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by Vagelis Giotopoulos Published 01/08/2016
Wedding Photo Journalism Image of the Year
- a bystander's commentary from Mike McNamee I would not normally pass comment on a piece of work in the magazine but this particular image I described as one of the best wedding photographs I had seen - ever! Seemingly my fellow judges agreed for it was duly awarded first place in the category and second place overall in Photographer of the Year 2015. We also asked for comment from Charlotte Moss, our Features Editor, who has more than a passing interest in art critique (see editorial on page 3).
Why do I like it so much? Stylistically it is similar to the other images in this feature, sharing the same slightly gritty monochrome treatment with just a touch of glow to the satin of any dresses on view. The lens, a 60mm equivalent (on a Fujifilm XT-1 XF18-55mmF2.8-4 R LM OIS) has brought Vagelis very tight into the action but he has managed to eliminate any sign of intrusion - he is, in fact, being completely ignored!
There is loads going on here. In the left triangle the two older bridesmaids seem to be having a whispered, clandestine conversation and the youngster at the top is desperate to get a listen of what they are saying!
Look closely, though, and she is perhaps talking to the lady who is obscured behind the standing bridesmaid.
There is another triangle on the right with the two older attendants looking in opposite directions while the little girl at the bottom right is an absolute gem. She is remonstrating with somebody, perhaps she has been told to stop fidgeting by her mother!
The overall context of the scene is set by the proximity of the photographer to the small Table of Preparation holding the Eucharistic bread and wine, a box (the rings?) and an unidentifiable square which might be part of the liturgical vestments.
Suddenly in the midst of all this we notice the little old lady sitting quietly.
She comes as a startling revelation if you have not spotted her before, but is key to the whole story - she is a matriarch in every sense of the word and probably genetically responsible for quite a few of the people around her! She is deep in thought resting quietly in the stacidia, the classic pew of the Orthodox clergy (which allows them to appear to be standing while having a bit of a rest - in the Orthodox tradition the clergy stand for the entire proceedings). The stacidia is crowned by the double-headed eagle, the symbol of Byzantium and this acts as a frame to the lady's head but places us unquestionably in an Orthodox setting. The overall effect is slightly mysterious, she is receded both tonally and by size even tough she lies close to a compositional third (although if you mark the image up she is actually closer to the centre!).
These then are your editor's thoughts on the image - did he get it right?
To find that out you will have to attend Vagelis' talk at the Convention (scheduled for the Sunday, see website later) when I am sure all will be revealed!
Wedding Photo Journalism Image of the Year
- a bystander's commentary from Charlotte Moss
In the early eighteenth century in Britain it became fashionable for the social elite to have 'Conversation Pieces' created to adorn the walls of their beautiful houses. The works of art were often quite small in comparison to the grander portraits of the time, the size of a typical canvas that a recently married couple might buy for their home today. What they depicted was the family engaging in some polite activity or involved in genteel conversation - essentially the paintings were group portraits, but ones that showed the subjects doing something more than simply posing for the artist.
It appears that this photograph follows in this tradition; a group portrait of individuals engaging in an activity. In this case it is, of course, a dramatic wedding capture with participants interacting with others both inside and outside of the frame. Importantly this capture tells stories - What are the two girls on the left talking about? Why does the one behind appear to be listening in? What's caught the attention of the young boy on the right? What is the older lady in the middle contemplating quietly? And of course - what on earth is the young girl in the bottom right-hand corner doing that would cause that face to be pulled? Any of the parents of the children in this picture would adore this group shot, especially if the children weren't often together as is so often the case with family weddings.
However, documentary-style photography is always going to be one of the hardest styles to work in - especially at fast-moving events such as weddings where there is enormous pressure to 'get the shot'.
Compromises will almost always have to be made, especially with photography due to the laws of physics (surely someone will figure out how to break them soon?). For instance: the objects in the foreground - of course they couldn't have been in focus because a larger aperture was needed to capture anything at all inside the building, but as they stand they are a rather distracting out-of-focus item in the foreground. Taking a few steps to the right might have allowed similar framing without the distraction, but then the moment would have passed and the shot would have lost all charm. The person to the right and the oddly shaped hand between her also detract from the main image for me, but could not be removed without cropping the charming little girl from the shot who stands in front.
Under the circumstances it's a shot that displays considerable skill at capturing a decisive moment. Being able to intuit the right place to be and the moment to press the shutter button is a real art that I'm not sure can even be learned - perhaps it's something that we either have or we don't (or perhaps it just needs far more practice than many of us will be willing to do). Could it have been improved by setting a similar shot up in a studio with careful posing and lighting? Perhaps - but it would have been a very different shot. This photograph captures a moment in time, a moment made by the photographer would feel completely different.
The Society of Photographers Convention and Trade Show at The Novotel London West, Hammersmith ...
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