Well it finally happened. We photographed our first wedding (we of course being Johann and myself) on Saturday, 28th June 2008.
Boy was it hectic and strenuous and rushed and stressful and fun and frustrating and entertaining and beautiful all at the same time. Began the day at 09h30 to go and fetch Johann on the way to the bride's house as we were offering full coverage for the day. We ended up getting home at about 22h00 and I got to bed at 23h30 after making sure all the images were properly backed up (and even then missing out a CF card or two - *gulp* - sorry Johann - but at least everything is now backed up *twice* safe and sound. Note to self - don't do mission critical tasks when you are so exhausted).All told, between Johann and myself we took 3,179 photographs. That's 55GB worth of images. Anyone want to volunteer for the task of going through these now and deleting the bloopers (yes believe it or not there are some of those. :lol:) and star-rating the rest of them so that we can try and whittle it down to about 500 top-class images that will show-case their Wedding day?
I was fully prepared for a hectic long day, but in now way shape or form was I prepared at all for the frenetic pace at which some events just moved along. It was unbelievable actually how quickly parts of the day flew by and I was definitely most stressed from the point where we left the brides house (after rushing to finish off some of the group family photo's there once she had finally got dressed) and then getting to the church before them and setting up knowing full well that I would need all my wits about me in the church as it was just so dark in there. I was getting 1/30s at ISO 1600 at f/2.8 - so clearly we were going to be needing some flash for assistance. Luckily I had already cleared this with the minister and he said that he was fine with it.
After the ceremony we moved on to the reception venue where we were able to get onto the Golf Course and get what I think are truly some wonderful photographs of the wedding couple. It really is amazing how on the day most brides are just so radiant. I really think it is their inner happiness that truly shines through and really makes for beautiful natural photographs. Both bride and groom have children already and so we were also able to make them part of the group photo's and hopefully those will be some wonderful memories for them to cherish in years to come.The reception gradually wound down into the usual partying affair after the mandatory dance, boquet, garter toss and cake cutting. Johann and I were both exhausted. Mentally and physically drained the likes of which quite surprised us.
In some ways now the real work begins otherwise it's all for naught really without the final images as proof-of-the-pudding. We got some compliments from guests along the way as to how we were operating and managing ourselves and that was nice to hear. Of course there were the other usual know-it-alls who believe that because they have a camera in their hand that may be similar in capability that they now are suddenly the professionals. :) Go to it I say! I knew from prior weddings that these kind of guys always creep out of the woodwork so was
able to take it with a pinch of salt.
So yep, now to begin with the whittling down process and the real editing post-work. Truthfully a lot of these photographs look pretty good straight out of the camera to me? So that is a good start. We shot exclusively in RAW though on a Canon 1Ds Mark III, Canon 1Ds Mark II and a Canon 1D Mark IIN so our image quality is definitely up there. But as with all RAW photographs they do need to be 'developed' and tweaked to give the best results exposure, white balance and colour-wise. It's going to be fun. :)
Please bear with us as I would really like to have a substantial portion of this work done (at least in proof stage) to present to the couple before it is revealed to our web watchers (we appreciate your support by the way). I think it would be only fair for them to have first say in what photo's they (and not us) think are the winners. Then again they might just say: "All of them!" Here's hoping. :D
After that it's deciding which photo's will then form part of their DVD slide-show, Coffee-table book style wedding album, enlargements and what-not. So definitely lots of work ahead for both Johann and myself. I just have to convince Johann not to cross-process all his images! LOL! :) (only kidding Johann).Ok that's about it. Had a really chilled Sunday just recuperating and trying to sit and lie somewhere where I didn't feel my sore back and have finished it up with this Journal tonight as a memory of the event. Thanks for reading and thanks as always for all your support throughout. Thanks to Johann as well for his support and assistance on the day. It was really appreciated and I couldn't have imagined doing the whole wedding without him.
She truly outdid herself and I am so thrilled with the outcome. I really like this professional design and impression that my new logo and colour scheme creates. I love the dark colour scheme especially as it shows off the photographs so well - I mean you just have to take a look at the direction in which the Lightroom GUI has gone for instance. Thanks so much Annemarie for having some patience with me while we went through a few iterations and thanks for your professionalism in making sure the design was right. Let's hope that she likes the studio photo's as much! *gulp* :)
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