Recent Wedding Outakes

Well it is Midnight and I just wrapped up creating some stunning designer photographs from a recent wedding. I had posted a few sunset photographs a while back.

We always pre-design artistic images to share with our couples when they pick up their proofs. As an artist, I want to convey how I saw the most precious moments unfold. So, we always pre-design 200 or so photographs to the finest degree so that our couples see our vision for their album.

Here are a few Black and White out takes. Great photographs don’t just happen in the camera. It takes a photographer willing to spend hours on end dedicated to print quality. We take the utmost pride in making sure our couples get the finest level of artistic service possible. And, it makes sense to design soon after the wedding because the vibe of the event is still fresh in your heart. Those that wait 6 months or a year to do post production work simply don’t have the same feelings about the images.

Hope you enjoy the out takes...

Is Insurance Worth It?

Tonight I picked up a G5 from the Apple store that was in for repair. After about 6 months, one of my Dual G5’s started having an issue in which it would just lock up on menial tasks such as surfing the web in Safari. I have 14 Macs, and have always bought Apple Care on each and every one. I rarely if ever buy extended warranties, but Apple Care makes a lot of sense.

Any time I have a problem, I call their support line and 9 times out of 10 they fix the problem on the phone. I have had 5 situations over the years where a computer had to go in for maintenance. Each and every time, I drop it off and they call in a day or so saying problem solved.

However, I should mention that I have also learned that it is best to keep important data on separate external drives rather than on your operating system hard drive. If a system crashes, and you have to archive and install the operating system, it can take hours on end to backup the data on your hard drive. Keeping it separate ensures a timely recovery even if you have to make changes inside the machine.

This time the processors were bad for some reason. If you look at the $800 bill that would have come with parts and labor to fix it, it makes the $150 - $300 spent on Apple care a no brainer. In my experience, Apple Care has been the best purchase I could make for a computer. So, if you are considering buying a Mac, I would highly recommend Apple Care. In my experience, it is a great service that is worth the extra money spent.

FAR FROM HERE

It was great to finally get some free time to see some friends tonight. I used to play in the band Far From Here who is getting a lot of play lately on some of the local rock stations. I guess the best way to describe their music is a cross between Steely Dan and the Allman Brothers. Most of the guys have been playing together for 20 years since high school, so they are very tight to say the least.

Musical Influences for the band are pretty wide including Blind Melon, Steely Dan, The Allman Brothers, King Crimson, The Grateful Dead, Rush, The Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Phish, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones to name a few.

The success of our photography career pretty much put an end to any free time we have to pursue rock and roll dreams. So it is great to see the band doing so well. Nice to have a free night just to go jam a little and hang out with the band. As you can imagine, being a wedding photographer, virtually every weekend I am working, so I rarely get to see them.

I started out playing percussion and then picked up a guitar. So, I’ve been playing now for about 10 years or so off and on. One room in our home is becoming pretty much a little recording studio slowly but surely with a drum kit, bass guitar, electric guitars, percussion instruments galore, and of course the MacBook Pro I am typing on right now. Throw in the new M-Audio Firewire Solo device and Garage Band software from Apple, and you can do some pretty amazing recording.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I got up early this morning to go the local high school football game. Every year, I help out by photographing the game for the school yearbook come rain, snow, or shine. This year, it was a cold, windy, rainy day. But, I’m not complaining because of one word.... MUD. Mud football is the best to photograph. High school sports sometimes offer the best competitive sports environment because it is all heart. And this was one of those games. So, I was thankful to be able to be there. Check out some out takes from the game...

I attached a giant umbrella to my monopod with zip ties and photographed the game with my Canon EOS 1D Mark II with an 80-200 2.8. About 20 minutes into the game my jeans were soaked from the waist down, but the camera stayed dry, so all was well.

For me, everyday is thanksgiving though. Most of the time I spend my life awe struck. I make it a point to thank god for happiness, health, and the ability to create and have abundance in my life. I am thankful for everything that comes my way because there is something to learn in every given moment. The challenges are just as great as the successes.

Together In Style

Luxury Wedding Television Online!

On a long drive back from a wedding close to two years ago, Jennifer and I started talking about an initiative to help educate engaged couples about photography. For most couples, this is the first time in their lives they have had to hire a photographer or plan an event for that matter.

A few days later we were speaking with a friend that is a celebrity party planner and he was stating that all vendors spin their wheels educating couples. Could there be a way help couples learn about how to plan their wedding, and at the same time better the wedding industry as a whole?

After long discussions with many of our couples over close to a two year period, we learned that most couples research on the internet before making major wedding purchases. And, most couples simply stated that didn’t feel that there was a wedding resource that was focused on quality and artistic integrity. We then decided that this was an idea worth pursuing.

So we started speaking with the biggest names in the wedding industry including celebrity party planners, photographers, videographers, cake designers, make-up artists, etc... The interest to bring forth an education site was embraced by everyone we spoke with.

We decided to partner with some other creative companies to develop Together In Style, luxury wedding television online. The TIS network host over 3 hours of programming with interviews, tips, and advice for planning a luxury wedding. The shows dispel wedding myths, and bring a quality education from the vendors perspective so that couples can understand how to find the right vendors and make smarter decisions about their wedding budgets.

The site is complete and the last piece of the puzzle is the advertising section which has been created to showcase vendors of every category in virtually every major market and state throughout the United States.

We believe in this education initiative so much that we backed the entire concept with our name, our photography, and our vision. Together In Style is by far our greatest achievement. We are proud to have brought this intense level of wedding entertainment and education to every bride in America.

Together In Style will launch in early 2007. You can learn more about the concept by visiting the educational section of the site at this link www.togetherinstyle.com/tiseducates.html.

Extreme Sports Similar to Photography?...

It’s crazy how long the weather held out here in New England. It has remained warm until yesterday. I took a couple of days to relax at home in CT and did some mountain biking with my nephew. I have been mountain biking for 20 years or so and am an avid rider. I got into it in high school after road racing for a number of years. I still have a road bike, but mountain biking is more of a passion for me. Connecticut has some phenomenal mountain biking near home, so it is the perfect opportunity for exercise.

I find that mountain biking and other extreme sports is a crucial part of my training for wedding photography. I am serious about both, and they are much the same. Extreme sports like snowboarding and mountain biking on a near pro level forces your mind to think ahead and anticipate the next moment with accuracy and speed.

The truth is that It is much like wedding photography where there are a million things going on at once and your mind is calculating every moment and anticipating the next. The best wedding photographers in the country instinctively know what is around the bend when a moment is unfolding. It is a blend of intuition, skill, and knowledge. Exercise and sports fuels a photographers mind.

If you are serious about photography the way we are, staying in top performance is also crucial. When it is 110 degrees in a church with adrenaline pumping you can feel your heart pounding out of your chest. Not to mention the heavy equipment bags we must lug all day. I often wonder how some other out of shape photographers can physically handle extreme weddings. Maybe they don’t push themselves the way we do, because it can be downright heart pounding when you blend adrenaline, heavy equipment, and passion for capturing the moment.

So, part of my recipe for staying in shape, enjoying life, and shooting extreme weddings includes daily weight training in the morning mixed with a blend of basketball, mountain biking, and snowboarding. It helps keep me focused mentally, and allows me to stay strong and ready for the next big job.

You have to see it to understand it....

Photography is growing in popularity as an art form that is collectable. We have created quite a following of clients who see our photographs as collectable images that will grow in value both personally and tangibly. We handle everything from printing to custom installations with concepts that will stretch your imagination.

Today, we visited a new home of a recent wedding couple and projected images on the walls of the home to choose home decor artwork from the wedding. We narrowed down to 5 images that will be printed no smaller than 60x60 inches with the biggest print being 8x12 feet. And, we will be choosing more in the near future.

If you haven’t visited our Manhattan office, chances are you are thinking “who would want photographs that big in their home?” Yet virtually every couple that visits our offices chooses at least one print that is displayed BIG. You might visit 100 studios to find one photographer who’s work would change your mind in a split second. And, it seems that is what our work is doing.

We have come up with a Signature line of fine art that takes photography beyond mere records of life into a new arena that you couldn’t find at an art gallery if you looked on a global level. The best part is, it’s personal. Photographs of your life mean something to you. So, if you are going to purchase art for your home, doesn’t it make sense that it should be a part of your history in one way, shape, or form?

You won’t find this Signature line on our website. There are some things that you you have to see in person to appreciate the quality and artistic integrity to understand it. Art is one of those things you can’t buy online, you must feel the materials and see the colors and textures in true form to appreciate what you are viewing.

Charles and Jennifer Speaking in Vegas March 2007

MARCH 24th -29th WPPI in VEGAS

WPPI recently launched it's plan for their Annual International Photography Conference held in Las Vegas. We will be speaking on three occasions at the conference.

First, we give a two day intensive workshop called a Plus Class. We have already received several calls about what to bring to the class, etc.. So, we thought we should give some more information. Although it isn't needed, everyone should feel free to bring a camera and a flash if they wish as we will be doing some live shoots with models.

Many of you know that we may have been the first all digital wedding studio in the country, so this will be a very pro-digital class. Those that don't know our level of expertise in digital photography should also know that we own our own printing facility as well. So, we can cover just about any topic imaginable. Anyone interested can see an outline below of what will mostly be covered. However, we always like to leave room for Q and A on a two day class so that attendees can control the topics and flow. It's much more fun that way.

Secondly, we are giving a two hour Master Class as well. Two hours is a short time to say it all, so it will definitely be an intense class.

Third and Final... We are doing a live shoot at the Champagne Shootout. One thing we know well, is studio quality lighting. We’ll share techniques using 1 -5 different lights for studio images with impact. We will be using Canon’s WIFI system and wirelessly transferring images into Aperture. We’ll share images immediately after capture on a plasma. We are even talking with some companies to see if we can get a wide format printer to the stage to share huge prints on the spot.

It’ll be a busy week to say the least. The classes are limited to 20 people for the Plus Class and 40 for the Master class.

Feel free to email with any questions about the classes..

PLUS CLASS OUTLINE
Day 1: Morning:

Quick Introduction in which we will share how our studio wound up on the leading edge of technology, and what it means to be there.

Discussion: Photo-Expressionism... The Art of Showcasing the Inner Experience.. We will share full wedding story lines as well as fine art printing concepts that lead the viewers attention towards the emotions within the image. There will be plenty of before and after images that showcase what toady's fashionable brides are looking for.

Afternoon:

We will do a live shoot with Models showcasing camera techniques, lens choices with heavy concentration on use of window light, natural light, direct sun, flash on camera and off. Photographers can expect to learn stunning lighting techniques in a real world working environment.

DAY 2: Morning

Digital and Studio Work flow: We’ll take the time to download the images from the shoot the day before, organize, and quickly renumber the images from multiple cameras using time stamps. Then we’ll pull the images up in Photoshop and share hundreds of advanced Photoshop techniques that turn Photojournalism into Fine Art Photoexpressionism.

Afternoon:

Marketing: Charles and Jennifer will spend the afternoon sharing marketing tips and ideas. Learn how to build a loyal following by creating images that are REMARKable. Maring will share how their studio operates exclusively by referral by offering service and quality that is worth remarking on.

Whether you are in a small market or the big city you’ll learn how to achieve greater success, Charles and Jennifer live both markets having started their craft in a small town charm in Connecticut and taking it to the next level with an extraordinary office and client following in Manhattan.

Charles Featured in New Book

I was excited to get back from our Manhattan office to see a new book sitting on my desk.

Here is the what the article says about one of my favorite all time wedding images...

Written by Harvey Goldstein

According to Charles Maring, one of his most challenging images is one he took at a wedding in 2002. During the couples first dance, Charles decided to step outside. He saw that there was enough illumination to capture the couple without using a flash. So, Charles stepped outside and waited in the rain. The couple danced back and forth, but rarely in the center of the windows.

Charles says “I kept thinking of the moments I was missing inside, but my heart told me to just be patient. Then suddenly it happened. The couple moved towards the center of the dance floor and I was able to make two exposures, one vertical, the second horizontal.”

As Charles puts it, “Stepping outside of your own comfort zone to make unique photographs that the couple expects to see can sometimes be magical.” Waiting for this special image to emerge was worth it. The final exposure was made at 1/8 second at f/2.8 handheld and the results were tack sharp.

Charles and Jennifer are two of the world’s leading experts on the subject of digital wedding photography. Their digitally mastered images are changing the face of wedding photojournalism by imbuing it with a more artistic vision. Although photojournalistic in style, their designer photographs convey a feeling of the moment with a cinematic mood that expresses a formal message.

Being on the cutting edge of digital photography has given the Marings a distinct quality that is clearly visible. The Marings have been capturing their photographs with digital cameras for nine years, and they credit their early start in the digital arena as a major reason for attaining some of the industry’s highest awards. The Marings further enhance their clients’ wedding experience by designing and printing the wedding album in house. They own R-Lab, a high end digital lab that services their needs and other discriminating pros nationwide...

Real Moments Always Mean More.

Alisha and Ron, a wedding couple of ours picked up their photographs tonight. I would love to mention what a great time I had with their families both photographing the day itself, and meeting with them tonight. There is nothing better than when a couple sees their photographs for the first time.

I wanted to share a couple of moments that most photographers overlook, as well as how we capture these moments. Dinner time is one of the best times to capture laughter and interaction. I don’t ever consider this down time. In fact, when people relax, the most real moments appear.

Candlelight is always the toughest light to shoot in. However, with the right lenses, along with the knowledge of how to work your camera’s white balance to the full potential, a world of potential opens up. Every wedding we go to a guest will see me working without even a flash on my camera and ask “how are you able to capture images without a flash?”.

The truth is that we know our equipment, we have the best equipment, and know it inside and out. The image to the top is tack sharp, while the color image shows motion with a slight blur. I love both. Both are real, uninterrupted historical moments of truth where the subjects were completely unaware of the camera. That mere fact is magical and is what makes these images so special.
Professional Tip..
These images were captured with the Canon 20D with an 85mm 1.2 lens. Natural Light. Tungsten White Balance adjusted to an even cooler temperature in the preferences. The 20D offers a 1.6 times focal length increase to the lens giving wider depth of field allowing these images to show more in focus than on a full frame camera. It is my preferred camera to use in low light with this lens.

New Lighting Techniques

So I was shooting the details at a Bat-Mitzvah this weekend at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan and I tested the new tungsten light-sphere attachment. The results were amazing. I took this image in Tungsten mode at ISO 400 hand held at a 15th of a second with the 16-35 at f4 on the Canon 1Ds Mark II.

The new attachment warmed up the flash just enough to allow me to shoot in Tungsten mode matching the lighting in the room. Having the same white balance adds depth to the room because the foreground doesn’t look lit differently from the back of the room.

See Maring at Disney 5th Ave...

We heard we were in the window at the Disney Store on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. So, we had to go take a look this weekend. The window display showcases the Brides Magazine Dream team of wedding professionals.

While checking out the display there was an amazing fireworks display in central park. I took this image of the fountain in front of the Plaza hotel.