Wedding Dress - Vermont wedding - Shelburne Farms

This new upload makes a huge difference IMO. So that I feel I have to upgrade my comment. Higher contrast and darkening were missing so much in first place, so that the image went dusty and dull as the result (in spite of white light smash in the middle, trying to save the whole mood)... and dull, wedding-wise, isnot it a synonymous of real disaster...

Here I see brightness, life, happiness, youth..., more than the window itself the dress seems to bright light in that room...

Just my 2cents, but I am not an expert in wedding...;-)

I do like the open window! The bride must have got cold feet and jumped.

I don't get quite the same sense of light airiness with the second version. Marc is right about the virtues of the second version, of course, except for that mystical sense that inheres in the photo and which I think is brought out better by the original.

A few pointers: I too had noticed the lack of contrast and the cheap hanger and thought these two things alone killed the special-ness of the photo. To me, this seems a really nice photo that suffered from a few peripheral nuisances: the hanger, the contrast problem, the dark spots on the right window, the splotches on the wallpaper, and most of all, the TILT! Not to mention that the dress is kind of plain and simple as far as wedding dresses go. Mary, youve got to straighten up this photograph before I get dizzy looking at it. I had actually played with the image a little bit in Photoshop yesterday just to see its potential. It definitely is a winner and a keeper for any wedding album, but the crop is too tight for this kind of shot IMO. This is where the vignette comes in. But in the heat of the moment there is no time to run over to your camera bag and sort through the accessory section and try to find the vignette along with the corresponding filter size adapter, so what to do? Simply take one step backwards and give it more room at the edges and add the vignette later on. The idea is to keep the entire dress inside the vignette as much as possible. I actually would prefer this as a high-key photograph over the original or the edited version but I just couldnt get the right toning I was looking for in ten minutes or so, so I gave up. Im pretty sure I can do it I just dont have the time to dedicate to it; but it would look very nice as a high-key photograph.

 

A little aside: if anyone is interested in seeing some good wedding photos with a different approach but still in the traditional form try seeing some of photografz work in the Leica user site at:

 

http://leicainfo.com/photopost_3/showgallery.php?thumb=1&stype=2&si=fotografz&cat=500&perpage=12&sort=1&ppuser=9

I prefer the original image, by far. I feel

that detail has been lost in the second

version, due to the increased contrast. I find

the slightly tatty wallpaper

and skirting board rather touching,

and in wonderful contrast to

the innocent simplicity and purity

of the wedding dress, which by it`s very shape suggests

youth and tenderness.

Personally I am shocked that Mary no longer

has this negative.

This is a photograph which is certainly more

interesting to the photographer than to the bride,

in my opinion.

Mary, thanks for the comment. I have come back to it another day later and I still find it excellent. I am not sure that the later version is better on my screen (a flat-screen iiyama 17 inch at full colour). I guess that what hit me was the translucency and the much commented on feeling that it is blowing in a gentle breeze. I much prefer this to most wedding pictures. It just says a lot about the hours before. The variety of discussion, though shows how wide the spectrum of what constitutes a good wedding photo is. But then if we all liked the same thing you wouldn't have taken this picture!

Leanne -- I shot dress in the window 6 years ago and don't have negs because the couple can buy the negatives after 5 years. I do reserve the right to ask them for the negatives to make a print. Though I love this image and what it conveys (for me) - I have gotten better over the years (I hope) and have better dress shots than this. And though not "original" as someone pointed out it is a key shot for brides. Original - to me - is attempting to do a oft shot image in my own unique way.

Isidro, your points are all very valid and well stated and helpful! However, If I were shooting in a quiet room with more options and time.. Perhaps many of those issues would have been addressed (pardon the pun).

Let me set something up for you... The bride is running late.. I just fixed her hair and checked all the girls makeup by the window since we'll be shooting outside. There are six girls behind me in various stages of getting dressed -- all talking at once and some asking me questions about their shoes, dress or whatever.. We have only one half hour to get pictures before the ceremony of the bride alone and with each girl and with her parents and flower girl... There are shoes, bags, curling irons, plastic dress bags and other personal effects including my two camera bags all over the floor and chairs and bed... The florist just came in and has questions about the flowers. The bride needs to get in her dress. It is complete chaos. I don't carry fancy hangers with me and there are none on site because this is a bed and breakfast and the hangers are permanantly affixed to the clothes rod. I see a great shot because of the light coming through the dress and the mood I saw in a fraction of an instant...and take two frames. Sure I saw the chipped paint..part of the charm of the place..very old but elegant mansion. Hope for the best that I got something close to what I envisioned. Yes, it is crooked. I don't worry about that because when I enlarge it for the album or use it as a 4x5 alone on a page... I'll either straighten it within the mat or totally slant it in a mat opening that is made for that kind of shot.. I don't have photoshop - I get creative with cropping and mat openings. None of this is in the form of an "excuse" -- just the reality of doing weddings. And - I love it. It is fast and furious and not perfect sometimes but the important thing is to capture the reality of the day.

Carl mentions that some might not be able to relate to the image in a way a recent bride might. Well, I'm a recent bride. August 27 - just a few weeks ago! It was an invaluable experience. I had probably the second best photgrapher in New England. Lucky to have her for cost as she's a friend. She has a similar style to me. Which means she is flying all over the place and yet not getting in the way or interfering with my preparations or my day. It's madness! She did a great job because when I see my images I see mood, joy, playfullness, love and a few artsy images of important details that I'll treasure forever. With the fast pace and time constraints she had to deal with, I didn't expect perfection because we are not traditional studio shooters. We want real, expressive, emotional work.

The uploaded image is my daughter and I - that was taken by my photographer ...If I were to critique it for negative points.. I'd point to the sand trap and composition. However, I know that when I put it in an album - I'll be getting an 8x10 and that will automatically be cropped out going from a 4x6 to an 8x10. I have here what I want and what my clients want from me -- a great moment captured with genuine emotion. When I see it I smile and remember. Wedding photography is a whole other animal than studio shooting. ;-)

Congratulations or apologies are in order.

 

Regardless, I love the haunt of this image. The ghostly white light and the

active billow. Something about the mimickry of ordinary draping and the

significance of a human moment elevates this into a sublime observance.

 

Most atttempts at abstract symbolism fail because they are static. This

glimpse into frail life succeeds because it echoes that dynamic energy. I

agree with most about the wall verticals, but nonetheless, it's a mature insight

into human faith in promise and hope, with nary a person in site. Well done.

I like the photo a lot. Much more so than recent Photos of the week. To me when I look at it I see the morning before the wedding. The brides fears and hopes all in one. The lighting is superb and evokes those long early morning rays of sun. This seams to fit in with the begining of a new day and a new life. Well done and diserving of the honor of POW.

Interesting and very creative. You obviously seems to relate to your customers deeply, not just as many other weddings photographers do, simply "documenting" the event and that's it. I say this not only based on this shot, but on the many that I've seen before in your portfolio here in p.net.

 

My problem with this one, is the blown out areas on the bottom right of the dress. I'm not sure if it's my monitor, but it looks like there's no details. I wonder if the original negative shows anything there or if it's just the scan. I'm surprised that only Kelly Loverud made an observation on this regard, so maybe it's not that serious...

Take a look at www.hasselblad.com. You will find a much forceful image by Chris Marr that somehow is very similar to the photograph by Mary Ball. Is that just a coincidence? I would lower the points for originality..

Congratulations Mary, both on this well deserved POW, and on your recent marriage!

I find this image evocative and emotive, yet still realistic. It transcends the hustle and bustle of that chaotic time of the wedding, and gives back to the bride a chance to reflect on things she may not have had time for on the day. It creates a quiet moment by stilling this special visual that otherwise may have been missed. I consider this an achievement in itself, but also this choice of subject conveys so much symbolism as others have already commented. Signalling the beginning of the day, the following festivities, and the rest of the married couples lives together. The dress without the bride says much about "the specialness" (if there is such a word) of the day, and therefore this picture has universal appeal, aswell as being a treasured memory for the couple that commissioned you.

Well done, and all good wishes to you, your new husband and your daughter, for a fun-filled joyful future together.

Does anyone one else feel a sense of solitude within this image? Comments

upon this site include romantisism, excitement and anticipation. I see this but I

also feel sadness for the dress, like its hanging in suspense, waiting to be

worn, but only once, and then the light from the window will die. It's almost as

if the dress is a stage costume, hung in its beauty for the last performance.

This image leaves me feeling sad rather than the happiness it perhaps

symbolises. A beautiful image in more ways than one, not technically great

but then the best photographs often arent, they come from the heart. Would

look great in a wedding album. Claire M UK

Claire - Sincerely and beautifully said -- and very, very interesting as others have also felt what you've just expressed so eloquently.. That is the amazing and wonderful thing about photography or I suppose most artistic "expressions" .. We all bring to it our own experience..All very valid, and I am listening very closely because it is important to my business to realize that my "vision" is not always going to be interpreted the way I intend it to be. Thank you. That is also why I love so many ofthe predictable dissenters on this page. (I could name them but they know who they are and we love them -- They keep you on your toes ;-)..

On the other hand, it is also very wonderful to get that praise when some recognize that you came "close" to what you've tried to achieve... That praise is especially cool when it comes from photographers that are normally very critical and have a high standard... (And we also know who they are.) Encouraging and inspirational.

G....I wish you had a name -- But - Thanks, the couple was very happy with the results...this is only one little piece of the final album which was mostly about the love and interaction and personal moments of that particular couple.

Nestor - yes, I love what I do and as you say I do very much relate to my clients. I feel like they are family when I leave.. But also - YES..Agree!! The highlights are blown in that one area of the dress. I look at my results and wish that next time I can do better.. It never ends but it does get better every year, at least I hope, because I try to keep open, keep learning and keep trying.

Anrijs - What? Coincedence that there is a shot out there like mine - really? ;-) No offense... I'm just amused.. I have not studied or researched other people's work... ;-) I never heard of Chris Marr... Hmm What year was the shot done? I'll have to check the shot out.. Does it surprise me that others shoot a dress in the window? Does it surprise me that others see something wonderful with the light coming through the dress in window? No.... But, thanks for the tip.. I'll check it out!! I might learn something...and improve my work. That is why we are here - right?

So much banter about a simple honest image.

 

As suggested above, I took a look at Chris Marr's dress shot.

Not the same at all...except it's of a dress hanging...which all of

us wedding photographers shoot if given the chance. Originality

is not contained in the subject matter of some event so

regimented to tradition. It comes from a fresh vision of those

traditions. IMO, Chris' image is a studio like still life...Mary's is

animated by light and a gentle breeze. One (while beautifully

composed and lit), looks contrived and somehow lifeless, while

the other connects the viewer to the Bride in an unpretentious

manner.

 

Much of Mary's work has this human quality. There is a

difference between a fairy tale approach which separates itself

from the actual people being married to reach for some iconic

ideal, and an approach that actually is a perceptive record of the

B&Gs most personal day spent in full view of hundreds of their

friends and family.

 

Mary is indeed very perceptive and personal in her approach.

That, as opposed to suffocating rules and obsession with

technique, is Mary's genius.

I thought this created a feeling of the dress dancing, enticing its owner to wear it and dance too, enhanced by the off-true verticals. Coppelia-like and balletic.

I like this image a lot for all the reasons people have stated in terms of the content. As far as the technical stuff, Back lighting is very hard to control. I do think this photo, just for discussion sake would have been better served by using a view camera (I know, we all carry one in our back pockets:) I say this because then Mary could have controlled the highlight during developement and had, in my opinion (only), a touch more of detail on the left edge of the dress there. I can see just a hint of seperation between the dress and the window light, would like to see a little more detail there. For taking this shot with a roll film camera, its pretty cool though.

Compliments coming from Marc Williams..are much appreciated! Many Thanks Marc.. Your work is very wonderful and your generous and frequent contributions to the forums are so appreciated. I agree that the reference to that very talented photographer on hasselblad.com with the dress shot bears no relationship to this shot..man .. it isn't even by a window! Geez..

Anyway.. Mark, Marc Williams, Marc G. (hard to please and a great critic), Geraldine , Kelly, e.e., Joseph Coalter (another tough critic), Leanne, Isidro (always a tough one), Kudzu, Herman, Jacques, Margret Meehan, Carl Root (also a tough critic), Jeffrey, Critter (a tough and humorous critic), Peter, Scott, Simone, Adam, Bernhard Mayer (very tough critic), Jeff, Len, Ken. Rafael, Nestor, - thanks for your constructive critiques and compliments.. Both were accepted and appreciated.

And - interesting..to see a comment by "Barry Fisher".. Who is Not "Barrie" Fisher (female wedding photographer as well as fairly famous Olympics sports photographer that took the photo on this page of me and my daughter at my wedding) What a fun coincedence.

Hey I just realized something! (Mary, Im sorry for posting this non-related message here), but Marc Williams is actually "fotografz" from the Leica forum which I had I mentioned earlier as being an excellent photographer. I didnt know he displayed his work here also! Well then, that should make it easier for some of you to go through his work. Marc W., you do some excellent photography, I have always admired your work in the Leica forum, I guess Ill look for your work here now.

Your foto really brings what could be a plain scene to life. I like it the way it is, no additional contrast required!

 

Great foto Mary, and great to see another Vermonter on here!

When I saw this image first, it did not appeal me at all. My reaction was, coverting any ordinary photo to B&W does not make it a great. But when I knew that it was a part of a wedding prtfolio, it makes sense. It suddenly tells a story even without the bride in it. Such a photo to my mind does not have a value unless it is with other wedding photos.

Ok here's a stupid question.

 

I was reading how this picture was taken, personally I think its great!, but what does bracketed mean?

Mary, your photo was worth another look, and after reading certain coments made after my original post, I'm compelled to say a little more. I think some folks are easily caught up in the technical aspects of photography, and overlook the more intangible aspects an image can present. Getting caught up in "too much tilt" and "use a better hanger", the these folks seem to be blind to the spiritual slice of life your photo represents. Yours is a photo that makes one think. It captures a living, breathing moment that begs for the viewer to think about what a wedding means, and how lives of many people will be changed this day. That's no small thing.

Congratulations Mary. This has always been a favorite of mine ever since I first saw it. It certainly stands on its own merit.

D.W., bracketed means that multiple pictures were taken, each with a (slightly) different exposure. Particularly in difficult light conditions it is a good idea to take a few more shots: overexpose a little, underexpose a little and see what comes out best. Depending on the exact conditions and requirements, you could open or close the aperture or select a different shutter speed when bracketing.