Wedding photography
As a special form of event photography, wedding photography is an occasion- related photography. Depending on the occasion of the wedding , wedding photography can contain elements of portrait photography , reportage photography or glamor photography. In general, wedding photography has the task of fixing the event as a pleasant memory .
Hallmarks of wedding photography
Style aspects
Wedding photography is a typical example of staged photography . The degree of staging depends on the wishes of the bride and groom and the skills of the photographer. It contains elements of portrait photography, reportage photography and glamor photography. Portrait photography in the context of wedding photography is, for example, natural-looking portraits in a relaxed environment (studio, park), while reportage photography includes the photographic accompaniment of the wedding day with the ceremonial elements (wedding ceremony, ring exchange, meal). Glamor photography is the staging of souvenir photos with a lot of glamor. The difference to the (natural-looking) portrait photography lies in the purpose of the image statement : In glamor photography, similar to beauty retouching , the image should be brought closer to a predetermined ideal of beauty. The boundaries between these areas are fluid. The wedding report is a series of images that photographically document several “stages” (e.g. wedding ceremony and celebrations) and does not necessarily only show the bride and groom.
Wedding couple in the registry office
Professional photo production
Still life with accessories
Photo shoot in the park
Mood picture as part of a wedding report
Cultural aspects
The main difference between wedding photos from different countries and cultures lies in the details of the content. Different customs and cultural peculiarities ensure different values of all elements of wedding photography.
Country wedding in Jomala
Hindu wedding couple
Traditional Nnewi wedding
Ukrainian wedding custom
Spanish tinsel rain
Wedding couple in China
history
The history of wedding photography is closely linked to the invention of photography by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce . One of the first wedding photos was taken 14 years later, in 1840, and shows a camera re-enactment of the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. However, due to technological and financial difficulties, wedding photographers were not hired until the late 19th century. During this time, wedding photos were not taken at the actual wedding, but in the studio where the wedding couple posed for a photo. In the late 1860s the custom of hiring photographers for wedding photos became popular and in a few cases the photographers were present at the actual celebration.
With the technological advances in wedding photography, it became possible to replace bulky equipment with smaller ones and solve exposure problems. Wedding albums became common in the 1880s and photographers were invited to wedding parties more often to include them in photos. At the beginning of the 20th century, the introduction of color photography brought with it an important development, which, however, was introduced into wedding photography late due to cost reasons. It was not until after World War II that the custom of hiring wedding photographers to report for the entire day became popular.
Forms of expression
Wedding reporting
Wedding reporting is the photojournalistic support of a wedding. The photos are not placed or staged, but the events are photographed neutrally and as authentically as possible.
Wedding group photo
Group photos at weddings are becoming increasingly popular. In the Bavarian Oberland , the group photo of the entire wedding party is a tradition. Photographers have specialized in this and offer the right equipment with their photo equipment and the mobile photo gallery. Group photos are also repeatedly taken from above, here the photographer stands in the church on the gallery , on a mobile lifting platform or uses a camera drone.
Artistic special forms
Under Trash the dress refers to a subgenre of wedding photography that sets unlike the classic wedding photography to the contrast of elegant wedding dress to unusual environments such as junkyards, graffiti walls or old factories.
Trash the dress originally comes from the USA. At the end of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century, the first trash-the-dress shootings are said to have taken place in Las Vegas . John Michael Cooper is said to be the forefather of this stylistic device.
These photos develop their effect mainly through the atmosphere of the traditional wedding dress in a completely atypical environment. Popular places for trash-the-dress photos include junkyards, car cemeteries, bodies of water, graffiti walls, old factories, and ports. The contrast can also be emphasized with make-up, accessories and “unsuitable” shoes such as rubber boots.
Often trash-the-dress photos are not taken instead of “classic” wedding photos, but as a supplement to them.
Due to the conditions mentioned (addition to other - professional - wedding photos; heavy soiling - possibly damage - of the wedding clothes; the effort involved in selecting and visiting the location; style deviating from the mainstream - and thus the most common wedding occasion; high costs, etc.) this subgenre is only used by a special clientele .
Ratio of amateurs and professionals
Wedding photos are made by both amateur and professional photographers. There is a large number of guides especially for amateurs. Here is an excerpt:
- "In order to capture the mood and the ambience, many details related to the wedding are recorded in modern wedding photography (e.g. macro shots of the rings, clothing details , gifts, table decorations, food and drinks, floral decorations - especially the bridal bouquet ). This is also due to the fact that many bridal couples invest a lot of time and love in the preparation of the wedding and then want to record exactly these details. "
A professional photographer also observes non-verbal job descriptions, which are generally more the rule than the exception in photography. This is understood to mean the details that catch the eye of the client, but which an amateur is not aware of. The professional photographer must discreetly direct the motif design and lighting, but also pay attention to labels (for example, call the pastor beforehand and introduce himself). In addition, there is a certain duty of care, which means that he has to know the ceremony in all of its individual variations beforehand.
Regardless of these differences, all of the elements of wedding photography mentioned can be present in the amateur and professional.
Legal Aspects
Before the recordings, there is usually a (written) agreement between the bride and groom and the photographer about the scope of services and prices. The main point is i. d. As a rule, the issuing of prints or copies of the digital data. The photographer then remains the owner because he is responsible for the artistic design of the motif, the selection of perspective and the lighting conditions as the artist and the agreement is aimed at the handover of prints. The publication of the negatives is not one of them. In any case, according to § 60 UrhG, the client has the right to reproduce the images and distribute them free of charge. However, this does not include publication on the Internet. A separate agreement is necessary for this. Ownership is important to the photographer. If an agreement is made that he may use the recordings as part of his acquisition, e.g. B. in shop windows or on the homepage, these reference recordings are an important way to address other potential clients.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Baatz, Willfried (1997). Photography: An Illustrated Historical Overview. New York: Barron's. p. 16. ISBN 0-7641-0243-5 .
- ^ New York Times - Fashion Weddings
- ↑ Successful Wedding Photography, Annabel Williams, 2002, p. 18 ( ISBN 978-3-87467-786-8 )