26th Nov 2007
for the next time you encounter mayan warriors
Have you ever seen a Mayan Ritual performed at a wedding??? I for sure hadn’t until my last wedding! I got this set of keepers at one of my last gigs in the Riviera Maya….
My 11/17/07 bride totally surprised her guests with an entertainment performance that I must admit, was absolutely unbelievable! I was getting ready to photograph one of the most insanely exotic sequences of images I have ever captured during a day of matrimony…
I was aware there would be evening entertainment, but 12 ornately dressed Mayan warriors with head dresses that will give you nightmares……uuhhh, na. didn’t quite visualize that!
So howa bout on the spot thinking of “what the hell do I do to make these images dramatic” type thinking… well, I put on my cap of creative flash how too… and came up with these images…
Actually, I didn’t have time to think, i just started shooting. I shot almost 100 frames of this 30 minute dance… here are a few of my fav’s…
Camera and flash settings: 5d, 1250 ISO, 1/30th, 2.8! If you have ever read any other of my posts, this would be old news to you. Slave flash set to 1/64th…. again, old news. I did occasionally boost the flash to FULL power… can you guess which ones?
Is this SICK or what??? at this point, I was becoming a Mayan Warrior myself…. These guys were flying around at MACH speed, going in circles, jumping in the air, screaming death chants! I was trying my best to move with the wolf pack until this guy got in my face (i think he was the leader of the pack)… but anyway, he literally looked at me and belted this whoooaaaaaaahhhhhh scream in my face, which I must admit, intimidated me….
Here he is again, keeping an eye on me…
This is one of my FAV’s from the sequence. I wanted to backlight this crew to showcase the layers of this madness. Fill with on camera 580…
here is a sneak peek at our setup… (only 1 slave speedlight)
and the grand finish…(this appeared to be a kill, one warriors strength over another)
I just thought I’d post this to help you out for the next time you encounter Mayan warriors…..
insane eh?
Thoughts?
Cheerios,
mateo
PS:
***Update*** I thought I’d give you a little heads up as to why it is that FF gets updated SO lamely… I’m just plain busy. 14 weddings in the month of November..no thanksgiving yum yum for this turkey! Both Sol & I and our Associate shooter are working our ARSSES off so its difficult to keep up with this blog. Just give me a break if you come back to see we haven’t updated this thing. Almost 100 weddings in 2007… whewwww…. I need a break! 2008 isnt any different… we already have 50 weddings booked up to MAY! What the hell is wrong with me????
sick! I love these. If you are good with lighting you are ready for anything, eh? LOVE IT!!
Awesome images, Matt. I’m surprised that you only shot 100 pictures for a 30-minute dance, though. That seems like a very small number to me…
Totally Insane!!!
Wow that powerfull photos!
I’m strukt by these.
BTW being there must was awesome.
Ciao
Angelo
Matt, these are frikking sick man! The 3rd one down is my favorite….holy crappity man! Niiiiiiiice work!
Looks like a dream wedding to photograph, and boy you knocked it out of the park. Go collect some awards if you want ‘em.
HOLY CRAP! These images are insane! You did an awesome job at capturing the madness. Thanks for sharing!
Insanely jealous! Fantastic shots!
Mayan warriors? Geez. You’re all excited about that? We get those all the time here in Maryland. *yawn*
(laughs)
Seriously, though, incredible sequence. Glad you were there, glad you got the shots!
(Thanks for posting the settings, too. Now I can point to your pictures, and say, “See, honey, I need the 5D in case Mayan Warriors show up…” You think it’ll work?)
Matt, how is even possible to have 50 weddings booked next May??? The month only has 31 days in it!!!
And don’t worry about the frequency with which you post. I enjoy each and every one…they are very inspirational images and the background is very educational. I look forward to each and every installment!
Eric
Very awesome, stuff like this keeps me on my toes on when the next post will be! I have always enjoyed seeing your stuff, and showing my friends your stuff. I subscribe to your blog, so i am set for when you post new things.
I got something similar when in RM for a wedding. I wanted to look you guys up while I was there but just couldn’t find the time.
http://www.algraham.com/showimage.php?id=150
Whoah! I cant find words to describe this one Matt. So, I’ll just say… THIS IS INSANLEY INSANE!!! Great job as always! KUDOS!!!
Maybe you were to remember that taking pictures steals their souls? Beautiful captures!
Glad you still have your head on after that shoot.
You are a mad man with 100 weddings in 2007! Uh let me restate that, a RICH man in 2007
Come on and give us an estimate on how many gigs of storage you’re packin to hold and edit 100 weddings’?
Outstanding captures, and thanks for sharing them and your technique.
One bit of advice - Raise your prices and get some life back and outsource what you can live with (ok 2 pieces of advice). =)
Matt,
Great job on these shots! You know, I’ve been trying to find a dance group like this for an event. Do you have any info about them? Or even just which city they are from? Thanks in advance!
muchas gracias por tus palabras simpaticos,
thanks for your nice words!
This was fun, and I may have shot more than 100 frames, but I was really concentrating on the ones that I liked, such as moving with the dancers to nail the shot!
Yes YES, I work too much! I wouldnt do it if I didnt love it! Sol & I could never do all this work on our own. We have a full time associate (www.melissaprosser.com) who helps us mucho!
Kevin, RICH, not sure about that… We are paying for our own wedding, that sure is costly these days… GiGs gigs and GIgs and Gigs dude, just insane. we run an 8 bay hot swappable disk system, got 400’s and 500’s in there now. Plus, we carry around 3 or so 500’s every where we go with a redundant back up of the last year’s work!
Thanks for not hating me for not posting so much… I’ve got a few more coming here soon.
BUT, guess what? I’m getting married on Dec 6, time to take a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers & thanks so much for coming around!
Mateo
CONGRATS Matt!!! So excited for you and Sol! AMAZING images - truly inspiring use of flash. I LOVE them.
Cool pictures I’ve never seen a wedding dance quite like this, wow 100 weddings, congrats, you must have some good workflow.
great amazing stuff thanks for posting some valuable information that will sure give ideas to all who check it out.
hi-five!
Yea, what’s the 411 on the work flow? Are you outsourcing it to a third party? It seems there wouldn’t be enough time to get your batteries (both personal and camera) recharged with a schedule like that. But seriously, I’d like to know more about editing, processing and delivery to the clients. It seems three weddings a month bog me down along with my editorial freelance work and family. And congratulations on the wedding–being a husband and a father are the greatest! Excellent work too.
Matt - Your overbooked - you NEED to raise your rates so you don’t get BURNED OUT. Leave some of the fruit on the tree for the rest of us. I don’t want you burn out! Think of your new bride. I’m sure you could do 75% of the jobs at 150% of your fees. (nice bump in income and some down time (for a honeymoon). Congrats.
Congrats on the wedding. Thanks for the great blog. Best wishes to you and your new family. Merry Christmas.
wow these are just plain awesome. also, congratulations to you and Sol both on the wedding today. look forward to more from you.
Congrats todays your big wedding day hope it was all you hoped and everything went smooth. Just a quick question but how did you start at wedding photography? was it a gradual thing or did you help out other wedding photographers to make ur own way. Just curious as i hope to endeavour on my own journey very soon.
Alex Gowers
Thanks for sharing this pics…this are great.
Nice to see something different…
Congrats on your wedding…. now you have come full circle, best wishes to your families.
Joseca
Congratulations, Both of your work has been an inspiration to me. I have 2 weddings under my belt and hope to get up to no more than 20 per year.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a long happy marriage. Will
Beautiful shots. Best wishes on your wedding.
Congrats on your wedding and thanks for a really cool blog. Take a few off to enjoy it!
Aloha Matt… and congrats to you and Sol! You two make a perfect team. Best wishes! Dude… 100 weddings in 2007?? you are crazy!
Hello Matt,
GREAT IMAGES as usual, keep ‘em coming!!
Congratulations on your WEDDING!!!
Hey, if you ever get TOO busy ( sounds like now ) feel free to throw some business my way ( I’m in Greenville SC )
Thanks,
Ron
That is just wicked good! You are the man!
Congrats to you and yours. May all your problems be “little ones”!
ey matt
me podrias da r un tip de como sacar la persona bailando bien enfocada y el resto moviendose?
como salen en la 2 y la cuatro
Great Images as usual!!
started watching your work after DH featured you over on Strobist!
CONGRATS to you and Sol !!!!!!
slamdunk man.
Flash power? I’m guessing 1/64 or 32.
Was it hand held or placed at her heels?
To many of you, muchas gracias for the nice comments! We appreciate the comment love!
Yep, 1/64 was the way to go!
Joe, yes, we could do 75% of our jobs at a 150% increase in fees. But, our weddings aren’t like the typical gig. 12 guests, 4 - 5 hours, one the beach, the couple reserves seats with our name tag on their wedding favors, its a dream job. Plus we charge a pretty nice fee for what we deliver. We are working on raising rates
Alex, I picked up a book and started reading, using slide film. Lots of practice. no school!
100 weddings yes, that is insane. BUT, we have a staff. 4 shooters, 1 graphic designer, 1 assistant editor, 2 interns who are ALWAYS available. 2 studios in in 2 countries is kinda difficult, but the world goes round because matt gets help
Cheers!
mateo
How can I add to what has been said? Just plain awesome with such fast movement going on. Good thing you have a staff to lighten the load! You are well in demand!
Lovely shot. I would recommend having them “almost” kiss. That separation between the two will better reveal their shapes while allowing the intimacy to remain. Just a thought!