ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- gilbert
- I'm a old school new age wedding photographer sharing my insights and outsights of weddings I shoot and my eye of the world we live in! I believe in lots of things including love. The joy of life and celebrations. I strive to document your wedding in a interesting introspect as I partake your festivities.
Sunday, 23 September 2007
little steps
Peter and Angela must be one enjoyable couple to shoot, cos angela is so picture perfect, a photographer's dream and Peter loves to give me ideas to bounce off, more to come. This picture is taken with kodak b/w film.
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
so in love!
Aylce is working on a client's album while a stumble into this photo, oh so loving couple! the true emotions of this reflect the couple's lovingness, no pose required!
Thursday, 13 September 2007
champagne for breakfast?
yes, some of us actually drown this great stuff with salmon sandwich at 9am in the morning!
Saturday, 8 September 2007
the 10 questions couples should ask
Your wedding photographer, the 10 questions to ask!
I have sometimes come across emails which couples copy and paste a series of standard questions which they themselves do not know what kind of answers to expect of themselves.
A good one is what films do you use? For that matter, most photographers do not have even have a film camera to start with, everyone is jumping to the digital bandwagon, even for some folks who use films, do most of you know the differences between your neo-pans to Tri-Xs?
If you are looking for a highly creative photographer/artist to document your wedding, these questions are a sure fire way to inspire and help you gain access to the level of intellect which you understand his/her craft.
1) Are you available for my wedding?
2) What is your concept of wedding photography?
3) How do you work?
4) Do you have a backup?
5) What do we need to prepare ourselves with?
6) Explain the cost involved in our wedding photography
7) How do we book you?
8) How is the payment structured?
9) What are the deliverables?
10) When will we be able to receive the deliverables
Are you available for my wedding?
The single most important question, most artists (photographers/videographers) work independently and when you view their portfolio, it’s The Artist you want to hire. For the same reason, most of us fail to understand when couples ask for videographer when they look into a photographer’s website. I feel fellow videographers echo the same sentiment.
What is your concept of wedding photography/videography
Whoa! What’s that, some may ask. Well it’s the same concept when you are looking at each photographer’s work. Each of us has our way and idea of how and what to capture. You will be surprise each artist have an idea of how their craft is present and where do their ideas and visions stem from.
Very often you will relate to an artist the way you are attracted to his/her work. Sometimes it’s the same personality or both the couples and artist may click on levels on ideas/ dreams.
Talking about their aspirations are a sure fire way to see the real artist and how passionate they are in their craft.
How do you work?
Hmm, it really depends what style of photography you are after, traditional portraits and poses photographers will like to command a certain presence in your wedding, giving directions to where to take nice portraits and documentary types prefer a hands off approach to working. Talk to the Photographer how he/she prefers to work will prevent any misunderstanding between yourselves and family members.
Do you have backup?
This is one question normally most professionals are well prepared, but to be sure do check on if there is normally any contingency in case the photographer falls very ill or having more than one set of cameras to ensure they are able to continue their job in case of any malfunction.
What do we need to prepare ourselves with?
Sounds like a no brainer but many couples fail to realize that the most important aspect for any photography is to enjoy your wedding day and let and your team of friends and family sort out problems for you! If you fail to realize this concept, talk to any wedding professional to help or assist you to allow both of you to make the best of your wedding.
Explain the cost involved in our wedding photography
Normally this is one of the first few questions in any couple’s mind, sadly some couples fail to realize that one of the most endearing aspect of the wedding is the memory, and photography/ videography. Some set aside a budget that often too low that only beginners want to take the job.
With the event of digital photography, many couples fail to realize the increase cost of the artist tools and effort to create the image. Professional grade cameras cost at least 2-3 times more than their film counterparts. Computers are part of the cost now, as most photographers need to edit and retouch their work, and software adds to this heavy cost.
This also takes up more of the artist time and the new age wedding photographer/videographer has less time to shoot more. All this adds to cost to the couple.
How do we book you?
Always ask that if you are interested in booking the artist, as many have different practices of signing contacts and payments of a certain percentage of a retainer fee to engaged their services.
How is the payment structured?
Again it differs from artists, some ask for a small retainer fee and some may like the full fees paid before the commencement of any services.
What are the deliverables?
Most artists have some form of packages so its best to understand your needs are and to explain in detail what you are getting.
Some photographers will return every single image to you whereas some would spend several hours behind the computer to edit and form a beautiful story of your wedding with their computer skills creating sepia tones, black and white or adding effects to enhance the pictures or movies
When are we able to receive the deliverables?
Some artists can turnaround with one day while others may spend up to more than a month to edit, develop and scan your images. All this may not include time to put together your wedding album, so please check with each vendor.
I have sometimes come across emails which couples copy and paste a series of standard questions which they themselves do not know what kind of answers to expect of themselves.
A good one is what films do you use? For that matter, most photographers do not have even have a film camera to start with, everyone is jumping to the digital bandwagon, even for some folks who use films, do most of you know the differences between your neo-pans to Tri-Xs?
If you are looking for a highly creative photographer/artist to document your wedding, these questions are a sure fire way to inspire and help you gain access to the level of intellect which you understand his/her craft.
1) Are you available for my wedding?
2) What is your concept of wedding photography?
3) How do you work?
4) Do you have a backup?
5) What do we need to prepare ourselves with?
6) Explain the cost involved in our wedding photography
7) How do we book you?
8) How is the payment structured?
9) What are the deliverables?
10) When will we be able to receive the deliverables
Are you available for my wedding?
The single most important question, most artists (photographers/videographers) work independently and when you view their portfolio, it’s The Artist you want to hire. For the same reason, most of us fail to understand when couples ask for videographer when they look into a photographer’s website. I feel fellow videographers echo the same sentiment.
What is your concept of wedding photography/videography
Whoa! What’s that, some may ask. Well it’s the same concept when you are looking at each photographer’s work. Each of us has our way and idea of how and what to capture. You will be surprise each artist have an idea of how their craft is present and where do their ideas and visions stem from.
Very often you will relate to an artist the way you are attracted to his/her work. Sometimes it’s the same personality or both the couples and artist may click on levels on ideas/ dreams.
Talking about their aspirations are a sure fire way to see the real artist and how passionate they are in their craft.
How do you work?
Hmm, it really depends what style of photography you are after, traditional portraits and poses photographers will like to command a certain presence in your wedding, giving directions to where to take nice portraits and documentary types prefer a hands off approach to working. Talk to the Photographer how he/she prefers to work will prevent any misunderstanding between yourselves and family members.
Do you have backup?
This is one question normally most professionals are well prepared, but to be sure do check on if there is normally any contingency in case the photographer falls very ill or having more than one set of cameras to ensure they are able to continue their job in case of any malfunction.
What do we need to prepare ourselves with?
Sounds like a no brainer but many couples fail to realize that the most important aspect for any photography is to enjoy your wedding day and let and your team of friends and family sort out problems for you! If you fail to realize this concept, talk to any wedding professional to help or assist you to allow both of you to make the best of your wedding.
Explain the cost involved in our wedding photography
Normally this is one of the first few questions in any couple’s mind, sadly some couples fail to realize that one of the most endearing aspect of the wedding is the memory, and photography/ videography. Some set aside a budget that often too low that only beginners want to take the job.
With the event of digital photography, many couples fail to realize the increase cost of the artist tools and effort to create the image. Professional grade cameras cost at least 2-3 times more than their film counterparts. Computers are part of the cost now, as most photographers need to edit and retouch their work, and software adds to this heavy cost.
This also takes up more of the artist time and the new age wedding photographer/videographer has less time to shoot more. All this adds to cost to the couple.
How do we book you?
Always ask that if you are interested in booking the artist, as many have different practices of signing contacts and payments of a certain percentage of a retainer fee to engaged their services.
How is the payment structured?
Again it differs from artists, some ask for a small retainer fee and some may like the full fees paid before the commencement of any services.
What are the deliverables?
Most artists have some form of packages so its best to understand your needs are and to explain in detail what you are getting.
Some photographers will return every single image to you whereas some would spend several hours behind the computer to edit and form a beautiful story of your wedding with their computer skills creating sepia tones, black and white or adding effects to enhance the pictures or movies
When are we able to receive the deliverables?
Some artists can turnaround with one day while others may spend up to more than a month to edit, develop and scan your images. All this may not include time to put together your wedding album, so please check with each vendor.
Friday, 31 August 2007
out of town notice
Hi Friends,
we will out of town from Monday 2nd September to 17th September. If you like to arrange an appointment with us, please do so by this saturday, otherwise please write to us and we keep in contact until we return from singapore, thanks!
we will out of town from Monday 2nd September to 17th September. If you like to arrange an appointment with us, please do so by this saturday, otherwise please write to us and we keep in contact until we return from singapore, thanks!
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Enid Blyton
This is a image of Shinyi & Kenneth's collection of favourite books, Enid Blyton's.
One of the things I alwas ask for my pre-wedding clients is to bring along some of their favourite things out for the shoot and one of their pastimes is reading. We had a blast of a time shooting that day, July 11th. It was all sunny and the rain came along. Kenneth and I had a beer after the long day of shoot, and I think we both deserve it!
Monday, 27 August 2007
the return to films
I'm not the first to do this, but of late I'm trying to struggle with finishing up my work while most wedding photographers are having their holidays (the 7th month). One of the attributes is the way we work on digital and the habits that come with it.
I don't blame the media, Digital photography has open up a world of new possibilities and people who found photography a great tool to express themselves while not worrying to incur the cost of buying, developing and scanning films.
I greatly benefited both technically and creatively using digital photography as a means to explore my art but lately I feel that I'm just 'drowning' upon the massive amount of digital files that I need to work on to the final product that is presented to the client.
Digital has made me a less secure photographer, I shoot to get the shot, and shoot some more at the same scene to get some more, just in case. Most of the time, I'll get it right the first time.
This has made me a less discipline photographer, not anticipating the right moments but rather shooting thinking the moment is coming.
Digital files are rather 'flat' in comparison to films; you have to enhance the digital files to get the right color. I found lately my film colors are so much richer and there is a texture to it that digital files do not seem to exist.
Lately, I have seen new exciting releases from both Canon and Nikon digital cameras and that made a lot of photographers envy with each other's new exciting features. I have since made peace with myself, and will only upgrade when my cameras have outlive their purpose. I'm so contented and blessed with what I'm using right now, no need for the best. My art does not depend on it yet.
I have found peace shooting more and more with films during this year and we acquired a few professional film cameras over the course of this 18 months, I'm pleased to announce that we will be shooting more with films, and maybe, just maybe completely with films within the next 8-12 months.
btw, to share this picture, taken with the eos1V and the 50mm f1.4, my gift to Alyce!
Stay tuned!
I don't blame the media, Digital photography has open up a world of new possibilities and people who found photography a great tool to express themselves while not worrying to incur the cost of buying, developing and scanning films.
I greatly benefited both technically and creatively using digital photography as a means to explore my art but lately I feel that I'm just 'drowning' upon the massive amount of digital files that I need to work on to the final product that is presented to the client.
Digital has made me a less secure photographer, I shoot to get the shot, and shoot some more at the same scene to get some more, just in case. Most of the time, I'll get it right the first time.
This has made me a less discipline photographer, not anticipating the right moments but rather shooting thinking the moment is coming.
Digital files are rather 'flat' in comparison to films; you have to enhance the digital files to get the right color. I found lately my film colors are so much richer and there is a texture to it that digital files do not seem to exist.
Lately, I have seen new exciting releases from both Canon and Nikon digital cameras and that made a lot of photographers envy with each other's new exciting features. I have since made peace with myself, and will only upgrade when my cameras have outlive their purpose. I'm so contented and blessed with what I'm using right now, no need for the best. My art does not depend on it yet.
I have found peace shooting more and more with films during this year and we acquired a few professional film cameras over the course of this 18 months, I'm pleased to announce that we will be shooting more with films, and maybe, just maybe completely with films within the next 8-12 months.
btw, to share this picture, taken with the eos1V and the 50mm f1.4, my gift to Alyce!
Stay tuned!
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