so I have clients who want to have a dove release during their engagement session. Never done that one before. Has anyone photographed a dove release for an e-session, or a wedding? I would love to see some shots of this. Any tips? I'd imagine having a fast shutter speed and having my camera on rapid fire mode!!

jeepman83706 wrote:
having a fast shutter speed and having my camera on rapid fire mode!!


... manual, pre-focus, wide angle, frame the B&G first, shoot low looking up.

If you have a second shooter make sure one captures the doves in the context of the surroundings while the other shooter can get some tighter shots.

I've see moments like this where the photographer gets great close up shots of the birds but they are not really telling the story. The shot could have been taken of the birds any time and any where. If you can have both for the spread then great.

In Spain, right after the ceremony:

Use the fastest camera you have. Be ready to shoot and just hold the trigger down, it happens in a split second. This shot was one of 9 or so. Birds just lined up the best in the frame. Many of the shots had only one bird or they were over the bride and grooms face.

^^^ that is an INSANE shot. Wow. so beautiful.

Some great advice already given above...Andy, beautiful shot!!

My humble advice (as a second shooter) is to just make absolutely sure the bride is comfortable with the release. She might have a reaction different than the one expected.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSQ1Nx5pTaY

skip to 6:45

20 seconds of dove release that will change your mind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsrbZHVOAt0

hahaha, ROFL

*nearly coughing coffee on keyboard*

You've got some great advice already.

I'll just add two things one a personal opinion, the other a suggestion

1. IMHO the more successful shots of wedding bird releases are the ones like the first one posted by tonebag (well sans the bride's expression I guess... though that was hilarious). Ideally you'd want to get minimal motion blur on the bird's body but some motion blur on the wings. The shots where the birds are totally frozen in midair, wings and all just don't do it for me

2. Go to a park with birds and practice. Scare them and try to photograph them as they take off

edit: Hum... maybe something smack in between tonebag and Sergio's second image would be best actually. I'd ask those dudes if they wouldn't mind sharing the shutter speed they shot those images at and then try soemthing in between

Lovely image Andy!

Tonebag, that first one is so funny, the parent release is beautiful.

Yikes, just saw the video

Andy... masterful composition man.

Here's one you don't want to experience...

edit --oops, must type faster---

Ha! Thanks everyone for the inspiration

Sergio - did they do more than 1 release? Did you have a second photographer? Seems like a lot of different angles and things captured considering I am thinking this is gonna go quick! Thanks!

can i just mention that i hate birds? and have no idea why anyone would want to do this, regardless of the symbolism.

/hijack

ksmahgrts wrote:
can i just mention that i hate birds? and have no idea why anyone would want to do this, regardless of the symbolism.

/hijack


lol. I don't think I can say I hate birds, but this client is obsessed with birds apparently because not only does she want doves for her engagement, for their wedding they are having a peacock theme! Not exactly sure what that means yet...

jeepman83706 wrote:
ksmahgrts wrote:
can i just mention that i hate birds? and have no idea why anyone would want to do this, regardless of the symbolism.

/hijack


lol. I don't think I can say I hate birds, but this client is obsessed with birds apparently because not only does she want doves for her engagement, for their wedding they are having a peacock theme! Not exactly sure what that means yet...



birds are evil. all they want to do is peck your eyes out and poop on the things you hold most dear.

i bet live peacocks will knock you down at this wedding!

I wonder if the bride has ever seen Hitchcock's "The Birds"?

One or 2 at at time is not a problem. A crate of birds is as they don't fly away at the same time. You only get a few in the shop at any given moment.

lisy78 wrote:

1. IMHO the more successful shots of wedding bird releases are the ones like the first one posted by tonebag (well sans the bride's expression I guess... though that was hilarious).

edit: Hum... maybe something smack in between tonebag and Sergio's second image would be best actually. I'd ask those dudes if they wouldn't mind sharing the shutter speed they shot those images at and then try soemthing in between



Hey Not Lisy, I thought it was hilarious too. The bride hasn't seen these nor do I think she will want to. The primary shooter I was with actually showed her the expression from a different angle on the lcd shortly afterwards. She didn't look happy.

As for shutter speed, I used 1/125. Sergio's shots are amazing. Andy's shot is just spectacular, something I aspire to.

Stephaniespix wrote:
Lovely image Andy!

Tonebag, that first one is so funny, the parent release is beautiful.

Yikes, just saw the video

Thanks for the kind words Steph. The parents liked it as well

I wasn't trying to make fun of the bride, just illustrate some of the potential pitfalls of a dove release. But her expression was priceless.

.

tonebag wrote:
lisy78 wrote:

1. IMHO the more successful shots of wedding bird releases are the ones like the first one posted by tonebag (well sans the bride's expression I guess... though that was hilarious).

edit: Hum... maybe something smack in between tonebag and Sergio's second image would be best actually. I'd ask those dudes if they wouldn't mind sharing the shutter speed they shot those images at and then try soemthing in between



Hey Not Lisy, I thought it was hilarious too. The bride hasn't seen these nor do I think she will want to. The primary shooter I was with actually showed her the expression from a different angle on the lcd shortly afterwards. She didn't look happy.

As for shutter speed, I used 1/125. Sergio's shots are amazing. Andy's shot is just spectacular, something I aspire to.


Here's a promise:

Take those images and save them for 20 years.

Then print the photo for the bride and mail it to her

She will LOVE IT then, for sure.

One thing I forgot to mention as well is if they are throwing the birds make sure you click right after release. Our couple through the birds in the air. Almost out of the frame Might not hurt to ask the couple how far they are throwing the birds or if they are just releasing them.