Dropped in it, from a great height...
Discussion
Second attempt at posting this as I posted it earlier and now cannot seem to find it ? Please tell me I am not going blind.
anyway....
A few weeks ago, some of you may have seen or even responded to my thread about picking a lens for a wedding. My friend was getting married this weekend and while I wasn't the official photographer, I had been asked if I was going to bring my camera and if I was, could I do some kind of reportage style photos if I fancied it. No pressure, no expectation. If I took some decent snaps, they could have them. If not... no matter.
Now, I used this opportunity to try out some new kit by renting a lens and flash.
I also decided it was a good opportunity to grab some new memory cards and a spare battery. I know my NEX will not last a day of decent use.
Well..... Its just as well I brought all this kit because the proper photographer (one of the grooms good friends who is a pro) got well and truly stuck coming from London. That basically dropped me in it to become the photographer. It was that, or no photos.
s
tE!
My stomach turned so hard I thought I was going to turn inside out. I have never been so worried in my life! Thankfully the pro did arrive just before the service started (which stopped me sweating cobs) but until that point I was running round like a mad man trying to get photos of people arriving, group shots of the groom and his brothers, candids of kids and their families, people setting up, some scenery etc etc.
Not being one for being normal, the groom had decided they were all going to hop on a river boat and sail 20 mins down the river Avon to pick up the bridal party. So next thing I know, I'm wearing a life vest and riding shotgun in a RIB taking shots of the river boat. I board the river boat when they pick up the bride and get group shots on there, before transferring, mid river, whilst still moving, back to the RIB!!! sketchy.
I did try to coordinate group shots, but I am just not cut out for that kind of thing. Not got the confidence. So I tried to keep to the reportage style and just went into spam mode. My theory, take so many that some good ones will appear!!! Normally I like to take lots of time, but you just don't have that chance at a wedding. That perfect candid moment will appear for a split second and if you aren't looking through the finder with a finger half pressed on the shutter, its gone.
Filled the 3 16 gb cards I had in my bag.... gotta sift through them all now!!
So glad the other guy showed up when he did. He brought some top kit as well, 1D MkIII and 5D MkII with some L glass and he got the main service photos and the standard shots afterwards. I literally had the weight of the world on my shoulders until that point.
Never want to do wedding photography again!!!!
As an aside, for anyone who wants to know....
A) the Sony LA-EA2 lens adaptor with the translucent mirror and AF system from a mid-range Sony SLT D-SLR absolutely transforms the NEX-6. The NEX-6 even has phase detection AF on the sensor, but the proper AF module + mirror is still miles better. I can only imagine that on something like the NEX-7 which doesn't have phase detection AF, that the difference is even more astounding. This is now on the list for purchasing (and at £170, why not)
B) The Carl Ziess 24-70 F/2.8 T* is absolutely fabulous. Its a heavy mother fker, but it is st the bed sharp and has lovely bokeh! .... Now, to find some one to lend me the £1200 or so to buy one!
C) Sony's top of the range Flash gun (FM-60 I think?) is probably the most versatile and flexible flash gun I have ever used. Even the Pro who was dripping with Canons finest, was suitably impressed with its abilities.
Overall the combo was really nice to work with. Despite the size of the lens dwarfing the NEX-6, it wasn't awkward or cumbersome in any way and with the Joby ultra fit sling I bought hardly a chore to carry all day either. Properly sold on this set up now.... something pocketable when you want it, transformed into something powerful when you need it.
anyway....
A few weeks ago, some of you may have seen or even responded to my thread about picking a lens for a wedding. My friend was getting married this weekend and while I wasn't the official photographer, I had been asked if I was going to bring my camera and if I was, could I do some kind of reportage style photos if I fancied it. No pressure, no expectation. If I took some decent snaps, they could have them. If not... no matter.
Now, I used this opportunity to try out some new kit by renting a lens and flash.
I also decided it was a good opportunity to grab some new memory cards and a spare battery. I know my NEX will not last a day of decent use.
Well..... Its just as well I brought all this kit because the proper photographer (one of the grooms good friends who is a pro) got well and truly stuck coming from London. That basically dropped me in it to become the photographer. It was that, or no photos.
s
tE!My stomach turned so hard I thought I was going to turn inside out. I have never been so worried in my life! Thankfully the pro did arrive just before the service started (which stopped me sweating cobs) but until that point I was running round like a mad man trying to get photos of people arriving, group shots of the groom and his brothers, candids of kids and their families, people setting up, some scenery etc etc.
Not being one for being normal, the groom had decided they were all going to hop on a river boat and sail 20 mins down the river Avon to pick up the bridal party. So next thing I know, I'm wearing a life vest and riding shotgun in a RIB taking shots of the river boat. I board the river boat when they pick up the bride and get group shots on there, before transferring, mid river, whilst still moving, back to the RIB!!! sketchy.
I did try to coordinate group shots, but I am just not cut out for that kind of thing. Not got the confidence. So I tried to keep to the reportage style and just went into spam mode. My theory, take so many that some good ones will appear!!! Normally I like to take lots of time, but you just don't have that chance at a wedding. That perfect candid moment will appear for a split second and if you aren't looking through the finder with a finger half pressed on the shutter, its gone.
Filled the 3 16 gb cards I had in my bag.... gotta sift through them all now!!
So glad the other guy showed up when he did. He brought some top kit as well, 1D MkIII and 5D MkII with some L glass and he got the main service photos and the standard shots afterwards. I literally had the weight of the world on my shoulders until that point.
Never want to do wedding photography again!!!!
As an aside, for anyone who wants to know....
A) the Sony LA-EA2 lens adaptor with the translucent mirror and AF system from a mid-range Sony SLT D-SLR absolutely transforms the NEX-6. The NEX-6 even has phase detection AF on the sensor, but the proper AF module + mirror is still miles better. I can only imagine that on something like the NEX-7 which doesn't have phase detection AF, that the difference is even more astounding. This is now on the list for purchasing (and at £170, why not)
B) The Carl Ziess 24-70 F/2.8 T* is absolutely fabulous. Its a heavy mother f
ker, but it is st the bed sharp and has lovely bokeh! .... Now, to find some one to lend me the £1200 or so to buy one!C) Sony's top of the range Flash gun (FM-60 I think?) is probably the most versatile and flexible flash gun I have ever used. Even the Pro who was dripping with Canons finest, was suitably impressed with its abilities.
Overall the combo was really nice to work with. Despite the size of the lens dwarfing the NEX-6, it wasn't awkward or cumbersome in any way and with the Joby ultra fit sling I bought hardly a chore to carry all day either. Properly sold on this set up now.... something pocketable when you want it, transformed into something powerful when you need it.
Otispunkmeyer said:
Second attempt at posting this as I posted it earlier and now cannot seem to find it ? Please tell me I am not going blind.
anyway....
A few weeks ago, some of you may have seen or even responded to my thread about picking a lens for a wedding. My friend was getting married this weekend and while I wasn't the official photographer, I had been asked if I was going to bring my camera and if I was, could I do some kind of reportage style photos if I fancied it. No pressure, no expectation. If I took some decent snaps, they could have them. If not... no matter.
Now, I used this opportunity to try out some new kit by renting a lens and flash.
I also decided it was a good opportunity to grab some new memory cards and a spare battery. I know my NEX will not last a day of decent use.
Well..... Its just as well I brought all this kit because the proper photographer (one of the grooms good friends who is a pro) got well and truly stuck coming from London. That basically dropped me in it to become the photographer. It was that, or no photos.
stE!
My stomach turned so hard I thought I was going to turn inside out. I have never been so worried in my life! Thankfully the pro did arrive just before the service started (which stopped me sweating cobs) but until that point I was running round like a mad man trying to get photos of people arriving, group shots of the groom and his brothers, candids of kids and their families, people setting up, some scenery etc etc.
Not being one for being normal, the groom had decided they were all going to hop on a river boat and sail 20 mins down the river Avon to pick up the bridal party. So next thing I know, I'm wearing a life vest and riding shotgun in a RIB taking shots of the river boat. I board the river boat when they pick up the bride and get group shots on there, before transferring, mid river, whilst still moving, back to the RIB!!! sketchy.
I did try to coordinate group shots, but I am just not cut out for that kind of thing. Not got the confidence. So I tried to keep to the reportage style and just went into spam mode. My theory, take so many that some good ones will appear!!! Normally I like to take lots of time, but you just don't have that chance at a wedding. That perfect candid moment will appear for a split second and if you aren't looking through the finder with a finger half pressed on the shutter, its gone.
Filled the 3 16 gb cards I had in my bag.... gotta sift through them all now!!
So glad the other guy showed up when he did. He brought some top kit as well, 1D MkIII and 5D MkII with some L glass and he got the main service photos and the standard shots afterwards. I literally had the weight of the world on my shoulders until that point.
Never want to do wedding photography again!!!!
As an aside, for anyone who wants to know....
A) the Sony LA-EA2 lens adaptor with the translucent mirror and AF system from a mid-range Sony SLT D-SLR absolutely transforms the NEX-6. The NEX-6 even has phase detection AF on the sensor, but the proper AF module + mirror is still miles better. I can only imagine that on something like the NEX-7 which doesn't have phase detection AF, that the difference is even more astounding. This is now on the list for purchasing (and at £170, why not)
B) The Carl Ziess 24-70 F/2.8 T* is absolutely fabulous. Its a heavy mother fker, but it is st the bed sharp and has lovely bokeh! .... Now, to find some one to lend me the £1200 or so to buy one!
C) Sony's top of the range Flash gun (FM-60 I think?) is probably the most versatile and flexible flash gun I have ever used. Even the Pro who was dripping with Canons finest, was suitably impressed with its abilities.
Overall the combo was really nice to work with. Despite the size of the lens dwarfing the NEX-6, it wasn't awkward or cumbersome in any way and with the Joby ultra fit sling I bought hardly a chore to carry all day either. Properly sold on this set up now.... something pocketable when you want it, transformed into something powerful when you need it.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...anyway....
A few weeks ago, some of you may have seen or even responded to my thread about picking a lens for a wedding. My friend was getting married this weekend and while I wasn't the official photographer, I had been asked if I was going to bring my camera and if I was, could I do some kind of reportage style photos if I fancied it. No pressure, no expectation. If I took some decent snaps, they could have them. If not... no matter.
Now, I used this opportunity to try out some new kit by renting a lens and flash.
I also decided it was a good opportunity to grab some new memory cards and a spare battery. I know my NEX will not last a day of decent use.
Well..... Its just as well I brought all this kit because the proper photographer (one of the grooms good friends who is a pro) got well and truly stuck coming from London. That basically dropped me in it to become the photographer. It was that, or no photos.
s
tE!My stomach turned so hard I thought I was going to turn inside out. I have never been so worried in my life! Thankfully the pro did arrive just before the service started (which stopped me sweating cobs) but until that point I was running round like a mad man trying to get photos of people arriving, group shots of the groom and his brothers, candids of kids and their families, people setting up, some scenery etc etc.
Not being one for being normal, the groom had decided they were all going to hop on a river boat and sail 20 mins down the river Avon to pick up the bridal party. So next thing I know, I'm wearing a life vest and riding shotgun in a RIB taking shots of the river boat. I board the river boat when they pick up the bride and get group shots on there, before transferring, mid river, whilst still moving, back to the RIB!!! sketchy.
I did try to coordinate group shots, but I am just not cut out for that kind of thing. Not got the confidence. So I tried to keep to the reportage style and just went into spam mode. My theory, take so many that some good ones will appear!!! Normally I like to take lots of time, but you just don't have that chance at a wedding. That perfect candid moment will appear for a split second and if you aren't looking through the finder with a finger half pressed on the shutter, its gone.
Filled the 3 16 gb cards I had in my bag.... gotta sift through them all now!!
So glad the other guy showed up when he did. He brought some top kit as well, 1D MkIII and 5D MkII with some L glass and he got the main service photos and the standard shots afterwards. I literally had the weight of the world on my shoulders until that point.
Never want to do wedding photography again!!!!
As an aside, for anyone who wants to know....
A) the Sony LA-EA2 lens adaptor with the translucent mirror and AF system from a mid-range Sony SLT D-SLR absolutely transforms the NEX-6. The NEX-6 even has phase detection AF on the sensor, but the proper AF module + mirror is still miles better. I can only imagine that on something like the NEX-7 which doesn't have phase detection AF, that the difference is even more astounding. This is now on the list for purchasing (and at £170, why not)
B) The Carl Ziess 24-70 F/2.8 T* is absolutely fabulous. Its a heavy mother f
ker, but it is st the bed sharp and has lovely bokeh! .... Now, to find some one to lend me the £1200 or so to buy one!C) Sony's top of the range Flash gun (FM-60 I think?) is probably the most versatile and flexible flash gun I have ever used. Even the Pro who was dripping with Canons finest, was suitably impressed with its abilities.
Overall the combo was really nice to work with. Despite the size of the lens dwarfing the NEX-6, it wasn't awkward or cumbersome in any way and with the Joby ultra fit sling I bought hardly a chore to carry all day either. Properly sold on this set up now.... something pocketable when you want it, transformed into something powerful when you need it.
Bizarre. I can get to it from my user profile but I searched back 3 pages before posting this again and it definitely wasn't there !
Edit: And now its there...... on page 2. All be it posted 2 hours after I actually wrote it. Will delete it.
Edit: And now its there...... on page 2. All be it posted 2 hours after I actually wrote it. Will delete it.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Sunday 19th May 23:23
Different now though isn't it. Digital allows you to take as many or as little as you like... its not like you'll then have to go process a load of film rolls like in the old days.
As weddings go, I think it went ok. They had the service and reception at a small marina on the river avon. Boat yard full of boats at one end, lovely weathered house in the middle and some lovely old outhouses and sheds dotted around. They had a marquee in the meadow just behind that and got married in what looks like a sun room or conservatory attached to the small building that is used as the a house/club house. So it was actually really well lit in there, with the sun room roof panels giving a lovely diffused light for the service.
Was only a small wedding as well, I think there were 130 people in total by the end of the night.
I would have struggled if the wedding venue was more traditional I think. And the bride didn't wear white so I was spared that exposure/WB ball ache as well.
As weddings go, I think it went ok. They had the service and reception at a small marina on the river avon. Boat yard full of boats at one end, lovely weathered house in the middle and some lovely old outhouses and sheds dotted around. They had a marquee in the meadow just behind that and got married in what looks like a sun room or conservatory attached to the small building that is used as the a house/club house. So it was actually really well lit in there, with the sun room roof panels giving a lovely diffused light for the service.
Was only a small wedding as well, I think there were 130 people in total by the end of the night.
I would have struggled if the wedding venue was more traditional I think. And the bride didn't wear white so I was spared that exposure/WB ball ache as well.
Out of interest...
I had one photo at my wedding, which I took on a self timer. There were no guests. My two witnesses were checkout staff from the local Sainsburys who I gave £10 each. After the ceremony my wife and I went for a pie and a pint at the local. There was no reception.
With the money we saved, we bought (much of) an Aston Martin. My wife's idea. 'Tis one of the reasons why I married her.
I had one photo at my wedding, which I took on a self timer. There were no guests. My two witnesses were checkout staff from the local Sainsburys who I gave £10 each. After the ceremony my wife and I went for a pie and a pint at the local. There was no reception.
With the money we saved, we bought (much of) an Aston Martin. My wife's idea. 'Tis one of the reasons why I married her.
Simpo Two said:
And I, sir, shall write my own music.
Now, Middle C...
Just saw this tweeted by the Torridon (not my pics...obviously) Thought may be of interest (Don't like many of them - some are complete crap): http://www.wefellinlove.co.uk/blog/2013/04/29/torr...Now, Middle C...
Edited by GetCarter on Monday 20th May 14:29
GetCarter said:
Out of interest...
I had one photo at my wedding, which I took on a self timer. There were no guests. My two witnesses were checkout staff from the local Sainsburys who I gave £10 each. After the ceremony my wife and I went for a pie and a pint at the local. There was no reception.
With the money we saved, we bought (much of) an Aston Martin. My wife's idea. 'Tis one of the reasons why I married her.
Similar: I had five guests and just three black & white photographs all taken by me in mirrors around Hampstead Registry Office.I had one photo at my wedding, which I took on a self timer. There were no guests. My two witnesses were checkout staff from the local Sainsburys who I gave £10 each. After the ceremony my wife and I went for a pie and a pint at the local. There was no reception.
With the money we saved, we bought (much of) an Aston Martin. My wife's idea. 'Tis one of the reasons why I married her.
After our ceremony we went for an ice-cream at Dayvilles.
The money we saved went towards ...........
......... my daughter's wedding
.My brother who had only a slightly larger do,
did do his own arrangement of the Wedding March
recorded onto some kind of portable device hidden under
clothing, which he turned on after the Register was signed
GetCarter said:
Out of interest...
I had one photo at my wedding, which I took on a self timer. There were no guests. My two witnesses were checkout staff from the local Sainsburys who I gave £10 each. After the ceremony my wife and I went for a pie and a pint at the local. There was no reception.
With the money we saved, we bought (much of) an Aston Martin. My wife's idea. 'Tis one of the reasons why I married her.
Winning at life.I had one photo at my wedding, which I took on a self timer. There were no guests. My two witnesses were checkout staff from the local Sainsburys who I gave £10 each. After the ceremony my wife and I went for a pie and a pint at the local. There was no reception.
With the money we saved, we bought (much of) an Aston Martin. My wife's idea. 'Tis one of the reasons why I married her.
Completely get it though.... Its an important day sure, but its just one day and its not as important as whats to come. Spending £1000's just seems utterly pointless. I rather liked this one because it was a very honest feeling wedding. No BS, everyone knew everyone else, the venue was free, the music was done by the brides brother, some of the hens made the cakes, me and another guy took the photos, everyone helped set up. Even while we were sailing down the river...everyone we passed on the way knew the bride and groom. Everyone had a great time. No one had to get bladdered to enjoy it.
Cheaper the better it seems. They only invited people they actually wanted and after some invitees moaned about things, the B&G decided to sort it for them by uninviting them! simple.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Tuesday 21st May 00:19
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