memories of that day, getting ready,

picking the dress etc.

 

When I first looked at this picture I thought of some of Jim Dine's bathrobe paintings and some installation artists. The dress seems very fragile, has a life of its own almost, looks like it may even fall off the hanger too. If there had been time to stage it a bit, maybe the veil and shoes would be nice. I like the spontaneous quality though.

The new upload is MUCH more interesting, more finished. The only problem is it

seems to bring out the blown out part of the dress just that much more, but oh well.

nice

I'm not sure what to think of this week's photo. I've seen this done before. My only

comment would have been to put the dress on a nicer hanger.

Congratulations on your POW award.

 

I have been viewing this photo at least once a day since it has been up on the front page. Today I read through the comments. After reading the comments I still get the feeling of happiness and as has been said, light and airy feeling from the photo. I can imagine the bride awakening in the early morning, with the sun streaming in her window, lighting up the dress. Its beautifull. I could only wish for warmer tones in the photo. Something to give even more 'umph' to the light.

 

I do not get the feeling of 'clutter' in the room on the wedding day that Mary mentions. Anyone who has been through that clutter on the wedding day will be very well aware of how difficult it must have been to get this shot. I get the feeling of the anticipation of the day. The dress is one of the main incredients for 'the day' with all the significance the traditions hold. This waiting dress seems joyfull and eager to "jump in" (as Marc so aptly put it) to the new life to be started this day.

I think the open window with the breeze blowing in adds a lot to the dynamics of the shot. I prefer the original to the darker one, because of the light and the movement apparent in the original one. I think it would be a treasure for the bride to have in her cache of memories.

It's hard to understand how anyone could not like this image.

You may not relate to the subject in a way that a recently married

woman might, but just as a study in light and compostion, it's

something I think most of us would have shot given the chance.

Being attracted solely by lines and shapes and textures, but

especially when they're presented with such unusal lighting, may

seem like a dry analytical way to approach photography, but don't

you think that these aspect by themselves do create a mood

even if you couldn't identify, let alone relate to, the subject?

 

Mary says she saw the light and had to have the shot. Believe it.

I really enjoy the photograph and think you have a great eye to catch this image. There is so much imagination that can be added to this shot which could represent so many things to different people. Bravo Mary Ball. What a welcome relief in contrast to all the boring wedding shots in this world.

A day later...

I have reached the conclusion that I do prefer the new version of this image, which you uploaded as an attachment. In fact it is simply more beautiful and doesn't seem to have lost its soul: so, I'm all for it, finally. Cheers.

The expectations of what is to come. It is anticipation of a days events hanging in the air for all to wonder upon. What a thought inspired photo. Exciting and surreal in the same moment.

Why the heck didn't I think of this?!