Last minute wedding tips

[graham@reading]

Got my first wedding on Saturday and, while it's all very casual and no expectations etc (mate of a mate), I do want to produce some good results (obviously).

I've had a week or so to start to get to grips with the 1D MkII N but I'll be taking my trusty 300 along as backup and have a 24-105 IS L and took delivery of the 50mm f1.8 today too. Oh and a Sigma flashgun (500 DG Super) that seems to work properly on the 1D now - it was very temperamental on the 300).

The couple are more interested in a reportage style anyway, which is handy as a gentler "entry" into wedding stuff, but I want to do a few of the "stock" posed shots as well, if only for my own portfolio.

So any key tips and tricks? I imagine metering for the dress is going to be a right bitch, especially if it's bright sunshine.

[puggit]

More from the other side of the camera...

We wanted a casual style - our photographer would take a couple of staged photos, and then unknown to us capture a few more as we relaxed.

He also gave us a free 'engagement shoot' before the main event. This enabled him to check out the lighting in the venue and let us get comfortable with him.

(We got married at the Millhouse in Swallowfield btw)

[graham@reading]

Yeah, I went to the rehearsal in the church tonight to get the gen from the vicar about where I could go, when I could shoot etc.

Got a good clear idea of what pictures the couple want in relation to the location

[marctwo]

Good luck Graham!

[jimothy]

Good luck mate. remember to take spares of everything (especially batteries)

[V6GTO]

Make sure you've got lots of memory, and shoot it like a machine gun

Martin.

[graham@reading]

1 x 2GB
2 x 1GB
1 x 40GB hard drive

[Gemm]

What are you allowed to photograph during the ceremony? I did one for friends on mine a few weeks ago and I was only allowed to shoot without flash from back of the church during the ceremony. But that was the only time I could relax and think creative and play around with exposure and composition (even composite shots), so if that's the case for you too, make the most of this period.

And make sure those batteries for the flash is fully charged, and that recycling time is quick.

AND GOOD LUCK!!!

Edited by Gemm on Friday 11th August 15:19

[graham@reading]

3 points

Bride's (and father + bridesmaids etc) entrance to the church, signing of the wossnames and wedding party's exit.

So no photography at any point during the actual service. We're going to nip back in to do a couple of quick staged altar shots once everyone's buggered off.

The vicar (or whatever the title is - can't remember the denomination) is a bonkers welsh woman But she gave a good reason why I can't do any more - other members of the congregation will see me photoing away (even without the flash) and take photos themselves. And those will be compacts with auto flash etc. Plus a 1D has quite a loud shutter anyway

[Gemm]

It seems it's all well planned.

BTW, if you are concerned about the shutter noise, the shutter noise reduction does work although it does take a bit of getting used to.

[graham@reading]

It wasn't so much the noise being distracting but prompting others to get their cameras out etc.

[Imperialism2024]

graham@reading said:

It wasn't so much the noise being distracting but prompting others to get their cameras out etc.

What if you get a silencer for the camera... and get a Church Blind (i.e. wood grain and stained glass colored fabric)?

[dcw@pr]

graham@reading said:

3 points

Bride's (and father + bridesmaids etc) entrance to the church, signing of the wossnames and wedding party's exit.

So no photography at any point during the actual service. We're going to nip back in to do a couple of quick staged altar shots once everyone's buggered off.

The vicar (or whatever the title is - can't remember the denomination) is a bonkers welsh woman But she gave a good reason why I can't do any more - other members of the congregation will see me photoing away (even without the flash) and take photos themselves. And those will be compacts with auto flash etc. Plus a 1D has quite a loud shutter anyway

if you have a 70-200 IS then you are all st. Take photos from teh back of the churhc during the ceremony. No one will notice, and even if the mad welsh woman does, it's more important for the b&g to have nice photos during the ceremony (the most significant part of the day), than to keep on the right side of a vicar. Just be sensible - you only need to take 15 shots, not 200, so it won't be too intrusive anyway.

[Gemm]

dcw@pr said:

if you have a 70-200 IS then you are all st. Take photos from teh back of the churhc during the ceremony. No one will notice, and even if the mad welsh woman does, it's more important for the b&g to have nice photos during the ceremony (the most significant part of the day), than to keep on the right side of a vicar. Just be sensible - you only need to take 15 shots, not 200, so it won't be too intrusive anyway.

I'm not sure about that. If you've been told not to take photos, then I don't think you should.

[graham@reading]

Yeah I'm not going to.

The couple didn't want much in terms of church shots with one exception and we can sort that out in about 5 minutes after the congregation's left.

[mxdi]

good luck

with our wedding next year, the one thing we HAVE to get right is the photographer as those pictures with be with us for life, no pressure on him/her like

[graham@reading]

I didn't, but every other er did

The service was awash with bleeps and flashes - respect seems to be secondary to technology these days. I felt perversely proud of not touching the camera in the periods the vicar had asked me not to. I caught up with the shots required in a quick staging session right after.

Tomorrow I'll start going through them - I've been imbibing (and shooting, and falling in love Damn, what a figure) at the reception so got a cab home and will collect the car and camera tomorrow. It was a sort of half guest, half photographer affair anyway.

Thanks for the tips

[miniman]

graham@reading said:

(and falling in love Damn, what a figure)

Yeah, you can't deny, that 1D is ergonomically excellent

[graham@reading]

Quite chuffed with this one



Straight out of the camera - only RAW conversion, nothing changed.

[rj_vaughan]

Not bad Graham!

Now lets see the totty