Jeff has been recognized as one of the world's best photographer since 2004. He probably has been one of the best for well over a decade, but he really wasnt given that credit until 2004 when the Washington Post said that he had "gorgeous work... among the best we have ever seen - an absolute pleasure to see". Since then we has been ranked as one of the top ten wedding photographers in the world by such magazines and organizations as 'PopPhoto' and the 'BBC'. Jeff was one of the largest influences on the photo journalistic style of wedding photography as he isnt a fan of look at the camera and smile. In fact, he writes that if he sees someone recognize the camera, he puts it down and moves on to something else.
I may never reach his level, but I love some of his quotes that he has given during his seminars around the world. I am not a world class "available light" shooter as I use flash on and off camera, but the whole "dont interject yourself in the scene" is something I adhere to as much as humanly possible.
The following is from his blog...
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"It's no good saying "hold it" to a moment in real life."
It was a quote from Lord Snowdon, an eminent photographer and Emmy award winning documentary film maker in the UK.
When I first saw that quote several years ago, it resonated with me. In such a short sentence, it sums up perfectly my whole approach to photography.
For me, whether I'm photographing a wedding or just out and about in the street, photography is about capturing real life, in real time without interfering with or directing the events that are happening in front of me. I enjoy the unpredictability and the challenges of working in this way. Without direction, I have to rely on my skill, experience, and 'eye' to find interesting pictures - I have to be a photographer. I suppose I'm a purist at heart.
On a wedding day, there are so many moments, so many stories, and so many pictures to be taken that it seems ridiculous to want to interfere with, or direct those opportunities.
The great Elliott Erwitt once said;
"I wasn't imposing my presence on anyone,..which is very important for a would-be journalist. I stayed back. Always let people be themselves."
In my experience people behave quite differently when they know they are having their photograph taken. They put on what I call their 'camera face' which is based on how they perceive themselves in photographs. Often this isn't a true reflection of that person, and the personality that can be captured in an unguarded moment, never comes through in a controlled situation. To counteract this, it's so important not to act like a photographer. I'm always quiet, always calm, and never cause a commotion. I want to go unnoticed.
Another of my favourite Erwitt quotes;
"All the technique in the world doesn’t compensate for the inability to notice."
How true this is. Part of being a photographer is to notice - to see images before they happen, and to record those images. Often, the thing that separates a good photographer from a great photographer is the great photographer will notice those moments that pass the good photographer by. This is especially true of wedding photographers. Hence the desire by some to control and make the moments, instead of seeking them out or 'noticing' them.
Furthermore, many photographers put so much emphasis on technique and equipment, and miss what really is important - the picture. It doesn't matter what camera or lens is used. It's totally irrelevant if the image was made on film or digitally. The only thing that matters is the picture.
Some of the most iconic images of the past 100 years were taken with technology that today wouldn't look out of place in a museum. Many of Robert Frank's early images show poor technique, but he noticed the picture. It's true that the picture may have some camera shake, or be a little unsharp or underexposed, but that matters little. It's the emotional response that the image creates within the viewer that is important, and if the picture is strong enough and evokes that response, then that is all that matters.
A poor picture executed with perfect technique is still a poor picture.
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Thats it for today... more pictures coming this week!
- Chris
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