The Enchanted Room
Art is in the artist, not the medium!
Aesthetics and creativity are not technology driven. Art is in the artist, not the medium. However, within each technology, there are major factors that can affect the final optical quality of an image and that's the basis for this article.
Disclosure:
Equipment represents a major investment for professionals and besides the all important reliability issues associated with heavy use, because a wedding is a one time only event, we still need two of everything. This amounts to a significant investment. All tools referred to on this site, were selected based on my personal experience and testing to ensure they deliver consistent and superior results, based on my criteria for their intended uses. I have no relationship or arrangement with any of the manufacturers mentioned!
This site is not intended for extensive technical explanations so I've included some links for those interested in details. Even if you're not technically apt and only manage to grasp a part of it all, I still suggest you browse. Educated consumers are much less likely to make poor decisions. Just press the back button to return here.
How Digital Technology Matters
When it comes to the number of pixels used to capture an image, you should know that not all pixels are equal and their sheer number only tells part of the story. For this type of work, I favor the 12.8MP Canon 5D specifically because its sensor design and technology deliver the cleanest images in low light situations. A gargantuan bonus for wedding applications and my most important criteria of 4.
The 2nd criteria is the optical excellence and lens options available. When combined with L series lenses specially, results are comparable to 6X6 medium format film, a wedding industry standard and one I've used for 35 years. Take a look with your own eyes. This sample compares a cut out section from the central area of a 20 X 30 inch image derived from captures made by three industry leading manufacturers: a Nikon 35mm film, an Hasselblad 6cmX6cm film and a Canon 5D. (See image comparisons here)
The 4th, but equally important criteria, deals with the demands of exposing white gowns next to dark suits in various lighting conditions and this calls for technology capable of simultaneously recording maximum detail at both extremes, aka dynamic range. It's 9 stop range coupled with the additional flexibility offered by shooting in RAW format, fits this important aspect of wedding photography perfectly. (Dynamic range test link)
Caveats of using unsuitable tools and processes
Smaller captures, poor pixel quality from dated technology, compounded by cropping and inappropriate processing (JPEG vs RAW), even the quality of lenses used are all contributing factors to the quality of the finished image.
This brings us to the ever growing number of unscrupulous photographers, who continuously flood the marketplace and manage to survive on consumer ignorance about technology. They rely on gimmicks and low cost packages to get you hooked because unfortunately, it works! How do they do it? Use consumer grade tools and processes to save heaps of money and time so that they can offer the service at low cost! Where I invest and average of 10 hours of processing for every hour spent shooting, these tricksters will spend 1! Your best interests are clearly not their priority. Their principle talent is to convince unsuspecting shoppers that their workmanship is every bit as good as anyone else's! In reality, it's simply illogical! As with any other purchase, a low price should raise a flag! Consider this:
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If it were true that using consumer grade equipment and processes were inconsequential, wouldn't everyone gladly be buying cheaper tools and using processing shortcuts to save important amounts of time and capital?
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If it were true, wouldn't we also have to conclude that reputable teachers and respected artists must be a collective bunch of idiots for not having caught on to these great savings methods?
i.e. Do your homework!
Lifelong precious images must be handled with great care!
I shoot only in RAW mode in order to gain the most thorough quality control when processing the digital negative. Raw has thousands of levels of info to make adjustments to, not jpeg. I use 16 bit Capture One Pro software from Phase One, to develop each image individually and maximize its potential. Phase One Pro allows for the full expansion of the image exposure, details, depth, white balance and tonalities and other fine controls. White balance is crucial to wedding photography and can only be done accurately in RAW. Files are then processed to various formats/sizes for retouching in Photoshop before burning the finished high resolution images on DVD. The finished product is ready for high quality printing at any reputable lab.
For those who order prints directly from me, I print in-house with Colorbyte's Image Print RIP software on an Epson 3800 Pro printer - 2880 X 1440 dpi resolution on prints up 17X22. The combination of ink and papers used give the finished prints life ratings from 70 up to 300 years. It's as good as it gets.You can rest assured that my obsession with quality translates into maximum value for you! 
