Loving Shadows and Mood...

Sometimes there is just way too much concern over things being well lit.

Sometimes there is just way to much hoopla over smiles.

Sometimes Black and White is the ONLY correct choice.

IMHO

Maybe I'll think of some other stupid statements to add by the end of this blog that can totally be torn apart by other photogs, or possibly even me in a day or two, but for now, at this point in time, this is exactly how I'm feeling.

BTW - We're in the middle of our wedding season.

Shooting weddings is a very tiring, stressful job...but can also be extremely fun and exciting. Stressful because of the time frames and schedules and the 1-chance-to-get-the-1-shot-of-the-kiss, the cake-smashing-in-the-face, the garter-flying-through-the-air, etc., etc., etc., but fun and exciting because of the joy and laughter and happy tears that you get to see and experience over and over, reminiscing each time about your very own wedding and all the crazy emotions that you felt. Terror and Excitement all rolled into one.

So back to the well lit, shadows, B/W rant part of the blog. Weddings are a combo of all that's boring, exciting and interesting about photography. The formals are the boring, though very, very important part. They need to be well lit, smiling faces with light in their eyes. Yeah, you can do all sorts of jumping and running and face making group shots but you STILL have to have some of the all-standing-in-a-line-saying-cheese pics. The ones that the bride and groom gives to grandma and that stays on the wall or the dresser until the end of time.

The important but boring ones.

But invariably, the ones that the bride and groom usually choose as their favs are the ones that we also think are the coolest...the ones that are showing the true feelings...the chance looks, the real emotions, the shadows, the mood. What's truly amazing is that even if you set-up a shot with certain poses or in a certain venue, if you give it a little time, those true emotions and looks and feelings start coming out on their own...because they really ARE in love, they can't help it. Tell them to quit smiling and saying cheese and put them close together and BAM, there is twitterpation (to quote The Wise Old Owl from Bambi) in the air and it, wow, photographs extremely well!

The same is true with the bride and her bridesmaids and with the groom and his groomsman. They all like/love each other...they KNOW how to be crazy friends with each other, and if you just give them enough time, they'll forget you're there and give you the right photo ops completely on their own.

This last wedding with Luke and Mellisa was a prime example. When we first met a few months ago, Luke had said he really liked the whole gang of guys, "Brat Pack" type of vibe...the group of friends just hanging out in tuxes and looking cool in Black and White type of photos. So I decided that we should just meet uptown Athens at the courthouse with his 6 other guys...and just walk. Wander around town for 30 minutes or so. Just let them be friends and do what friends do.

The top shot and this one are from that little bit of time together. Them being them. True emotions with real faces, real shadows, and real mood.

Just the way I like it.

Jeffrey

Lights, Cameras and Ignoramus'...

A friend, who also is a photographer, recently wrote on her Facebook page, "No strobes or umbrellas, just natural lighting is the secret to GREAT photos and of course the right lens and (a) smart photographer ;)".

To be honest, I went through a ton of emotions and thoughts after reading that, mostly because of recently becoming an "Alien Bee" owner and huge convert to the "Strobe Lovers of the Universe" religion. First and foremost, I was angry that another photographer could make such a statement. It was like a cook saying "No beef or chicken, only seafood is the secret to Great food and of course the right pan and a smart cook!"

I just couldn't figure out what would make another photographer say such a ridicules thing! I mean, we all have our preferences...likes and dislikes...and that's all well and good, but to say that what I am doing is the ONLY way...the BEST way...what the heck?!?

The more I thought about it, though, I think I figured out what was going on and we've all been there in some form or the other I believe.

When I first picked up a camera, snapped that first photo and looked at the result, I REALLY thought I had just done something special. I was a photographer of huge proportions and this photo of my girls was one of the best images that was ever made! I honestly deep down in some part of my psyche felt that way...and in some respects I was correct! I had just captured a piece of time and stored it for generations to come...something that no one else on the planet could replicate...something completely unique to me, my subject and that instant in time. That IS a pretty amazing thing.

When I look back on those photos now I can not believe how bad they are! Why?...well, the eyes are dark and in shadow, the colors are over saturated, the composition sucks, no depth of field... on and on and on!!! But at the time...they were GREAT! I was so ignorant...I was an untaught baby to photography and art.

Hopefully we are always growing and learning...opening ourselves up for criticism and discipline from those who not only may have more experience but those who have never held a camera before but understand art and light and whatever else there is that can make us a fuller, more understanding person/photographer. But to do that you have to be willing to say I Don't Know...I Need Help...I'm Not The Best...I Actually Suck Sometimes.

Sometimes it's just too scary to say that...way to vulnerable of a position to put ourselves in.

Sometimes we just don't know enough to understand how little we know!!!

So why did she say that? Of course I'll never know for sure, but my guess...is fear of the unknown. It's just so much easier to think that where you are is the best place to be than it is to think that I still haven't even scratched the surface of things to know and I'm a raving ignoramus!

I hope I can always stay an ignoramus...they learn sooooo much more...

Jeffrey Morris

p.s. above photo of Kirstian with absolutely no natural light...