Because summer is just around the corner and my friend Rebecca is getting married next month, I decided to have a bit of fun and take a Weddings photography course. That’s Rebecca in the photo above which was taken yesterday when she went for her final dress fitting. We had a blast posing her in front of this classic photograph of Marilyn Monroe although I had to crop the image because we wouldn’t want her fiance to see the dress before the big day. In a few weeks, I’ll post the full image so you can see her dress in all its splendour.
Truth be told I do have an ulterior motive for taking this course. This week I had a bit of an epiphany about my photography. It all started with the feedback I received on my School Girls photo where David D. noted that my image was only halfway there and what was missing was “a moment”. Upon reflection and after reading the chapter “The Artist and the Geek” in David’s book Within the Frame I realized why this was the case. One of the biggest obstacles that kept me from taking up photography earlier was the technical aspect of shooting pictures. So when I began this journey I focused on this weakness and put a lot of effort into trying to understand aperture, exposure, histograms, etc. Looking back I now see that the majority of my time has been focused on the technical aspects and that has become the reason why I take photographs. At the end of the day this has resulted in most of my images lacking what I call “soul”–something that draws you to the image and asks you to become emotionally involved.
Taking a wedding photography course is one step on the road to addressing this deficiency. I invite you all to leave constructive comments on my blog to let me know if I am making progress. Tell me if an image speaks to you and what it says. Don’t be afraid to share if it leaves you ambivalent or to give me advice on how you think the image can be improved. All I ask is that you do it kindly and with the warmest of intentions–thanks!
Update: I’ve now loaded up the full photo from Rebecca’s fitting since her Big Day has now come and gone. More to come later so stay tuned.
I want to see the dress! haha.
Sometimes you have to not think so much and just feel it.
Great advice, Sue!
Good things come to those who wait so in a few weeks you’ll see the dress. How about a photo (or non-photo) of Sarah’s dress?