She's dropped me right in it...
Discussion
...The wife that is.
I know this probably isn't going to sit well with some professionals (I've read many a flaming post on this subject) but for the good of the couple involved I need your help!!
My wife's friend is getting married and had no budget for a photographer - in fact she was going to get married without so much as a single shutter press, that is until the good wife volunteered me [a keen motorsport photographer!!] to step in.
Now, I've helped a friend out a couple of times, but I've been able to follow his lead and, well basically, do as I was told. Being the lead has left me feeling talentless and unable to operate a camera.
Can you please see the bride/groom right by offering me some good sound advise over all aspects of the wedding - especially the must take shots - I'm there all day from the make-up, getting dressed to walking down the aisle, signing the register etc, through to last dance? I've looked at 000's of google images, for inspiration, but a few words of help/wisdom would benefit me greater, I think.
The only kit I think is relevant that I possess is an EOS60D, Sigma 17-70 F2.8/4, Canon 28-135 IS, external flash, stofen diffuser and flashgun softbox if this helps with your advice [or condemns me to a fate worse than death]. I may be able to borrow a second body (450D) and Sigma 70-200 F2.8 - would this be beneficial or just too much kit? Is a tripod worthwile?
Although they aren't expecting anything flash, I really don't want to let them down.
Thank you in advance,
Scott
I know this probably isn't going to sit well with some professionals (I've read many a flaming post on this subject) but for the good of the couple involved I need your help!!
My wife's friend is getting married and had no budget for a photographer - in fact she was going to get married without so much as a single shutter press, that is until the good wife volunteered me [a keen motorsport photographer!!] to step in.
Now, I've helped a friend out a couple of times, but I've been able to follow his lead and, well basically, do as I was told. Being the lead has left me feeling talentless and unable to operate a camera.
Can you please see the bride/groom right by offering me some good sound advise over all aspects of the wedding - especially the must take shots - I'm there all day from the make-up, getting dressed to walking down the aisle, signing the register etc, through to last dance? I've looked at 000's of google images, for inspiration, but a few words of help/wisdom would benefit me greater, I think.
The only kit I think is relevant that I possess is an EOS60D, Sigma 17-70 F2.8/4, Canon 28-135 IS, external flash, stofen diffuser and flashgun softbox if this helps with your advice [or condemns me to a fate worse than death]. I may be able to borrow a second body (450D) and Sigma 70-200 F2.8 - would this be beneficial or just too much kit? Is a tripod worthwile?
Although they aren't expecting anything flash, I really don't want to let them down.
Thank you in advance,
Scott
If they were not going to have any photos taken then you will be ok as any that you take as long as they come out ok i.e focus, exposure then they will be pleased im sure.
I have done 4 weddings for friends a long time ago using film and they came out really nice, just get the missus to help you set them up and keep others away whilst you get your shots
I have done 4 weddings for friends a long time ago using film and they came out really nice, just get the missus to help you set them up and keep others away whilst you get your shots
i'd say lots of memory cards and batteries, take lots of photos (better than taking few) grab the couple before they go round all their friends so you can get shots of them together, have a think about what pics you can get with them, ie cake cutting, holding rings, top of stairs, throwing flowers etc.
Stick to what you know, take 100's of pics of the wedding car 
Seriously though I'd go for a long lens and do a photo-journalist style set, keep in the corners and snap people who aren't looking at you. I've taken plenty of nice portraits with that lens too so you'll be able to get a good range.
I have the sigma 70-200 f2.8 and it's probably the best choice, you probably don't want to be swapping lenses on and off all day.
If you will have some help then a tripod is a good idea. You can never be sure of the weather, if you get a grey day a tripod will let you use f5/f8 for sharp shots without going to a silly ISO or suffering shake.
Shoot in raw so you can adjust balance later, and pack 4 or 5 2GB cards. If you have a card disaster you'll only lose a portion of the shoot, 1 card is all eggs in one basket.
Seriously though I'd go for a long lens and do a photo-journalist style set, keep in the corners and snap people who aren't looking at you. I've taken plenty of nice portraits with that lens too so you'll be able to get a good range.
I have the sigma 70-200 f2.8 and it's probably the best choice, you probably don't want to be swapping lenses on and off all day.
If you will have some help then a tripod is a good idea. You can never be sure of the weather, if you get a grey day a tripod will let you use f5/f8 for sharp shots without going to a silly ISO or suffering shake.
Shoot in raw so you can adjust balance later, and pack 4 or 5 2GB cards. If you have a card disaster you'll only lose a portion of the shoot, 1 card is all eggs in one basket.
Simpo where are youuuuuu !?Zaxxon said:
Im no expert but batteries, spare batteries and battery holders that take AA spares,
Oh and stacks of memory.
And spare batteries cause if one is going to die, it will be on the big day.
Oh and stacks of memory.
And spare batteries
cause if one is going to die, it will be on the big day.gowmonster said:
i'd say lots of memory cards and batteries
MrLou said:
pack 4 or 5 2GB cards. If you have a card disaster you'll only lose a portion of the shoot, 1 card is all eggs in one basket.
Ah, it would appear that I have completely overlooked the fundamentals - it's a brand new camera [probably compounds things a bit as still getting to grips with it] so I only have 1 battery and 1 mahooosive SD card. I may have to borrow a couple of cards off my friend, as well as the 70-200. No-one I know has the same body and I'm yet to invest in the battery grip for it so I'll be praying for no new battery gremlins.My wife will have our daughter to look after so may not be able to rely on her for help but I think I'll take the tripod - better to have it and not use it...
MrLou said:
Stick to what you know, take 100's of pics of the wedding car
LOL, I'd certainly be more in my comfort zone!!Would I be OK using 'P' mode or should I be using 'AV' to better control DOF? How will shooting in 'AV' affect my external flash settings? 'P' usually sets it to 1/60 @ F4 (or something like that)
You guys have found inadequacies in my kit already but I thank you for this - it IS something I have clearly overlooked and must address.
Any further help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks all,
Scott
I'd recommend shooting in Av mode - you want to be making the choices not the camera.
Take as many portrait shots as you can between now and the wedding. It will give you a lot more confidence. This will also let you get a feel for what aperture setting you'll want to use for single/couple/group shots to get sufficient depth of field.
The 70-200 will be a great lens for the day, but you will need something wider as well if you're going to be taking group shots.
To minimise your learning curve, try to use the flash as little as possible. Take some test shots with your 60D and decide how high an ISO setting you can get away with (and have a play with some noise reduction software for post processing). High ISO and fast glass really will help you on the day!
Take as many portrait shots as you can between now and the wedding. It will give you a lot more confidence. This will also let you get a feel for what aperture setting you'll want to use for single/couple/group shots to get sufficient depth of field.
The 70-200 will be a great lens for the day, but you will need something wider as well if you're going to be taking group shots.
To minimise your learning curve, try to use the flash as little as possible. Take some test shots with your 60D and decide how high an ISO setting you can get away with (and have a play with some noise reduction software for post processing). High ISO and fast glass really will help you on the day!
kybo said:
No-one I know has the same body and I'm yet to invest in the battery grip for it so I'll be praying for no new battery gremlins.
In that case you should probably borrow the 450D body and any batteries available for that because even without 'gremlins' you'll probably find that your camera will easily flatten the single battery you have during the day.ETA: I don't even shoot anything important, just as a hobby, and I have 4 CF cards, 6 SD cards and 4 batteries for each of my three cameras (i.e. 4 per camera, so 12 batteries total). If you get 'canon compatible' batteries from somewhere like 7dayshop.com then they are really very cheap compared to Canon brand and I don't tend to notice a difference in lifespan - the main thing is to have lots of the buggers! (One thing I'll probably get next will be a spare charger of each type, so that I don't have to charge each set of batteries sequentially if you know what I mean.)
Edited by mrmr96 on Tuesday 31st May 09:59
If you can borrow a 450D then I'd certainly do so - even if you don't intend to use it it'll be good for confidence to know you have a backup camera.
Do you know the locations for the day? I'd see if I could access the hotel / church / reception room and see what the lighting is like - you an scope out some nice angles and locations to do a few more formal shots. If possible perhaps even take someone along so you can take a few shots and get a feel for the place.
I'd grab the 70-200 also, it's the fastest lens you have available. I'd look at seeing if you could borrow a fast 50mm or 30mm prime as well. If you aren't going to be using flash (if its a church then you may not be able to?) then faster lenses should provide better opportunity the autofocus to work accurately, though perhaps you could get away with using the flash for just af-assist.
Good luck
Do you know the locations for the day? I'd see if I could access the hotel / church / reception room and see what the lighting is like - you an scope out some nice angles and locations to do a few more formal shots. If possible perhaps even take someone along so you can take a few shots and get a feel for the place.
I'd grab the 70-200 also, it's the fastest lens you have available. I'd look at seeing if you could borrow a fast 50mm or 30mm prime as well. If you aren't going to be using flash (if its a church then you may not be able to?) then faster lenses should provide better opportunity the autofocus to work accurately, though perhaps you could get away with using the flash for just af-assist.
Good luck
MartinP said:
To minimise your learning curve, try to use the flash as little as possible. Take some test shots with your 60D and decide how high an ISO setting you can get away with (and have a play with some noise reduction software for post processing). High ISO and fast glass really will help you on the day!
I'd disagree with that. Fill-in flash in essential, especially for outdoor shots. So, I'd suggest lots of practising before the big day. Another suggestion I can make is to take at least 2-3 group shots in succession. There are bound to be a few people looking at wrong direction or blinking to spoil the shot, so you can just 'replace' the faces in post-production if you have spare shots. 
I don't have too much to add as I've never shot a wedding. I have been the groom in recent months though so I do know what is important to your 'customer'. You may take all this with a pinch of salt!
I suppose the first thing to remember is that you're not a pro wedding photographer and are not claiming to be. It's natural that you will wish to do your best but you shouldn't feel unduly pressured. If people want a pro service and all the back up that comes with that, then they should pay for it.
In terms of little tips I picked up from our day.
Speaking at length to the bride and groom beforehand to find out what they would actually like. Do they want lots of formal posed shots and groups or reportage? Or a bit of both? Which key events would they like capturing? There is only one of you so you won't be able to capture the groom nervously waiting at the church if you're photographing the bridal prep. Find out the schedule for the day so you can make a list of the shots you want and know that you'll be in the right place at the right time. You don't want to be having a pee whilst the cakes being cut.
Know the venues. Partly this is for assessing available light etc but I suppose equally as important is finding decent locations for your shots. Where will you stand etc?
There are lots of detail shots that are worth taking that you may not think of but are great as album background etc... Things like a macro of the rings, decorations, flowers in the church, button holes, place settings, the cars (you'll be good at that, should get nice blurred background of Roller leaving the church at speed!)
Anyway, good luck with it all, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
I suppose the first thing to remember is that you're not a pro wedding photographer and are not claiming to be. It's natural that you will wish to do your best but you shouldn't feel unduly pressured. If people want a pro service and all the back up that comes with that, then they should pay for it.
In terms of little tips I picked up from our day.
Speaking at length to the bride and groom beforehand to find out what they would actually like. Do they want lots of formal posed shots and groups or reportage? Or a bit of both? Which key events would they like capturing? There is only one of you so you won't be able to capture the groom nervously waiting at the church if you're photographing the bridal prep. Find out the schedule for the day so you can make a list of the shots you want and know that you'll be in the right place at the right time. You don't want to be having a pee whilst the cakes being cut.
Know the venues. Partly this is for assessing available light etc but I suppose equally as important is finding decent locations for your shots. Where will you stand etc?
There are lots of detail shots that are worth taking that you may not think of but are great as album background etc... Things like a macro of the rings, decorations, flowers in the church, button holes, place settings, the cars (you'll be good at that, should get nice blurred background of Roller leaving the church at speed!)
Anyway, good luck with it all, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Edited by Gad-Westy on Tuesday 31st May 11:16
Don't know if this is any good, but it did help me a couple of years ago when I shot a cousin's wedding.
http://www.all-things-photography.com/wedding-phot...
Check out the links down the left hand side...
http://www.all-things-photography.com/wedding-phot...
Check out the links down the left hand side...
Have a look at http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/ and consider hiring more kit if you need, it isn't dear.
it sounds like you haven't had a good play with the camera, get your mates to have a mock wedding or attend the dress rehearsal(if there is one) and take practice shots and see how it goes.
Also I'd be researching as much as I can on-line about shots, i.e. look at some professional examples for guidance
Also I'd be researching as much as I can on-line about shots, i.e. look at some professional examples for guidance
As said above, look at lots of examples, but don't just look at the poses, look at the background, you can have a perfectly exposed, well posed capture but a tree/post sticking out of someones head will always let it down. Have a look on Flickr and check out the exifs, if there's space then you can use a more flattering focal length (i.e. not 10mm, making her look like gonzo).
But, as you said they we going to have the day without a single photo then if you get any good ones, they can't complain. I doubt you will get the flaming you mentioned on here, but anyone sensible would know that if they wasn't going to have any photos anyway, then they are not exactly the target market for an expensive wedding photographer.
Good luck
But, as you said they we going to have the day without a single photo then if you get any good ones, they can't complain. I doubt you will get the flaming you mentioned on here, but anyone sensible would know that if they wasn't going to have any photos anyway, then they are not exactly the target market for an expensive wedding photographer.
Good luck
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