Brooklyn Bridge Dumbo Wedding
Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 Written by: theAssistant { Marriage }
“A photograph should not only capture the soul of the subject, but also the soul of the photographer.”
- theStoryteller
Wedding Celebration under the Brooklyn Bridge and Bubby’s in Dumbo, Brooklyn
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March 26th, 2008 at 10:34 am
You probably all know how I feel about gimmicks, clichés, or special effects. If I see another stiff posed bride in B&W with color bouquet, you know the rest. Luckily, you don’t see those photos as often now. One can really go color blind after seeing too many of those images created for no particular reason than just to show off their Photoshop skill.
I believe there should be a motivation for every effect applied; even if it’s to save a badly exposed photo.
So how do we use color in a B&W photo so it’s not a cliché?
This is my own feeling about using color in B&W photo. First it’s used to create an emotional response, to make a stronger statement. Second, it must be natural without making a cheap statement such as, “Hey look at me!”
I was hired to cover an intimate ceremony by the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. The couple came in and tight two red ribbons to the benches and the fence to mark off an area for their ceremony. There are no flowers, no decorations, and no rings to be photographed. So what was I to do to make a connection and to capture images that speak of the couple’s special day?
Capturing their emotion and anticipation was one way to go. Anyone can take beautiful photos of a lavishly decorated wedding. But it’s a different story when the couple shows their love without any of these. What is then the token or symbol of their love?
The bride to be was wearing a red scarf and a black overcoat – black and red – a very dramatic contrast. Red must be her favorite color. It’s my too.
When I saw how the couple related to the children, I know they like kids.
This young boy was walking back and forth holding the ribbon in his hand like a rope. This is something a child will do naturally without hesitation.
There is my connection. An insignificant red ribbon became significant! The couple worked together to tight the ribbons. What was going through their mind at that moment?
The red ribbon is a symbol of coming together, a unification of two people and their families.
I waited for the boy to get to the right spot. He did. I shot. The sun broke through the clouds. I over exposed the shot. I save the shot by turning it to B&W and made it better by leaving the red in the ribbon.
Sometimes, life is a cliché, weddings are cliché, love is a cliché, but how we live and capture each of these individual moments… now that’s unique!
- the Storyteller