Wedding Photography

[coupekid]

Hi All,

Ok, before everyone says....'dont do it' and such like...I have been asked to photograph a wedding.

I primarily refused, and explained that I wouldnt feel comfortable doing it, I'm not experienced enough etc, but the couple getting married dont have enough for a wedding photographer, so I gave them the option of asking freinds and family to chip in instead of presents....well, they are...but for the honeymoon. So they have asked myself, and another keen amatur to take pictures. I have done everything to try and get out of this, but it looks like I have been conned into doing it! I have warned them not to expect too much!

So, my question is this..... what would you pro's consider to be ESSENTIAL equipment?

I have 4gigs worth of flash cards. I will be using two 350D's one with a 300mm tele, and one with the 18-55kit lense (this should help worrying about swapping lenses). I will also be taking my polarising lense in case it is a bright day. A tripod, and possibly a mono pod.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Oh and if any experts want to step in, in my place, there is a whole pint in it for you!

Cheers,
Ben

[Archangel]

Re: Wedding Photography

Hi All,

Ok, before everyone says....'dont do it' and such like...I have been asked to photograph a wedding.

I primarily refused, and explained that I wouldnt feel comfortable doing it, I'm not experienced enough etc, but the couple getting married dont have enough for a wedding photographer, so I gave them the option of asking freinds and family to chip in instead of presents....well, they are...but for the honeymoon. So they have asked myself, and another keen amatur to take pictures. I have done everything to try and get out of this, but it looks like I have been conned into doing it! I have warned them not to expect too much!

So, my question is this..... what would you pro's consider to be ESSENTIAL equipment?

I have 4gigs worth of flash cards. I will be using two 350D's one with a 300mm tele, and one with the 18-55kit lense (this should help worrying about swapping lenses). I will also be taking my polarising lense in case it is a bright day. A tripod, and possibly a mono pod.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Oh and if any experts want to step in, in my place, there is a whole pint in it for you!

Cheers,
Ben

An extra flash for your camera's hotshoe when indoors will be from nice to essential to have, since you are not going to setup umbrellas, lights on stands and softboxes.
If the extra flash is not manually or automatic adjustable make shure you slightly lift it up in an angle of 100-120 degrees from its perpendicular base, when shooting closeup portraits.

George

[lumix]

Re: Wedding Photography

It's a long long time since I did a wedding. Best advice I can give is get a clear understanding of what shots you need to take. I had a routine I worked to and this helps you to be sure you get all the required shots. Plan a sequence and try very hard to stick to it. Make sure important guest are included in the photos or expect to be questioned after the event. If you have the chance to go to the wedding rehearsal, go and find out all you can from the vicar and plan your shots. Ask if you can get in with the quire so as to get frontal shots looking down the church with the relatives in the background etc. If necessary bribe the vicar with some shots of his church. I've had vicars stand aside so I could get shots of the ring being placed on the finger etc. Groups have to be built up as you go along. Start with the Bride & Groom with the Vicar outside the church Keeping the relatives and guest inside the church and that way avoiding confusion till these important first shots have been taken. Then add the bridesmaids and best-man to the group and so on till you build up to the final group. Then shots in the car etc. and a mad dash to the reception to get there before they arrive. Tell the driver to take his time so you have the chance to arrive before them. It's all down to good planning and I've only skimped on what needs to be done. And last but not least stay calm.

[Stephen]

Re: Wedding Photography

I'd go along with the need for a flashgun, I'm assuming you have a Speedlight. They are essential for people shots especially outside where shadows etc can spoil a shot unless they are filled in. Inside they need to be used with care trying to avoid letting the flash take over, fill in is the key

Also wonder if the 300mm is a bit too long for weddings, apart from maybe some candids if you get the chance.

[coupekid]

Re: Wedding Photography

I'd go along with the need for a flashgun, I'm assuming you have a Speedlight. They are essential for people shots especially outside where shadows etc can spoil a shot unless they are filled in. Inside they need to be used with care trying to avoid letting the flash take over, fill in is the key

Also wonder if the 300mm is a bit too long for weddings, apart from maybe some candids if you get the chance.

I dont have a flash gun, but will definately be purchasing one for the wedding.

Would you advise getting a diffuser to go over the top?

[coupekid]

Re: Wedding Photography

thanks for all the advice so far!

(no ones thirsty then? )

[Stephen]

Re: Wedding Photography

I dont have a flash gun, but will definately be purchasing one for the wedding.

Would you advise getting a diffuser to go over the top?

[coupekid]

Re: Wedding Photography

I was think more along the lines of this one:

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s288/0/Flashguns/Sigma/EF-500-DG-St-Flashgun-(Canon-AF)/details.aspx?&comp=y

Its half the price and seems to do what I want it to.


Have you used this one before? if so, any good (this is where you tell me 'pays yer money takes yer choice' )

[Stephen]

Re: Wedding Photography

I was think more along the lines of this one:

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s288/0/Flashguns/Sigma/EF-500-DG-St-Flashgun-(Canon-AF)/details.aspx?&comp=y

Its half the price and seems to do what I want it to.


Have you used this one before? if so, any good (this is where you tell me 'pays yer money takes yer choice' )

Well I'm afraid the old adage is often true Ben but I wouldn't be so dogmatic as to suggest its not as good as the Canon.

[coupekid]

Re: Wedding Photography

Well I'm afraid the old adage is often true Ben but I wouldn't be so dogmatic as to suggest its not as good as the Canon.

haha....well, we will have to see how the old funds are nearer the time. I really do need a flash though, so maybe thats justifacation in itself (at least, thats what I will tell the boss that lives with me)

[Ian]

Re: Wedding Photography

Well I'm afraid the old adage is often true Ben but I wouldn't be so dogmatic as to suggest its not as good as the Canon.

I've used the EF-500 DG St and the more expensive Super models. The main differences are that the Super has an LCD display and wireless slave capabilities. It also has FP mode (lower powered flash that will sync at any shutter speed, which I don't think the St has. The St is a fine, no nonsene, flash which is also good value.

Ian

[ash]

Re: Wedding Photography

Hi Ben, I have done 2 weddings to date, both for family, one of which can be seen on my website.
This is one wedding amateurs advice to another by the way, I dont claim to be an expert!!
Firstly I would say buy a flashgun, without doubt.
And try not to feel rushed as I did, when lots of people are posing for you there is a sense of 'click the button and lets get to the bar' sort of feeling from the guests, dont fall for it, if it doesn't look right in the frame then move them, you have to take control, this is only a one time shoot, get it right.

I must admit though its hard work, it is a good tip to have a ruff idea of diferent shots you want to take and stick to it, like some sort of routine, then if anybody has specific requests for pictures on the day, do them last, otherwise you will loose consentration on whats important on the day.

If its any consilation I have a wedding to do at the end of november at 4pm

I hope it all goes well for you, and I will look forward to some stunning photo's from you Ben!
cheers
Ash.

[Goatsmilkuk]

[Tinka]

Re: Wedding Photography

Hi All,

Ok, before everyone says....'dont do it' and such like...I have been asked to photograph a wedding.

I primarily refused, and explained that I wouldnt feel comfortable doing it, I'm not experienced enough etc, but the couple getting married dont have enough for a wedding photographer, so I gave them the option of asking freinds and family to chip in instead of presents....well, they are...but for the honeymoon. So they have asked myself, and another keen amatur to take pictures. I have done everything to try and get out of this, but it looks like I have been conned into doing it! I have warned them not to expect too much!

So, my question is this..... what would you pro's consider to be ESSENTIAL equipment?

I have 4gigs worth of flash cards. I will be using two 350D's one with a 300mm tele, and one with the 18-55kit lense (this should help worrying about swapping lenses). I will also be taking my polarising lense in case it is a bright day. A tripod, and possibly a mono pod.

Thanks in advance for any help!

Oh and if any experts want to step in, in my place, there is a whole pint in it for you!

Cheers,
Ben

Hi Ben,
I don't know about equipment, but here is a true story of an amateur asked to photograph his best friends daughters wedding, due to circustances they had no money at all, reluctantly he agreed, he arrived at the church with one minolta 700i an 35 to 80 F4 kit lens and a cobra flash fitted off camera to the side on an bracket and 16 rolls of 100 and 200 ASA film. He took the pics of the family etc: and the bride arriveing , all the usual and some not so usual pics. All are in the church, having got permission to photograph in the church, he started to photograph the usual scenario, the bride entering and being walked down the isle, and then "Horror of Horrors!, the flash refuses to fire, change batteries "Which were new anyway" still no flash, Panic stations, just keep shooting, hand held, no flash, hells bells what a disaster, film runs out, give camera to friend to change the film while he grabs a compact off wife and keeps shooting, gets back SLR, keeps shooting, got to get at least a few acceptable pics. ok out of church back outside still takeing the normal photographs of family and bride and groom best man, both sets of parent etc:
By this time wishing he was on another planet or about to wake from a nightmare. Off to the wedding breakfast more photographs, plenty of outside shots thank goodness, still can't get flash to fire, it was all ok when testing before the day, so on to the evening reception and party etc: more photographs both indoors and in the grounds, evening aproaches rapidly, so one more try to get the flash to fire, change batteries, fire test button, hooray the flash fires, take a few test shots with camera, oh heck still not fireing, take flash off camera to clean contacts, notice pin on mount is stuck in, pull out pin with tweezers, clean contacts and remount flash, hooray flash at last. Evening session went well, wedding over, off home to a very restless sleepless night, up early and down to processors first thing, 16 of 36 exposure films handed over for processing, the guy told the story and asked to do his best, wandered around all morning and went back at 2 pm, the guy in processors was all smiles, he said what the hell were you worried about? only 7 lousy shots in the whole bunch, due to shake.
The bride and groom and all the family were over the moon with the photographs. Well thats enough rambling, Am I glad I did it? YES, Would I do it again, NO WAY!

[Goatsmilkuk]

Re: Wedding Photography

Ben

I just saw this link posted elsewhere it's an alternative to a Stofen and lightsphere, I use a Stofen at times but I'm going to have a go at making this and seeing how it goes, there are also some sample pics taken with the Better Bounce Card on the same page.

http://www.abetterbouncecard.com/

Anyone else used one of the bounce cards in the video?