We've got a very busy week and weekend coming up, and heaven knows I blog pretty erratically as it is, so I thought I'd better put in a bit of effort and post today... We had the most fabulous trip to NZ and I haven't even started to show any of it yet, so here we go...
Late September/October I read two books with similar names, the 13th tale, and the 19th Wife... The 19th Wife was a very intriguing story about polygamy, modern day and in early Mormon times. I have no idea what was true and what was fiction in parts of it, but it was very interesting. The 13th Tale was a romping good historical fiction. I don't usually read that genre, but this was great! So many twists and turns...
So now possibly you're wondering about the 17th shooter? Is it an account of a bizarre assassination plot? Nope, it's a different kind of shooting... While we were on holiday we were lucky enough to be invited to a wonderful wedding. The Bride and Groom are both NZ Professional Photographers of the year (NZIPP), one current, and one past. There were 16 photographers amongst the guests (no name dropping) and with no official photographer they were all invited to take shots. I guessed that unlike some weddings where there is a main photographer and a "second shooter" given the number of photographers at this wedding I was the "17th shooter"! I promised the Bride and Groom I would provide 5 photos (oh the pressure, entirely self inflicted I might add)...
Wedding photographers talk of a phenomenon known as the "Uncle Bob". Uncle Bob is that guy that turns up to a wedding with all the gear and almost seems to be competing with the official photographer for every shot. We didn't have an Uncle Bob at out wedding I might add. Before and after the studio/official shots our (official) photographer was Uncle Peter (Mum's brother) and he did a wonderful job. They are truly lovely shots.
Becker talks about the "Uncle Bobs" in one of his [b] school podcasts (I get these on i-tunes, they're a free download and well worth a look); I really like his attitude. As he preaches asking forgiveness (rather than permission?) I am about to shamelessly use his image without permission to illustrate an Uncle Bob. Then I'll ask if all 8 of my readers could please follow the links and check out his blog etc etc and make sure if you're in SoCal you consider him for your next few weddings...! That's Becker on the left/back...
But enough about Becker... just imagine the potential for Uncle Bob's at
Mike and
Jackie's wedding!
There was no doubt it was a really really beautiful wedding, one of those ones where everyone is so happy to see two people together. I've put some of my five pics into a quick storyboard (not my finest composition, but as said I did think I should stop pfaffing around and get a post in today); incase you're wondering it was at the gorgeous
Hermitage, Mt Cook, NZ... it's a good thing I was the 17th shooter as I don't seemed to have any of Mike!!
...and here's some others... Like the one of the shoes (Mike and Jackie are usually seen in hiking boots and jeans) this shot below was a suggestion from some of the guests we were sitting with down the back -watching Jackie and her paparazzi... I was playing with some effects (as you do) when it struck me. Maybe Jackie wasn't showing off her fantastic toned body (yes yes I know this isn't doing her arms justice...)? Maybe she was calling for help and trying to get out the window?!!
My camera and flash were away being fixed for three weeks and I was using a Nikon D2xs kindly lent to me by Photo and Video. That was pretty lucky, but I like my camera better and I can definitely see how much better Nik's have got in the last year. The photo below is screaming for a caption (leave all suggestions in comments!), but myself, I think it's Nikon envy...
more shooters on the grassy knoll chairs...
Anyway it was a fabulous 3 days of wedding, thanks Mike and Jackie. As GB doesn't like stopping for scenery I have an interesting series of NZ shots I will post sometime all taken from the speeding car:-even one of the Bride and Groom having photos taken the next day! Bet you can't wait...
