This little post of the continuation of my 2016 Wedding photography review is dominated by 3 shots of reportage/documentary images produced in black and white. Black and white is always my chosen medium to show  reportage/documentary images in as it forces the viewers eye to concentrate on the shape and form and emotion of an image without being distracted by colours. The first image in this Upton House wedding sequence I snapped while waiting at the gate at Upton House walled garden for all the guests to arrive. Suzy and Hugh had already done their official ceremony the day before but had also arranged this day with a blessing ceremony in the gardens and they met and greeted their guests before hand. It was quite a hot humid day and one grooms men decided in this instant to hop into the caterers van for a quick blast of cold air to refresh while their was a lull in the guest arrival flow. I always feel a bit of empathy for the guys with their ties and 3 piece suits as I also used to always try and dress up to the nines, but now in my later years have opted for short sleeved shirts and just waist coat and no jacket as if I sweat too much the sweat just runs all over the camera! Not a good look and I am never sure just how water tight the electronics are inside the camera. Back to the image, and I love the body language between these two guys and the expression on the grooms men’s face, and we have the information of what is going on added to as I included the information on the side of the van!

TOP TEN TIPS FOR A PERFECT WEDDING DAYThis next image is a favorite because it shows guests relaxing at their fullest, even to the extent which makes this photo a top contender of the guy fast asleep laying down in prime shot. This photo just communicates “relaxed” so often I am asked to produce relaxed shots of guests and this is about as relaxed as you can get for a guest wedding photo. I even like the couple of people far in the background who have opted for a bench rather than sitting on the grass, but they to are relaxing and taking in the summer heat and enjoying the event in their own way. The composition for this shot is important to point out that the group of guests sitting on the grass are off center and the whole composition is set up for the guy laying down as this is the anchor reason for taking the image! This was after the meal and the laying guy also has his hands on his stomach as if to communicate that satisfied full meal feeling, a little snooze after a big meal.  Next shot is something that takes quite a bit of patience on my part. I always have mixed feelings when I see a giant Jenga, I know it will make a great photo when it collapses, but the other part of me groans as I know I can never quite predict when we are getting close to a fail of the tower, so it always takes at least 5-10 minutes of me looking at the guys playing while at the same time looking around at other guests to make sure I don’t miss anything else happening around me at the same time as 10 minutes is allot of time to take for one shot, even if it is a good shot. With nearly 100 guests there is allot going on at this wedding with other lawn games and interactions going on. But the final shot is always worth it and the expressions on the guys faces just makes this shot, as does the falling blocks and the loosing player desperately trying to regain some kind of composure as all around him falls.

Including the wedding marquee in the background is also important for this shot as we need to have the information in as many shots where possible that this happened at a wedding/event. For reportage/documentary photography it is not always possible to control the photographic background as the crucial moment is just that, crucial and brief in it’s nature, so when a photographer can, they will opt for a watching space where they have their desired background, but most times wondering around 100 or more guests means there are bodies in the way of your subjects so moving about is always the key element, but it is great when all the elements are correct.

TOP TEN TIPS FOR A PERFECT WEDDING DAY

Here is the happy couple and this blog would not of been complete without their inclusion. I love the simplicity of this image, looking into each others eyes and the light is perfect as it was later in the day and the sun was out and I have given the image a little tint to pull in all the other competing colours in shot. The flowering bush was placed in central position for a frame for the bride and groom, kind of symbolic of the flowering of love with strong roots set down. I am always a bit of a sucker for a bit of symbolism now and again in my images!

TOP TEN TIPS FOR A PERFECT WEDDING DAY