Perspectives #1

In this innovative exercise, some of the top wedding photographers in the world were asked to critique the same wedding photos independently on their own without knowing what the others think. Would they agree? How different or similar would their critiques be?

Eirik Halvorsen | Education

This is really cool - symmetrical portrait of the groom. I like that it's very symmetric. It's not slightly off. This glass is on a glass table of some sort. When taking the effort to make this photo symmetrical, I would also make the effort to move the glass table a little to the left and then reposition the glass on top of it so that the line that goes from right to the left down left corner of the screen is not crooked like it is now.

Also, during the post-processing of this photo, I would burn down this bright part on the left side, so that both the sides of the curtains are completely black. It would make it more stylized.

Regarding the groom and his expression, it looks like he is waiting for you to fiddle and fix the shot. He doesn't have a great expression. Maybe he could look to the side or maybe you could try to make him smile. Right now it just looks like he's waiting for you like "Are you done yet?"



Overall, a really great photo, cool composition. I love that you can see his tiny feet through the liquid in the glass. Great job.

Linda Bouritius

This image shows me that the photographer likes to play. it's playful or works for gimmicks. I like images that make you look like "What is it? Where are we?" We expect a groom standing on a balcony, but it's different. So I think there's a glass of scotch standing in front of him. But in terms of execution, this image is to posed for me. We're too much aware of that there has been a glass put in front of the groom and the groom is standing there knowing that is that it looks like he's bathing in a glass of whiskey. With these kinds of images where it's all about playful, adding elements that make you look twice like "Huh, is he standing in the glass or is it the pool? Is it something else?"

If you want to execute these kinds of images, it has to be real in my honest opinion. For example, if the groom would be putting his jacket on or getting ready or his friends are with him and helping him with his cuff links or his tie or something else. Then you use the glass to add an extra element to the image. That would be feeling more real for me. Right now it's just feels like there's a placed groom and a placed class. The framing is nice. The composition is nice. The symmetry works. But it's little bit too literal for my taste. If you see these elements that you can make funny jokes with, see how you can include them in real moments. Then you will have a stunning image and take these kind of tricks to the next level. Looking at this image right now, it's just a trick and it doesn't tell me much about what's happening other than the groom is standing there and probably likes his glass of scotch.

Mauricio Arias

We'll make this one lighter too because I feel like there's something else we're not seeing that might add context. When I find it interesting composition, I decide - okay, should I use it? Does this make sense right now? Should he be holding a glass as well? Should he be with somebody else or it's just about him? It's showing his personality. Is he a nice person? It's like a Quentin Tarantino thing? What is this about? So it is good that it made me think about all this stuff at the same time. I want to portray people in a good way because I'm thinking about them and who they are to make them look nice and interesting. I think it has a good composition, good choice of light and everything. It's not only about symmetry. Imagery sometimes is also about who they are and if they are represented in a fair way.

Steven Rooney | Education

The first thing I would say is that we're trying to portray the groom here that he's quite small in the frame. He's also quite central that's compositionally not brilliant. But there is an element of symmetry going on. My question here would be why we have the glass so prominent in the frame rather than the groom himself if it's a portrait of the groom? We've got the curtains left and right which darken down the image. 


There is an element of creativity here but the question would be why not photograph the groom without the glass, without the curtains, and with that background? I can just about see that there's perhaps a lake or a bay or a cityscape, maybe mountains in the background, which would give some context to the image regarding where this couple got married. And if the photographer was further forward and disregarded this foreground, we we would have a clearer picture of the groom's face.

David Murray

I think this is a very humorous kind of image. I'm assuming that the groom is probably one that needed to have a little sip or two before heading down the aisle. If the photographer understands the personal context of this moment, this can be a funny moment. It's perhaps a bit of a personal joke for the groom. It's a funny way to show his feelings towards the moment and what it's going to take for him to get down the aisle. Given that, it's a fun picture.