Wedding photography guides
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've offered my services to a friend to take a series of informal pictures on his wedding day (there is a pro doing the main pictures - I'm not so daft as that!) ... can anyone either recommend any guides for this sort of shot or point me in the direction of a good series of pics online?
TIA,
dogsey
I've offered my services to a friend to take a series of informal pictures on his wedding day (there is a pro doing the main pictures - I'm not so daft as that!) ... can anyone either recommend any guides for this sort of shot or point me in the direction of a good series of pics online?
TIA,
dogsey
At the risk of blowing my own trumpet (oooer!) I did a couple of weddings last year in this style, one as a guest and one as the main tog. They may or may not be good but the relevant couples were very pleased indeed.
As guest...
www.grantgb.com/richieswedding.htm
As tog...
www.grantgb.com/mrandmrssimms.htm
As guest...
www.grantgb.com/richieswedding.htm
As tog...
www.grantgb.com/mrandmrssimms.htm
dogsey said:
Hi guys,
I've offered my services to a friend to take a series of informal pictures on his wedding day (there is a pro doing the main pictures - I'm not so daft as that!) ... can anyone either recommend any guides for this sort of shot or point me in the direction of a good series of pics online?
TIA,
dogsey
I've offered my services to a friend to take a series of informal pictures on his wedding day (there is a pro doing the main pictures - I'm not so daft as that!) ... can anyone either recommend any guides for this sort of shot or point me in the direction of a good series of pics online?
TIA,
dogsey
Have you got a long lens? What gear are you using? That may dictate what sort of shots you should look for imo. A long lens with wide aperture would be your friend - it'll let you pick people out without them knowing which is great for informal shots of people.
My advice is:
1) Try and suss out who is who i.e. important guests. You'll get brownie points for getting a nice shot of great Aunt Mildred that no-ones seen for 20 years. A snap of an elderly relative laughing/drinking etc is a good one.
2) Look for people that look 'fun' and keep an eye on them, be ready to catch a moment. You might notice a group of people taking the p1ss out of something/someone, or sneakily pinching the champagne - they'll be good for a candid snap.
3) Some great opportunities exist while the formal shots are going on. If the main tog is doing some posed shots, then hang around with a long lens and as soon as the tog finishes a shot, everyone relaxes, often turn to the person next to them and mutter something/laugh etc which gives you a good chance at a nice shot. I've done this as a guest at a few weddings and it's easy pickings and catches something the main tog isn't catching. My best mate has 3 wedding shots on display in his house - I took all three in the way I've just described!
4) Kids are always good - cute pics of kids will always go down well
5) Look for high and low shots maybe? Can you get a good vantage point from a balcony/upstairs window/garden and get everyone with a wide shot?
6) The thing in your favour is time. The main tog won't have much, and he'll be rushing around, you've got more time to plan a shot than he/she has.
7) Think about the evening do. Most pro togs have gone home by then so this is a good opportunity for you to shine. Maybe some slow sync flash on the dancefloor?
8) Look for emotion, for a 'moment' don't just take a shot for the sake of it.
9) Most togs automatically do the detail shots like tables, flowers, table plans, order of service etc, but if you get time you could always look for those sort of shots.
I've a mate who's a pro wedding tog and I once went with him as a second shooter. Very interesting experience - and one very steep learning curve. Being there as a guest is very different to being there as a tog. My best advice is to loiter around when the formal shots are going on as mentioned above.
If you're really keen get down to a good bookshop and have a flick through some books. Maybe try amazon and the reviews on there to draw up a shortlist of books to look for. I've read the Annabel Williams wedding and portrait book, and there are others specifically for informal shots so I'd recommend you browse them.
Actually, just thinking, more advice
again depends on your gear but here goes: - disable 'shoot without card' it is possible to snap away on my 5d seeing the shots previewed after you take them, all without a card in it!! Do not risk this, so disable the feature (on Canon its in custom functions) that way you won't get caught out.
- check your settings regularly; make sure ISO isn't too high, AF on etc. Make sure resolution is right.
- if using a dslr then configure your camera's modes before you start shooting. For instance, go to Shutter priority and select say, 1/250. Go to Aperture priority and select say, f/5-6. Go to full manual and do the same, then if you accidentally nudge the dial during the day you won't press the shutter and find you're using a 20 second shutter or some other useless setting - its just gives you a better chance of getting the shot.
- know your camera! When I went as a 2nd shooter I was amazed how quickly I needed to change AF points and ISOs - my mate does it all without taking the camera away from his eye!
Sorry - I've rambled - but hope some of it is useful!
Dave
nick_bbb said:
At the risk of blowing my own trumpet (oooer!) I did a couple of weddings last year in this style, one as a guest and one as the main tog. They may or may not be good but the relevant couples were very pleased indeed.
As guest...
www.grantgb.com/richieswedding.htm
As tog...
www.grantgb.com/mrandmrssimms.htm
As guest...
www.grantgb.com/richieswedding.htm
As tog...
www.grantgb.com/mrandmrssimms.htm
Some lovely pictures. What kit did you use?
At a recent wedding I was at the photographer was using multi-burst mode for every single shot he took, so rather than "take shot"...ok people we're just going to do another one..."take shot"....what he would do is just take 2 or 3 instantly (in the burst mode), I assume to cover all the bases of closed eyes etc.
Is that wise, or not?!
Is that wise, or not?!
I did my first "reportage" just before christmas, was a refreshing change form the "main" job.
thoroughly enjoyed it
The last two and the reservoir dogs rip off (at the grooms request i might add) are from that one
mostly done long distance on a 100-400 but some were on a 70-200 and a 28-105
definitely the best option if you get the choice of main or sneaky!
www.stevebostock.com/galleries/weddings/wedding.htm
thoroughly enjoyed it
The last two and the reservoir dogs rip off (at the grooms request i might add) are from that one
mostly done long distance on a 100-400 but some were on a 70-200 and a 28-105
definitely the best option if you get the choice of main or sneaky!
www.stevebostock.com/galleries/weddings/wedding.htm
We got married a month ago and had a number of Motorsport 'togs taking our pictures!
We've got some absolutely fab pictures....
My thoughts about the whole process from the "brides" point of view...
Where you're the main 'tog - be loud - you must get peoples attention or you won't get group shots with people looking at you. A lot of wedding photography appears to be crowd control!!
My experience of the multi burst is that unless you've got peoples attention you're wasting your time, you'll have eyes closed and people looking the other way in every shot.
Find out what the couple want - are they looking for formal wedding pics or more reportage? As said take crowd shots whilst the main 'tog is working.
We were caught out by having superb weather so we hadn't really planned what pics we wanted - we'd assumed we wouldn't get any group stuff in outside. We missed putting together a lot of family groups that it would have been nice to have (having said that you didn't want to be shooting pics for 2 hours!).
If you're the buddy - talk to the couple about what family shots they want to achieve and make sure you are around to line these up - that way the main 'tog can just shoot great shots. Great aunty Mildred will be wandering around talking to little Gertie unless someone drags her into the shot!! We had awful trouble getting my large family into the family shots and it would have been really useful to have someone who knew the family around to push people in the right direction at the right time.
Keep an eye on the detail - watch for the brides necklace catch turning to the front, her tiara being crooked, little Johnny having snot running down his face etc etc. These are often the things that get missed and "spoil" the main shots.
We've got some absolutely fab pictures....
My thoughts about the whole process from the "brides" point of view...
Where you're the main 'tog - be loud - you must get peoples attention or you won't get group shots with people looking at you. A lot of wedding photography appears to be crowd control!!
My experience of the multi burst is that unless you've got peoples attention you're wasting your time, you'll have eyes closed and people looking the other way in every shot.
Find out what the couple want - are they looking for formal wedding pics or more reportage? As said take crowd shots whilst the main 'tog is working.
We were caught out by having superb weather so we hadn't really planned what pics we wanted - we'd assumed we wouldn't get any group stuff in outside. We missed putting together a lot of family groups that it would have been nice to have (having said that you didn't want to be shooting pics for 2 hours!).
If you're the buddy - talk to the couple about what family shots they want to achieve and make sure you are around to line these up - that way the main 'tog can just shoot great shots. Great aunty Mildred will be wandering around talking to little Gertie unless someone drags her into the shot!! We had awful trouble getting my large family into the family shots and it would have been really useful to have someone who knew the family around to push people in the right direction at the right time.
Keep an eye on the detail - watch for the brides necklace catch turning to the front, her tiara being crooked, little Johnny having snot running down his face etc etc. These are often the things that get missed and "spoil" the main shots.
I did just this at the weekend.
used the full range of lens from 18-70, 50mm, and my brothers 70-300 as I left my 28-300 in the hotel.
Also used SB600
pictures at: www.my-photo.co.uk
Favorite shot:
used the full range of lens from 18-70, 50mm, and my brothers 70-300 as I left my 28-300 in the hotel.
Also used SB600
pictures at: www.my-photo.co.uk
Favorite shot:
in kind of relation to this, i'm doing a couple more in the next month or so, and i've decided i need a new lens but i am undecided, so you're collective experience is required (ta!)
options are: (This is for weddings, portraits and similar)
17-40 F4L (wide but no reach, No IS)
around £435
17-55 IS USM (IS but not L, hmmmm)
Around £330
28-105 F4 L IS (reach, L, IS but not very wide and a good £200 more than the 17-40)
around £630
your thoughts on this most appreciated, much thanks
LF
options are: (This is for weddings, portraits and similar)
17-40 F4L (wide but no reach, No IS)
around £435
17-55 IS USM (IS but not L, hmmmm)
Around £330
28-105 F4 L IS (reach, L, IS but not very wide and a good £200 more than the 17-40)
around £630
your thoughts on this most appreciated, much thanks
LF
just one tip.
ask the registrar or priest etc to announce the taking of the whole group (if required) shot thingy immediately after leaving the church/registry office.
it is far easier to dispense with people for this shot, than it is to collect them.
also, the more important persons are far more relaxed once the groups become more intimate.
d
ask the registrar or priest etc to announce the taking of the whole group (if required) shot thingy immediately after leaving the church/registry office.
it is far easier to dispense with people for this shot, than it is to collect them.
also, the more important persons are far more relaxed once the groups become more intimate.
dbramley said:
lotusfan - it would help to know what you already have!?
sorry, i didn't think it relevant as i'm after a lens for a specific purpose, however:
cameras are 20D and 30D
lenses are 50mm F1.8, 17-55 kit lens, 28-105 USM, 70-200 F2.8 L, 100-400 L IS and Tamron 90mm Macro.
The idea is to replace either or both of the kit and 28-105 (although i do need one of them on the "spare" camera i suppose)
cheers
LF
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