You are most welcome to visit my group photo exhibition on 9 Nov – 7 Dec at the Institute of Contemporary Arts.

*Please note that there is no wedding pictures being exhibited but more about an concept I have.:)

See you there!

Cheers,

George Wong
www.quietshoes.com

Art Incubator Invite (George Wong)

You guessed it. It’s the iPhone and, in specific, the iPhone 4 by Apple.

While the iPhone has revolutionized how the telecommunication is today, the breakthrough for most photography enthusiasts is the camera on the iPhone4. Technological advances in the last 5 years had helped propel mobile photography to new heights and with vast competing markets opening up for photo software development complimenting mobile photography, anyone and everyone can make stunning pictures these days with just their mobile phone in hand.

I have been an avid iPhone user since its 1st Gen inception and have not looked back since. Through Apple’s course of redefining what mobile phone technology can do,  I have followed with great enthusiasm on every phone release about what mobile photography can become in the near future and finally the height of revolution has arrived in the form of the iPhone4 even though as I was typing this, industry watchers have confirmed the next phase of Apple’s mobile advancement in the form of the anticipated iPhone 5 releasing in 2012.

But I digress.

Iphone photography or iPhonegraphy, for short, has made waves in the photography communities worldwide with many websites, galleries and forums spouting up at a phenomenal pace. Photo community apps like EYEEM.com, Instagram, Hipstamatic, Twitter , not forgetting Facebook and even FourSquare, have all been part of the mobile photography growth amongst its users with photographers, amateurs and professionals, pushing the creative boundaries of iPhonegraphy everyday.

As a photographer, I like to document the nuances of stuff and I set upon a fun project of just using my iPhone4 to capture scenes while traveling. Yes, I completely ditched the dSLR and the heavy lens at home and went on documenting my leisure trips with just my iPhone and instantly sharing the pictures online wherever and whenever. Whether I was traveling on the Shinkansen or just enjoying the sunset views, I can instantaneously capture, edit and share those moments with my friends.

Here are some photos from my trips to Japan to share with you:

As you can see, it’s almost like going back to the basics of photography of discovering moments, documenting the everyday scenes of life passing by but with the ease of modern day technology.

For those who are interested in what apps I use for iPhonegraphy: do check out the following - SlowShutter, PhotoTreats, CrossProcess, TiltShiftGen, SnapSeed, PS Express, PictureShow and Camera+

ps: I’m not an iPhone seller and definitely am not working for Apple :p

Most prewedding photos share common qualities that make them exude the aura of bliss and adventure shared between the two people who will soon be bound in love. If you are planning to have your pre-wedding photo taken soon, then these qualities might inspire your own idea of how you and your significant other would like your prewedding photos to come out.

First, the prewedding photo is representative of your profile as a couple. Are you fun? Serious? Adventurous? Outdoorsy? Artistic? Couples have their unique personality which easily comes out on their own pre wedding photo. The couple personality reflects the common things they appreciate and enjoy together that make their compatibility so uttermost that it is altar-bound.

Second, the photo looks relaxed. In contrast to the wedding photos where the height of emotions is evident, prewedding photos are more laid-back. You might want to have a photo showing this to refer to after years of being married; even just to remind you both that there was a time when marriage felt like a bed of roses, despite the reality that it is indeed work. When the going gets rough, photos like this will keep you going.

Back in the days, prewedding shoots were extremely formal and stiff. It was either a full body shot or a close-up shot of the engaged couples. Nowadays, the photos are becoming more and more casual, with more couples opting for playful and creative styles.

Pre-Wedding Photography – Where In Singapore

In Singapore, you can choose from numerous picturesque locations that will surely set the mood for a romantic shoot. For an idea where to start, here are a couple of the best locations in the country:

The first on the list is the park and greeneries like the Botanic Garden. This location is also a favorite dating spot for lovers. The place exudes a rustic feel with its exotic greenery and secluded spots.

Sunset at Marina Barrage

For those who can’t make up their minds between an urban chic setting and a nature-inspired location, there is the popular Sentosa. The resort houses beaches, hotels and spas, golf courses, and nature parks. Couples will have a lot of theme to choose from for their shoot.

At the end of the day, any prewedding pictorial location you have chosen will be fine as long as you are enjoying the shoot itself. If you are having fun and cherishing the moment, the mood will be reflected onto the images.

Good luck as you conceptualize your own pre wedding photo. Just keep it real and the beauty of it will naturally show.

- Gabriel of Gabriel Mendes Photography

Well, they found themselves a niche in a competitive and congested market and kept reprising the same roles that made them a worldwide phenomenon.

Once they tried to veer away from the formula (Meg the forever wide-eyed vulnerable romantic, or Bruce the estranged tough-guy, never-say-die husband-cop), they found themselves struggling to gain acceptance for their new roles and the effort to re-invent themselves failed miserably.

I feel there is a parallel path cutting across the wedding photography (maybe generally in photography, but I can only speak based on my own experience).
It makes a lot of business sense to be a specialist in a particular aspect of wedding photography, because that’ll set us apart from the rest, and clients can immediately identify with the “right” photographer who might be a good fit.

For example, some photographers are well-known for the romantic feel of the photos they create, some can tell a compelling visual story using pictures, some create aesthetically pleasing abstracts whereas others do wonders with contrasty light and shadows and are adept at injecting quirky humour into the wedding pictures.

Here are some examples that cut across a wide spectrum of “styles”:

By doing so, we make it easier for clients to “shop” around and find the style that they prefer.

However, as a photographer who wishes to constantly grow professionally and “artistically”, I always seek to challenge myself to straddle a bigger platform. Why should I limit myself to a particular way of shooting? Isn’t photography “painting with light”? There’s no rule that says I have to paint in a certain way to be successful. I paint what I like as and when I like, with the pure hope and joy of a 5-year-old who just wants to create something beautiful (I do get a lot of inspiration from my daughter). I want to tell myself: be it rainy, sunny, foggy, along the equator, in the southern hemisphere, shooting slim clients or plus-sized women, chirpy couples or reserved ones, young or old, of different races or nationalities, I am going to paint something I like with the ingredients I have.

Be a one-trick pony or Jack-of-all-trades? Nay. I am just a photographer.

~kc of Tinydot Photography

Ever so often, many wedding couples do not understand that beautiful images can only be the result of good natural light (and of course, a photographer that is able to harness that light!). There have been so many occasions where I’m photographing the preparation in the bride’s room, where there’s beautiful sunlight waiting to be streamed into the room, and the curtains are fully closed. In Singapore, where good weather with nice lighting is rare, it would be a sin to waste such opportunities!

Good light generally manifests itself in the early hours of the day, and later towards the evening. Whilst it may be hot in our Singaporean weather, it will also provide a backdrop for some extremely well-lit images, bathed with beautiful golden sunlight and nice shadows. Some of these timings may be impossible for portraitures or bridal party photographs though, given the hectic schedule of the wedding day. In cases like that, it would be better to bring the photography into a shaded area, or indoors near large windows to take advantage of the softer light. If you are going to be holding a solemnization right a mid-day outdoors, use cloth canopies or the like to diffuse the light so that your wedding images will turn out to be the beautiful memory they so deserve.

What about artificial lighting? Not all banquet venue lightings are made the same. What a casual observer sees as nice lighting at a banquet venue may not necessarily translate to the same in photographs. Ballroom lights are generally flat and uninteresting, so if possible, use spotlights to light up march-ins, speeches, dances etc. The contrast that these lights provide will definitely add to the reception images. For outdoor venues, it would be best to engage a lighting consultant, not just so that you will get awesome images, but also that your guests can see the food they are eating.

So when it comes to planning for your wedding photography, remember this little thing called light. It may just make the difference between excitement and disappointment!

Here are some images to give you an idea of what photographing in good light can achieve. All of them were photographed in Singapore.

Photographs created with beautiful light at the golden hours are worth the sweat!

Light creates interesting shadows. Believe it or not, this was photographed at a void deck with an ordinary coloured wall!

Using window light helps to create a soft diffused portraiture. But make sure that there’s a big window

Here’s an example of a photograph created in shade provided by a huge tree. In a no-choice situation where harsh lighting reigns, this is the next best alternative. Shot at 10am on a hot, sunny day.

Again, shadows add an interesting element into an otherwise “ordinary” groomsmen portrait.

Artificial lighting, when placed correctly in an indoor venue creates the perfect mood for your documentary wedding photography.


And oh, if you’re going to have a first dance or after party, don’t stinge on the lights. At least get the venue to provide you with directional or spotlights!

Besides weddings, I’m sure the rest of us at WPN love shooting other stuff. Some love street photography, some enjoy travel photography while others simply enjoy making music. Yes, there are talented musicians in the WPN as well. There are also a few of us who enjoy creating images on our iPhones! For me, I love shooting live music besides weddings.

Someone came up to me sometime ago and told me that I must be crazy to love shooting weddings as well as live music. He told me that they are probably the most difficult genres in photography. Shooting a wedding requires one to be on his/her toes all the time, there’s also a certain amount of stress and events are happening so quickly. I thought about it for awhile and actually he was quite right. Shooting both a wedding and live music does require one to be alert all the times. The stress level is slightly higher for a concert as we’re usually only given the first 3 songs (sometimes 2) to produce an extraordinary photo. Bands who move a lot on stage makes things more difficult as well. Nonetheless, I like the adrenaline and challenge at each shoot.

Well, I guess the passion for music and photography is what keeps me going and looking forward to every single shoot. Whatever the situation, we have to make it count. Over the years, I’ve collected a fair bit of concert images and recently started a website to showcase my music work. When I’m not shooting weddings, you’ll probably find me at a rock show. Here are some of my favourite images to share.

Green DayJustin BieberKaty PerrySwitchfoot
SlashParamoreThe Temper TrapTwenty Two HundredMyles KennedyCrowd
Russian CirclesAvenged SevenfoldDuffyJason MrazColdplayTears For FearsMichael BubleRihannaJohn LegendMichael FrantiSimple PlanThe PoliceIron MaidenTrombone Shorty 12000 Fans Can’t Be Wrong

See you at the rock show, Aloysius – 39 East Photography

Close to a month ago, the photographers from WPN went up to malaysia for our first short retreat. 15hours on a train(thats just one way), with air conditioning blasting and foul smells coming out at different intervals; what more can a group of photographers ask for? Personally, I didn’t set any goals for myself during the retreat but I knew it was a good time away from work and looking into computer monitors 24/7. I guess for me, it was finding/exploring my love for photography once again, getting back a personal vision of the way I want to see things.

I love looking at the sky sometimes
At the end of the day, we came, we ate(a whole lot) and we photographed!(a whole lot more!) I think/guess/feel we all enjoyed ourselves and for us(WPN photographers) “bonded” a little closer. Looking forward to Journeys 2 already

by : Gabriel Mendes

Couples getting married in Singapore have plenty of scenic sites to choose from for their pre-nuptial pictorial. As many can attest, location is a big factor that can make or break the outcome of your pre-wedding shoot. While it is true that even seemingly ordinary places can be used in the shoot, it is highly recommended that you pick a pre-wedding photography Singapore location that is either picturesque or has meaning to you and your intended.

Rustic And Urban Pre-Nuptial Pictorial Sites

Somewhere where nature is striking is a good place for a pre-wedding photography Singapore location. The beach is the most common place for nature-loving couples. Some also prefer the shooting the session in forests, gardens, and parks.

For an urban pre-wedding photography Singapore session, try the city life. The seemingly cold and hard building and pavement background can work really well with the vibrant color of the bride’s casual dress or bright color of the bouquet with her actual wedding gown.

Other couples prefer having their pre-nuptial pictorial shoot at the wedding venue itself, especially if the church or place is an arresting sight already. This also allows them to finalize plans and the timing with the photographer.

You might come across pre-wedding photography Singapore images that are filmed in seemingly ordinary and unremarkable places but still hold appeal. The location may be significant to the couple, maybe it’s where they had met or had gotten engaged. This reflects on the outcome of the shoot, giving it more meaning.

There are those who prefer to wear casual clothes during the shoot and save their wedding dresses and suits for the actual event, while there are those who go for a more dramatic flair and wear formal attire, although not necessarily their actual gowns and suits.

At the end of the day, whatever pre-nuptial pictorial location the bride and the groom have chosen will be fine as long as they are enjoying the shoot itself. If they are having fun and cherishing the moment, the mood will be reflected onto the images.

Want to ensure beautiful photography from your wedding? Here are some tips for getting the most out of your wedding day photography

So you’ve picked the perfect gown and suit, found beautiful flowers, hired a top notch photographer and chosen your dream venue. Now it’s just a matter of enjoying the day and the photography should take care of itself right? Well, actually, there are a few more steps you can take to make sure that the pictures turn out beautiful. Here’s my personal take on how couples can help to get the very best images out of their weddings.

1. Take the time to go through the wedding schedule with your chosen photographer. He/she will be able to point out potential photographic pitfalls, conflicts in scheduling etc. This will ensure that the day runs smoother and gives the photographer the time necessary on your wedding day to create killer images.
2. Once you have chosen a photographer based on their style, give them the freedom to carry out their magic. Make sure that friends and family members give them the freedom to do their best work as well. Very often, an over zealous bride’s maid or groomsman who is constantly directing a photographer can spell disaster for the photography.
3. Ensure adequate lighting at your dinner/reception venue. Hotels and venues tend to turn the light down to very dim levels in the belief that it creates a specific mood. Unfortunately, this is often to the extent where it affects the quality of your photography. Most people are not aware of the moody lighting because their eyes adjust for this dim lighting but the images will be affected.
4. The color of the lighting is as important as the quantity. Many hotels have spotlights that wash the ballrooms in dazzling arrays of pink, yellow, blue, red, etc. While beautiful to look at, luminous green skin tones don’t generally make for good pictures, so find out what sort of lighting, ie, color and intensity, the venue will be using on the wedding day and discuss the potential pitfalls with your photographer.
5. When walking up and down the aisle, please make sure to look up. Very often brides are so worried about tripping over the gowns that they spend the whole walk up and down the aisle with their heads down. This generally doesn’t make for great pictures.

There are more tips to come in later articles, but with these 5 tips and the most important tip of all “Have fun on your wedding day,” you’ll be well on your way to getting beautiful wedding images.

Gabriel Mendes was in Perth recently for a pre-wedding shoot :