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This final assignment shows a summation of all elements of The Art of Photography. Using knowledge and skills developed in previous units alongside this unit’s learning on illustration and narrative, I have created an illustrated insert for a magazine. Having had the opportunity to photograph several weddings for friends and family this year, I thought it fitting to use a selection of these images for my assignment. My main aim when photographing these weddings was to capture as much as possible of the emotional journey travelled by those involved.
Don
McCullin in his article, ‘The Art of Seeing’ states that ‘emotional awareness
is the most important aspect of photography’. He believes that being
emotionally committed to where you are and what you are doing far outweighs the
technical side of photography; his images taken in war zones and refugee camps
show his firm belief in this ideology as the emotions of the moments spill out
onto the page. Focusing on love rather than war, I considered McCullin’s ideals
in my own work.
In his book, ‘Wedding Photography
from the Heart’, Joe Buissink emphasises ‘learning to see’ as training oneself
to anticipate the moments that matter and developing trust with the client. He
considers, in wedding photography the right moments to be much more important
than technically perfect photos along with an ability to create images which ,
even decades later will capture the joy of the day.
For the
purpose of this assignment, I decided to focus solely on the lead up to wedding.
I feel that this is an element which is rarely covered in magazines, yet
it is a vital part of the day, wrought with emotion and so many moments which
may otherwise be forgotten.
Using a
series of clocks to denote the concept of time, I have shown the build up of
emotion from a slight onset of wedding day jitters during her make over, to the
final call, wrought with nerves, tears and anticipation. In order to maintain a
coherent set, I have used the same background and graphics throughout,
darkening slightly for the front and back cover. Colours remain simple
throughout the inner pages, using white through to flesh tones and blondes
brightened with touches of blue to each page.
Outer
covers: In order to set the outer cover apart, I have used monochrome
processing to these images which unlike the inner pages, are both taken outdoors.
On the front cover, the curve of the clock and inferred clockwise movement of
the hands leads the eye from the title, ‘TIME’ towards the couple. The title
word, ‘TIME’ is reflected in the back page to denote closure to the set and
show that the time the bride has been waiting for has finally arrived; a narrow
path, created alongside the shadow, leads from the word ‘TIME’ towards the
bride.
01 Time for
marriage: This is the only image which includes the groom as it was actually taken
after the ceremony; the intent is to show the peaceful contentment hoped for as
a couple settle into a lifelong marriage after the madness of the wedding. I
feel that this is a timeless image, reminiscent of an older couple sitting side
by side many years after this special day.
02
Pampered: The leading lines in this image; the makeup artist’s gaze, her arm
and the makeup brush all lead towards the main focus, the bride’s face. The hint
of pre-wedding nerves creeping into the bride’s face makes this an ideal image
to begin the set.
03
Accessories: This collection of images work together to show further elements
to the bride’s make over. Shown as a set, a smooth curve is created, leading
from the downward sweep of the dress, through the two violet flowers and on to
the upward curve of the shoes.
04 A Moment:
As mother of the bride and maid of honour set to work, Rebecca takes a quiet moment
to reflect. The splashes of blue modernise an otherwise timeless image.
05 Hired
Help: The lines implied by the ladies’ gaze lead towards their work, the
preparation of the dress.
06 Mi’
Lady: Reminiscent of a lady in waiting, the maid of honour helps the bride into
her dress.
07 Curves:
A final check that everything is in place, I was drawn to the curves in the
bridesmaid’s hair. Using a shallow depth of field, I ensured that this was the
main focus of the image.
08 Nerves: Positioning
themselves for a pre-ceremony shoot, the girls take a moment gather themselves.
I chose this moment to shoot before they were ready in order to capture the
true feeling of the moment. This image
speaks volumes and for me, surpasses any eyes-to-camera posed shot. The
feelings are perfectly captured as bridesmaids stand in quiet reflection while
the bride exhales through pursed lips to attempt to still the butterflies in
her stomach. Firmly placed between arrangements and the commencement of the
day; just for a second, time stands still.
09 Reflect:
So close to the final call, Rebecca sits to calm her nerves. I cannot take full
credit for this image; as she sat, her mother leaned towards me and whispered, ‘It’s
these moments that fill me up, when she’s just sitting quietly.’ I shot from
behind for several reasons; the first was that I wanted to recreate exactly
what her mother had seen, the second because I didn’t want to move and disturb
the moment. I’m pleased that I didn’t as I feel that the rear view adds an air
of mystery befitting the moment.
10 Curtain
Call: Rebecca stands in position as her father is called to escort her to the
ceremony. Gaze firmly on her posy, she remains calm and collected.
11 Dad: Emotions
spill over as father of the bride enters the room. The mirrored gestures
reflect the unbreakable connection between father and daughter.
12 Time: As
the clock strikes twelve, Rebecca crosses the bridge into her new life. Several
real and implied lines lead towards both the subject and the end of the bridge.
My passion
for photography and a love of working with people combine to make wedding
photography a thoroughly enjoyable experience, albeit one which comes with many
pressures; differing locations, changeable lighting conditions with the desire
to represent this momentous occasion with outstanding images have set me on a
steep learning curve this year and one I aim to continue to climb. With each wedding, I have become more skilled at listening to the ceremony for that
perfect moment when the couple will be looking lovingly into each others’ eyes,
watching and waiting for those stolen glances as they begin to relax together,
capturing the beauty of a radiant bride, flushed with excitement. Far from the emotive sadness of a war zone, a wedding is a
rollercoaster of mixed emotions, mainly positive and a pure pleasure to capture
in images they’ll revisit for the rest of their lives.
All images from this assignment can be seen in the corresponding Flickr album.
All images from this assignment can be seen in the corresponding Flickr album.
