How can you save money on photography for your wedding? Do it yourself! DIY wedding photos won't sacrifice your precious wedding memories. Just make sure you are doing the wedding justice by creating a shot list before the ceremony.
As a traditional couple, you will want "classic" wedding portraits. Make sure you get the following shots for your do it yourself wedding album.
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Pictures of the Bride and Groom
Have the bride and groom stand in front of the church. Stand back from the couple so you can get their entire bodies into frame. Make sure to get the entire wedding gown in the picture.
Take a few steps forward, use your zoom, and take a close-up portrait of the bride and groom facing forward.
Have the bride and groom turn their heads and look into one another's eyes. Take a close-up.
Snap a photo of the bride and groom standing in front of the church on their wedding day.
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Photos of the Wedding Party
Every wedding album needs a picture that includes the entire wedding party. Line up the bridesmaids and groomsmen with the bride and groom in the center. The flower girl and ring bearer can stand in front of the attendants, but do not place them directly in front of the bride and groom. Doing so would block the bride's wedding gown.
Take some wedding photos of the bride with her bridesmaids. Then take some pictures of the groom with his groomsmen.
Make sure you get a picture of just the flower girl and ring bearer. These cute wedding photos will turn out great!
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Pictures of Family Members
Family plays an important role in any wedding. Make sure to include them in the wedding photographs.
Shoot the bride with her family and the groom with his family. Marriage unites these two families, so get a shot of them all together as well.
Make sure to get a picture with the grandparents as well.
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Photographs of The Ceremony
The ceremony is the most sacred part of the wedding. Don't be too intrusive while getting your shots. Here are some wedding photos you must get:
Each bridesmaid and groomsmen as they walk toward the altar
The flower girl and ring bearer as they walk down the aisle
The bride walking down the aisle and being given away
Close-up of the groom when he sees his bride
The bride and groom standing at the altar (from behind and from in front if you can manage)
The entire wedding party during the ceremony
Bride and groom's first kiss as a married couple
The couple lighting the unity candle
Bride and groom exchanging rings
Bride, groom, and attendants as they walk back down the aisle
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Reception Photos
The reception offers many opportunities to capture the spirit of celebration. Take a lot of journalistic style photographs during the reception of guests dancing, eating, and laughing.
In addition to these spontaneous photos, remember to snap the following pictures:
The bride, groom, and attendants in the receiving line
Groom removing and tossing the bride's garter
Bride tossing her bouquet
The wedding cake being cut and fed to the bride and groom (protect your camera from flying cake!)
The couple's first dance and dancing with their parents
The Most Important Tip for DIY Wedding Photography - Be Creative
This wedding photography shot list will get you started. It is not intended to limit your creativity. These are only the basic poses and wedding pictures a traditional couple would like to have in their wedding photo album. Take these basics and add your own ideas to create a unique wedding gift -- the gift of memories.
Sources
DFM Photography, Wedding Shotlist Helper, http://www.dfmphotography.com/wedding_shotlist.shtml
Personal Experience
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
DIY Wedding Photography: Shot List for the Traditional Couple
Art in America: The Hudson River School
In the mid-1830s, when America was still a fledging nation, its first true style of landscape painting was born. This style was dubbed the Hudson River School. As with other art "schools," the Hudson River School was not in fact an actual school in the sense of an academic institution. It was, however, an artistic institution, in the way colleagues adhere to a similar style and enjoy each other's company.
The Hudson River School was so named because most of its adherents worked in that region, and the earliest landscapes in the style depicted the Hudson River, the Catskill Mountains, and the Adirondack Mountains (The Hudson originates in the Adirondacks and then goes down through the Catskills before continuing its way to New York City and the ocean.) The Hudson River School enjoyed considerable influence among artists of the day, and leaves a lasting legacy, as it flourished for 40 years, until the mid-1870s.
Members of the Hudson River School were friends, and often visited with each other, and also traveled together with their families. They would travel all over New York and New England, and even went to the Middle East and Europe. During the years of America's western expansion, the members of the school also followed the trend.
They began painting landscapes from Nebraska, the Southwest, Yellowstone and Yosemite. Additionally, some of them headed to Latin America to paint the lush scenes afforded by the tropical climate.
The Hudson River School is thought to have been founded by Thomas Cole, a prominent artist of the time. Other influential and well-known artists belonging to the school include Albert Bierstadt, John Frederick Kensett, Frederic Church, Jasper Cropsey, Alfred Thompson Bricher, Asher B. Durand, and Sanford Robinson Gifford.
The elements and themes that characterize the Hudson River School are in keeping with the general feelings and optimisms of the time. There is a great attention to nature, and a loyalty to its accurate depiction. Favorite themes include those that make use of light at sunrise or sunset or skies that are clear blue.
Thomas Kinkade's work today is reminiscent of the Hudson River School with regard to its use of light (though not often similarity of subject). Other themes include the evocation of a sense of serenity, presenting America as a new paradise, the incarnation of Eden. The main technical distinction of the Hudson River School is its artists' use of brush strokes that are practically invisible.
The New Britain Museum of American Art..A Wonderful Daytrip Destination
here
New Britain, Ct is a suburb of the Capital city of Connecticut, which is Hartford. For many years, New Britain, Ct has been known as the "Hardware City", because several large Hardware Companies have based their headquarters there. The most notable among these companies is Stanley Tools. New Britain, Ct is primarily an industrial, blue- collar town known for its large Polish community. Located on a bucolic, tree- lined street there, in a Victorian mansion, is a wonderful American Art Museum.
The New Britain Museum of American Art, at 56 Lexington Street, is located near Walnut Hill Park, a beautiful public facility lined with cherry trees. The museum's main building has housed its impressive art collections since 1937, but beginning in April 2006, after years of expansion work, the New Britain Museum of American Art will grow by 43,000 square feet, to twice its previous size.
Upon entering the New Britain Museum of American Art, one of the first things that visitors notice is the cherry and oak woodwork present throughout the building. Large Abstract and Realist canvases grace the walls of the community area, where patrons gather for films, lectures and other events. A sunny Cafe', a charming Gift Shop and an information booth designed to look like a ship, are some of the features greeting visitors to the New Britain Museum of American Art. Works by Sol LeWitt, an internationally known conceptual artist and New Britain native, figure prominently in the lobby of the New Britain Museum of American Art.
Part of the museum's expansion is an attractive new stone and glass building adjacent to the original structure. The additional space, with its high- ceilings and abundant windows, provides a modern sensibilty to the contemporary museum visitor. Twelve new galleries are housed at the New Britain Museum of American Art. On the first floor, several small galleries are arranged in order of painting period. Many very old and famous paintings ranging from Colonial- era to late 19th century , are exhibited in these galleries. The upstairs galleries feature works ranging from early 20th century artists to examples of modern art. Works by Edward Hopper, Mary Cassatt, Jackson Pollock and Joseph Badger, among many others, are featured in these galleries.
With 5000 works of art, spanning 400 years, in its collection, the New Britain Museum of American Art is especially proud of its series of Thomas Hart Benton's murals titled " The Arts of Life in America". The well- known series of images portraying a cross- section of America in the 1930's fill an entire room, or gallery. Other areas of note are the Colonial period, American Impressionism and the Hudson River School of Painting galleries.
The New Britain Museum of American Art is a very community- minded institution that provides many programs and services. There is a music series on Sundays, "Art Happy Hours" are held frequently and a host of children's and family programs are regularly offered. With an on- premises cafe' and modern- art diversions, the New Britain Museum of american Art is an ideal place to bring well behaved children on a rainy afternoon. For art lovers of all ages, the New Britain Museum of American Art is a great place to stop and smell the roses and appreciate some wonderful works of art.
The New Britain Museum of American Art
56 Lexington St, New Britian, Ct (860)229-0257 www.nbmaa.org
Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 12 noon - 5:00 pm
Admission is $9.00....$8.00 for senior citizens..$7.00 for students....free for children under 12.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Budget Winter Wedding Photography Guide
Photo Credit: celtics baby clothes
Do-it-yourself wedding photography is an excellent way to save money, but it is important to plan the details. Chances are you probably know a few photography buffs who are willing to help with your wedding photos. Use this guide to make the most of their skills and generosity to get beautiful wedding pictures.
1. Recruit multiple friends or family members to help with the photographs.
Designating multiple people as photographer splits the workload and means the wedding pictures will reflect a variety of perspectives. Choose knowledgeable, reliable people who are experienced in digital photography.
2. Use a high quality camera.
Make sure the camera you choose is technologically capable of capturing your winter wedding memories. Varying lighting conditions and action scenes are no problem for a good digital camera.
3. Have backup batteries or a backup camera ready.
Be sure the camera you use is charged and have a backup battery or backup camera ready.
4. Bring extra memory cards.
With digital cameras, most people take a few photos then delete the bad ones. The quick pace of a wedding probably will not leave time to edit along the way. Besides, pictures that are out of focus or unusual often have a unique beauty that is not immediately apparent. Bring extra memory cards to avoid missing a good shot.
5. Be very clear about what you want.
Research online and browse friend's wedding albums to get an idea of the type of poses and moments you want to commemorate. Make a list to be absolutely certain each milestone is photographed.
6. Get a mix of candid and posed shots.
A variety of photos best captures the spirit of the day.
7. Plan for the weather.
Depending on the wedding location, winter weather may mean it is too frigid to venture outdoors for a photo session. Plan to take group shots of the bridal party and family members indoors.
8. Edit the photos.
Try cropping and adding different special effects. Sepia and black and white pictures take on an elegant, timeless quality.
9. Order quality photo prints.
Since you saved so much on the cost of a photographer, invest in prints that use high quality paper and ink.
10. Make a wedding album.
You can use traditional photo prints to make a wedding album, but digital photos give you more options. A variety of book options, including hardbound books and small flipbooks, are available online and in many drug and discount stores.
Where to Find Great Black and White Photography Online
photo source
Black and white photography looks great in any décor. You can find just about anything, in any size, to match just about any room. Plus, the neutral tones of black and white photography ensure that it will match just about any color scheme. Here are some of the best places on the web to purchase black and white photography.
AllPoster.com
AllPoster.com is a fantastic site for cheap artwork. Now, cheap doesn't mean poor quality - quite the contrary, in fact. You can find just about anything - traditional paintings, classical art, black and white photography, large posters of bands, musicians, movies and more. They also offer framing.
My Top Pick: "City Street Signs" by Nelson Figueredo - $24.99 (Price doesn't include shipping and handling, or optional framing.)
Why I Chose This Piece: I love New York, more importantly - I love Broadway. Of course, Broadway and West 34th Street is practically the center of the theatre district. It's a great way to bring a little bit of Broadway right into my own home.
The Wall Art Store
This online store has a lot of fantastic, very 'artsy' black and white photos. They offer free shipping and all of the photos come framed, they even offer a few different selections for matting and frames. However, prices can run you from $55 dollars and all the way up to $919. Ouch. However, the quality is very high - so you can be sure you're getting your money's worth.
My Top Pick: "Stonehenge Sunrise" by Matthew De Haven - $50.00 (Price does not include shipping, handling or frame.
Why I Chose This Piece: I love Stonehenge, it's a fascinating place. The fog adds to the mystery of the structure and it's a great piece to add to a global photography collection.
Artful Home
This website offers a lot of wonderful photographs, but the prices run fairly average. The bottom line photographs start at $110 dollars and run up to several thousand dollars - so this isn't the most budget friendly site. However, if you've got the extra cash lying around, it's a great option and chances are you'll spend similar amounts at local art studios, especially if you live in a metropolitan area.
My Top Pick: "Winter Trees I" through Phoenix Galleries - $299.00 (price includes free shipping as well as framing and matting.)
Why I Chose This Piece: This particular photograph would be great for my fiancé's office. He loves the look of trees in the winter, so this is a great piece for him.
AbsoluteArts.com
Absolute Arts caters to the United States, the UK, China and more - and their prices range anywhere from $10 to $1,000,000. With more than 2500 works of art, you'll be sure to find exactly what you're looking for with this website.
My Top Pick: "Merced River Ice" by Ron Gallmeier - $330, Small; $665, Medium; and $1000, Large.
Why I Chose This Piece: Again, this is another piece I know my fiancé would really appreciate. Plus, I love the look of the water, the snow and the trees - so it's something we would both really enjoy in any room of our home.
So whether you've got $10 or $10,000 - you'll be sure to find the ideal pieces of black and white photography to fit your home décor and personal tastes.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
DIY Wedding Photography: Shot List for the Traditional Couple
credit,photo source
How can you save money on photography for your wedding? Do it yourself! DIY wedding photos won't sacrifice your precious wedding memories. Just make sure you are doing the wedding justice by creating a shot list before the ceremony.
As a traditional couple, you will want "classic" wedding portraits. Make sure you get the following shots for your do it yourself wedding album.
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Pictures of the Bride and Groom
Have the bride and groom stand in front of the church. Stand back from the couple so you can get their entire bodies into frame. Make sure to get the entire wedding gown in the picture.
Take a few steps forward, use your zoom, and take a close-up portrait of the bride and groom facing forward.
Have the bride and groom turn their heads and look into one another's eyes. Take a close-up.
Snap a photo of the bride and groom standing in front of the church on their wedding day.
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Photos of the Wedding Party
Every wedding album needs a picture that includes the entire wedding party. Line up the bridesmaids and groomsmen with the bride and groom in the center. The flower girl and ring bearer can stand in front of the attendants, but do not place them directly in front of the bride and groom. Doing so would block the bride's wedding gown.
Take some wedding photos of the bride with her bridesmaids. Then take some pictures of the groom with his groomsmen.
Make sure you get a picture of just the flower girl and ring bearer. These cute wedding photos will turn out great!
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Pictures of Family Members
Family plays an important role in any wedding. Make sure to include them in the wedding photographs.
Shoot the bride with her family and the groom with his family. Marriage unites these two families, so get a shot of them all together as well.
Make sure to get a picture with the grandparents as well.
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Photographs of The Ceremony
The ceremony is the most sacred part of the wedding. Don't be too intrusive while getting your shots. Here are some wedding photos you must get:
Each bridesmaid and groomsmen as they walk toward the altar
The flower girl and ring bearer as they walk down the aisle
The bride walking down the aisle and being given away
Close-up of the groom when he sees his bride
The bride and groom standing at the altar (from behind and from in front if you can manage)
The entire wedding party during the ceremony
Bride and groom's first kiss as a married couple
The couple lighting the unity candle
Bride and groom exchanging rings
Bride, groom, and attendants as they walk back down the aisle
DIY Wedding Photo Shot List - Reception Photos
The reception offers many opportunities to capture the spirit of celebration. Take a lot of journalistic style photographs during the reception of guests dancing, eating, and laughing.
In addition to these spontaneous photos, remember to snap the following pictures:
The bride, groom, and attendants in the receiving line
Groom removing and tossing the bride's garter
Bride tossing her bouquet
The wedding cake being cut and fed to the bride and groom (protect your camera from flying cake!)
The couple's first dance and dancing with their parents
The Most Important Tip for DIY Wedding Photography - Be Creative
This wedding photography shot list will get you started. It is not intended to limit your creativity. These are only the basic poses and wedding pictures a traditional couple would like to have in their wedding photo album. Take these basics and add your own ideas to create a unique wedding gift -- the gift of memories.
Sources
DFM Photography, Wedding Shotlist Helper, http://www.dfmphotography.com/wedding_shotlist.shtml
Personal Experience
10 Great Tips to Make Any DIY Winter Wedding Photography Successful!
source
This winter many couples are choosing do it yourself wedding photography in an attempt to save money. Wedding photography is tricky because if not done right there will be no good documentation of the special day. My dad does wedding photography as an amateur hobby; wedding photography is not skill less, but can be done easily with practice by almost any amateur photographer. This article will take a look at 10 tips to make DIY winter wedding photography successful; however keep in mind DIY wedding photography takes copious amounts of editing after the ceremony.
1. Camera
Taking wedding photographs should be done with the right camera, not a regular point and shoot camera. I recommend using the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, it takes high quality pictures and is relatively easy to use. This camera can be found at www.buy.com for $569.95, but you should check to see if anyone in the wedding party can provide this camera or a similar model to save on money.
2. Flash
Relying on the built in pop up flash in any camera is a recipe for failure; you will want to use an external flash for low lighting pictures, such as a church or an evening reception. Winter conditions outside will not require a flash due to the reflection of the snow, but it can be used if done right; however inside you will want a powerful flash. I cannot give a recommendation because certain flashes work for different cameras; therefore the flash will be determined by your digital camera choice. www.ritzcamera.com has a good variety of flashes, lenses, and cameras.
3. Lenses
Unfortunately DIY picture taking is not cheap and requires the proper zoom lenses for great photos from anywhere in the room. Buying any secondary lenses is not necessary, but they will make the pictures better. www.ritzcamera.com has a good selection of lenses; it is where I purchased mine.
4. Go Digital
The hardest part of DIY wedding photography is getting professional looking shots. Going digital allows for touchups on the pictures after they are taken so that they come out perfect. Going digital also saves on prints since all the photos can be saved on a flash drive or a CD.
5. Choose an artistic guest for the job
Capturing the right moment is what photography is all about; having a guest that is willing to take pictures who has an artistic eye is the best way to get quality shots. Do not expect a gift from the photographer as it takes hours of work to take and edit great shots.
6. Be aware of lighting conditions
Winter is the hardest time of the year to take photographs outside due to the reflective nature of snow and the brightness of the sun. Be creative on the angles of your photographs; many high end cameras also show the contrast ratio on the photos taken, look at the contrast to make sure the photos are coming out correctly.
7. Be aware of where the sun is
Do not shoot towards the sun or objects that are in the sun, it can cause shadows and some funky looking pictures. Just be aware of the sun and preview one or two pictures before taking more.
8. Capture photos with the theme
If your theme is a winter wonderland then capture that theme in the photos! Try to include shots of the bridal party and newlyweds in the natural theme of the wedding; also try to include guests in the same theme. Be creative with the shots, you may have to shoot at different angles to get the desired results.
9. Use the flash
Even in snowy conditions you should experiment with the flash for better pictures, the bright the background the more the object you are photographing will stand out. This may not always be the case; therefore you should check the pictures being taken to make sure they are coming out professionally.
10. Edit, Edit, Edit
No DIY photography is complete up completion of the ceremony! There are countless hours of editing that must be taken on to get professional looking results. If you do not have the proper computer skills try to find a guest that would be willing to help edit in exchange for their wedding present.
This site has some extra DIY tips that can help during a winter wedding; I did not cover many these tips, so it may be a good read: http://www.squidoo.com/weddingphotographyguide
Sources:
www.ritzcamera.com
http://www.squidoo.com/weddingphotographyguide, DIY Winter Wedding Photography