My oldest kid got married on September 6. He had a wedding photographer to take the official photos, the digital ones. You know the kind. It was the perfect occasion for me to give use to my beloved Nikon F4, with the nifty 50mm 1.8D. No pressure. Just for the absolute pleasure of it. So, I grabbed a pair of rolls of Portra 800 and a roll of Ilford Delta 3200 and to the party I went.
Let me say it wasn’t easy. First I had to deal with my tears. Yes, I cry easily. Very easily. And seeing my sweet baby tying the knot with the most beautiful princess… well, an ocean of tears flooded the F4 viewfinder. Not good. Not good at all. The Nikon was literally drowning, the poor thing.
Then… the booze. Lots of booze. Lots and lots of booze, from dry Martinis and several glasses of gin, to a crazy amount of red and white wine, to the impossible to resist Jameson. Damn. It was like having to deal with two viewfinders and four set of eyes at 4am.
But in the end, I guess it turned out alright. Much better than I expected.
Portra 400 – The moment Bernardo saw Carolina (I was crying so much)
Portra 800 – The Sweetest princess
Portra 800 – The wild bunch
Ilford Delta 3200 – *sigh*
Ilford Delta 3200 – The runaway bride
It really was the most amazing day and night drawn on film. For me. For my wife. For my expanding family.
https://www.instagram.com/luishb/
18 Comments
Aristo Ioannidis
October 20, 2019 at 10:09 amLovely story. God bless you all.
Luis Barros
October 20, 2019 at 2:10 pmThank you so much, Aristo!
Maria Antónia Peças
October 20, 2019 at 11:54 amStill crying… with happiness!!!! Luís photos are perfect to coronate that day. <3
Luis Barros
October 20, 2019 at 2:12 pmThank you so much! Love you <3
Ashokchand. Hurry
October 20, 2019 at 4:43 pmMe a lover of Nikon F4 and like the perspective from the 20 mm nikon and 85 mm f1.8
Luis Barros
October 20, 2019 at 5:16 pmThe F4 has a very especial place in my heart. Never failed me, even under harsh conditions (like oceans of booze)…
Dan Castelli
October 20, 2019 at 5:20 pmDear Mr. Barros, may I offer best wishes to the bride & groom…you’ve gained a wonderful daughter. Her mom has a new son.
The ‘Runaway Bride’ pic is priceless. Well done.
It’s nice not to be under pressure and you can snap those unplanned moments. These will become the most precious of pictures.
A couple of days ago, I took part in a panel discussion on the how and why a photographer decides to snap at a certain moment. They needed an ancient film dinosaur, & I was available. After the event was over, I wandered about the art/photography facility at the university where we presented. I just snapped a few shots with my (film) Leica CL of students, building arch., work on display, etc. No pressure, no direction, just reaction to the moment. Maybe 5-6 pics. It was freedom.
Regards,
Dan
Luis Barros
October 20, 2019 at 8:48 pmThank you so much for your kind words, dear Mr. Castelli.
And that’s it, Dan… “It was freedom”. Love to see the pictures 😉
“They needed an ancient film dinosaur, & I was available” Ah ah ah ah. I know the feeling 😉
Regards,
Luís
Gergana
October 21, 2019 at 4:48 pmLovely story, I enjoyed it :D, thanks. Best wishes to you and your family
Luis Barros
October 21, 2019 at 6:38 pmThank you so, so much, Gergana.
Happy you liked it!
Charles Higham
October 21, 2019 at 7:28 pmLovely heartfelt images. What photography at its best is all about. Congratulations Luis.
Luis Barros
October 21, 2019 at 7:32 pmThank you so, so much, Charles, for such a kind words.
So glad you liked it!
Brian Nicholls
October 21, 2019 at 8:04 pmMr Barros,
This is a well thought out and hence, wonderful body of work. Professional wedding photographers please take note. Well done!
Brian Nicholls.
Luis Barros
October 21, 2019 at 8:15 pmMr. Nicholls,
Thank you so, so much for your kind words (now I’m blushing a little, to tell you the truth).
I’m so happy you liked the pictures!
Adam McAteer
October 21, 2019 at 9:29 pmGreat read and lovely photos.. great to use a film camera with no real pressure. I wouldn’t of fancied it 20 years ago for real.. I like to make sure I know I’ve got the shot.
Luis Barros
October 21, 2019 at 9:57 pmThank you so much, Adam!
And yes, there’s nothing like film + no pressure. How I understand you… 20 years ago the story was a “little bit” different.
Eric Angerer
November 28, 2019 at 3:21 pmFilm for a wedding BRAVOOO sir BRAVO loveee it
Luis Barros
November 28, 2019 at 4:00 pmThank you so much for your kind comment!