If You Could Photograph Just One Thing...

[JohnPD]

Well a wedding is something special, although I did shoot a small one in the past (but I knew there would be parents with cameras as well and it was really small, and somebody I know well asked me on behalf of her sister). The thing with a wedding is that it is a 'once in a lifetime' thing and I would feel so much responsibility for delivering good photos that it would take away the pleasure I get from photography. For example a rugby match, if I miss some shots it is fine, There will be other matches and it is impossible to get all the action during a match. With weddings, that is different, like exchanging the rings.
But broader than weddings, I have done some portrait work, or as session with the cat of a nephew when it appeared he had to euthanize her quite suddenly. By doing it every now and then, I learn from it and know "I could do it if I had to". When we were redoing the website at the company I work for, some portraits of the employees were needed and I decided to do the greenscreen photos myself. Partially to reduce on costs, partially because I knew I would be able to do it and knowing that in the future new employees might be needed to photograph as well and being flexible when doing the photos ourselves was a plus for that. And of course a bit trial and error during the photo sessions was OK and it was possible to redo if necessary.

That makes sense. Weddings are a once in a lifetime event (even if you remarry). It's a now or never thing. Thanks.

Also like with sports, you do some cropping for composition in post, but are bound by what happens at the pitch relative to were you are at the moment. When doing a bit of landscape, you might need to look more into compostion upfront.

Right, different types of photography, different rules.

 

[Jeff WX1USN]

Birds birds birds, I would love to do female nudes but the wife would probably kill me, a strong Irish temper, those freckles are no lie!

 

[Levina]

Birds birds birds,

Why am I not surprised!

I would love to do female nudes but the wife would probably kill me, a strong Irish temper, those freckles are no lie!

Female nudes?! Now that does surprise me. And I understand your wife!

 

[Mike]

Birds birds birds, I would love to do female nudes but the wife would probably kill me, a strong Irish temper, those freckles are no lie!

I feel you brother! My wife is hispanic so I make sure I'm well away from any dishes before I start any nonsense!

 

[Levina]

Well a wedding is something special, although I did shoot a small one in the past (but I knew there would be parents with cameras as well and it was really small, and somebody I know well asked me on behalf of her sister). The thing with a wedding is that it is a 'once in a lifetime' thing and I would feel so much responsibility for delivering good photos that it would take away the pleasure I get from photography. For example a rugby match, if I miss some shots it is fine, There will be other matches and it is impossible to get all the action during a match. With weddings, that is different, like exchanging the rings.
But broader than weddings, I have done some portrait work, or as session with the cat of a nephew when it appeared he had to euthanize her quite suddenly. By doing it every now and then, I learn from it and know "I could do it if I had to". When we were redoing the website at the company I work for, some portraits of the employees were needed and I decided to do the greenscreen photos myself. Partially to reduce on costs, partially because I knew I would be able to do it and knowing that in the future new employees might be needed to photograph as well and being flexible when doing the photos ourselves was a plus for that. And of course a bit trial and error during the photo sessions was OK and it was possible to redo if necessary.

Also like with sports, you do some cropping for composition in post, but are bound by what happens at the pitch relative to were you are at the moment. When doing a bit of landscape, you might need to look more into compostion upfront.

A good neighbour once asked if I could do a wedding. Her daughter was getting married. I didn't have to think about it for a second: nope. It took some explaining as to why not ("but you're a photographer!"): I have no experience in the genre, nor at shooting indoors (lights!) and you absolutely cannot fail. You summed it up quite nicely, Jan.