Take fine photos with cheap camera

By Rick Sammon
AP weekly feature

Wedding guests can get memorable candid wedding photos even with one-time-use-cameras. The key is to catch the bride and groom in the act of being themselves and to shoot close to fill the frame. --Associated Press

Brides and grooms pay big bucks for official wedding photographs. And rightly so. Professional photographers use their expertise, in photographic technique and in working with people, to get great shots — indoors and outdoors.

But official wedding photographers are not the only ones who can get pictures at weddings. Guests can snap some memorable shots, too — with one-time-use cameras. I've seen many wedding pictures taken by guests that actually capture the personality of the bride and groom more so than the official pictures — because the candid shots catch the newlyweds in the act of being themselves and not posing stiffly for a picture.

If a wedding is on your calendar, here are some tips that will help you get some good shots with one-time-use cameras.

• There are many different one-time-use cameras.
• Always have your camera ready. Keep a one-time-use camera — with a flash — in your jacket pocket or purse. And for more photo fun, pick up a wedding pack of one-time-use cameras for your table. You'll be a hit at the big event. Both Fuji and Kodak offer Wedding Packs — nicely wrapped to make a good impression at your table.
• Don't make a big deal out of getting a photo. You'll get a more natural shot if you just roam around and take candids, as opposed to posed shots, which the official wedding photographer will take.
• Try to fill the frame with the subject. But be sure to read the instructions on the back of the camera for minimum flash and focus distance, as well as for maximum flash distance.
• Watch the ready light.
• Although today's one-time-use cameras have a fast flash recycling time, be sure to wait until the ready light comes on before you shoot.
• Try tilting the camera. For an interesting effect (for all your people photos), try tilting the camera slightly to the left or right. That creates what's called dis-equilibrium in a picture — and immediately draws more attention to the subjects. You see this technique on MTV a lot.
• Be aware of redeye. In dark areas (such as wedding reception dance floors), it's easy to get redeye in pictures with some one-time-use cameras. If that happens, you can easily remove it at digital photo printing stations, such as Kodak's Picture Maker and Fuji's Alladin, which are located at select retail stores throughout the country. You bring in your print, lay it on the machine's scanner, and with a few on-screen clicks, you can remove the redeye and get an improved print.

So the next time you are getting ready for a wedding, don't forget that you can give one of the best gifts of all: memorable pictures of a wonderful day in their lives.

Rick Sammon is the author of 21 photography, nature and conservation books.