5 Mistakes Wedding Photographers Make

Summary

In this insightful video, Magic, a destination wedding photographer and Sony Europe Ambassador, identifies five common mistakes made by wedding photographers. These include incorrect exposure settings, overexposing important moments, sloppy framing, reluctance to shoot close-up, and inadequate use of flash. Magic shares practical advice on how to avoid these pitfalls, emphasizing the importance of understanding camera settings and composition for capturing stunning wedding photos.

Takeaways

• 📸 The speaker, Magic, is a destination wedding photographer with over 12 years of experience and a Sony Europe Ambassador.
• ❌ The first mistake discussed is incorrect exposure settings, which can lead to missed moments, especially when shooting in manual mode.
• 🔄 Magic prefers using Aperture Priority Auto ISO over manual mode for its convenience and adaptability to quickly changing wedding day conditions.
• 🌞 It's better to underexpose an image slightly to preserve highlights, as modern cameras can effectively recover shadows but not overexposed areas.
• 🖼️ 'Sloppy framing' is the third mistake, where photos may have unnecessary elements or be too centrally focused, suggesting the use of face tracking and recomposing for better framing.
• 🔍 The fourth mistake is shooting from a distance, which can result in less intimate and emotional photos; Magic recommends getting closer with wider lenses for a more cinematic feel.
• 🤳 Not knowing how to use flash properly is the fifth mistake, and Magic encourages photographers to practice and learn different flash techniques for various lighting situations.
• 🔄 Magic has transitioned from shooting in manual to using Aperture Priority Auto ISO for better control and less adjustment needed on the wedding day.
• 📈 The importance of understanding the exposure triangle is emphasized, with Magic still controlling aperture and shutter speed while letting the camera handle ISO.
• 📹 A full wedding set review service is offered by Magic, where he reviews and provides feedback on photographers' work, settings, and framing.
• 💡 Investing time in learning about flash and practicing different settings is crucial, as it can greatly enhance wedding photography, especially in low light conditions.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is discussing five common mistakes made by wedding photographers in terms of technicalities and shooting techniques.

Who is the speaker in the video?

The speaker is Magic, a destination wedding photographer and Sony Europe Ambassador who has been in the industry for over 12 years and runs a YouTube channel focused on wedding photography.

What is the first mistake discussed by Magic in the video?

The first mistake discussed is wrong exposure settings, where photographers may struggle with parameters during crucial moments of a wedding.

Why does Magic recommend not shooting in manual mode?

Magic recommends not shooting in manual mode because it's cumbersome to constantly change settings like ISO and shutter speed, especially on a fast-paced day like a wedding. Modern cameras can handle these adjustments automatically based on the photographer's input.

What is Magic's preferred shooting mode and why?

Magic prefers shooting in aperture priority auto ISO mode because it allows for control over the depth of field and shutter speed while the camera automatically adjusts the ISO, which is less relevant with modern cameras' high ISO performance.

What advice does Magic give regarding exposure in critical moments like the first look?

Magic advises against experimenting with exposure settings like motion blur or high aperture in critical moments. Instead, he suggests using camera modes that prevent underexposure and motion blur to ensure the moment is captured clearly.

What is the issue with overexposing the sky in a photo?

Overexposing the sky can result in loss of detail and highlights that cameras cannot recover, whereas underexposing can allow for recovering shadows with modern cameras.

What is the third mistake discussed by Magic, and how can it be avoided?

The third mistake is sloppy framing, which can be avoided by using autofocus points throughout the frame, tracking the subject, and recomposing for better framing rather than relying solely on the central autofocus point.

Why does Magic suggest photographers should not be afraid to come closer to the subject?

Coming closer to the subject allows for more intimate and emotionally charged photos, and it can provide a cinematic look that is different from distant shots.

What is Magic's opinion on using flash in wedding photography?

Magic believes that knowing how to use flash is crucial for wedding photography, especially as it has become a trend and is essential for capturing moments in low light conditions.

What does Magic offer for photographers who want their work reviewed?

Magic offers a full wedding set review service where he will analyze a photographer's full catalog, providing feedback on settings, framing, and areas for improvement.

What additional resource does Magic provide for photographers interested in improving their use of flash?

Magic offers a flash for wedding photographers course, which is over 2 hours long and covers different settings and setups for using flash effectively during weddings.