Monday, October 20, 2008

City of People # 16: Wedding Impersonators (Happy People Make A Happy City)



I took this photo of a wedding impersonator couple at a street festival on Jalan Braga, Bandung, sometime ago.

The story behind the photo:
At this festival, the stage managers (masters of ceremony) asked the audience if any of them would like to impersonate a bride and a groom walking the isle in a wedding reception for a prize. Many of the audience seemed to be reluctant to volunteer. So they had to randomly pick this couple from the audience. The girl seemed to be happy, the boy a bit shy. This scene made the audience amused, cheer, and laugh.

Speaking of wedding: I am co-photographing a friend's wedding next week (real wedding!). I have asked my friend and his wife to be if I could post some of the photos I will be taking on this blog. They have agreed. So, next week I am going to share with you a story and some photos of a traditional Sundanese wedding.

By the way, I am not a professional (i.e. money making) wedding photographer, but yes I've done quite a few professional wedding photography "jobs". I'd usually do them for friends or relatives and for free.

23 comments:

Jane Hards Photography said...

Wedding impersonator couple. Each day such a new experience. Happy people make a happy city. Interesting concept. Lovely cheery image. Can't wait to see a Bandung wedding.

Rambling Woods said...

Oh that is so exciting Eki. I can't wait to see the photographs and to learn more about the traditions. And this photo shows something I had never heard of before. Cute couple..

Ann said...

The expressions on the faces (the boy and girl and the onlookers) are lovely. Looks like everyone was having fun.

Look forward to seeing photos of a real traditional wedding.

smudgeon said...

It'll be interesting to see what a traditional Sundanese wedding looks like in print. Exciting stuff.

Laurie Allee said...

Oh Eki, I can't wait to see a real Bandung wedding! (I love weddings...)

This shot is another example of your exquisite street photography. You capture the soul of your city in these faces. Beautiful work, my friend.

Diederick Wijmans said...

People impersonating the wedding couple: that is a new experience for me but very nice!! I like all the smiling faces in your photo, Eki!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome, eki! I'm really looking forward for your traditional wedding photography. I'm sure it'll help me understand more of the Sudanese.

Anonymous said...

This is a neat photograph made all the more by the way you took it. You caught all the humor and good times the picture evokes.

Mahmud Yussop said...

A moment well caught. Do men have to be so stiff? Anyway he's taking the whole affair joyously and I guess that's the whole point.

Anonymous said...

What a fun and cute photo! I like the smiling faces of the spectators and the expressions of the bride and groom.

Victor said...

Wonderful image. Stands all by itself even without the explanation. Bravo!

Anonymous said...

You have a fine photojournalistic eye and don't seem to need a conversion to Monochrome - nice to see.
Welcome to the Monday Monochrome Maniacs.
Monday isn't mandatory, it depends what time participants have to spare. I will put up a new Linky for each week.

Catherine said...

Very 'happy' atmosphere. B&W is so perfect for portraits, it intensifies expression on every faces.

Liz Hinds said...

Everybody else is enjoying their embarrassment anyway! Lovely shot. Full of fun.

Anonymous said...

These look like fun people! I love the emotion in the photo!

Virginia said...

My ex husband and his future bride could have done that beautifully since between them they will have racked a grand total of 9 weddings between them. Where did I fall in the food chain you ask? Why Number 1 of course! HA

Eki, I can hardly wait for your wedding photos. I love a wedding, well except my ex's of course. I know you will do a wonderful job. They should ask Blognote to sing. He has a magnificent voice!!!

Layrayski said...

You have a pretend wedding as part of your festival? How interesting. =) They all looked like they're having fun! =)

Dina said...

How funny. But I'd be scared even to pretend, LOL.
Sudanese wedding pics soon? Great!

Photo Cache said...

That's very cool and neat to find out this custom in your country. Very informative.

www.niamhphotography.com said...

what wonderful expressions. perfectly captured.

escape said...

i like shots of people. this is a captured moment. a time worth looking back at.

nice shot and wow! you handle wedding photo shoots. you're definitely good.

Susie of Arabia said...

I am so looking forward to your photos of a real wedding next week. You ahve such a variety of great and interesting photos on your blog! What fun!

Dina said...

Eki, I just realized from your Oct. 26 post that the people are called SuNdanese. :0
Tsk tsk, my mistake. I wondered why you were going to a Sudanese wedding! LOL