Back in the 90s we used to have an assistant that would carry our camera equipment as most photographs were taken on a heavy medium format camera and the candids were on a 35mm film cameras. Cameras today out class film cameras in every way from detail to sharpness. Not only that, their ability to photograph in the most unlikely situations is now a possibility.
So where is this leading the industry? This is my personal belief but it is shared by many of my friends in the industry. So here is my list of thought for the future photographer
Photographers today have to go beyond taking technically good photographs as technology can take care of all of that with this click of a professional camera button.
A wedding photographer needs to take consistently good photos that are well composed and with an excellent understanding of lighting to create moods and feelings.
Able to anticipate what will happen next to not miss a moment, which comes with many years experience.
Couples want a photographer that blends into the wedding day hardly noticed and treats people as friends and not bossing them about.
Be attentive to detail and capture shots from an unusual and artistic angle.
Understand all the post production processes that can be used to present each photo at it’s best.
Able to offer many of the online features that are available such as online web galleries, blogs and sharing in facebook.
Be a people person and make people feel comfortable when they are being photographed. Plus knowing how to untangle someone who looks very ill at ease in front of a camera.
I do believe wedding albums will be around forever but there is a growing desire to just have images on disc. Hence the need to digital presentations of photos for your iPad, laptop, online and TV become of greater value.
There will be devices in the future for viewing photos that do not yet exist and the photographer will have to be able to make sure that his images can be viewed on the current technology.
As mentioned before many couples are doing without an album at the moment but what I have noticed is more and more people ringing to have the photos they did have placed in a wedding album. So there are opportunities to do album designs as well.
Today’s cameras have so many new features and one interesting one is the HD video capture. It’s interesting to see the professional videographers using our cameras to shoot video as the quality is higher than on normal video cameras. Although I do believe the videographer and photographers will not be able to do a wedding as one person, there are opportunities for a fusion of video within the photographic coverage. For example a photographer would shoot all day as he normally would but when there is a quieter moment without pressure they could use the video on the camera to capture a few highlights that could then be added to a multi media presentation of the wedding later. Just by adding a few little highlights can make the slideshow take on a new energy. Instead of having a second photographer they could shoot video highlights plus take some candid photos.
Above all it’s important to not to let all this technology confuse the photo shoot. Simplicity rules but there is a brave new world out there with exciting new features and options. It is important to not be left behind and embrace the future.
We value your input, so please write your comments at the bottom of this article.
