-
Welcome to the new forums! Please read this first. For known issues we are working to resolve, click here.
****PLEASE HELP***** Wedding Photography
- Thread starter csnoff
- Start date
The Big Labowski
Forum Enthusiast
Change that to "program" mode and use RAW format for flexability. Other than that she can hold a reflector (for fill- cheapie I'd suggest is a car dashboard reflector, gold preferably), and be a second set of eyes.
Make sure the flash has high speed sync (eg 430 EX).
Go for it
Adrian
Make sure the flash has high speed sync (eg 430 EX).
Go for it
Adrian
LeeBase
Veteran Member
Once the wedding starts and the processional is over -- for the next 30min or so -- yes, it's slow.
But not as slow as having all the time in the world when shooting landsapes for pleasure.
All set in the middle of the aisle -- and the doors open -- and OMG --there's this incredible backlighting going on. Quick -- how do you handle this?
Or...you have your position -- and suddenly everyone stands up and you realize that NOW you can't see the bride -- hurry quick because she's walking down the aisle.
Or your memory card fills up -- and OMG they just kissed -- I missed the kiss!
Transitioning from shooting at the house -- to getting to the church -- from the church to the reception -- where you are at the first place to the last -- but got to get to the next place to catch the bridal party arriving -- it's hectic.
A wedding may not feel fast paced to attend -- but I've never felt them to be slow when covering them as a photographer.
Lee
LeeBase
Veteran Member
Direct flash is about the most unattractive lighting there is. A diffuser spreads/bounces the light around so that it's not so harsh.
There are many to choose from -- I prefer the LightSphere. No need for a flash bracket. It looks funny and usually draws a question or two. But I like the results -- in situations where there's "bouncable" surfaces like the ceiling or nearby walls.
Lee
weirmg
Senior Member
I only used the P mode for the indoor receptions shots -- because I don't have the 17-40 yet, I had to use the kit -- and in that case there were only a few must haves shots -- namely the cake kiss, first dance set and garter toss -- it wasn't luck -- but I do admit that I also had good fortune -- typically the result of proper planning and practice.
The ceremony was outdoors and bright and sunny near the end of the day -- the camera was on manual to ensure I got the images exposed as planned -- yes I planned the exposures in advanced -- the week prior I visited the site with the bride at the same time of day and took test shots -- I used the 50mm f/1.4 and the 70-200 f/4 for these shots -- both with CircPols.
I wish I could have been an assistant to a real pro prior to doing this job -- I had contacted several local pros and none of them want any help -- I can understand that -- it's there livlyhood and only a hobby for me -- but I do take it very seriously. Fortunately I could take the advice and lessions learned from the books I read.
I haven't fooled myself -- a real pro would have performed better -- but all in all -- I beleive I got good images because I approached the job as a professional. It was a lot of work -- and now using these images I have had other requests -- however, taking money to do this really gives me some pause.
The ceremony was outdoors and bright and sunny near the end of the day -- the camera was on manual to ensure I got the images exposed as planned -- yes I planned the exposures in advanced -- the week prior I visited the site with the bride at the same time of day and took test shots -- I used the 50mm f/1.4 and the 70-200 f/4 for these shots -- both with CircPols.
I wish I could have been an assistant to a real pro prior to doing this job -- I had contacted several local pros and none of them want any help -- I can understand that -- it's there livlyhood and only a hobby for me -- but I do take it very seriously. Fortunately I could take the advice and lessions learned from the books I read.
I haven't fooled myself -- a real pro would have performed better -- but all in all -- I beleive I got good images because I approached the job as a professional. It was a lot of work -- and now using these images I have had other requests -- however, taking money to do this really gives me some pause.
Just thought I would post some of the photos I got from the wedding I did a couple of weeks ago since I was posting in this thread a few weeks before it.
Well I got an external flash 1 week before the wedding instead of the same day. This gave me a bit of time to practice. I was pleased with how the wedding went overall with only one misshap with new memory card failing just as the bride turned up in the wedding car. It wasn't a disaster however as I just grabbed another card quickly and also used my back up camera.
Fair enough it was different to landscape and wildlife photography but really not that difficult. I think a pro would have taken better photographs but I beleive the couple got more than $300 AU worth of photographs. I was there 10 hours for a start, from preparations to fairwells and they took away a DVD with 500 images for unlimited prints.
The best advise I can give anyone doing the same thing is just have stacks of memoery cards and a backup camera. Also be assertive as the guests seem to want to spoil group shots by looking at different cameras, ask other guests with there cameras to please wait until you have taken your pictures before they take their photos or ask that that everyone "look at me please" every time they get distracted, which is what I did lol.
These are some of my favourite ones from the wedding, what do you all think? Remember I had never done this before:
In no particular order.
--
My website:
http://www.sitekreator.com/kanehardie
Well I got an external flash 1 week before the wedding instead of the same day. This gave me a bit of time to practice. I was pleased with how the wedding went overall with only one misshap with new memory card failing just as the bride turned up in the wedding car. It wasn't a disaster however as I just grabbed another card quickly and also used my back up camera.
Fair enough it was different to landscape and wildlife photography but really not that difficult. I think a pro would have taken better photographs but I beleive the couple got more than $300 AU worth of photographs. I was there 10 hours for a start, from preparations to fairwells and they took away a DVD with 500 images for unlimited prints.
The best advise I can give anyone doing the same thing is just have stacks of memoery cards and a backup camera. Also be assertive as the guests seem to want to spoil group shots by looking at different cameras, ask other guests with there cameras to please wait until you have taken your pictures before they take their photos or ask that that everyone "look at me please" every time they get distracted, which is what I did lol.
These are some of my favourite ones from the wedding, what do you all think? Remember I had never done this before:
In no particular order.
--
My website:
http://www.sitekreator.com/kanehardie
csnoff
Member
Thanks enak12, while some on here were quick to shot me down, it was great to see all the suggestions and tips, and i have read up on a number of them, and will continue to do so till the wedding.... I hope you had fun, as i want to do the same... its my big sisters wedding and i dont want to totally miss out on everything...... I suppose through the lens is good enough... just smaller
Excellent pictures enak! I'm sure the bride was very pleased with the outcome. csnoff, as a fellow amateur trying to learn as much as possible, I have noticed that many of the more experienced tend to be a bit down at times but I guess that is because they have a finer eye than most do for what is/isn't good. If you put your due diligence and practice you should be fine and your sister will be very pleased with your efforts.
callisto224
Active member
It looks like there are about 90 responses so I'll quickly give you my 2 cents.
First, this is your sister's wedding. You're supposed to be enjoying it, not working at it. I'm glad she likes your pics enough to ask but you shouldn't have to work (probably for free) at her wedding. You should be a guest!
Second, I took some photos at my buddies wedding because I wanted to, not because I was asked to. I was also in the wedding party so I was close to the alter. I used an 85mm f1.8 canon lens on my 300D without any flash. My buddy and his bride like some of my photos better than the professional they hired. Notice I said SOME of my photos. I gave them a disc of about 120 pics and told them to keep what they wanted and throw the rest away. I didn't care if they liked any of them because they hired a pro to get them professional results, which he did. I was under no pressure to get good photos. You will be. I don't envy you. Good luck and let us know how things turn out.
--
Andy
First, this is your sister's wedding. You're supposed to be enjoying it, not working at it. I'm glad she likes your pics enough to ask but you shouldn't have to work (probably for free) at her wedding. You should be a guest!
Second, I took some photos at my buddies wedding because I wanted to, not because I was asked to. I was also in the wedding party so I was close to the alter. I used an 85mm f1.8 canon lens on my 300D without any flash. My buddy and his bride like some of my photos better than the professional they hired. Notice I said SOME of my photos. I gave them a disc of about 120 pics and told them to keep what they wanted and throw the rest away. I didn't care if they liked any of them because they hired a pro to get them professional results, which he did. I was under no pressure to get good photos. You will be. I don't envy you. Good luck and let us know how things turn out.
--
Andy
csnoff
Member
For those that care, or the numerous people that gave me oddles of great advice, links, and tips. I did my sisters wedding May 12th 2007, It just so happend that the weather was perfect, the lighting was good, nothing went wrong. I ended up shooting just over 1200 Images, (i had set a goal to get 10% success) so with this being my first time, I figured if I got one or two good photos of the KEY MOMENTS I and they would be happy. Well turns out that i did get some really good shots, They looked through what I had and were impressed, enough so that they even offered to give me some money... But its a wedding gift. (i may ask for a little to get a new lens) anyways, short end of the story, THANK YOU SOO MUCH TO THOSE WHO HELPED... Ill post a few on here when i get the chance.
Congrats. I'm sure the photos turned out awesome. Being prepared is the main thing and it sure seemed like you did your homework. I look forward to seeing some of your shots.
Please do post a set of photos, though if your still sorting through and processing the 1200 photos I won't hold my breath, that's a lot of work.
I just did another wedding, my first indoor in a very small church. It went okay, but I wish that I had reviewed some of my own advice from this thread. Also, new lesson learned (which I already knew, but ignored). Make a list of the must get shots and check them off as you take them. It is too easy to forget even a basic shot in all the excitement (and in this case, disorder).
--
-Gene L.
http://ttl-biz.com
I am not convinced that creativity can be taught. However, I do believe that it can be coaxed from its hiding place.
filp
Forum Enthusiast
That's great that it turned out well. I've shot backup a couple weddings but never the main event. Can't wait to see your results.
LeeBase
Veteran Member
Congrats! Glad it went well for you.
Lee
Lee
Keyboard shortcuts
- f
- Forum