Malay Weddings... the challenge for a wedding photographer... part I

Malay wedding actually consists of 'Akad Nikah' and 'Persandingan' events. These events may take 2 separate days or on the same day. From my experience in Terengganu and Kelantan, the 'akad nikah's event occurs a day before the 'Persandingan's event. But it is all depends to the days the family choose to have the events, if its normally fall on a school holiday, then, it may take 2 separate days but if on short holiday like a weekend plus any public holiday, they prefer to have it on the same day.

The significant of whether to have the events on the same day or 2 separate days are when taking into consideration of hiring a photographer. If the events occur on the same day, the photographer would only present on that particular day... but if it takes different days, then the photographer has to travel twice. Many photography packages would charge an extra cost for traveling cost if they have to be at the location twice. And of course, unless, they are provided a place to stay nearby...

OK... so, what happen on the 'akad nikah's event?

Most of the time, the event occurs at a mosque nearby the bride's house. Well, of course it is more 'berkat' to get married at the mosque, however.

And to me, this event is the most challenging to get the job done. Why is that? Normally, mostly... inside the mosque, the light is always not adequate. This is due to to the wide space in the mosque and the ceiling is normally more than 15 feet above. Well, the issue is - a photographer MUST USE SPEED-LIGHT or FLASH!!! Unless, they are using D700 or D3/D3x (Nikon) which they can use ISO up to 1800 or more (plus they are full-frame), and still can get appropriate shutter speed to get sharp photographs. However, I'm sure they still prefer to use speed-light to make sure they have enough exposure of the objects.

Now when a flash or speed-light is needed, there is another issue - NO SUITABLE PLACE TO BOUNCE THE LIGHT!!!... And what would happen? We need to use 'fill-in' or target the speed light towards the object directly and REALLY CAREFULLY!!! (with full consciousness)

to be continued...   : )




np

Received My "Captured By The Light"... Awesome!!!

Finally I received the "Captured By The Light" by David A Ziser. Actually I received the book 2 days ago - on Sunday 14/03/2010...



Well, I don't know what to say... It's really an awesome book. Full of tips and step by step guide on how to have a picture with great lighting effects and most of them are using 'ambient' lights...

Hmm...according to the  Amazon.com, I should receive the book after 4 - 5 weeks but , I received it only in 10 days... which is great!!! And there's no Sales Duty or Import Duty charges to pay... hmm...

If you'd like to get this book, you can get it from Amazon.com for RM188.50 ONLY or US$49.61 (complete with shipping cost)

Wedding Photography : The Challenge...

I remember the first time I followed a friend of mine as his back-up photographer, at a wedding event, I was so nervous. First, because of the official role as a photographer of a wedding events (hired), even though, I was just a back-up. Second, I was too overwhelmed by the idea of trying to get the best shot... I mean, the right angle, the right composition and the right TIMING... Yes, I was thinking that I was hired, but what if I missed the important event... or what if the composition or angle of the capture was not good enough. And the most important thing is, what if the client will not satisfy with my pictures...

Hahahahaa... wow, I attended so many wedding events before, my brother's wedding, my cousin's wedding and many of my close friends' wedding, and I brought along my camera and snaps all the pictures I wanted, but not as a HIRED photographer. I don't remember feeling anything and I rally had fun taking pictures, but on that paticular event, I was extremely nervous... hahahaha...

That is a different of being a HIRED photographer and NON-HIRED photographer. It was a real challenge.

It was when you want to make sure the exposure was right, especially when you want the object focused and others out of focused (depth of field), it was when you want to make sure, the light from your speedlight cover the object just nice, so the image come out well-exposed and so many thing to consider but time doesn't wait for you. The events can't be stopped for you to get the right snap...

But of course, unless you are using FULL AUTOMATIC MODE!!!

However, one thing about being a wedding photographer, overcoming the challenge and being able to have great pictures of the events and the clients are satisfied with your presentation... you are A PHOTOGRAPHER... So, if you are still struggling with your camera, while shooting the wedding events... be a back-up photographer until you are as good as the OP!... Its THE TRAINING GROUND! The First Level of a BOOT-CAMP of a wedding photographer...

p.s. And if you are a wedding photographer, and using a 'full automatic mode', you might want to consider of being hired...

Correction...

First I'd like to thank another 'anonymous' who sent me a message and give me a few tips regarding the photoshop retouching which i have done to the previous image. Thanks a lot!!!!! So I have followed your advise and please let me know of this new image I have created after that...

Another trial on Photoshop editing

Black and White...



How did I come out with this image?

The image was dark or 'underexposed' to an extend that it cant be save anymore, so if I still want to use the image, I would have to turn it into black and white.  To see the original image, click here. It will open in a new tab or window...

What Photoshop can do to an image

After studying a few tricks and tweaks, i gave an image a try... Here are the outcomes of what Photoshop can do to an image...
(The last image "at the bottom" is the original image)

Well..., I guess, its OK for a beginner like me...lol.

However, if anyone has any comments...please do so. may be your ideas or dislikes or likes would make me see what I don't see, or I can't see...

Learning process needs a lot of comments and critics... : )

YM with www.ilhambonda.com

Last night, received a message from www.ilhambonda.com or ILHAMBONDA DREAMWORKS, one of a Wedding Photography Services from East Cost of Malaysia.

We had a great discussion regarding photography especially wedding photography. :)

He even mentioned a few names he suggested to take a look at and get some general ideas in having great shots such as Joe McNally, Scott Kelby and a few more... Thanks bro, for willing to spend the time with me. :)

Photoshop Effects

Click the photo to view the right size of the photo...

An Attempt To Preserve Old Photos : Photoshop retouching

As I was looking for my Digital Camera magazines, I noticed an album from my school days. I took it off the shelves and flip through page by page. Hahahaha... it's surely one hell of a memory. But most of the photos had turned yellowish and faded. They were captured way back in 1987 when I was in secondary school hohoho...

It was just then, I thought I could do something to the photos using Photoshop. So I scanned a few to give a try, using my HP scanner, set to 300 resolution. It took me nearly one hour to tweak here and there to come out with at least... "at least" better then previous...

So here are one of the images... (Click on the image to view the larger size : 1024x 618px)

The scanned image from the original photo:


And this is the result:

Bought This Book in 2008...

Scott Kelby's  The Adobe Photoshop CS3 book for Digital Photographers...




The Adobe Photoshop CS3 Book for Digital Photographers