TTD- Better in morning or afternoon?

Matt Adcock · September 2, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanielthompsonphoto

First Matt, let me say that I love your work and your style. You and Sol are definitely at the forefront of the TTD sessions. Any bride would be fortunate to have hired you and Sol, as your work is beautiful and innovative - plus I'm sure you're really nice folks to be around.

And, I'm sorry to hear that you've had so many emails to respond to.

When I saw you posted on this topic, I was excited to read what you had to say. Especially about the Cenotes - as you certainly have the experience and expertise.

And you're right about shooting at noon etc. Its actually quite manageable to use artificial light to overpower the harsh light with radio poppers or pocket wizards - and it creates a unique look.

I just feel that you came across as condescending to other photographers with the "afraid" and "textbook" comments. You could just have pointed out the beautiful colors possible at midday with artificial lighting techniques - and shown those gorgeous photos and left it at - remember to just trust your photographer.

I think ccarmany23 had a simple question, and it was simply answered - even more completely by you with pointing out the midday options.

I don't think you were meaning to offend or come across as "we're so great and everyone else isn't" its just the first impression I got when I read your post.

Again, you and Sol do amazing work and your success is so completely deserved. I wish you all the best - and I will try to think of the impact this forum has before I make a quick response. I will continue to admire what you and Sol do with your TTD sessions.

Cheers!

Your right man.. .i just went back and re-read my post. Sounds like a peeved photog writing that...

I've cleaned it up and added at the top: Trust your photographer....

My entire concern from the beginning is seeing so many poorly done images... I'm taking it personal I guess. I want photographers to challenge themselves more and go the extra mile to make art.

Too often, i'm not seeing these efforts.

I am confident though that most photographers with a skill set can deliver and that is really the point that I need to drive home. Its possible to get great stuff and you don't need a studio team or crew to do it, but you do need smarts..... after all, look at Ben Chrisman.... that guy shoots weddings with 3 cameras, no assistants, and sets world records..... so i guess anything is possible!

I apologize to all that I offended by writing that post.... I really only wanted to inform the uninformed to know that basically anything is possible. Hopefully, that is communicated

Cheers !

mateo

Jacqueline · September 2, 2008

ccarmany- i guess it also could depend on what type of pictures you and your fi like too...a good photographer can take amazing shots any time of day. i kinda like the later in the day shots where the sun is setting, but its a preference. either way - if u wanted to sleep in or not- your pix will turn out great. good luck!

lambert13 · September 2, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock

Are you suggesting that people do not enter into any cenote at all?

.

In some ways .......... yes! There are many many things I would love to do, but refrain from out of respect for people, the environment, culture, etc.

Things like .. climbing all over Mayan ruins, visiting "quaint" indigenous communities, snorkeling in at risk areas. Those are just some examples in Mexico. Hell, I don't think I would stay at a Dreams resort again because they have a "Swim with the Dolphins" thing at their Cancun resort.

So, yes I put my money where my mouth is. Not the other way around.

nathanielthompsonphoto · September 2, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Adcock

Your right man.. .i just went back and re-read my post. Sounds like a peeved photog writing that...

I've cleaned it up and added at the top: Trust your photographer....

My entire concern from the beginning is seeing so many poorly done images... I'm taking it personal I guess. I want photographers to challenge themselves more and go the extra mile to make art.

Too often, i'm not seeing these efforts.

I am confident though that most photographers with a skill set can deliver and that is really the point that I need to drive home. Its possible to get great stuff and you don't need a studio team or crew to do it, but you do need smarts..... after all, look at Ben Chrisman.... that guy shoots weddings with 3 cameras, no assistants, and sets world records..... so i guess anything is possible!

I apologize to all that I offended by writing that post.... I really only wanted to inform the uninformed to know that basically anything is possible. Hopefully, that is communicated

Cheers !

mateo

Cheers!

Much appreciated!

I completely value your opinions and perspectives on this forum, and I'm so glad you participate here.

And yeah, Ben Chrisman is freaking awesome - the best around.

rodent · September 3, 2008

here is some info on protecting the cenotes that I dug up. i wish I would have researched this more before we went & made up a list for our guests.

Do not touch! To the best of your ability, avoid touching the walls, floor, ceiling, and formations ...anything.

from this website:

Cenotes of the Riviera Maya Home, Steve Gerrard Cavern, Cave, Technical Instructor

RyanAmanda · September 3, 2008

Okay, I'll admit it, I'm one of the clients who emailed Del Sol after reading this thread.

Shooting first thing in the morning is definitely out for us. Since we're from the West Coast, a 7am start time is really 5am for us. We're 100% NOT morning people so if we did our TTD then, we would look like we wanted to kill each other instead of being in love...lol.

First off, I wanted to say A HUGE thank you to everyone who posted pictures showing different times, etc. I had no idea there was a difference like that. I love the pictures taken at noon - the colours are amazing! - but I'm concerned about 'squinty' eyes. With the sun being so bright at mid-day (especially for those of us that are used to the rain of Vancouver instead of sun), how do you take pictures without your eyes squinting because of the sun? This is one of our engagement pictures, which was taken at 1pm (although in Canada not Mexico):

See how FH looks like he's in pain (maybe he just found out how much weddings cost...lol)? It's cause the sun is right in his eyes. I'm fine since the sun is behind me but he hated having these pictures taken because the sun was constantly in his eyes.

For those of you that had mid-day TTD's, how did you find it? Are your eyes fine in most pictures?

Matt Adcock · September 3, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan

here is some info on protecting the cenotes that I dug up. i wish I would have researched this more before we went & made up a list for our guests.

Do not touch! To the best of your ability, avoid touching the walls, floor, ceiling, and formations ...anything.

from this website:
Cenotes of the Riviera Maya Home, Steve Gerrard Cavern, Cave, Technical Instructor

I actually own his book... its super good. I am currently working on a project (without brides) to photographically document the region's cenotes... I was going to contact Steve with my photo research... I am a diver too

To completely take his comments in the context that he is talking about...I often think about how he produced his book which is to educate snorkelers and divers and tourists of there where abouts and the advantages or disadvantages that each cenote offers to the potential visitor. In reading his book, he is very detailed with each centoe... hundreds and hundreds of them. One section is actually dedicated to snorkelers.

Although I respect Steve very much and his interests for the environment, I also think that there is a slight double standard going on here. He published his "public awareness" article that you cited here and to me, it seems as if he may have himself, broken some of his own rules. I have visited many of the cenotes that he writes about.... and although that I agree, don't litter and dont touch and destroy these precious systems, and also pay the fees that the land owners require, you must actually WALK INTO some of them.

These cenotes are underground rivers and they flow eventually into the ocean. The pollutants from these cenotes kill reefs all along the RM coastline. Sadly there is not enough done to protect them. The dump systems of playa del carmen have crushed the underwater ecosystem.... There is huge amounts of talk about it....But, they did actually stop development in Tulum due to harmful damage posed on the underwater river system and yanked operating privileges for several hotels, which was the subject of a recent post here, if i remember correctly.

We respect the cenote environment., we personally know the land owners of all the cenotes where we shoot, and we agreed on paying them a "high fee" every time we work there. This fee is directly used to support them and their efforts to maintain the cenote ecosystem.

Thanks for posting his book though... its what originally educated me on the world of the cenote

Cheers!

Matt

PS... moderators... is this post getting off topic or what?

ccarmany23 · September 3, 2008

Wow, everyone thanks for the comments! I originally started this thread and hadn't been able to check it for a few days, I had no idea there was such an interactive conversation going on! I really, really appreciate all of the insight and examples of the pictures- thanks!!!!

Kits55 · October 20, 2008

Wow, this post is really helpful. My photog is from here in the states and has never shot in a cenote or underwater. Doing a TTD session was something I've only considered doing because of seeing some of the amazing pictures on this forum. If i don't feel educated enough I probably won't do TTD pics because I'm all about protecting the environment and don't want to mess anything up.

You photographers are all SO AMAZING. I wish I had an artistic talent like that!

Elizabeth Medina · October 20, 2008

Hola! I must have missed this topic. Great question! I personally blame (I mean give credit to, haha) a couple of my adventurous BDW brides for starting a mini Maya Riviera sunrise trash the dress movement. Somehow their photographs seemed to convince many of my upcoming brides (who otherwise seem very sane!) to want to wake up for photographs at 6 am on the morning after the wedding! Of course I am convinced that I have the skills and creativity to capture great images at any time of day, I think that should really be able to go without saying for a professional wedding photographer! But the truth is that the sun rises over the ocean in the Maya Riviera, so for images like these of Becky and Brian in Playa del Carmen there is no other time than way too early!