One of the rare occasions that I attended a wedding with my camera. I sat near the aisle where I can get a clear view of the bride when she walks down the aisle. Everything went well and I made it a point not to walk away from my seat (since I’m an invited guest, not a photographer). Things start to fall “out of place” during the exchange of vows.
6 similar angles, 6 different cameras, 600 blocked views.
Honestly, I have no idea why this is happening. Why can’t people let ONE person do the job? I hope people learn from this. More doesn’t mean better and I’m sure this is not what the couple want.
si beh funny. I don’t think Singaporeans can learn anything from this because apparently they don’t even know what they are doing is disrespectful to the couple and the other guests.
I think we as photographers can remind the couple before the wedding to make announcements in church.
well, i hope this photo will tell them! please don’t. haha!
i agree, i think the best way is to tell them:)
Omigoodness. I reckon there are a lot of brides that would have burst into tears at this. Total lack of respect!
eileen likes this! haha
wahahhaha iliek this..and i also like the different stunts!
this picture brings back memories that I shall not say here ;p. Save for that incessant one that kept urging me to reach for Roger’s armpit and whose buttock that you shot, for some reason I feel a little comforted by this.. har
i’ve encountered my fair share of such instances, but this is really too much! Hiaz…
LOL. im the photographer on the most left. Im paid to do my job la. so diedie have to get a pic. no pic how to explain… but srsly this is a good reason for it. LOL. cheers
charlene: oh well… they won’t see this. i just feel that people should just stay in their seats and let the official photographers do their work.
eileen: hehe! ok, i know you are not like that:P
daniel: the uncle is best.
adelene: hahaha! why bring it up loh… i’ve already got you the picture that you want:P i can’t remember the exact words he said though. but i remember it was really funny.
erwin: sometimes, it happens. i’m getting less of such stuff nowadays.
bob: it’s ok lah. how many paid photographers are there? only 2 right? that’s not going to completely block the view. but now we have 6.
No choice lah… think the relatives and friends are just being helpful… they are afraid that we might miss some shots..
But hey.. we are professional leh..
i didn’t even realise i was swarmed by photographers… now that i saw this photo, i feel so sorry for my beloved guests
sigh… well… guess i can only advice the others who are getting married… hee… but on a positive note, at least u manage to catch my head 
wow!..LOL!!
hmmmm…Can i know what will you do if you are swamped by similar kind of people while on job and u are trying to get a shot u wanted?
linus: i know they are just trying to be helpful. perhaps an announcement will help in such situations. some professionals screw it up too, not just the guests. i think this picture is just a reminder of how one will look like if they stand in front.
cat: like i said, it’s ok:) they probably didn’t even realize there’s so many of them there. too engrossed!:D
alex: usually, i’ll turn around and shoot them if i already got my shot. first, they’ll put down their camera, then their expression will change from shock to embarrassed. if it doesn’t work, set your flash to 1/1 and fire off. don’t worry, they won’t be able to recognize you after that:P
I attended a wedding in a Greek Orthodox Church as a guest a couple weeks ago. I stayed in my seat by the aisle, just like you did, but it’s amazing the number of relatives with DSLRs with their flashes going off in random directions.
I think it’s just a fact of the times (or perhaps it’s a fad?) that many guests are going to have a p&s and nowadays DSLRs are everywhere, especially at weddings. Let’s just deal with it, and if anything, inspire us to ensure that our shots are on a completely different level from the wannabes.
I think a church wedding should be a solemn ceremony between the bride & groom (and God). There was a time where no flash photography was allowed in churches. I say let’s bring that back. :p And no movement during the ceremony. Let’s stand back, swap the WA for a fast telephoto and smile to ourselves that those uncle bobs don’t stand a chance with their slow zooms and flashes disallowed.
hi leonard,
i know where you are coming from. i think guests having cameras during a wedding is not a bad thing. Having a camera with you is one thing, shooting at the appropriate times is another. As a guest, we should know our priorities. Being a guest first and a photographer second, not the other way round. Everyone has a part to play in the event.
Here’s a post that I did earlier. http://www.feldberyl.com/voices/20070720/getting-caught-up-with-getting-the-shot/