Wedding photography with Nikon D5200 - equipment suggestions?

[antonk9000]

I have a Nikon D5200, and I would like to get into wedding/event photography.

What lenses and flashes would you recommend, and why?

I currently have the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200), as well as a Tamron SP 10-24mm DII. While this setup works well for street/architecture photography, I've been told that a 50mm prime is a necessity for portraits.

1.) I see that Nikon has an autofocus 50mm prime for $450 or so, and a manual-focus version in the $200 neighborhood. Should I invest in the AF? Or simply do what I see a lot of photogs do, and take a few steps forward/back? (Which would be needed to compose the shot anyway...)

2.) Besides a 50mm prime, what are other good choices?

3.) Is there really a huge difference in actual performance between 1.4 and 1.8 speed lenses? There's a price premium, wonder if it's worth it.

4.) What would be a good choice of flash for wedding photography? Again, nothing too extreme, would like to keep the budget reasonable.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[darklamp]

I have a Nikon D5200, and I would like to get into wedding/event photography.

Wedding photography is something most very experienced pros don't even want to try. It's difficult, not just because of the photography.

What lenses and flashes would you recommend, and why?

If you have to ask you're not capable of doing a wedding.

I currently have the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200), as well as a Tamron SP 10-24mm DII. While this setup works well for street/architecture photography, I've been told that a 50mm prime is a necessity for portraits.

You've been told ? Again a huge lack of knowledge. Don't even consider doing event or, heaven forbid, wedding photography until you don't need to ask such a dreadfully basic question.

I see that Nikon has an autofocus 50mm prime for $450 or so, and a manual-focus version in the $200 neighborhood. Should I invest in the AF? Or simply do what I see a lot of photogs do, and take a few steps forward/back? (Which would be needed to compose the shot anyway...)

The fact you're write this just demonstrates how absolutely non-existent your knowledge is. You think pros focus by moving back and forth ?!?! You think anyone should do that ?

It would be fraudulent for you to take on wedding or event photography with that level of knowledge. The gap between what you know and what you need to know is measured in years.

Even if that was a typo ( and I don't think it was ), the fact that you're not prepared to spend enough money for an AF-S version of a lens you think you'll need makes you not only an irresponsible and naive photographer, but one with no regard for their future clients.

Weddings are one-shot only events. You can't redo. Miss the shot ? It's gone. Forever.

You don't skimp on key equipment in business. It's an investment. Your attitude tends to suggest you probably have no idea how important an understanding of business matters is to these things.

2.) Besides a 50mm prime, what are other good choices?

Again, why are you asking a question like this ? This is basic stuff. Stuff you can find out by googling, but which anyone considering weddings ought to know from their learning curve to that point.

You can't have even done basic research on general photography to not come across the typical lenses used in these types of shooting.

3.) Is there really a huge difference in actual performance between 1.4 and 1.8 speed lenses? There's a price premium, wonder if it's worth it.

Again a question that no one considering wedding photography should have to ask.

4.) What would be a good choice of flash for wedding photography? Again, nothing too extreme, would like to keep the budget reasonable.

Again trying to do the thing on the cheap is a very bad sign. Flashes are essential equipment for wedding and event photographers.

This is an investment in business equipment.

You are in no way ready to even being to consider wedding and event photography. From what you've said you're in dire need of a book on basic photography technique.

 

[antonk9000]

Maybe I should've been more clear... I'm looking to PRACTICE at events, not to be the primary photographer. Hence the phrasing "would like to get into", i.e. potentially considering it. And I am aware of basic techniques, thank you very much... however, when it comes to looking through the 100's of available equipment choices, it's a bit overwhelming.

Yes, it's an investment, I'm aware of that. But I don't see the wisdom in investing $ 10,000+ in equipment when I don't (yet) know what I'm doing - I need a "training wheels" type of setup so I can get some hands-on practice. I'm being realistic about my abilities and the level of equipment I need, don't have to jump down my throat about it... using terms like "fraudulent", for f**k's sake... wow.

 

[AlbertTheLazy]

Maybe I should've been more clear... I'm looking to PRACTICE at events, not to be the primary photographer.

Whatever you do, don't get in the way of a paid professional. I've had to practically trample on a bride's kid brother who wanted to set up a tripod in front of me. Whoever is paying the photographer will not be impressed if you stop him getting his shots.

Hence the phrasing "would like to get into", i.e. potentially considering it. And I am aware of basic techniques, thank you very much...

'Focus by stepping backwards and forwards'???????

however, when it comes to looking through the 100's of available equipment choices, it's a bit overwhelming.

Yes, it's an investment, I'm aware of that. But I don't see the wisdom in investing $ 10,000+ in equipment when I don't (yet) know what I'm doing - I need a "training wheels" type of setup so I can get some hands-on practice. I'm being realistic about my abilities and the level of equipment I need, don't have to jump down my throat about it... using terms like "fraudulent", for f**k's sake... wow.

Darklamp might come across as grumpy, or even as aggressive, but given your original question all his comments were correct in their content, even if you didn't like their style.

The whole part about getting and using a manual focus lens as against an AF shows that you don't know enough yet to even be considered as a second shooter.

Don't spend any money at all, yet. 90% of wedding shots can be done with a kit zoom. Hell! Back in the day I used to shoot weddings with Rolleiflex using a single fixed focal length.

Stick with whatever equipment you already have and see if you can find a local photographer to take you on as an assistant for weddings. Watch what he does and what he uses.

Also, you have to be able to use whatever equipment you do have absolutely instinctively. The crowd control and human interaction part of wedding shooting is too concentration-intensive to leave you brainpower to work out what settings to use for a given shot. You just need to KNOW.

 

[Bjorn_L]

I get that you want to learn, good for you. But I strongly suggest you stay away from weddings until you are solid in both technique and have plenty of similar experience at lots and lots of non-critical events.

Get the 35mm f/1.8g (or the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8) 50mm f/1.8g (or Sigma 50mm f/1.4 art if you got the pockets) and an 85mm f/1.8g. You'll need a wide angle... maybe the Tokina 11-20 f/2.8. I would not be happy without my 70-200 f/2.8 vr, because even though it is long the image quality is so high and it has such flexibility (shooting from the back of the event and getting close, for example).

Need some flashes and lighting.

Need a nice tripod.

Need to shoot tons of birthdays and similar.

 

[COYQ]

Maybe I should've been more clear... I'm looking to PRACTICE at events, not to be the primary photographer. Hence the phrasing "would like to get into", i.e. potentially considering it. And I am aware of basic techniques, thank you very much... however, when it comes to looking through the 100's of available equipment choices, it's a bit overwhelming.

Yes, it's an investment, I'm aware of that. But I don't see the wisdom in investing $ 10,000+ in equipment when I don't (yet) know what I'm doing - I need a "training wheels" type of setup so I can get some hands-on practice. I'm being realistic about my abilities and the level of equipment I need, don't have to jump down my throat about it... using terms like "fraudulent", for f**k's sake... wow.

We all have to start somewhere but I do agree that from some of the questions/statements you made you seem to need to learn more about the basic stuff first.

I'm not sure that you are being realistic about your abilities and the equipment you need, to be honest (going on what you asked).

Use what you have for now and you'll soon work out where you or your gear are lacking. Offer to take photos for friends, free family portrait sessions, birthday parties that sort of thing. Basically stuff that won't matter if you get it wrong.

Also - try using the search function on this forum, there's tons of threads about advice for wedding photographers that have already been written.

 

[Alphoid]

Start with things like weddings, but not essential. Parties. Dances. Portraiture. Maternity photos. Family events. Etc.

And I am aware of basic techniques, thank you very much...

No. The questions you are asking indicate you are not even close to the level of awareness of basic techniques needed to do what you're trying. Tag along with a wedding photographer as a free assistant once. Ask lots of questions. Go to the library, and get a book on wedding photography (not just poses, but also the people aspects).

Read about the Dunning-Kruger effect. You're at the level where you don't know enough to even know how much you don't know.

I need a "training wheels" type of setup so I can get some hands-on practice.

Bjorn describes just about the right set. I'd start with the 85mm, actually, and move on to the 35mm.

I'm being realistic about my abilities and the level of equipment I need

False that. You underestimate the knowledge gap.

don't have to jump down my throat about it... using terms like "fraudulent", for f**k's sake... wow.

True that. People can get a bit aggressive, judgmental, assign incorrect intent, and it's not helpful. Do keep in mind that they're trying to help and have good intentions. Try to focus on what they're saying, not how they're saying it.

 

[darklamp]

Read about the Dunning-Kruger effect. You're at the level where you don't know enough to even know how much you don't know.

This is a important to recognize.

It's all very well saying you're going to practice at events like this, but the problem is you have a wildly inflated idea of what you know. The other posters who responded to you all see what I saw - a huge lack of knowledge combined with a total inability to see it.

We also also know where that combination leads very quickly. People move from "Practice" to "Wanting to get paid". They start taking "small" jobs on they are not mentally equipped to do. We see this all the time. When that goes wrong ( and it will ) you can end up with your reputation ruined in your market and your ego shattered. You can even be financially damaged by law suits. I'm sure you're now shaking your head going "No, n, no", but it's so easy to get yourself into a position like that when you think you know what you're doing. Seen it many times before. And the first steps are thinking you're better than you are and wanting to, and you have both.

So while you may think I'm being harsh, It's a lot less painful to hear these things from a forum poster than to hear it from a judge in small claims or to realize that you won't ever start a business proper because you damaged your reputation in the local community leaping before you can crawl.

Screw up someone's event or wedding shoot ( paid or unpaid ! ) and you'll find your relative, friend or employer ( the usual first clients ) will crucify you, maybe publicly.

The knowledge gap is huge ( I keep recalling the scary "focus by moving" idea ) and the practice you need is NOT at events. You need to shoot basic things until all the misinformation and mis-learned stuff is gone.

You do NOT know the basics. You need a book on basic technique and a lot of practice shooting, walls, fence posts, street scenes, buildings and all the ordinary things that surround you.

 

[Guidenet]

I have a Nikon D5200, and I would like to get into wedding/event photography.

What lenses and flashes would you recommend, and why?

I currently have the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200), as well as a Tamron SP 10-24mm DII. While this setup works well for street/architecture photography, I've been told that a 50mm prime is a necessity for portraits.

1.) I see that Nikon has an autofocus 50mm prime for $450 or so, and a manual-focus version in the $200 neighborhood. Should I invest in the AF? Or simply do what I see a lot of photogs do, and take a few steps forward/back? (Which would be needed to compose the shot anyway...)

2.) Besides a 50mm prime, what are other good choices?

3.) Is there really a huge difference in actual performance between 1.4 and 1.8 speed lenses? There's a price premium, wonder if it's worth it.

4.) What would be a good choice of flash for wedding photography? Again, nothing too extreme, would like to keep the budget reasonable.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

For starters, none of that gear nor your understanding of that gear is professional enough to consider wedding photography which is one of the most stressful and hardest to master forms of photography.

Gearwise, you need two or more camera bodies. If one breaks, you can't go home in the middle of a wedding. They really should be a professional build so there is less chance of them breaking on the job. A D5200 is a great novice camera to learn with but I wouldn't even consider it a good backup for wedding work. Canon's 5D MKII or MKIII might be a minimum. Nikon's D700 or D800 are good. I'd actually prefer a Canon 1DX, Nikon D4S or D3S or two or three.

You will need a couple or more Nikon SB910 speedlights with battery packs along with flash brackets or a similar setup. You might be able to get by with an SB700 or two or three.

For glass, the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 is ubiquitous among many wedding guys along with the 85 f/1.8 or f/1.4. The 70-200 f/2.8 used to be an extremely common lens of choice, but many have moved to just the 85mm and moving closer in order to save weight on a very long and stressful day. This is all more typical for full frame cameras. For a crop camera like the Nikon D7100, the choices might be a little different. A 17-55 f/2.8 might be your all-rounder, but I think most have moved full frame in that business.

Years ago, I set my daughter up in the wedding business and her skill and persistence has long since paid off. She now has an assistant, intern and videographer in pay. She has earned her way into the high dollar ranks by being good at it and understanding people with shoots every week all year. She is very petite and has stuck with crop bodies against my suggestions. She is now upgrading from five Nikon D90 models to D7100 cameras. She loves the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 over the Nikon or anything else and uses a Nikon 85 f/1.8 for a little more reach. As you might note, you can get by with less expensive gear if you have several of them as backups.

For lighting, she uses speedlights (SB800 and SB910) along with brackets or lightstands depending. She loves Gary Fong products, though I really don't. I can no longer successfully argue in that she's been successful and has done more weddings than I have in my youth. I also no longer need to fly out and help when she had bid too big of a job and been overwhelmed like the early days.

I would advise you to intern with a successful wedding photographer for free for at least a year or so unless you're a very fast learner. You'll then be better equipped to ask the right questions and not be ridiculed by forum members. Oh, and by the way, moving in and out is a viable method in focusing especially in macro work, but not in wedding work probably. For weddings, you'll want fast autofocus glass probably.

Hint for when you're ready:

• Always have a signed shot list checked off by the bride and maybe the bride's mother. Bring several copies on wedding day.
• Bring lots of business cards and batteries.
• Don't trust in one or even two memory cards. Bring several and split them up.
• Exceed their expectations.
• Smile and look rested. Look like you're having fun.
• Enthusiasm.
• Stay true and don't let the naysayers get you down.
• There will always be an Uncle Joe who is a guest with better gear than you have. It's best to enlist their help and support rather than fight them. Look impressed whether you are or not. They can be of great help gathering people for formals as well as holding lights when needed. They can also spread your praise rather than the other way around.

Take it easy, learn more and have fun along the way. Life is too short.

--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile - f/22 Club Member
I reserve the right to make mistakes in reasoning and logic as well as to change my mind anytime I wish. I also ask forbearance with respect to my typos. Please take a look at my gallery here at DPR.

 

[PenPix]

Imagine if this was a post in a car forum... "I own a Toyota Camray and want to be a pro rally car driver. Should I upgrade my carburetor? Any advice is appreciated! "

A wedding photographer is no different. Before you get into the driver's seat you have to learn how to drive. Once you get some experience using the equipment you already own, you will be able to determine for yourself what (if any) additional gear you may need... or be able to ask more focused questions for a particular solution .

My advice is to begin with modest goals such as something simple like how to get perfect exposure with a TTL hotshoe flash. Once you master that, move on getting the right exposure with your flash on manual mode.

Beyond equipment, there is posing, crowd control, post production, accounting and business details. You're not looking at the whole picture.

Weddings are one shot deals and there is no room for mistakes. Learn the basics, learn the business , find a mentor. After that you can try it on your own.

 

[tedolf]

Anton, I know that the advice you have been given here is discouraging but I can not disagree with any of it. As Darklamp and others have said, doing weddings at a professional level is very, very demanding and is probably the hardest of all professional photography. That is why a good wedding photographer will charge 4-5 thousand dollars for a wedding. That sounds like a lot but when you consider that he has to pay for one or two assistants and has $50K invested in equipment it makes some sense. It is a very difficult way to make a living and you must have some love for it to make it worthwhile.

I say that not as a professional photographer myself (I am not) but as someone who shoots weddings informally, has assisted and watched professional wedding photographers and as the father of a daughter who has a part time event photography business. I understand that there is something very special about weddings and the desire to help document them.

I have a suggestion. There are many couples today, especially young ones who basically have no money at all. They really can't afford a wedding let alone $4k for a photographer. You probably know some people like that. Why not next time you go to a wedding, stay out of the official photographers' way but take some photo-journalism style photo's and make an album as a gift for the bride and groom? Practice getting the bride walking down the isle, let the pro's do the formal portraits (that is not the hard part anyway) and get the action shots. Learn how to be discrete and not interfere with the ceremony. Practice getting your fill flash, gels, etc. right at the reception, etc.

If that all works, you can start doing low budget stuff the pro's can't afford to do but you will still be providing a valuable service. If your work is fantastic things will take off from there and you will have a reasonable basis for making a serious investment of your time and money.

There is a lot you can learn on the internet but as others have said you must have solid basic skills and be able to perform under pressure. Some people love that challenge and get a thrill out of it. Some people are mortified by it. You really have to figure out which one you are.

TEdolph

 

[Guidenet]

Anton, I know that the advice you have been given here is discouraging but I can not disagree with any of it. As Darklamp and others have said, doing weddings at a professional level is very, very demanding and is probably the hardest of all professional photography. That is why a good wedding photographer will charge 4-5 thousand dollars for a wedding. That sounds like a lot but when you consider that he has to pay for one or two assistants and has $50K invested in equipment it makes some sense. It is a very difficult way to make a living and you must have some love for it to make it worthwhile.

I say that not as a professional photographer myself (I am not) but as someone who shoots weddings informally, has assisted and watched professional wedding photographers and as the father of a daughter who has a part time event photography business. I understand that there is something very special about weddings and the desire to help document them.

I have a suggestion. There are many couples today, especially young ones who basically have no money at all. They really can't afford a wedding let alone $4k for a photographer. You probably know some people like that. Why not next time you go to a wedding, stay out of the official photographers' way but take some photo-journalism style photo's and make an album as a gift for the bride and groom? Practice getting the bride walking down the isle, let the pro's do the formal portraits (that is not the hard part anyway) and get the action shots. Learn how to be discrete and not interfere with the ceremony. Practice getting your fill flash, gels, etc. right at the reception, etc.

If that all works, you can start doing low budget stuff the pro's can't afford to do but you will still be providing a valuable service. If your work is fantastic things will take off from there and you will have a reasonable basis for making a serious investment of your time and money.

There is a lot you can learn on the internet but as others have said you must have solid basic skills and be able to perform under pressure. Some people love that challenge and get a thrill out of it. Some people are mortified by it. You really have to figure out which one you are.

TEdolph

Wow, very good post and I agree whole heartedly. :-D

 

[antonk9000]

Anton, I know that the advice you have been given here is discouraging but I can not disagree with any of it. As Darklamp and others have said, doing weddings at a professional level is very, very demanding and is probably the hardest of all professional photography. That is why a good wedding photographer will charge 4-5 thousand dollars for a wedding. That sounds like a lot but when you consider that he has to pay for one or two assistants and has $50K invested in equipment it makes some sense. It is a very difficult way to make a living and you must have some love for it to make it worthwhile.

I say that not as a professional photographer myself (I am not) but as someone who shoots weddings informally, has assisted and watched professional wedding photographers and as the father of a daughter who has a part time event photography business. I understand that there is something very special about weddings and the desire to help document them.

I have a suggestion. There are many couples today, especially young ones who basically have no money at all. They really can't afford a wedding let alone $4k for a photographer. You probably know some people like that. Why not next time you go to a wedding, stay out of the official photographers' way but take some photo-journalism style photo's and make an album as a gift for the bride and groom? Practice getting the bride walking down the isle, let the pro's do the formal portraits (that is not the hard part anyway) and get the action shots. Learn how to be discrete and not interfere with the ceremony. Practice getting your fill flash, gels, etc. right at the reception, etc.

That's what I did at a friend's wedding a few weeks ago - lots of informal / crowd shots, photos of the venue itself (18th century hall, gorgeous architecture), decorations, etc. Didn't get much of a chance to get the formal shots (walking down the aisle, etc), since there were 4 official photographers, and a ton of guests, so finding positions without getting into anyone's way was tough.

But I did get a lot of informal/"filler" material, some of which was included in the final photo album, and I saw a few positive comments on my photos, in addition to the formal ones.

If that all works, you can start doing low budget stuff the pro's can't afford to do but you will still be providing a valuable service. If your work is fantastic things will take off from there and you will have a reasonable basis for making a serious investment of your time and money.

There is a lot you can learn on the internet but as others have said you must have solid basic skills and be able to perform under pressure. Some people love that challenge and get a thrill out of it. Some people are mortified by it. You really have to figure out which one you are.

I definitely like challenges, and as long as I have a basic idea + semi-decent equipment, I'm not going to be "mortified".

TEdolph

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[antonk9000]

I get that you want to learn, good for you. But I strongly suggest you stay away from weddings until you are solid in both technique and have plenty of similar experience at lots and lots of non-critical events.

I've done some "lifestyle" shoots at bars & restaurants, for the venue websites & promotional materials, but I see that weddings are a lot more critical, and there's no way to re-stage a missed shot, like you could at a party or in a bar.

Get the 35mm f/1.8g (or the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8) 50mm f/1.8g (or Sigma 50mm f/1.4 art if you got the pockets) and an 85mm f/1.8g. You'll need a wide angle... maybe the Tokina 11-20 f/2.8. I would not be happy without my 70-200 f/2.8 vr, because even though it is long the image quality is so high and it has such flexibility (shooting from the back of the event and getting close, for example).

Thank you, that's exactly the kind of information I was looking for. There are 1000's of lenses out there... "where to begin?".

I have 3 lenses right now:

• Wide: Tamron SP 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5
• Short zoom: Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 G VR
• Long zoom: Nikkor AF-S 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED VR

I'm definitely getting the Nikon 35mm f/1.8g and 50mm f/1.8g - they're only $ 150 or so each. Can't afford the others yet :/

Well, I could afford them, but it looks like I have a lot more reading to do on the subject of "2.8 vs 3.5 - worth spending 4X the money?" before I drop 3 grand on optics.

Need some flashes and lighting.

Thankfully, specific flash models got covered in another reply

Need a nice tripod.

Got a Promaster 6400, and looking at some Manfrottos (Promaster is sturdy but the weight is getting to me).

Need to shoot tons of birthdays and similar.

 

[antonk9000]

For starters, none of that gear nor your understanding of that gear is professional enough to consider wedding photography which is one of the most stressful and hardest to master forms of photography.

Noted.

Gearwise, you need two or more camera bodies. If one breaks, you can't go home in the middle of a wedding. They really should be a professional build so there is less chance of them breaking on the job. A D5200 is a great novice camera to learn with but I wouldn't even consider it a good backup for wedding work. Canon's 5D MKII or MKIII might be a minimum. Nikon's D700 or D800 are good. I'd actually prefer a Canon 1DX, Nikon D4S or D3S or two or three.

I can swing a D800, and plan for a pair of D4S/D3S (they'll come down in price eventually, as newer hardware is released... right?). Canon equipment looks to be 1.5X - 2X more expensive than Nikon, and I'm nowhere near the level of professionalism to justify the "bleeding edge" price premium.

You will need a couple or more Nikon SB910 speedlights with battery packs along with flash brackets or a similar setup. You might be able to get by with an SB700 or two or three.

For glass, the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 is ubiquitous among many wedding guys along with the 85 f/1.8 or f/1.4. The 70-200 f/2.8 used to be an extremely common lens of choice, but many have moved to just the 85mm and moving closer in order to save weight on a very long and stressful day. This is all more typical for full frame cameras. For a crop camera like the Nikon D7100, the choices might be a little different. A 17-55 f/2.8 might be your all-rounder, but I think most have moved full frame in that business.

Noted, thanks for the roadmap.

Years ago, I set my daughter up in the wedding business and her skill and persistence has long since paid off. She now has an assistant, intern and videographer in pay. She has earned her way into the high dollar ranks by being good at it and understanding people with shoots every week all year. She is very petite and has stuck with crop bodies against my suggestions. She is now upgrading from five Nikon D90 models to D7100 cameras. She loves the Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 over the Nikon or anything else and uses a Nikon 85 f/1.8 for a little more reach. As you might note, you can get by with less expensive gear if you have several of them as backups.

Thanks for the lens tips also.

For lighting, she uses speedlights (SB800 and SB910) along with brackets or lightstands depending. She loves Gary Fong products, though I really don't. I can no longer successfully argue in that she's been successful and has done more weddings than I have in my youth. I also no longer need to fly out and help when she had bid too big of a job and been overwhelmed like the early days.

I see that there's a whole separate discussion on lighting... Nikon vs Yongnuo vs Nissin vs Bolt... the Gary Fong products look really interesting - more research to do.

I would advise you to intern with a successful wedding photographer for free for at least a year or so unless you're a very fast learner. You'll then be better equipped to ask the right questions and not be ridiculed by forum members. Oh, and by the way, moving in and out is a viable method in focusing especially in macro work, but not in wedding work probably. For weddings, you'll want fast autofocus glass probably.

The last wedding I was at, I struck up a conversation with one of the professional guys, who was using a prime and this is the method he was using - coming closer / further to the subjects. I'm not sure if he meant to say "composition" instead of "focus", but that's what he told me... glad to hear it's not totally insane, which is the feeling I was starting to get from the prior comments.

Hint for when you're ready:

• Always have a signed shot list checked off by the bride and maybe the bride's mother. Bring several copies on wedding day.
• Bring lots of business cards and batteries.
• Don't trust in one or even two memory cards. Bring several and split them up.
• Exceed their expectations.
• Smile and look rested. Look like you're having fun.
• Enthusiasm.
• Stay true and don't let the naysayers get you down.
• There will always be an Uncle Joe who is a guest with better gear than you have. It's best to enlist their help and support rather than fight them. Look impressed whether you are or not. They can be of great help gathering people for formals as well as holding lights when needed. They can also spread your praise rather than the other way around.

Great advice, especially the last point

Take it easy, learn more and have fun along the way. Life is too short.

--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile - f/22 Club Member
I reserve the right to make mistakes in reasoning and logic as well as to change my mind anytime I wish. I also ask forbearance with respect to my typos. Please take a look at my gallery here at DPR.

 

[tedolf]

Anton, I know that the advice you have been given here is discouraging but I can not disagree with any of it. As Darklamp and others have said, doing weddings at a professional level is very, very demanding and is probably the hardest of all professional photography. That is why a good wedding photographer will charge 4-5 thousand dollars for a wedding. That sounds like a lot but when you consider that he has to pay for one or two assistants and has $50K invested in equipment it makes some sense. It is a very difficult way to make a living and you must have some love for it to make it worthwhile.

I say that not as a professional photographer myself (I am not) but as someone who shoots weddings informally, has assisted and watched professional wedding photographers and as the father of a daughter who has a part time event photography business. I understand that there is something very special about weddings and the desire to help document them.

I have a suggestion. There are many couples today, especially young ones who basically have no money at all. They really can't afford a wedding let alone $4k for a photographer. You probably know some people like that. Why not next time you go to a wedding, stay out of the official photographers' way but take some photo-journalism style photo's and make an album as a gift for the bride and groom? Practice getting the bride walking down the isle, let the pro's do the formal portraits (that is not the hard part anyway) and get the action shots. Learn how to be discrete and not interfere with the ceremony. Practice getting your fill flash, gels, etc. right at the reception, etc.

That's what I did at a friend's wedding a few weeks ago - lots of informal / crowd shots, photos of the venue itself (18th century hall, gorgeous architecture), decorations, etc. Didn't get much of a chance to get the formal shots (walking down the aisle, etc),

That is the one shot that you need to practice on. It is a harder shot to get right than you may think. It is very important to capture the right expression. Do not use burst mode, etc. Just take one shot and get it right. Maybe you will have time for two.

If you are going to be the only photographer, even for a "favor" or "budget" wedding that is the one that you have to get right and you only get one shot at it. In my opinion it is also the hardest one to get right-the Bride has very high expectations for this shot. If you don't have that shot and if it is not a good one the Bride is going to be disappointed.

since there were 4 official photographers, and a ton of guests, so finding positions without getting into anyone's way was tough.

It really isn't too hard if you skip the formal portraits. As I said before, those are easy and you don't really need any practice for those. It is the "action shots", the ones that require good timing and sensitivity that you need practice for so that you do not hesitate.

But I did get a lot of informal/"filler" material, some of which was included in the final photo album, and I saw a few positive comments on my photos, in addition to the formal ones.

If that all works, you can start doing low budget stuff the pro's can't afford to do but you will still be providing a valuable service. If your work is fantastic things will take off from there and you will have a reasonable basis for making a serious investment of your time and money.

There is a lot you can learn on the internet but as others have said you must have solid basic skills and be able to perform under pressure. Some people love that challenge and get a thrill out of it. Some people are mortified by it. You really have to figure out which one you are.

I definitely like challenges, and as long as I have a basic idea + semi-decent equipment, I'm not going to be "mortified".

I agree the equipment you have is fine (except you do need a longish fast prime-85mm equivalent FF field of view, say f/2.8). You also need a bounce flash and bounce card for the reception. I don't think you really need two bodies as some have said, unless you are charging professional prices. In 40+ years of photography I have never had a camera body fail.

One more thought. It is a little bit like shooting wildlife-if you understand the habits of the animal you are likely to get better photo's. Same thing with a wedding. You have to understand how the ceremony is going to work, who is going to be where and in what sequence. That way you can anticipate your shots, get yourself into position discretely, be ready to catch the moment/expression, change lenses in advance if you need to, etc. This makes a huge difference in getting better shots and in reducing your stress levels.

TEdolph

Thanks for all the advice!

Tedolph

 

[Guidenet]

Oh, and by the way, moving in and out is a viable method in focusing especially in macro work, but not in wedding work probably. For weddings, you'll want fast autofocus glass probably.

The last wedding I was at, I struck up a conversation with one of the professional guys, who was using a prime and this is the method he was using - coming closer / further to the subjects. I'm not sure if he meant to say "composition" instead of "focus", but that's what he told me... glad to hear it's not totally insane, which is the feeling I was starting to get from the prior comments.

No, it is clearly not insane. Any of us who have done serious macro work use this technique all the time. They even make something called a focusing rail which makes it easier to move the whole camera in and out to attain focus. Bjorn has a nice setup and I do too. It's fairly common. Many of us also fine tune focus by moving the camera for many kinds of shots when the subject is close enough to make this practical as in portraits.




Macro focusing rail which moves the camera and lens to attain focus



Have a great week.



--
Cheers, Craig
Follow me on Twitter @craighardingsr : Equipment in Profile - f/22 Club Member
I reserve the right to make mistakes in reasoning and logic as well as to change my mind anytime I wish. I also ask forbearance with respect to my typos. Please take a look at my gallery here at DPR.

 

[Christof21]

I have a Nikon D5200, and I would like to get into wedding/event photography.

What lenses and flashes would you recommend, and why?

I currently have the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200), as well as a Tamron SP 10-24mm DII. While this setup works well for street/architecture photography, I've been told that a 50mm prime is a necessity for portraits.

1.) I see that Nikon has an autofocus 50mm prime for $450 or so, and a manual-focus version in the $200 neighborhood. Should I invest in the AF? Or simply do what I see a lot of photogs do, and take a few steps forward/back? (Which would be needed to compose the shot anyway...)

2.) Besides a 50mm prime, what are other good choices?

3.) Is there really a huge difference in actual performance between 1.4 and 1.8 speed lenses? There's a price premium, wonder if it's worth it.

4.) What would be a good choice of flash for wedding photography? Again, nothing too extreme, would like to keep the budget reasonable.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I am really amazed to read all these pedantic answers from some from a few so called "experts". Your question certainly not deserves answers using terms like "fraudulent" or other unpleasant words.
I encourage you to make shots of weddings, it is not that difficult. Basic knowledge of photography is enough to make great shots during the weddings. If you know to make pictures of people, portraits, why would you not be able to shoot weddings ?? Maybe not as a pro to start, but it may come faster than you think.
I hope my comment will balance somewhat some of the aggressive answers that I read here. The forum is a place to discuss.

 

[tedolf]

I have a Nikon D5200, and I would like to get into wedding/event photography.

What lenses and flashes would you recommend, and why?

I currently have the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200), as well as a Tamron SP 10-24mm DII. While this setup works well for street/architecture photography, I've been told that a 50mm prime is a necessity for portraits.

1.) I see that Nikon has an autofocus 50mm prime for $450 or so, and a manual-focus version in the $200 neighborhood. Should I invest in the AF? Or simply do what I see a lot of photogs do, and take a few steps forward/back? (Which would be needed to compose the shot anyway...)

2.) Besides a 50mm prime, what are other good choices?

3.) Is there really a huge difference in actual performance between 1.4 and 1.8 speed lenses? There's a price premium, wonder if it's worth it.

4.) What would be a good choice of flash for wedding photography? Again, nothing too extreme, would like to keep the budget reasonable.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I am really amazed to read all these pedantic answers from some from a few so called "experts". Your question certainly not deserves answers using terms like "fraudulent" or other unpleasant words.
I encourage you to make shots of weddings, it is not that difficult. Basic knowledge of photography is enough to make great shots during the weddings.

Sorry, this is just not true. If you haven't shot one yourself you really don't know what you are talking about here, even at a non-professional level. Basic photographic competence is just the beginning. Beyond basic photographic competence there is a lot of action and you have to be able to catch on the fly. You have enough familiarity with the ceremony to know what is going to happen next and where. You have to be able to anticipate lens changes and to some degree you have to be able to direct the wedding party to get all the shots the bride expects. You are working at a fairly fast pace and need to anticipate what you are going to be doing next, where you need to pre-position yourself, etc. If you don't do that you are definitely going to miss the important shots.

None of that comes with, "Basic knowledge of photography".

If you know to make pictures of people, portraits, why would you not be able to shoot weddings ??

Because the formal portraits are only a small part of the expected album. Maybe only 1/4 of the shots

Maybe not as a pro to start, but it may come faster than you think.
I hope my comment will balance somewhat some of the aggressive answers that I read here. The forum is a place to discuss.

I think your comment is misleading and likely to leave the OP underprepared. I am not saying he can't do it, but not your way.

tedolph

 

[YulisPhotos]

I thought this forum is for HELPING - if you are not here to help and just here to critique then you have no business replying with such rude answers to questions. just dont answer at all! :-x

I have a Nikon D5200, and I would like to get into wedding/event photography.

Wedding photography is something most very experienced pros don't even want to try. It's difficult, not just because of the photography.

What lenses and flashes would you recommend, and why?

If you have to ask you're not capable of doing a wedding.

I currently have the 2 kit lenses (18-55 and 55-200), as well as a Tamron SP 10-24mm DII. While this setup works well for street/architecture photography, I've been told that a 50mm prime is a necessity for portraits.

You've been told ? Again a huge lack of knowledge. Don't even consider doing event or, heaven forbid, wedding photography until you don't need to ask such a dreadfully basic question.

I see that Nikon has an autofocus 50mm prime for $450 or so, and a manual-focus version in the $200 neighborhood. Should I invest in the AF? Or simply do what I see a lot of photogs do, and take a few steps forward/back? (Which would be needed to compose the shot anyway...)

The fact you're write this just demonstrates how absolutely non-existent your knowledge is. You think pros focus by moving back and forth ?!?! You think anyone should do that ?

It would be fraudulent for you to take on wedding or event photography with that level of knowledge. The gap between what you know and what you need to know is measured in years.

Even if that was a typo ( and I don't think it was ), the fact that you're not prepared to spend enough money for an AF-S version of a lens you think you'll need makes you not only an irresponsible and naive photographer, but one with no regard for their future clients.

Weddings are one-shot only events. You can't redo. Miss the shot ? It's gone. Forever.

You don't skimp on key equipment in business. It's an investment. Your attitude tends to suggest you probably have no idea how important an understanding of business matters is to these things.

2.) Besides a 50mm prime, what are other good choices?

Again, why are you asking a question like this ? This is basic stuff. Stuff you can find out by googling, but which anyone considering weddings ought to know from their learning curve to that point.

You can't have even done basic research on general photography to not come across the typical lenses used in these types of shooting.

3.) Is there really a huge difference in actual performance between 1.4 and 1.8 speed lenses? There's a price premium, wonder if it's worth it.

Again a question that no one considering wedding photography should have to ask.

4.) What would be a good choice of flash for wedding photography? Again, nothing too extreme, would like to keep the budget reasonable.

Again trying to do the thing on the cheap is a very bad sign. Flashes are essential equipment for wedding and event photographers.

This is an investment in business equipment.

You are in no way ready to even being to consider wedding and event photography. From what you've said you're in dire need of a book on basic photography technique.