Jason & Misa’s wedding

Jason is a very tall, talented musician with a real enthusiasm for life.  And he doesn’t drink! What’s that all about? Never mind, he’s still an awesome guy.

Misa is a sweet and beautiful, outgoing Sushi Chef from Osaka, Japan, with part Korean lineage.

While Jason was spending an extended period of time in Japan in 2002 he met Misa on a train near Osaka.  Six years later they married at Queens Park in Moonee Ponds.

The weather was perfect, after nearly a week of sporadic rain and overcast days.  Misa looked absolutely stunning, and was a joy to photograph throughout the day.  With the combination of water, greenery and a very attractive guest list, particularly Misa’s family and friends who travelled from Japan for the occasion, it was difficult not to take wonderful photos.

There was a real musical bent to the day, beginning with the cello and two opera singers in the park, and ending with a rock show at the reception, performed by Jason and his large collection of musician friends.

I’m not a huge fan of photographing weddings for a number of reasons.  To begin with, I photograph in more of a documentary style, so I prefer very laid-back, relaxed weddings.  Secondly, I’m not really a fan of the institution itself, so if I accept a wedding job it is usually because I relate very well to the couple getting married.  This job was easy as I really enjoyed everyone’s company, and had a great day myself.  The third reason is due to the pressure of getting wedding photos right.  You only have one chance, and if you screw it up you can potentially ruin the happy day for the couple.  I can’t imagine what it must feel like to get home after shooting a very expensive, formal church wedding only to find your storage cards fail to be read, or have been lost or stolen.  I think I’d move to another country if that happened to me!

Misa’s Dad is an amazing man – humble, incredibly polite, and absolutely single-minded on ensuing his daughters are happy.  He seemed to be very proud, but did not betray too much emotion.  I only wish I could have spoken with him during the day.  I’m limited to about ten Japanese words and phrases, and there’s only so many ways one can string them together into meaningful conversation.

The best part of a wedding should be the reception. And this was one of the best.  With the band rocking out on hair metal hits of the 80s, the crowd was very quickly on their feet dancing.  And as you can tell from their smiles, everyone was having a great time.

After such an enjoyable wedding shoot as this one, who knows, I might just do some more!

Photo Challenge 2 – Submission

I’m really pleased with the “submissions” for this fortnight’s challenge. All four photographs are very well thought out, technically and conceptually interesting, and once again show four very distinct photographic styles.

Steve’s submission:

My thoughts: Shot on my Canon 30D at 55mm, ISO 100, F8 & for 1/2 a second, this is a natural light image with some Lightroom and Photoshop treatment. I solarised a copy in Lightroom then layered the result onto the source image and painted back most of the original detail.  I love the effect this has on the shadows, turning them into what could be a power lead, and giving the previously dull laptop text some futuristic personality.

Regarding the concept – originally I wanted to shoot myself on all fours with the laptop on my back, but realised that was far too obvious (and I was too shy). I like this idea better.  It doesn’t necessarily reflect my own personal opinion on the often unhealthy relationship between computer and geek, but it does raise questions about who controls who, and by what means.  Perhaps you might ask those same questions about human to human relationships. Those stilleto boots could assist you in your analysis.  This photo is intended to be completely open to your interpretation.  Now please discuss it amongst yourselves and let me get back to my computer.   Thank you.

PS – This arrived in my mailbox today. China classes Web addiction as clinical disorder. Personally, I think not being plugged in and wired up is the real clinical disorder! Phone calls and actual human contact are so 20th Century, people! Get with the program!

Mat’s submission:

My thoughts: I was hoping to see something like this from Mat. He’s a creative guy and I like it when he puts his creativity into action. The only one of us to present an image directly referencing the sexual definition of the word, he is also the only one I would have put my money on to do so. His chosen digital treatment enhances and perhaps sanitises what could have been an uncomfortably personal photograph (at least for me). I like that I can choose which of the four versions works for me, although in the end I’ve decided that all four are inseparable, working together to present a lovely textured aesthetic.  Andy Warhol might have created something this interesting with a bit more practice and a mentor with good taste.  Unlike Andy’s rudimentary creations, this could actually hang on my wall.

Mat says: Here’s my submission for Submission. Which kinda means I could send in anything and it would fit the theme because it’s a submission, but I went for the sub part of the mission and here’s the result.

The most fun part of this shoot was getting to tie my girlfriend up in her lingerie, because it was for an artistic challenge. At least that’s what I told her. I fiddled with the final shot in Paintshop Pro to add a frame and some arty textures and then merged four of the best results together.

Joepi’s submission:

My thoughts: This shot scares the crap out of me, and I think it fits the brief very well. Great use of lateral thinking by Joepi. The look on the guy’s face is priceless, and from this distance even she looks rather hesitant. I think for one moment they’ve forgotten the modern submission associated with marriage (he submits his credit card, and she submits her domestic abilities) and are truly submitting to the all powerful Him who must be obeyed.   Either that or the guy is actually one of the Reception Centre waiters who was called in to replace the groom at the last minute when he scampered.  Hmmm – looking at the clothes he’s wearing I’m going with that option.

Joepi says: Submission is spelled in three ways in this photo. One would be the obvious submission of the couple to each other. The other is the couple submitting to the looming figure of the pastor as he lays down the foundations of their marriage. And lastly to the commitments the pastor is asking them to verbalize through that microphone to make their submission public.

Canon 400 D
Focal Length 18.0 mm
Exposure: 1/30
Aperture F/4.5
ISO 1600
Edited in Picasa

Ken’s submission:

My thoughts: You may not be able to read the fine print down the bottom, so in summary Ken has provided five dictionary definitions of the term “submission”, and chosen to present the first, “Yielding, or readiness to yield”.  At first glance I thought this was an accident waiting to happen, and apparently it almost was.  However, Ken explained he used multiple exposures to drive (Get it? “Drive” ha ha – hmmmm, why is it so quiet in here?) his interpretation of the theme home.  One thing is for sure, Aussies don’t seem to be able to understand roundabouts and the simple rules governing their use. And I imagine many Aussies think yield is how you describe this year’s wheat crop.

Ken says: This was a little more challenging as i wanted to think as far out of the box as possible.  You may recognise the intersection on Boardwalk Blvd.  I shot this intersection with the Tokina 12-24 at f22 and 1/13th second (iso 100).  It is amazing how many times i experience the failure to yield at this intersection…!