appropriate boundaries?

The video of the wedding photographer got me thinking about my friends upcoming wedding. He's using the same photographer that his brother did, and the photos from his wedding were just pitiful considering they came from a "pro." Out of the hundreds I saw, there were maybe 10 that I wouldn't have been embarrassed to show. Blown highlights, poor composition, and not a sharp image in the bunch. I knew they were in trouble when they were shooting the ceremony with their pop up flashes...just to give you a feel of the quality here. What I'm wondering is what would be an acceptable way to approach the photographer with my concerns. The retainer has already been paid, so finding a new photog isn't an option. I've even considered passing them my d90/sb600 if they show up under-equipped.

I would completely stay out of it. - TF

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Originally Posted by OldClicker

I would completely stay out of it. - TF

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I couldn't agree more!

You're friend has seen the photographers work from his brothers wedding and agreed to hire the photographer. If he had concerns with the way his brothers photos turned out, then he should have hired someone else. If you feel the need to say something, I would address your concerns to your friend, and not the photographer. It is your friends problem to deal with, not yours.

On a side note. There is one big issue that I have come to understand when it comes to the photography business. For good or bad, generally, the consumer doesn't have a clue what good photography is. Most people just want the photos to "come out". They aren't concerned that there are blown out highlights, blocked up shadows or that there is a candle sticking out of grandmas head. They just see grandma and that's all they care about. Unless they are looking for a specific style of photography that they want, they just see pictures. Like I said, good or bad, that's just the way non-photographers see things from what I have witnessed.

I'll give you a personal example. I shot a wedding for my neighbors daughter a couple years ago. The family was very happy with the photos and practically begged me to photograph the wedding of their other daughter. (I said no.) Personally, I hated the photos I took. Not something I wanted to share with anyone else or add to my portfolio, but the family was very happy with them and wanted me to do it again.

My point is, your friend probably isn't looking at the photos with the same eye as you. If he's OK with what his brother got, he will be OK with what he gets.

Your friend can get really mad at you if you meddle. Being a photographer on the side-lines invites a kind of backseat driving.

Yeah, in the end it was his choice, let him live with the consequences and just go and have fun.

Good advice. I don't think the photos were out at the time of the hire, but I'll save my opinion until it's wanted.