Long after your wedding, your wedding photos will serve as precious reminders of this lifetime event. So, it is wise to invest time and effort in choosing the right type of photography to document the big event.
To make the best photography investment, you should know that there are different wedding photography styles, and each of them produces different results.
Anyone can photograph fireworks as long as they plan
and have some essential camera accessories. This blog post will teach you the
basics of how to photograph fireworks
yourself.
The first step is to choose the perfect location.
Consider where the fireworks will be displayed and then plan out a strategic
spot. None of the advice in this guide will help if you choose a poor shooting
location.
Take a lay of the land by taking into consideration the angle of the photograph and the potential backdrop. For instance, fireworks viewed against the night sky are brilliant to the naked eye, but that would make for a boring photograph. Instead, you might capture a building behind the fireworks – or maybe a city skyline in the distance!
You’ll also need to get to the spot early to claim
your spot. Remember that the view needs to be unobstructed.
Here are some other preparations that you need to
make:
1. Create a Schedule: It’s easy to get distracted and forget things.
Creating a schedule will prevent that from happening. It helps to prepare
yourself better.
2. Pack your Gear: Create a checklist of the necessary gear for your
shoot and be sure to pack it all.
3. Know the Technique: You’ll want to make sure your camera settings are
set before the fireworks start.
How to Photograph Fireworks – Seven
Powerful Ways
Now let’s discuss the techniques for photographing fireworks.
Switch Off Flash and Set Your Camera to Manual Mode There are so many amateurs who will try taking photos of fireworks while leaving their flash turned on. This is usually done by accident because they leave their camera on automatic mode. Your first step is to make sure your camera is in manual mode.
Once in manual mode, set your camera to an ISO of 200 with an aperture between f/8 and f/13. Usually, f/11 will suffice. That way, all you will need to worry about on location will be the shutter speed. In most cases, a shutter speed of between 1 to 4 seconds is enough.
Use a Tripod You must have a tripod to capture fireworks since the camera will need to remain motionless. Each shot will take several seconds, so there is no way you can stay motionless while holding the camera. Furthermore, you will be taking hundreds of shots in succession. But you don’t need to invest in a fancy tripod here. You will be able to take the picture comfortably as long as the tripod is sturdy and doesn’t shake.
Invest in Remote Release Device One problem that people run into a lot when photographing fireworks is that their tripod shakes a bit when they press the capture button on their camera. Invest in a remote release device to prevent this. Most digital cameras will have an accessory that is designed for remote capturing. The only other option would be to use the timer on the camera, but that’s hit or miss. Just go ahead and invest in a remote release.
Set the Right Exposure Setting the right exposure requires some trial and error. Set the range to f/13 and take a picture to determine how exposed the shot is. Then adjust the camera accordingly. If the shot is underexposed, then lower the setting to f/12 and try again. Repeat until you reach the perfect exposure.
Although this should be tested before the fireworks start lighting up the night sky, pay close attention to your first few shots and be prepared to adjust the camera on the fly.
·
Use
Manual Focus
The above
settings are quite optimal for fireworks, but you might need to make slight
adjustments. That’s why it’s highly recommended that you put your focus on
manual and then adjust it yourself. You don’t want your camera trying to
refocus itself after every shot. You’ll end up with a ton of blurry images.
Using manual focus will create consistent shots. The only time you’ll have to
refocus is when you change the angle of shots. Otherwise, it will remain the
same throughout the entire shoot. Photographing fireworks is a bit of a lottery
so the more shots you can take, the higher your chances of capturing the
perfect moment.
· Use Drone to Photograph Fireworks Drones present us with a unique opportunity to capture the best fireworks photos, but there is a challenge. Many times, the operator will need to be certified to fly drones in a populated area. However, never attempt this without checking the local laws in the area.
With that said, drones can capture angles and create backdrops that are impossible from the ground. In most cases, if you want to use drones to capture fireworks, you’ll need to hire a company that specializes in drone photography. You can also buy fireworks images from companies like The Video Caddy.
· Frame Your Shot Proper framing is an essential skill in photography. You will have to worry about framing once the fireworks start blasting off into the sky. Then use the zoom feature on your camera to reframe until you have the desired effect. For instance, if you are taking fireworks photos in a big city where buildings are lit up around you, then it might be a good idea to capture one of those building in your frame.
Getting the Perfect Shot
Now that you’ve seen the techniques required to learn how to photograph fireworks, let’s recap everything we’ve learned:
1. Find the right location and get there in advance to
secure it before the fireworks begin.
2. Use a tripod and remote release device to capture
your images.
3. Put your camera on full manual mode and turn off
the flash.
4. Set the exposure on your camera and take a few test
shots to make sure it’s right.
5. Play around with angles until you capture the
perfect frame.
Your wedding wouldn’t be the same without your guests. Although this special day in your life is a celebration of you and your partner, your guests are an irreplaceable part of the celebration. They are people who make the effort and make time to be part of your lifetime celebration. Unless they are happy and enjoy the events of the day, they will not remember your wedding fondly.
Just think of all the weddings you have attended. There will be those that you loved, and then some others. It is highly unlikely that you had fun at weddings where the guest experience was the couple’s lowest priority. After all, who could enjoy a party where they were treated as an after-thought. When you analyze things from this perspective, you will realize the importance of this factor in your wedding.
Here is our roundup of all that real guests hate most at weddings. Take note and make sure not to overlook these factors at yours.
A remote venue that is difficult to locate
In your search for a unique and unusual venue that also fits your budget, don’t forget to consider how accessible it is. Your guests may not enjoy the trek to a far-off location which is difficult to locate and reach. Although you may provide clear instructions, think of factors like how remote it is and whether they should spend a long time on the road to get there. Also, check whether it has a public transportation option.
There may be guests who aren’t comfortable driving that far. Or it may be expensive to hire a cab to drive them there. If you simply cannot avoid this condition, arrange transportation from a central point to the place. Else, arrange a reception that is within a reasonable distance and invite the majority of guests to this location instead.
A vague dress code
There is nothing like a standard wedding today. From extravagant banquet affairs to rustic loft weddings and laidback beach nuptials, every wedding is different. Thus it isn’t always easy for guests to decide what to wear to a wedding. Nobody wishes to be embarrassed about their dress choice. So, they usually look at your invitation or wedding website to make this decision.
There are many clear, fun and even clever ways to communicate this point in your invitation. There are both traditional and non-traditional ways to let your guests know what your wedding style is. From simple straightforward phrases like “Black Tie” and “Casual” to “Dress to Impress” or “Festive attire”, provide a simple phrase that explains the style clearly. Take a look at this article on the Brides website for how to word it and what each phrase refers to.
Unclear instructions
Nothing spoils fun like a lack of clear instructions. From directions to a proper seating arrangement and instructions of where the various events will be held, guests need clear instructions. Unless you provide it, they just waste time trying to figure things out by themselves. So make sure you communicate all relevant details in a clear and crisp manner. Design and format the layout of your invitation card with a checklist that cites what information your guests need.
Similarly, make sure you mention all other information on your wedding website. Add details like landmarks, traveling time to the venue, nearest public transportation destination, etc, and make things easy for them. If the ceremony and reception venue is different, provide clear directions to get to the second from the first. Similarly, don’t complicate the seating arrangement. It should be easy to understand and follow. Your guests will appreciate finding their seats easily and settle in quickly.
Long breaks between events
It is plain disrespectful to make your guests wait for long spans of time during the day. Everyone values their time. Although your guests won’t look forward to a marathon of events on the day, neither will they be excited about an event that drags on and on. So, give accurate information about timings in your wedding invitation and program. Provide the “guest arrival time” and “ceremony start time” on your invitation to clarify things. This will allow your guests to evaluate the event timeline correctly and plan accordingly.
Make sure that you, your partner, and the members of the wedding party are on time. Also, space the different events of the day without too much delay. If there are long delays, arrange entertainment or refreshments to keep your guests occupied during this gap. Discuss with your wedding planner or photographer to create an accurate timeline that is practical for both you and your guests.
Spending too much money for additional expenses
Your guests will not be happy if they must spend additional money for expenses related to your wedding. Most wedding guests dread attending weddings at venues with high parking fees. Don’t be surprised if your guests get too fidgety if your wedding day events are delayed when they are paying for parking by the hour. It is equally disappointing if you will be having a cash bar, where they have to pay for their own drinks. A limited bar or one with few options will be better received than if they should pay for their drinks.
The same applies to gift registries too. Your guests will want to get you a gift that is useful. However, they may be on a budget. When you register for items with different price ranges, they can choose one that suits their budget. Don’t be a needy couple who looks desperate for contributions from guests to make their day special. So, don’t think twice about ruling out the money dance and honeymoon jar idea!
Long boring speeches
Unless you have a small, intimate wedding, save your guests the trouble of tolerating long speeches that they barely relate to. If your wedding speeches and toasts just go on and on, it will simply bore them to death. Don’t have more than five speeches. Also, ask all speakers to limit their toasts to five minutes or less. This will not take up much time.
Let anyone else who wishes to speak at your wedding do it at the rehearsal dinner. Since that will be a smaller and contained event, it will be an apt occasion for your friends and family to speak all they want. Also, make sure that there is a mic if your reception is at a non-traditional venue. You do not want your guests to strain and struggle to understand what is being said.
Being seated with strangers
We perfectly understand that creating a seating plan for your wedding is no walk in the park. However, you should do it with care. It isn’t fun for your guests when you assign seating in such a way that they are seated with total strangers. Most dates that accompany guests end up in such situations. Unfortunately, not all of them take it well.
Although it is impossible to make perfect groups, we advise that you do not randomly create your seating plan. Try to arrange the seating in such a way that there is at least one person who everyone knows at their table. It is a good idea to discuss the seating plan with your groom, parents, and the wedding party. A group effort will yield better results and help to avoid confusion.
Photographers who get in the way
Too many photographers can ruin the entire visual experience of your wedding. Whether it is that they shoot the couple or take selfies, this simple action can spoil the calm atmosphere. When guests are too busy capturing photos on their mobile phones, it often disrupts the view of the other guests. They can also get in the way of the professional photographer and spoil their shots. If you have hired a professional photographer for your wedding, trust him to do a good job. Also, inform the rest of your guests that you do not appreciate photos being clicked during the course of events.
Convey this clearly, but not in a condescending way. There are several ways in which you can do this. Put a note in your wedding program or make an announcement prior to the wedding. You can also display signs at various places in the venue. Just make sure that there is no chance it is overlooked or missed. When you have an unplugged wedding, your photographer will be able to do a better job of capturing your wedding pictures. Take a look at this article on Glamour.com to find out how to do it efficiently.
Loud and blaring music
You may have hired a highly energetic band for your wedding because you love their kind of music. However, it needn’t be the case with your guests. Music that deafens can really aggravate those who do not enjoy it. Be considerate and realize that there may be those who do not like the music you play at your wedding. For their benefit, keep the volume down. This will let them relax and chat or sit and watch without much difficulty.
Your guests should basically be able to talk to each other without having to scream because of the blaring background music. It is fine to occasionally raise the volume, to get the desired impact for certain song numbers. However, don’t make the mistake of maintaining the same volume throughout the evening. Your guests may rush to the washroom or out of the venue to rest their pounding heads. Most of all, this will ruin the entire day for them. Give your band or DJ a mix of songs in the playlist, so there is something that appeals to everyone there.
When the couple are totally engrossed in themselves
Nobody enjoys an event with ungracious hosts. Even when the guest count is huge, your guests expect to be treated with courtesy. So acknowledge their presence. Of course, they understand that you have a busy day and do not have time to chit-chat. However a quick hello, thank you or goodbye makes it worth their while.
If you are too busy taking photos or spending time with selected guests only, it can put off the others. After all, they made the effort to attend your wedding because they care for you. So, use the cocktail hour to mingle with your guests. Or wave hello to them when they step up to take a photograph. Treat your guests well and your wedding will be a memorable one for them as well.
Do you have any more things to add to this list? If so, do let us know through the comments section below.
Every wedding poses a unique set of challenges. Creating a great experience for your guests is just one of them. While there isn’t much we can do to help you with this, Best for Bride can help you with another equally important wedding planning task—finding the perfect wedding dress. Browse through our wedding dress collection to find a stunning variety of dresses that fit every style, weather, and wedding type. Apart from that we also feature a great collection of dresses for the wedding party. Visit the Best for Bride gallery today and begin shortlisting your favorites from our collection.
Modern day weddings are no longer cookie cutter versions of the same thing. For there was a time when all the bridesmaids dressed in cotton candy dresses and couples cut towering cakes! Today, every wedding is unique in it’s own way.
Every couple has their own notions of the most important day in their life. They carefully plan every aspect of a wedding and personalize all the relevant details. Most couples are quite adventurous too and ready to take risks, so they can enjoy a memorable wedding day. Breaking rules is so common that there are hardly any rules left to break! The result? Every wedding is fresh and interesting, since we do not know what to expect till we are at the event.
Best for bride has catered to brides for over a decade. Since that time, we have closely observed everything in the wedding scene evolve. From wedding dresses to wedding décor and party themes, a lot of things changed over the years. While many of these were a slow transition, others were quick to appear on the scene. But the best thing about changing trends is that they make weddings unique and appealing.
Here are some of the trends we have seen over the years that were totally unexpected. I can safely say that these trends strike us as interesting because we never imagined them to gain such wide acceptance. Take a look!
The bride must wear white, or must she?
Queen Victoria created the tradition of the divine, white wedding gown that symbolized virginity and purity. Although white is still a favorite with brides, it has many contenders. Every year, leading wedding designers bring out colored wedding dresses that tempt many a bride to embrace something other than white for her wedding day.
While the safe and favored choices include soft, muted shades of pink, blue and gray, there are also brides who do it big with bright and bold colors. And it isn’t just colors! Printed wedding dresses, dresses with colored appliques and huge, bold colorful designs are all present on the bridal fashion scene.
Bridal jumpsuits, trousers, the little white dress and more
Just as the traditional notion of brides in white wedding dresses found a replacement in colorful wedding gowns, so did traditional dress styles. The ball gown always fit the vision of a bridal dress. There was a time when no bride would be seen in anything but a billowing big meringue gown at her wedding. Later, brides chose to show off their style and natural curves in sheath and A-line dresses. And finally came the mermaid silhouette for brides who wanted to really flaunt their figure!
All these were gradual changes, but none of them prepared us for the big changes of the 2010’s and beyond. Little white dresses shared space with modular dresses, bridal pant suits and jumpsuits. These extremely unconventional wedding outfits heralded an new era in bridal fashion. Often seen at informal weddings and weddings featuring casual themes, these dress styles continue as the fashion-forward option for brides.
Casual wedding themes
Classic weddings are an eternal favorite. Nevertheless, many casual and unusual wedding themes make their appearance time and again. Popular wedding venues for casual themes include beaches, barns and even backyards. Who would ever have expected to see weddings planned around rainbows, vintage circuses or woodland creatures? However, such themes are only some of the many unusual themes that are popular in the world of weddings these days. When everyone wants a wedding that is like nothing anyone’s seen before, wedding planners and clever couples come up with such ideas. So, it is not surprising that food trucks, ice cream vans and naked cakes are all part and parcel of the wedding world today!
Anything but cake!
Sometime back, we could never imagine a reception without a cake! After all, a huge tiered cake was the highlight of every reception in the 20th century. As couples fiddled and played with traditional favorites, it was time to give a twist to this tradition as well. And that is how cookie tiers, gourmet cakes and cheese tables came to replace wedding cakes.
Not only are these options economical, they are better suited to satisfy the various tastes of the guests. Some couples incorporate this into their weddings to just keep it unique. With interesting dessert buffets with a variety of options, I think this is something to appreciate. Pancake stations, cupcake tiers and individual portions of tempting deserts are always more inviting than a slice of cake. All the couple need is a gourmet cake for the cake-cutting ceremony, and everyone is happy at the end of the day!
Bridesmaids who do not match
Bridesmaids are the bride’s best friends, sisters and cousins. They always held an important role in the wedding from time immemorial. Nonetheless, it wasn’t surprising that most women dreaded this wedding day, for their outfits were hideous. Although brides eliminated bright colored comic costumes from the scene over time, brides still chose matching outfits for their bridesmaids. So, irrespective of their size, body shape, complexion or build, all the women would dress in copies of the exact same dress.
The story is totally different now. Matching bridesmaids are a thing of the past. Although we wouldn’t have expected it at time, it is delightful to see these women in dresses that actually make them look good. Another detail for the bride to work on, but different necklines, hemlines, styles and colors are the various factors that brides consider when mixing and matching bridesmaids outfits.
Specially styled beverages and bars
The bar which was once standard fare at weddings was also pretty expensive. Most guests looked forward to it when attending a wedding. There was a typical menu with a range of drinks served at every wedding. So, it wasn’t easy to replace. While limited bars offered a happy middle ground to open bars and hosted bars, it wasn’t an adventurous choice either.
That’s when the idea of signature cocktails, local wine collections and beers became a big hit. This is now pretty common at many wedding receptions. Couples serve up a collection of signature cocktails, local wines and beers to not only offset their alcohol bills, but also to make a lasting impression through their wedding parties.
Wedding websites
Although the internet has been in existence for ages, it wasn’t so popular in the early years of this century. Hence, wedding websites were unheard of. All information would be in wedding invitations and passed on by word of mouth. Something as simple as a wedding website revolutionized all this.
Now, almost every couple has their own wedding website. This is a one-stop destination for all information about the wedding. It has everything from the wedding details to extras like the wedding registry. It may even have photos of the couple and include their engagement story. The modern generation is naturally inclined to check the wedding website of a couple than scan through the information sent to them in the form of a traditional invitation card.
Wedding brunches
According to English tradition, high noon weddings were most stylish. However, this idea didn’t hold for long. By the turn of the century weddings were always evening affairs. Lavish wedding dinners was always a given at a wedding.
So, wedding brunches are a novelty when we think that the idea was non-existent in weddings of this generation. However, this option comes with its advantages. It is not only practical and simple, it is also budget-friendly. With the advent of casual wedding themes, a wedding brunch is good for hosting guests without bursting your budget. It is pretty fun too, as the daytime creates a relaxed ambiance that is more welcoming than a formal reception in the evening.
Hashtag weddings
I don’t think you would be surprised if you were to notice a poster or board at a wedding listing the couple’s hashtag. In fact, if you are clicking pictures on this occasion, you will probably be tagging yours with the same. However, this idea was entirely unheard of a few decades ago.
Although social media has been in the picture for years, the idea of segregating all the information from a wedding in a single location was not there. Instead of clicking pictures, most people just watched the wedding and let the photographer do his job. It was only after smart phones became popular that everyone became obsessed with this idea of posing and clicking pictures all the time.
Decor and venues that aren’t traditional wedding fare
Classic themes have continued down centuries. However, more and more couples today want to surprise their guests by thinking of extraordinary settings and elements for their wedding. This perhaps explains the popularity of burlap and wood at weddings that follow a vintage theme.
Vintage wedding themes not only embrace the wedding styles of yesteryear, but also often replicate more than what we’d ever expect at a wedding. So, weddings in barns, elements like bird cages, distressed wood and burlap are trendy on the wedding scene. These were never expected to play into the settings a few years ago.
Unconventional bouquets for the non-traditional bride
Bridal bouquets had names, like the nosegay, cascade or round bouquets. They were traditionally formed of flowers that a florist gathered fresh and dressed into a tight setting. This isn’t always the case today.
Modern brides experiment with a range of unconventional bouquet options for various reasons. With loosely gathered wildflower bouquets, paper flower bouquets, those with brooches, paper and even fruits and berries, the options are numerous. The composite is also a trending style. In this design, florists use several smaller flowers and make a single big flower.
Tradition meets modern in blue wedding shoes
We just love it when modern brides put interesting twists on tradition. Over the last decade,brides switched out traditional white and cream wedding shoes for blue beauties. This is a modern twist on a very traditional part of weddings. It is not just interesting, but beautiful too.
Brides needn’t any longer find shoes that match the wedding dress or dye shoes that may never be used again. Blue shoes can usually be worn with many different outfits. So, there is a good chance of the bride using it again after her wedding day.
The first-look shot
It was a common belief among brides and grooms that meeting each other before the ceremony was bad luck. Most couples kept up with this practice till someone discovered it wasn’t helping with good photographs.
So, with the support of their photographers, more and more couples ignore this belief. This means better photographs for the album, and a chance for the bride and groom to see each other and enjoy their private moment before the wedding.
At Best for Bride, we love both traditions and modern practices. Hence, we are the best destination to fulfill your bridal shopping needs. Whether you are a traditional bride with a penchant for classic style, or a modern bride who wants everything unique and surprising, come and visit us. We have a vast collection of both traditional and modern wedding dresses. For more details on our bridal dress inventory, dresses for the wedding party, wedding services, accessories and online shopping option, check out our website here.
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