The 20^th May saw Gavin & Kym get married at Gosfield Hall.  Kym looked stunning while Gavin looked the perfect gentleman that he is.  Look at the photographs and see what a lovely couple they are. If yo would like to see more photography of the wedding click here

David

Hello Again

I thought I would let you know about our new product. It’s called Fusion Wedding Photography.

This is a new form of wedding photography and is currently the “big thing” in America, and where they lead we generally follow.Fusion Wedding Photography is a mixture of still photographs and video footage. This is set to music and covers the ceremony, the speeches, first dance etc. The package solves the problem of whether to hire a stills photographer or a video company to record your big day.  We carry out both these requirement.

In short, its a sensitive blending of music, video footage and stills to recreate the emotions of the big day using the power of all three disciplines to create a fabulous memory of a day you will not forget.

We are working on the first sample, and when it’s ready we will post it on our website. I hope you enjoy viewing it when it’s posted. If you would like to know more about this exciting new product please contact us through our website contact page.

Regards

David

If you are interested in more tips about photography or wedding photography in Essex or you can always check our contact page.

Hello again

We are booked to do a wedding in our local church this weekend, and as usual we like to go along as see the vicar about taking photographs in his church.  He was very helpful but said “Why do you photographers have to use big flashguns, it makes the church look like a disco”.

I said to him “Well, to be honest, we don’t.  A good photographer will use available light if possible”.  The truth is, that with a good camera (and a professional should have a good camera) you can alter the ISO number to increase the sensitivity and use it without a flash.  If your “Professional wants to use a flashgun in sensitive situations like this question his experience.

As the bride & groom will not be moving around too much, a high shutter speed is not necessary. Plus, the lovely colours in the stained glass windows look great. Plus it doesn’t mess the ceremony up for the happy couple

So….What do you need.

1. A fast lens is a good start; one with a nice big aperture is good.
2. A good focal range of zoom lens will help to frame the photograph. If you crop too much you picture may become blurred.
3. A tripod is VERY useful.
4. A camera with a  high ISO setting is a big bonus

Anyway, a big flashgun will only burn the detail out of the nice white wedding dress. Give it a try!!!!

We ALWAYS try to avoid flashguns if possible. Fill-in flash is good, but that’s for another blog.

If you are interested in more tips about photography or wedding photography in Essex you can always check our contact page.

David

OK, so anyone can snap a photo, you just hit the button, your super; hi spec, expensive camera you have just paid £5K for will record just what you directed it at. But, just how do you get it right???

You have just snapped a Bride and Groom, it’s a sensational place, just like the shampoo adverts from the television, where lovely girls don’t walk, they float. You know the kind of thing….   You ask a group of people to snap them as well. However, you can bet your pension that all the photographs will be different, be that good, bad or indifferent.  Or even worse than that.

The difference will be how they are composed…..If your doing posed wedding shots, you need to get them right.

1. Make sure everyone can be seen….Uncle Joe and Auntie Mildred would like to see their faces.
2. Try to put said Bride & Groom in the centre of the shot. Then put the tall people at the back and then work down.  It’s simple when you think about it.
3. Put the kiddies at the front of the group.  This evens things up…..

Yes, it’s a very basic guide, but it does work.  It may not be to the Rule of Thirds, but that’s for a future blog.

If you are interested in more tips about photography or Wedding  Photography in Essex you can always check our website and contact page.

So, what is this to do with weddings???  Well, you would not believe how many times we are asked “Can you make me look thinner”, 99 times out of a 100 by the bride.

If you think about it, it’s the bride’s big day and she wants to look her best. It’s cost a stack of money to hire the church, the venue, the cars, the food and drink etc. and she wants to look GOOD.

So how do we do it???

Well, we can use some lighting techniques, sometimes called short lighting, but this is difficult when the wedding guests wants to party and not have the inconvenience of posing with studio flash lighting etc. In this case I use the good old-fashioned Photoshop. If you’re careful you can usually take off up to 2 stone in weight, you can increase the size of the bust if that’s what the bride wants, slim down the tummy and the bum (so she doesn’t look big in that dress) or even make her a little taller.  We have removed spots, laughter lines (better known as crows feet) made noses smaller, teeth whiter and the list goes on.  With Photoshop, most is possible.

Lets face it, most people are not perfect, we all have imperfections but when it’s your big day most would like to at least LOOK perfect, if only on the photographs

If you are interested in more tips about photography or Wedding  Photography in Essex you can always check our website and contact page.

Have you ever wondered why you portraits don’t look as good as you would like them too? You have the camera, you have the subject but can’t seem to get it right.  Look at my 7 tips for a great portrait picture.

——–

1. It’s all in the Eye’s

This is the main part of the face…Route ONE. If the eyes are blurred, the photograph fails. It is as easy as that. You need to “connect” with the eyes, keep them as sharp as you can.

2. Diffuse the light

Sharp, direct light, like a flashgun will leave harsh shadows; try to use a diffuser to soften the light. This will reduce any unevenness and skin imperfections. It will also help to define the gentle lines around the face. If you don’t have a diffuser, try to bounce the light off the ceiling or wall. Try putting tissue paper over your flashgun to diffuse the light, but remember to increase the f-stop to counter the reduction in light power.

3. Blow the hair

Try and put a spotlight, flash or sun behind the subject’s head. It give more details to the hair, and it looks jolly good as well. If you’re shooting a bald man……it doesn’t work.

4. Wide angle lens don’t work

If you want to get very near your subject, don’t use a wide angle lens. These lenses will distort the lines of the face. Remember, shoot down on the ladies, it makes them a little more soft and gentle, unlike men where shooting slightly upwards demonstrates power and resilience.

5. Depth in Field

Try to avoid using an f-stop above f8. This should throw the background out of focus and lift the subject out of the photograph. If the background is important, use f8 and above.

6. Use the right lens

Don’t use wide lenses…anything from 70mm is a good one, a 70mm to 100mm would be excellent

7. Make them laugh!

While it may not be what you want, people expect to smile in photographs. However, if you talk to the subject and make them laugh if you want them to smile. Have a general chat if a more serious, studious study is what you require.

Above all, enjoy it. Fox Talbot had to start somewhere.

If you are interested in more tips about photography or wedding photography in Essex, you can always check our contact details page.

Hi, and welcome to the first blog from Image Control Photography. As the blog continues I will be giving tips on how to improve your photography, interesting (I hope) stories about things we get asked, and hope to solve any photographic problems you may have. Oh yes, and give a few tips on a good wine as well.
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