Last minute wedding jitters
Discussion
So I'm unofficial photographer (and usher) at a friends wedding on Saturday.
Kit I'm expecting to use is: 350D with EFS 17-55mm f2.8 IS, 50mm f1.8, and have borrowed a 70-200 f4 L from a friend. Oh and I have a 430EX with a Stofen diffuser if required.
I'm debating whether to shoot RAW (I only have 2x 1Gb cards, but will have laptop with me to offload them), as I still usually shoot JPG, so don't have much experience of post-processing RAWs at the moment (got a better PC, Lightroom, and CS3 coming on the cheap). Also it would be nice to put some pics of the day on a slideshow in the evening - this is harder if I am shooting RAW, and I don't really have the space or speed to shoot both.
Erm, any other random hints and tips greatly appreciated.
DH2
Kit I'm expecting to use is: 350D with EFS 17-55mm f2.8 IS, 50mm f1.8, and have borrowed a 70-200 f4 L from a friend. Oh and I have a 430EX with a Stofen diffuser if required.
I'm debating whether to shoot RAW (I only have 2x 1Gb cards, but will have laptop with me to offload them), as I still usually shoot JPG, so don't have much experience of post-processing RAWs at the moment (got a better PC, Lightroom, and CS3 coming on the cheap). Also it would be nice to put some pics of the day on a slideshow in the evening - this is harder if I am shooting RAW, and I don't really have the space or speed to shoot both.
Erm, any other random hints and tips greatly appreciated.
DH2
If you've got photoshop with bridge you can do a quick conversion from RAW then do a "save as"
Really need to make sure you have correct white balance if you are planning for an evening show.
Reason: saving processing time.
If you have to correct a few hundred shots for colour it will detract from your involvement and pleasure in the wedding itself
Enjoy
Really need to make sure you have correct white balance if you are planning for an evening show.
Reason: saving processing time.
If you have to correct a few hundred shots for colour it will detract from your involvement and pleasure in the wedding itself
Enjoy
OK I geddit, I'll borrow a card or two, and shoot RAW - I had almost convinced myself to do so. I'll need to give myself a crash course in processing tonight I think - I don't got Lightroom or PS (only Elements) yet, so I'll have to use the Canon s/w for the RAW processing on the day.
I am only one of two "reportage"/friend 'togs, so I'm not the end of the world, there is a pro doing the official stuff. Hopefully I will be able to lurk around and catch some nice off-camera moments.
DH2
I am only one of two "reportage"/friend 'togs, so I'm not the end of the world, there is a pro doing the official stuff. Hopefully I will be able to lurk around and catch some nice off-camera moments.
DH2
Edited by DH2 on Thursday 4th October 14:28
Are you the only photographer ? Make sure your gear works, friendships have foundered on less. Spare camera, spare batteries, check everything the night before, and more memory cards than you'll think you'll need. If possible, take a laptop. Your stress will be greatly reduced by being able to a) check you've got the pics b) backing them up.
If possible, either take a step ladder or arrange to take pictures from an upper floor. The
"Everybody together !" shot is very difficult to take on flat ground.
Make a list of the photographs you want to take. Getting home are realising you've forgotten to take the bride's family could be problematic.
One of these is probably the easiest way to distribute the pics. Those you're giving away you can order cheaply, but you can also leave the lot online for the relatives to buy, without handling endless reprint requests.
Don't be a domineering a
hole (not that I'm suggesting you are, but it's not easy to keep everyone in check). You will need to exercise some control to get all the pics people will want, but the day is about the bride and groom, not you. If the bride's mother goes AWOL, despatch an usher to find her. Don't ask the bride to go on a hunt.
Edited to add: Much of that's irrelevant, given that you're not the only snapper
If possible, either take a step ladder or arrange to take pictures from an upper floor. The
"Everybody together !" shot is very difficult to take on flat ground. Make a list of the photographs you want to take. Getting home are realising you've forgotten to take the bride's family could be problematic.
One of these is probably the easiest way to distribute the pics. Those you're giving away you can order cheaply, but you can also leave the lot online for the relatives to buy, without handling endless reprint requests.
Don't be a domineering a
hole (not that I'm suggesting you are, but it's not easy to keep everyone in check). You will need to exercise some control to get all the pics people will want, but the day is about the bride and groom, not you. If the bride's mother goes AWOL, despatch an usher to find her. Don't ask the bride to go on a hunt. Edited to add: Much of that's irrelevant, given that you're not the only snapper
Edited by J111 on Thursday 4th October 14:28
I shot my younger brothers wedding 2 weeks ago tomorrow as well as being the best man - not a traditional wedding in many ways and the B&G didn't want myself and the bridesmaid up beside them anyway, so it gave me some freedom to snap away.
I took along 3 cameras, my 400D with 70-200 & 24-70, 20D with a few wider primes to swap between and my trusty old Sony R1 which gives what I class as better vivid colours than either of the Canon's at times...when I get some free time outside of work I'll fire up a few piccies...it was my 4th wedding, and only the 2nd as the main tog....but I did rope some of the brothers workmates into shooting some randoms with whichever 2 cameras I wasn't using at various points during the day too...
I took along 3 cameras, my 400D with 70-200 & 24-70, 20D with a few wider primes to swap between and my trusty old Sony R1 which gives what I class as better vivid colours than either of the Canon's at times...when I get some free time outside of work I'll fire up a few piccies...it was my 4th wedding, and only the 2nd as the main tog....but I did rope some of the brothers workmates into shooting some randoms with whichever 2 cameras I wasn't using at various points during the day too...
Edited by baz7175 on Thursday 4th October 14:38
dTHe last wedding i attended i was also the BEST man, again "used for the unofficial pics"
However... my equipment was Better than the official photographers !!!
i was Canon 10d with 17-40 and a 100-400L
he was 350d with sigma zooms...
He was not a happy bunny! and kept ranting to me about not standing beside him!!
However... my equipment was Better than the official photographers !!!
i was Canon 10d with 17-40 and a 100-400L
he was 350d with sigma zooms...
He was not a happy bunny! and kept ranting to me about not standing beside him!!
Leaving the camera at home may well be an easier option, but as the B&G have asked me to try and get some casual shots, that is what I shall do.
If I get a handful of decent pictures inbetween usherly duties, I'll be a happy bunny. I reckon I'll for using the 70-200 to not be in peoples faces, and hopefully that will get some natural shots.
DH2
If I get a handful of decent pictures inbetween usherly duties, I'll be a happy bunny. I reckon I'll for using the 70-200 to not be in peoples faces, and hopefully that will get some natural shots.
DH2
I agree with Andy here.
I have shot a couple of weddings as an unofficial photographer and always done it from afar rather than hounding the official shooter. You can often get better shots that way anyway and doesn't cause the pro any grief.
I'd get proper annoyed if someone just aped all my shots so why should I ape someone elses.
I have shot a couple of weddings as an unofficial photographer and always done it from afar rather than hounding the official shooter. You can often get better shots that way anyway and doesn't cause the pro any grief.
I'd get proper annoyed if someone just aped all my shots so why should I ape someone elses.
Edited by matthew_h on Thursday 4th October 17:22
DH2 said:
So I'm unofficial photographer (and usher) at a friends wedding on Saturday.
Kit I'm expecting to use is: 350D with EFS 17-55mm f2.8 IS, 50mm f1.8, and have borrowed a 70-200 f4 L from a friend. Oh and I have a 430EX with a Stofen diffuser if required.
I'm debating whether to shoot RAW (I only have 2x 1Gb cards, but will have laptop with me to offload them), as I still usually shoot JPG, so don't have much experience of post-processing RAWs at the moment (got a better PC, Lightroom, and CS3 coming on the cheap). Also it would be nice to put some pics of the day on a slideshow in the evening - this is harder if I am shooting RAW, and I don't really have the space or speed to shoot both.
Erm, any other random hints and tips greatly appreciated.
DH2
If you can get some more memory cards (CF cards are cheap as CHIPS now)Kit I'm expecting to use is: 350D with EFS 17-55mm f2.8 IS, 50mm f1.8, and have borrowed a 70-200 f4 L from a friend. Oh and I have a 430EX with a Stofen diffuser if required.
I'm debating whether to shoot RAW (I only have 2x 1Gb cards, but will have laptop with me to offload them), as I still usually shoot JPG, so don't have much experience of post-processing RAWs at the moment (got a better PC, Lightroom, and CS3 coming on the cheap). Also it would be nice to put some pics of the day on a slideshow in the evening - this is harder if I am shooting RAW, and I don't really have the space or speed to shoot both.
Erm, any other random hints and tips greatly appreciated.
DH2
remember you can shoot RAW + Jpeg combined
then you can just stick the Jpegs on a slide show straight away
and then when you have the time, process the RAW as you like
so you then have time to enjoy yourself and still have spot on processed pics to share at a later date
I've got a 20D and in RAW mode it automatically saves both RAW and JPEG. Not sure if the 350D is the same or not...
...anyway, RAW processing is pretty easy with a half-decent photo-editing package, and it really can make a difference.
More difficult to get right, as has been said, is white balance (which RAW gives you a 2nd chance at) and exposure when indoors (RAW ditto).
If you're doing reportage-style, couple of suggestions:-
- Scan the crowd as well as looking at B&G. Some nice pics of parents, grandparents, and other good friends would go down nicely...they'll get hundreds of themselves!
- Think about the backgrounds when/where you're trying to isolate one or a few people. Either that or have it on minimal depth-of-field. (With a GOOD background a longer d-o-f is quite nice).
Anyway, best of luck...
...anyway, RAW processing is pretty easy with a half-decent photo-editing package, and it really can make a difference.
More difficult to get right, as has been said, is white balance (which RAW gives you a 2nd chance at) and exposure when indoors (RAW ditto).
If you're doing reportage-style, couple of suggestions:-
- Scan the crowd as well as looking at B&G. Some nice pics of parents, grandparents, and other good friends would go down nicely...they'll get hundreds of themselves!
- Think about the backgrounds when/where you're trying to isolate one or a few people. Either that or have it on minimal depth-of-field. (With a GOOD background a longer d-o-f is quite nice).
Anyway, best of luck...
Being the unofficial photographer gives you latitude. If a shot doesn't work it doesn't matter, unlike the man paid to do the job. This time of year you are going to need the flash (spare batteries, don't forget) and diffuser. Have you got an off camera bracket or can you borrow one? That helps a lot. Your memory cards are woefully insufficient - get another, they are very cheap. On another tack DON'T get in peoples faces. Try and be unobtrusive if at all possible (I know it's difficult) since you'll get great candids that way. If it is in a church talk to the vicar before and ask what he allows in church. Most ban flash and so I go in beforehand as people assemble and take a few with flash, also as the bride arrives but taken just inside the entrance door using it as a frame as they arrive. Makes a different shot, her and Dad entering rather than the B&G leaving. Get outside afterwards ASAP (that's easy, you are the usher sitting at the back so first out) and get ready to snap away as people gather and chat - they haven't seen each other in a while sometimes and are off guard, concentrating on the conversation. Just a few tips for you. Just let it flow and enjoy the day. As said above, yours are back up photos, but you'll be pleasantly surprised, when the B&G have put their album together, just how many of yours will be in there if you have taken the time and effort to think it out.
Edited by lowdrag on Friday 5th October 09:42
You can use the Canon sw to do a quick conversion to jpg with all the camera settings as you took the picture.
To save time, have the laptop set up somewhere safe that you can get to, upload the files and set the processing off while you nip back with the empty card and take some more. Then you should have the jpgs ready for the evening.
Then afterwards when you have more time go back to the RAW images and reprocess them individually to produce your final images.
That's one of the nice things about RAW, you can process the same image multiple times in different ways.
To save time, have the laptop set up somewhere safe that you can get to, upload the files and set the processing off while you nip back with the empty card and take some more. Then you should have the jpgs ready for the evening.
Then afterwards when you have more time go back to the RAW images and reprocess them individually to produce your final images.
That's one of the nice things about RAW, you can process the same image multiple times in different ways.
My advice is a bit different from everyone elses and is based on recent experience. Firstly, consider how much time you want to spend as a photographer and how much as a guest at this wedding. I did what you're going to do just a few weeks ago and I fell into the trap of taking too much gear, and spending too long taking shots and not enough time catching up with people I hadn't seen for ages and getting drunk.
If there's a pro tog, plus you and another guy with half decent gear then there is little pressure on you to come up with a wide range of shots, so my advice is don't take loads of lenses on the basis that you think you might need the full range. It will slow you down and confuse the issue. Remember you are an usher, guest, photographer in that order.
At the wedding I went to I took: 5D, 50mm, 70-200 and 24-105. I hardly touched the 24-105, and I suggest you don't take the 24-70. On a 350d it's not even that wide.
In order of priority I'd take:
- 50mm
- 70-200
- 24-70
Based on my experience I would challenge myself to only take one of them, it would force me to think about what I was doing and move around to get the best shot. If the main tog buggers off in the evening then that's a good opportunity for you to step in with a wide aperture lens. 50mm will be a godsend. 50mm also nice for portraits, sneaking amongst the guests, fast AF etc. 70-200 nice for sneaking around too, but may struggle with f4 as the iso on a 350d gets a bit noisy if you find yourself in low light.
Deffo do not get in the main tog's way. I had a really nice chat with the main tog at the wedding I went to, he even asked for a go with my 70-200, I was concious of keeping out of his shots, and not taking the same ones. Also, if you've got the 70-200 on the camera try and keep it out of sight - it's one thing having all the guests in a shot holding up their compacts, but a big grey 70-200 in the shot isn't very nice!
If you want to learn more and challenge yourself, just take one lens. Personally I wouldn't shoot RAW, but you've probably got the capacity you need on the cards so it wouldn't do much harm to shoot RAW, but I'd stick to jpeg personally.
Hope this helps - even if it goes against the grain a bit! My best advice though, is to enjoy yourself and not waste the day looking through a viewfinder. I still think the 50mm will give you great results on its own, use the aperture to get shots other guests can't.
Anyway, I'm rambling now!
Dave
If there's a pro tog, plus you and another guy with half decent gear then there is little pressure on you to come up with a wide range of shots, so my advice is don't take loads of lenses on the basis that you think you might need the full range. It will slow you down and confuse the issue. Remember you are an usher, guest, photographer in that order.
At the wedding I went to I took: 5D, 50mm, 70-200 and 24-105. I hardly touched the 24-105, and I suggest you don't take the 24-70. On a 350d it's not even that wide.
In order of priority I'd take:
- 50mm
- 70-200
- 24-70
Based on my experience I would challenge myself to only take one of them, it would force me to think about what I was doing and move around to get the best shot. If the main tog buggers off in the evening then that's a good opportunity for you to step in with a wide aperture lens. 50mm will be a godsend. 50mm also nice for portraits, sneaking amongst the guests, fast AF etc. 70-200 nice for sneaking around too, but may struggle with f4 as the iso on a 350d gets a bit noisy if you find yourself in low light.
Deffo do not get in the main tog's way. I had a really nice chat with the main tog at the wedding I went to, he even asked for a go with my 70-200, I was concious of keeping out of his shots, and not taking the same ones. Also, if you've got the 70-200 on the camera try and keep it out of sight - it's one thing having all the guests in a shot holding up their compacts, but a big grey 70-200 in the shot isn't very nice!
If you want to learn more and challenge yourself, just take one lens. Personally I wouldn't shoot RAW, but you've probably got the capacity you need on the cards so it wouldn't do much harm to shoot RAW, but I'd stick to jpeg personally.
Hope this helps - even if it goes against the grain a bit! My best advice though, is to enjoy yourself and not waste the day looking through a viewfinder. I still think the 50mm will give you great results on its own, use the aperture to get shots other guests can't.
Anyway, I'm rambling now!
Dave
350D is selectable of JPEG, JPEG + RAW or RAW only.
The Canon included software, Zoombrowser and Digital Photo Professional, both do some work with RAW (DPP better but no Photoshop, ZB more for basic processing/arrangement of prints)
Zoombrowser will run a slideshow straight from 350D RAW files.
The Canon included software, Zoombrowser and Digital Photo Professional, both do some work with RAW (DPP better but no Photoshop, ZB more for basic processing/arrangement of prints)
Zoombrowser will run a slideshow straight from 350D RAW files.
A much delayed update with some results.
My thoughts: it's not easy! Respect to the pro. It was a little bit extra difficult because I was also an usher, and tried to enjoy the day. I'd like to have another crack at it, I think it is something which would get better with practice.
Technically: swapping lenses is a pain/pfaff; lugging gear around is a pain/pfaff; concentrate on getting shots sharp with the correct amount of depth (too many of mine weren't
); trying to get alternative angles or takes on things is good as the pro won't always do this, and as a guest you may be able to "get away" with a bit more; it's a bit frustrating that people either pose or hide when they can't fail to miss a big camera pointing at them; keep shooting, lots, in RAW.
Summary: it went ok, though I probably spent too much time worrying about getting pictures, and I'm always disappointed with my results anyway
I did get a nice thankyou from my friends, which re-affirms some of the comments:
"Thank you so much for the photos. They capture so many views and moments of the day we could never hoped to have seen."
A few of my best pics from the day, C&C welcome...
DH2
My thoughts: it's not easy! Respect to the pro. It was a little bit extra difficult because I was also an usher, and tried to enjoy the day. I'd like to have another crack at it, I think it is something which would get better with practice.
Technically: swapping lenses is a pain/pfaff; lugging gear around is a pain/pfaff; concentrate on getting shots sharp with the correct amount of depth (too many of mine weren't
); trying to get alternative angles or takes on things is good as the pro won't always do this, and as a guest you may be able to "get away" with a bit more; it's a bit frustrating that people either pose or hide when they can't fail to miss a big camera pointing at them; keep shooting, lots, in RAW.Summary: it went ok, though I probably spent too much time worrying about getting pictures, and I'm always disappointed with my results anyway
I did get a nice thankyou from my friends, which re-affirms some of the comments:
"Thank you so much for the photos. They capture so many views and moments of the day we could never hoped to have seen."
A few of my best pics from the day, C&C welcome...
DH2
Edited by DH2 on Thursday 22 November 11:24
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff