CITY PROJECT Official release online

MAKE IT A GOOD...

By david boulogne

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FORMAT FESTIVAL 1 year already

Last year in March my Inadequates series were exhibited in the great cinema hall on the top floor of the brand new Quad building in Derby. 24 images ( 12 very large / 12 A2's) of mine were displayed. Next door was Magnum agency showcasing their In Motion concept. You could find under the same roof Cyndy Sherman, Gregory Crewdson, David Lynch, Eric Baudelaire, Hannah Starkey, William Eggleston and many others. Wim Wenders was also part of it in a separate venue.
I wish all the best to the festival which is the best in UK. The layout, location and selection is what you would expect from a top international feast celebrating Photography. Unfortunately the attendance was relatively poor and it really somehow describes the situation in which Photography is nowadays - in serious doubt...

SPEECHES AND REACTIONS

Today let's talk speeches.
Everybody has had a nice breakfast and a few drinks, and we cannot wait to hear those embarrassing stories. The traditional order of speakers is father of the bride, bride groom and best man. I have been told few years ago that apparently the father' speech is actually quite recent as the tradition would invite a speaker on behalf of the bride's father.

Speeches are the formal part that most people would see as not a very interesting part to photograph. On the contrary I would say ( are you surprise ?) This is a very special moment where all the attention of the audience is towards the speaker. Therefore you have an opportunity to capture some amused, focused, touching moments and faces. Establish a procedure of priorities to make the most of it.

1/ father of the bride: speaker, bride, bride's mum, siblings, groom, grandparents and guests
2/ groom: speaker, bride, his parents, her parents, siblings, grandparents, best man and guests
3/ best man: speaker, groom, bride, bride & groom and guests
4/ bride eventually: speaker, groom, her parents, his parents, siblings, close friends and guests.

It is important to have few shots of the speaker with various expressions and ways of framing but do not spend too much time on him as it is quite limited somehow. It is a character with a mouth opened and a background. If you can get shots including the speaker and the persons he is talking about in order to create a story line within one shot. Mind the table's decorations.
I am not someone very keen on wedding videos in general but I would suggest you to have one during the speeches as the talking is more important than the visual (same applies to the ceremony)

Once you have the formal shots in the box and covered most of the people involved in the wedding party you can allocate some time going around the tables discreetly to capture people's reactions. That's the fun part where you need to have experience to not spend too much time on one person only. After few weddings you start understanding how it works. You know when the catch phrase is about to be delivered. You need to be fast and discreet. Being tall I always have to kneel not to block the view and my knees start hurting a bit...
For the speeches you need to anticipate, be fast, shoot while listening, shoot and get the next shot or person ready in mind, be discreet and fluid, have an extra pair of eyes in your back and be physically fit. Quite a few things to know then...