home » Companies » Features of wedding photography. Staged photography Group photo of the class

Features of wedding photography. Staged photography Group photo of the class

Wedding photography is one of the genres of photography, the development of which keeps pace with the development of the global photography industry and uses all its achievements. Today's newlyweds have much more opportunities to capture the main day of their lives in photographs than their parents. Once upon a time, it was considered the height of perfection to take staged wedding photos in a photo studio or to be photographed at the registry office during the ceremony and together with the guests.

All other photographs could appear only if the owner of his own camera was present among the guests. Today, professional photographers, shooting weddings, work on a holiday from beginning to end. At the same time, any professional photographer will confirm that wedding photography is also one of the most complex and time-consuming types of photography.

Actually shooting a wedding combines two styles: staged and reportage. Staged photos are the decoration of the wedding album, pictures in a classic, romantic style, when the newlyweds pose for the photographer. Moreover, the opinion that staged photographs are necessarily shots with frozen poses and stone faces is fundamentally wrong: in modern understanding staged wedding shooting is a "story", a "story" about the wedding day, written in separate very beautiful and natural shots.

Reportage photographs are captured moments, captured live emotions and unexpected angles. All together in combination and forms a production-reportage style of wedding photography, in which most professional wedding photographers work.

As you know, the wedding day is divided into several stages, and in each of them you have to use your own method of shooting. You can consider this topic in more detail using the example of a traditional Russian wedding (it is in this scenario that it takes place in 90% of cases).

Preparation, gathering of the bride and groom. Morning bustle, excitement and joyful forebodings: all this is good material for reportage shots. Decorating cars before leaving for the bride, the groom putting on a tie, blessing his parents, etc. The bride's morning preparations are an opportunity to take both reportage and staged photographs.

The process of applying make-up, creating a wedding hairstyle, caring for friends and relatives - this is a rather interesting reportage. Staged shots are taken when the bride is already dressed in a wedding dress, the image is completed, and the festive whirlwind has not yet begun, respectively, both the outfit and the hairstyle are still perfect.

Arrival of the groom and ransom of the bride. At these moments, very emotional pictures are obtained: competitions and tasks for the groom, bridesmaids, who are in joyful euphoria from what is happening, the groom's friends who cheer up their friend. Staged shooting can be done when the whole company is already in the bride's house and champagne is open.

The wedding ceremony in the registry office is the main and most exciting moment of the wedding day. In the process of waiting for an invitation to register, the newlyweds and guests are almost always visibly worried, so the photographer’s task is to distract them with staged “general” and group shots, but at the same time quietly making portrait reportage sketches. During the ceremony, reportage photographs are taken, which are actually very close to staged: signatures in documents, putting on rings, the first kiss of the spouses, presentation of a marriage certificate, etc.

Congratulations to relatives and guests immediately after the completion of registration is a good opportunity to take a picture filled with emotions. The same can be said about the newlyweds leaving the registry office, throwing them with flower petals and grain, releasing doves, breaking crystal glasses (experienced photographers manage to capture a glass in flight, its impact on the asphalt and the scattering of fragments).

Sometimes after the registry office there is a wedding in the church. For a photographer, this ceremony is a rather difficult task, since the wedding is a rather intimate process, you can’t interfere in it and distract the newlyweds and the priest, you can’t walk and move around everywhere. In addition, it is undesirable to use a flash in the church. In order to make successful reportage shots during the wedding, the photographer has to become "invisible". Staged shots can be taken in the interiors of the church and in front of the entrance after the end of the wedding ceremony.

Walk. All professional photographers will confirm that the walk is the most favorable part of the wedding for shooting. You can do everything: a staged photo session with the newlyweds against the background of sights, natural landscapes, in the interiors of buildings (depending on where the walk takes place), and reportage photos of vacationing guests, and general pictures of guests with the newlyweds. We can say that the scope for creativity on a walk is unlimited. It is during the walk that the main part of the pictures for the wedding photo album is taken, both reportage and staged.

Wedding banquet in a restaurant or cafe. With the exception of certain moments, reportage shooting is done at the banquet. A colorful meeting of the newlyweds, congratulations to the guests, dances, competitions, lighting the “family hearth”, throwing the bride’s bouquet, etc. Staged shots at a banquet are most often taken when a wedding cake is taken out into the hall: before this miracle of confectionery thought is cut, it , as a rule, fix entirely for history. Reportage shooting in a restaurant can be a challenge for a photographer - if the hall is too dark, then you have to use the flash often and carefully control the exposure so that people's faces do not come out overexposed.

It is not uncommon today to shoot a wedding with two or even three cameras: both staging and reporting are done from different points and angles, which significantly complements the possibility of arranging the most successful shots.

Photographing a wedding is at the same time an interesting, complex, and responsible process (“a second take” is often impossible, most events take place for the first and last time), so the photographer has to skillfully combine reportage and staging styles of shooting, understanding where and what style to apply, and do not forget about creativity: after all, a wedding in most cases is a rather beautiful action, and for a real artist this is an excellent material for creativity.

There are no identical weddings, so it is also important to convey the individuality of each couple. True, here much depends on the newlyweds themselves ... but this is a completely different topic.

One cameraman travels to the shooting location.
More often - the operator brings one camera and a tripod, less often - he takes shooting equipment in addition.
Reportage camera is limited in its characteristics.
Shooting takes place without a clear plan.
During installation, you can get the same type of video, because. shooting takes place from a maximum of 3-5 angles or even from one angle. Limited equipment does not allow for smooth camera zooms.
Shooting only what is happening (or not happening - if you just need to remove the equipment).

Staged video shooting

A film crew leaves for the shooting location. The minimum composition is a cameraman and a director. As the shooting becomes more complicated, they are added to the illuminator, shareholder, focus operator, second director, actors, make-up artist, production designer, costume decorator and other personnel.
Shooting equipment: cameras, steadicam, lights, rails, microphones, etc.
Cinematic camera allows you to get a bright juicy image.
Shooting takes place according to a pre-planned script and director's storyboard, where each frame is described in detail.
During installation, a dynamic video is obtained, because the director provides for a smooth and private change of plan. To create smooth camera movement, use electronic system stabilization or rails.
The director draws up a scheduling plan that guarantees that the team will create the maximum possible number of shots in 1 day of shooting.
Scene creation. When shooting equipment, it is not just removed from one angle, the camera zooms in and out, plans change, and a scene of equipment use is created.

Choice between staged and reportage shooting

Your decision should be based on what you want the video to achieve. For advertising shooting, it is better to use staged shots.

Suppose you need to sell a shower stall. You are waiting for a specific action from the viewer - he must bring you money and buy a booth. What kind of shooting will make it faster?

With the help of reportage shooting, you will simply show the fact that you have a shower stall. The viewer will say: "Oh, this is a booth."
Via staged shooting you will show the beauty of the shower stall, its characteristics. The viewer will say: "I want the same for myself."

Shooting for video advertising

Reportage shooting is the most difficult and thankless kind of shooting. There are many models, there is little time, not only the customer accepts the work, but also the parents of the models according to their subjective taste, without asking how, where and under what circumstances the photo session took place. For this reason, photographers are not very fond of reportage photo shoots - it is very easy to grab a claim for shooting out of the blue.

95% of claims fall on reportage shooting

Let's figure out how to make sure that everyone likes the staged reportage photo shoot for the graduation photo album and there are no mutual complaints about the work of the photographer or customer:

I. Where do the photos from the reportage shoot go?

Reportage shooting is carried out in order to get reportage (live or staged shots) for 2 sections of the photo album: personal pages of students, section of group photos.

II. What does a staged reportage photo session consist of?

(40-60 min) and (30 min). At the end of the photo session, a general photo of the class is taken for 3-5 minutes.

Done in the classroom or on the street or other location. Read more about this part of the photo shoot in the article. Within 40-60 minutes, the photographer shoots each student 8-12 pictures in pre-prepared compositions in order to get a large number of high-quality photographs. In this case, the photographer kills 2 birds with one stone: a lot of photos of each student + a claim from parents is excluded, such as: “why everyone has 10 photos, but mine has only 3”. This is a very common problem at photo shoots and it is very good that we have learned how to solve it.

Personal staged report = many high-quality personal photos + protection from claims

The photographer spends the rest of the time on . Usually it takes 30 minutes. The customer chooses locations, for example, a biology or geography or chemistry classroom. In the allotted time, the photographer manages to work out 1 location - this is about 100 photos, of which good(unique, not blurry, correctly exposed) you get 8-12 pieces.

With good organization and not noisy children, you can manage to make 1 more location. In my practice, such classes occur, but rarely.

General photo of the class

It takes 5-7 minutes. The customer chooses a location for shooting a general photo, for example, a school porch or an assembly hall. The customer and the teacher help the photographer arrange the children, because the photographer does not know their names and what wishes the customer has for the arrangement.

For instance:

some customers want boys taller, girls shorter
other customers, on the contrary, prefer to arrange a boy-girl
still others take care of the clothes so that there is no dark or light cluster of students
the fourth are arranged according to height
fifth in preference

III. Live or staged photography

From time to time, customers request a reportage not in the form of staged shooting, but to photograph live frames. My opinion is not the best best idea, because:

in practice, neither the customer nor the photographer knows what will happen in the end
someone can actively take pictures, and someone can avoid the camera
not the fact that you get the right number of photos
not the fact that the angles will be interesting
impossible to track all students

The list can be continued for a long time. I summarize, I do not recommend, but if you really want to, the customer can take full responsibility.

Statement: I am the customer, full name, please replace the staged photo session with a live report. I am aware that such a photo session may turn out worse than the one proposed by the photographer. I accept the responsibility that the result of such photo sessions may be unsatisfactory, I fully and unconditionally agree with this. I undertake not to make any claims against the photographer. Date. Signature.

On a personal staged report, the photographer will take 8-12 photos of each student. If there are 25 students in a class, this is 200-300 frames.
On a group staged report, you usually get about 100 frames, but do not rush to rejoice, of which there are 8-12 workers.
Group photo of the class. The photographer takes 10-20 frames to choose 1 of them

Let's count. This number of photos is enough to fill personal pages students and 2-4 pages of group photos. If you have more group pages in your album (for example, when ordering in September in each album + 8 pages), it makes sense to order an additional reportage photo session or use your archive photos.

V. What are the duties of a photographer at a reportage photo shoot

Frame construction
Camera exposure control
Camera aperture control
Camera ISO setting
Adjusting the white balance
Adjusting the exposure of the camera (the frame should not be overexposed or underexposed)
Setting the focal length
Subject must be in focus
The object must not be smeared due to movement
The object must not be clipped
The subject (one) must not blink or yawn (does not apply to groups of more than 4 people)
Do 8-12 PERSONAL staged reportage shots in one location
Make 8-12 GOOD GROUP staged shots in another location, 1 joint photo"
Select photos

VI. What EXCLUDED in the duties of a photographer on reportage shooting

Correcting the hair of models (this is not the responsibility of the photographer, but if you have time, it's good)
Correcting the clothes of models (this is not the responsibility of the photographer, but if you have time, it's good)
Remove debris from the background (it is assumed that if the customer is present at the photo session and does not change anything himself, everything suits him)
Paint walls and shovel snow from the background (Yes, there are sometimes claims for broken walls in the background)
In general, no interactions should be made with the background (stripes on the blackboard, a mess on the teacher's desk, open cabinet doors or crumpled curtains in the assembly hall - this is not the photographer's problem)
Take 200 different photos to complete all 20 pages of group photos of 10 each. (sometimes they want to get 500 different photos from a photographer… in 1.5 hours… so that, they say, there is plenty to choose from… It’s not possible). The photographer will take 8-12 good personal photos of each student, 8-12 good group photos from 1 location and 1 general class photo.
Arrange children for a group photo (if the class is silent, the photographer can arrange it. But if the class is distracted, screaming, and doing something of its own - fuck it)

VII. What a photographer must do BEFORE a reportage photo session

Give a tablet with this article. After reading, the customer must put an autograph on the picture of the article.
Show 3 photos with different BB to choose which color scheme to work in
Show a photo with different depth of field. It is preferable that the customer choose the smallest one (so that the background is blurred)
Warn that if background If you don't like something, remove it yourself. I can't look at him.
Disheveled hair or wrinkled shirts - look and fix it yourself. I don't have enough time for this.
If there is silence and order in the class, we may have time to make 2 locations for group reportage photos

Staged photography is one of the most interesting. As the name implies, during its implementation there should be a clearly defined plot that corresponds to the format of an event. Staged photography can be organized at a wedding, graduation, and so on. Such photography is widespread in private photo sessions, as well as in the advertising industry and on the pages of magazines.

To create a detailed plot, staged photography involves the participation of two or more people. Although photo shoots are often held with the participation of only one model. In this case, the diversity of the plot is achieved through frequent changes of scenery and an interesting image of the model itself. When staged photography, one rule applies - an increase in the number of photo models directly affects the complexity of the photo shoot itself. Indeed, in this case, the photographer must think over the composition, place each model in its place and in its pose. When staged photography, you must practice A complex approach in the vision of the photographer himself. This means that the integrity of the composition should not be diluted with individual elements, if this is not provided for by the idea of a photo session.

Staged photography is a rather exciting process, but at the same time it requires considerable effort from both the photographer and the models.

An example of staged photography with the participation of two persons can be considered Love Story, where the main actors are lovers. There are a lot of ideas, as well as images, for a staged photo session, the main thing is not to use typical examples and turn on your imagination to the fullest. In addition, experienced photographers will always be happy to help you.

Staged photography can be carried out both in the studio and in the form of an exit photo shoot. In studio photography, you need to carefully, and interesting and unusual effects can be achieved using or.

An exit photo session is held in a wide variety of places - both in the city and, it all depends on the idea. Simple staged photography at the same time implies a minimum of scenery that should harmoniously fit into the background - the entire emphasis is only on the model. Complex staged photography involves the participation of several key figures in the plot, harmoniously complementing each other.

The studio background plays an important role in creating the atmosphere of the future shot, and the correct use ...

Reportage shooting is probably the most diverse shooting by category. Everything that we shoot without the light brought with us, in many cases without a tripod, this is a reportage. Such a shooting does not require a script and the development of complex details. Everything happens on the spot. The mind of the operator must work clearly and see the already assembled material.

It is the dynamics that make the store openings and shopping centers, but also the smoothness of the shots can give the necessary charm to reportage shooting events at the conference and in the library and in the broadest sense of the word, the reportage includes absolutely everything, from the birth of a child to video filming of a large, large-scale event on the space station.

Order reportage shooting

Reportage shooting involves editing in chronological order. With the exception of a separate overview video, which, as a rule, is attached to the report. This video contains the best moments from the event and is a "teaser" for a one and a half or two hour film about the event.

But there are exceptions, if reportage shooting is accompanied by a correspondent and the finished tape is divided into separate headings in the program, then the editing can go not chronologically, but in accordance with the direction of the plots, which depends on the sharpness of the newsbreak, in order of increasing viewer interest.

Reportage video filming of news and events

This is a site for video filming and it is natural that I post here my works, that is, those that have to be filmed, including in a reportage style. This event, which was filmed in the winter of 2020, can be confidently called an event for reportage shooting. But an interview with children on the bus moves this report closer to shooting a non-fiction film.

Reportage shooting of reconstructions

Knee-deep in snow, with frozen cameras and dead batteries, we did not go into battle, but filmed reconstructions of legendary events that can be described as a report from the battlefield.Military historical reconstruction - photo page reconstruction. Reportage shooting was carried out with one camera.

Shooting a report from the Kremlin

An exhibition of contemporary Russian sculptors and artists was filmed in one of the towers of the Moscow Kremlin. The gallery was exhibited in the premises of the presidential regiment. This report, voiced by the announcer, contains several interviews with the artist and the organizers of the exhibition. Filming was done with one camera.

In such videos, the emphasis is not on chronology, but on successfully shot plans. You cannot demand something artistic or staged from a reportage, but if time permits and there are gaps in the action of the event, you can try to film something beautifully. Interview spectators or participants of the event.

It is better to shoot a report from 2 or 3 cameras, only then, in the tight schedule of the ongoing action, the operator will have a window of opportunity to move the camera to interesting faces or take a close-up of the participants in the events. Knowing that the second camera captures the entire event in chronological order.

The operator of the first camera will decorate this event with those shots that will subsequently be included in a short 2-3 minute video. If there is only one camera, then you can’t expect something bright. After all, the task is to remove everything !!! There is no escape from this. I am attached to those events that have a tight time limit. For example, a sporting event or a speech by an important person on the podium.

If you only need a review video from a big event. Then the freedom of action is not limited and the videographer can easily choose and shoot those shots that he considers the most beautiful - the best for the video. In this case, the sound is recorded on an external recorder and you can always play the necessary audio segment on the video. The desired fragment of speech or something else. Light is always on-camera, even during the day. Because in bright sunlight, only this light can remove the shadow on the face in bright sun, shoot in front of the window. It is better to use a reflector, but the reflector requires an assistant.

If the videographer shoots a report alone. He knows exactly when to shoot. Small pauses of 1-2 minutes will always help to shoot interruptions, so that during the editing of the gluing, television reportage would come out. But this applies strictly to the rules of binding to the full event in chronological order. Now many companies have gone away from this and just want a beautiful video, with a reflection of all the significant moments, which means that everything is possible to shoot with one camera.

What is required from the reporter operator. The main thing is not to yawn, so that the very moment that the customer wants to see in the final version of the video does not slip past. If you don’t shoot everything in a row, it means that the cameraman has to roughly plan the whole event before shooting, at least ask the manager and administrator. But, there are also surprises. For example, a common surprise is to turn off the light in the hall!!! And nobody told you. If there is no on-camera light on the camera at that moment, then the frames of an interesting surprise chip will disappear. So you have to be ready for everything.

In fact, for the operator, this is fighting with an unknown enemy. We got a call yesterday and they said we're going to shoot today. What to shoot? I ask. We say we don't know. Just take it off! And I just don't want to shoot. You always want to shoot well...

Reporting video

Reportage video shooting is, at first glance, the simplest type of shooting (what I see is what I shoot.), which combines landscape, portrait, everyday and other shooting genres.
The most important thing here is to see. To see the moment that will convey the atmosphere of the event, its dynamics and capture it in faces, emotions and poses.
Reportage photography is used to cover concerts, cultural events, sports matches, corporate parties, anniversaries and celebrations. the videographer must reflect these events as he sees them, while not forgetting that this video will be watched by the participants of the events and guests themselves.
So that those who watch the video report could experience the best moments together with its participants.

A feature of reportage shooting is that no one will pose for the second time especially for the videographer.
To solve such a complex task, the videographer, as a rule, has to focus on key points. At the same time, he must observe a certain chronology of the event, consistently showing the viewer all the ongoing actions.

Today, almost everywhere we come across reportage video filming - on the Internet, on the TV screen.
At first glance, everything seems quite simple, however, reportage shooting requires special skill and painstaking work. Its task is to document all events.
But in such a way that a person who was not present at this event could see in detail what happened and understand the logic, emotions or drama of what is happening.

Reportage shooting is one of the most difficult genres for a videographer, because in addition to technical skills, his skills and experience are important here. For high-quality reportage shooting, it is necessary to have a quick reaction and the ability to see certain events through the lens of a video camera.
Professional intuition and experience always tell you what will happen in the next minute. Thanks to this, he can be prepared in advance to capture the most interesting moment.

Thus, the main quality that a reportage videographer should have is the ability to be at the right moment in right place. At the same time, he must always remember the logic of what is happening, clearly tracking various events and their relationship. A good reporting video is a definite story about an event.
the videographer must be able to make decisions quickly, while remaining unobtrusive and invisible to the participants in the event. He must show the viewer the reality that surrounds him, but which he sometimes simply does not notice.

The scope of reportage photography today is quite wide. These are not only military reports from the "hot" spots of the planet or coverage of political events, to which we have long been accustomed. This is also shooting a variety of public events, conferences, presentations, sporting events or children's parties.

Reportage video filming can also be carried out to cover significant domestic events, whether it be a wedding, birthday or prom.
High-quality video reporting helps to keep these events in memory, as well as the impressions, emotions and personal experiences associated with them. Videographers must capture the highlights and climaxes, creating a coherent and memorable picture.

It is important that the video materials fully correspond to the text, expressing a certain idea. In many situations text information does not attract the attention of the viewer, if a bright, interesting video is not attached to it.

Video frames from a simple reportage are very rarely painted (color corrected). As a rule, color correction is done short video from a large reportage shooting. You could call it a teaser. This video comes as an addition to the main video of the event. This photo: A screenshot from the video, a clip from the Shrovetide event in Moscow on Manezhnaya, Teatralnaya, Red Squares and in the Izmailovsky Kremlin.