Tips on Wedding Photography
Get the most out of your wedding pictures using the following tips on wedding photography
Camera height
For the reportage pictures of the wedding it is a good idea to mix all kinds of
angles — from ground level one minute, to a high-level viewpoint another. Good composition,
excitement and variety all result from the photographer being alert and agile. For
the more formal aspects of the wedding coverage, however, following some basic rules
concerning camera height will help you to produce more flattering photographs. You
can also use these rules as controls if you wish to compensate for any differences
in height or weight amongst your subjects.
Keep it vertical
A good classic rule to follow concerns the height of the camera for full-length
and head-and-shoulder portraits: keep the camera back vertical. For example, if
you are photographing a couple full length, the camera needs to be about waist high;
and for the close-ups shoulder high. If you mix these positions up the camera will
be tilting up or down, and this spoils the perspective. A full-length portrait photographed
from eye level will give its subjects big shoulders and small feet. Likewise, a
head-and-shoulders portrait taken from waist height creates big chests and chins.
Many photographers get this wrong. The reason for this is clear - some use cameras
with waist-level finders, others use cameras with eye-level finders. Either are
perfectly acceptable, but it means that, when taking close-ups, the former group
have to get the camera up high and stand on a camera case or portable steps, and
the latter have to be prepared to stoop. Taking full-length pictures from waist
height gives them stature and elegance, but taking close-ups from that height results
in distorted perspective.
There may be occasions when you can use these ‘mistakes’ to your advantage. The
mother of the bride with three chins often tries to hide them by keeping her head
up. You can help her by taking a high-level viewpoint and looking down on her. The
self-conscious balding bridegroom may appear to have more hair when seen from a
lower viewpoint. You can also use camera height to remove unwanted items in the
background. This is a more subtle camera movement, but many a picture can be improved
by hiding items behind heads through a slight lowering of the camera.
Positioning the camera
For full-length shots the camera should be positioned just above waist height with
the camera back parallel with a line through the couple.
For close-ups the camera is raised to head height, but the camera must remain parallel
to the couple.