FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

TP: How to photograph weddings?

Page  123 4>
Author
Miranda F View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 11 January 2014
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Bristol
Status: Offline
Posts: 4074
Post Options Post Options   Quote Miranda F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: TP: How to photograph weddings?
    Posted: 10 December 2015 at 14:31
I've found that non-flash pics using available light, even in a badly or unevely lit church, can be very effective with a modern DSLR/DSLT and some PP, even taking jpegs. The latest Sony jpeg engine is fantastic if you leave DRO on to give it some help BUT the AWB doesn't get it right all the time, so take some effort to balance this in each location.

It also allows you to take non-intrusive pics (especially if you're not the main photographer). As a non-professional sitting in the pews, I've also been able to get nice pics of the ring swap which the pro missed (and, for whatever reason, didn't fake later). A quiet shutter is useful here . . .

Outdoors a long lens is good to take candid un-posed group photos.

On posed shots, always ask the pro if he's happy for you to take pics too - some aren't if they see you with a decent DSLR and fear you'll lose them income!

Agree that co-ordinating phone pics on facebook works well. In pre-mobile phone days, a good friend bought or borrowed a dozen cheap automatic cameras and handed them to guests - he saved on a pro photographer and got lots of good pics (I presume he didn't like posed groups either . . .)
Miranda F & Sensorex, Sony A7Rii, A58, Nex-6, Dynax 4, 5, 60, 500si/600si/700si/800si, various Sony & Minolta lenses, several Tamrons, lots of MF primes and *far* too many old film cameras ...
 



Back to Top
ricardovaste View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 08 August 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Shropshire
Status: Offline
Posts: 10082
Post Options Post Options   Quote ricardovaste Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 November 2013 at 11:53
1) Strongly suggest they hire a real professional if they care about the results.

2) Thoroughly set expectations. Bring them down to the ground. This means every single step of the process, not just pieces you want to highlight.

3) If you haven't already been able to, flee the country.

4) If you are presented with shooting a wedding for the first time, my suggestion would be:

a) Use the equipment you are most familiar with. Sure, bring extra pieces for backup that you can leave somewhere else. But this isn't the time to learn new things.

b) Do not buy new equipment. And if you do, make sure they're paying for it. Otherwise you're just "gifting" them $$$, which would be better put towards someone who knows what they're doing.

c) Use minimal kit. 1-2 lenses. It would be beneficial to have 2 bodies, but if you don't, that's just another part of the risk. Most will not know when to change lenses or settings etc so rather than fiddling with stuff just use something ordinary and focus on making images.

d) Have an agreement in writing, even if they're friends, even if they're family.

e) Plan thoroughly.

f) Go with your instincts.
I photograph the moments in people's lives that mean the most to them: Richard Harris Photography
Back to Top
Octupi View Drop Down
Emeritus group
Emeritus group
Knowledge Base Contributor

Joined: 28 August 2007
Country: United States
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Posts: 5601
Post Options Post Options   Quote Octupi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 March 2011 at 22:10
To many posts here to reply with them in mind.

1. Work with the couple that hires you to find out what they want and if it fits your style. (I've turned down weddings where they wanted me to work/process in a way I just don't do)

2. Make a plan for the day and review it with the couple, best man and bridesmaid - this puts them on the same page as you and they know what to expect.

3. Be ready for your plan to go out the window as it usually does.

4. Be a second shooter for another photog for a while to learn the ropes.

5. Work with the couple that hires you...

6. Have a solid contract that protects you like an armored car.

:)
Back to Top
keithf View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 17 February 2011
Location: Surbiton, UK
Status: Offline
Posts: 215
Post Options Post Options   Quote keithf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 March 2011 at 21:01
Wanna know how to shoot a wedding then check out Jonathan Ryans site

http://peoplebyryan.com/weddings/wedding-news

Although I have never met him (not through choice I hasten to add just haven't had the chance yet) I have "comunicated" with him online through www.cameracraniums.com and he is without doubt one of the nicest guys on there...as for weddings his advice is normally "leave it to the pro's but if you must do it here's some tips...."

But check out his website read the blogs etc you may just get some tips that you won't get anywhere else...
"Everything in moderation including moderation"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/
Back to Top
Its Atomic View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 January 2006
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Posts: 262
Post Options Post Options   Quote Its Atomic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 March 2011 at 01:14
Originally posted by ricardovaste ricardovaste wrote:

Originally posted by Its Atomic Its Atomic wrote:

Anyone here use umbrellas at a wedding? Mind sharing how?


There are many different styles to wedding photography, so it's not a simple matter of do or don't. A couple of examples:

(1) It's quite popular these days to treat a wedding like a fashion shoot, so having lighting equipment is easy to work around as it's staged environment with time put aside for.
(2) Group photographs - more traditional but most usually want them and they're again staged, pre-arranged, easy to have the time for a lighting set up which might include umbrellas and other options.

Wondering around with two umbrellas strapped to each shoulder would certainly be a special site



That's interesting re: group shots, as my reading to date implies most people are in a rush to get to the food / drink / celebration / party of the reception, and from my experience, the married couple typically go and have their married shots so the pressure is on to get to the location, etc.

When you say group - how big is the group? In my mind I see 50 people on the steps of the church and wonder how an umbrella would help there. For the formal family group shots I can see that would help control the lighting - but again all my wedding experience they were shot outside. Do wind and terrain have much impact on setting the umbrella(s) up and having them stay in place. I guess that's where an assistant would really pay dividends.

I've never used an umbrella for photography, however, and am looking at B&H to get a couple soon and start playing with lighting.

I meant no offence with my insecure statement. Your statement (it was no good for non-CaNikon) could have been interpreted as "the results were poor" or "the survey was constructed poorly" - and I took the former meaning.
A700 | A850 | Σ 12-24 | Min 28-75/2.8 | Σ 50/1.4 | Min 85/1.4 G | Tam 90/2.8 | SAL 70-200/2.8 G | SAL 70-400 G | 5600/F58

Pics
Back to Top
ricardovaste View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 08 August 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Shropshire
Status: Offline
Posts: 10082
Post Options Post Options   Quote ricardovaste Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 March 2011 at 14:16
Originally posted by Its Atomic Its Atomic wrote:

Anyone here use umbrellas at a wedding? Mind sharing how?


There are many different styles to wedding photography, so it's not a simple matter of do or don't. A couple of examples:

(1) It's quite popular these days to treat a wedding like a fashion shoot, so having lighting equipment is easy to work around as it's staged environment with time put aside for.
(2) Group photographs - more traditional but most usually want them and they're again staged, pre-arranged, easy to have the time for a lighting set up which might include umbrellas and other options.

Wondering around with two umbrellas strapped to each shoulder would certainly be a special site

edit: typo

Edited by ricardovaste - 19 March 2011 at 14:17
 



Back to Top
ricardovaste View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 08 August 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Shropshire
Status: Offline
Posts: 10082
Post Options Post Options   Quote ricardovaste Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 March 2011 at 14:12
Originally posted by Its Atomic Its Atomic wrote:

Originally posted by ricardovaste ricardovaste wrote:

I took part in that, but it wasn't great for non Canon/Nikon shooters.


It's only a problem imo if you are insecure about your camera system choice.


Woh, back up there - No need to go splashing such statements around. Many of the options in the survey were only relevent to Canon/Nikon system options - they were too specific "IMO", with no equivelents for the a-mount system. This does not make me insecure about 'my camera system choice', it's simply a statement about the contents of the survey.

Good day.
Back to Top
Its Atomic View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 January 2006
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Posts: 262
Post Options Post Options   Quote Its Atomic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 March 2011 at 02:25
Originally posted by ricardovaste ricardovaste wrote:

I took part in that, but it wasn't great for non Canon/Nikon shooters.


I was wondering if someone would say something along those lines.

It's only a problem imo if you are insecure about your camera system choice.

What I found especially interesting were the lens choices (exactly the same set I would choose, based on the 437 threads I read here about wedding photography and lens choice ). I am very pleased I already own samples of each focal length from the top 3 in the survey.

Also found it interesting people were using umbrellas. I am only just getting into strobist theory and will purchase an umbrella or 2 soon, but if I was to ever shoot a wedding (or another event), I would much rather be fully competent with on-camera diffusion / reflection and leave myself as mobile and dynamically enabled as possible.

Anyone here use umbrellas at a wedding? Mind sharing how?
A700 | A850 | Σ 12-24 | Min 28-75/2.8 | Σ 50/1.4 | Min 85/1.4 G | Tam 90/2.8 | SAL 70-200/2.8 G | SAL 70-400 G | 5600/F58

Pics
Back to Top
Sanjuro View Drop Down
Emeritus group
Emeritus group
Administrator emeritus

Joined: 19 September 2005
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Sweden
Status: Offline
Posts: 5849
Post Options Post Options   Quote Sanjuro Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 March 2011 at 19:35
Great thread.
I shot 1 wedding before and some friends from that caouple, after seeing their imges asked me to take their wedding shots and they will pay me.
I am already nervous,one thing is to do shot friends while you are the wedding, prety informal, and another to get paid for it.

When i shot my friends I only used the sigma 17-70/2.8-4.5, excelent lens, with my KM5D.
But now I don't have that lens, and I have A850.

I am thinking of taking the KM17-35, 35-70 and beercan. I can borrow a KM85/1.4 if needed. I will take my F58AM as well.
There is too much to think that I will improvise for sure.

I just hope it will be good weather :-)
Rgds
Sanjuro

"I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them." --Pablo Picasso
Back to Top
Mark L View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 28 August 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Location: North Dorset
Status: Offline
Posts: 3750
Post Options Post Options   Quote Mark L Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 March 2011 at 18:38
Originally posted by keithf keithf wrote:

One piece of advice I will give is this, if the parents of either the bride and groom are separated/divorced rather than creating tension on the day try this..

Get the brides father and the grooms mother for one shot, then swap over so get the brides mother and the grooms father for the next shot, it helps prevent any unnecessary nastiness and can be a life saviour on the day as both bride and groom get a picture with their parents..I speak from experience

Better still, talk to the bride and groom beforehand and decide in consultation with them exactly who is going to be in what group, particularly if there are complications of this sort. Sometimes separated/divorced parents are happy to be in the same shot, albeit on opposite ends of the group, sometimes not. Sometimes the couple want step-parents included in a group. Every wedding is different.

You should always have a pre-wedding meeting with the couple anyway, and it's a good plan, even a necessity, to make a list of groups at that stage; it saves a huge amount of time on the day. It doesn't have to be followed slavishly; it's always possible to drop a group shot or add another if necessary.
Back to Top
keithf View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 17 February 2011
Location: Surbiton, UK
Status: Offline
Posts: 215
Post Options Post Options   Quote keithf Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 March 2011 at 16:48
Got a possible paid wedding shoot in June (I've done 3 weddings to date all close friends and they are still my friends so can't have done to bad a job ) Hate doing them but this was friends who were absolutely skint at the time, so I always say the same thing, "I am not a pro, but if you want me to do them I will but please do not expect pro quality but what I will do is the best job I can on the day".

Then what I tend to do is print off a few really good shots (about 20 or some 10x8 some 7x5 or 6x4 depends what paper I have to hand tbh), burn the rest to cd and my wife being the creative type puts the wedding album together and hey presto that's their wedding present from us.

One piece of advice I will give is this, if the parents of either the bride and groom are separated/divorced rather than creating tension on the day try this..

Get the brides father and the grooms mother for one shot, then swap over so get the brides mother and the grooms father for the next shot, it helps prevent any unnecessary nastiness and can be a life saviour on the day as both bride and groom get a picture with their parents..I speak from experience
"Everything in moderation including moderation"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithfransella/
Back to Top
ricardovaste View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 08 August 2007
Country: United Kingdom
Location: Shropshire
Status: Offline
Posts: 10082
Post Options Post Options   Quote ricardovaste Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 March 2011 at 11:07
I took part in that, but it wasn't great for non Canon/Nikon shooters.
I photograph the moments in people's lives that mean the most to them: Richard Harris Photography
Back to Top
Its Atomic View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 19 January 2006
Location: Melb, Australia
Status: Offline
Posts: 262
Post Options Post Options   Quote Its Atomic Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 March 2011 at 10:54
Looking around, found an interesting article / survey on wedding equipment:

http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=999720
A700 | A850 | Σ 12-24 | Min 28-75/2.8 | Σ 50/1.4 | Min 85/1.4 G | Tam 90/2.8 | SAL 70-200/2.8 G | SAL 70-400 G | 5600/F58

Pics
Back to Top
igogosh View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member

Joined: 07 August 2008
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Posts: 780
Post Options Post Options   Quote igogosh Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 September 2010 at 16:54
I don't know your level as a photographer. If you're good with people and are artistic in the way you see things - you may have an edge and could be a success. You have to be honest with yourself. There are a few other organizing skills involved other than just being a good photographer. If you feel fit after all the advice everyone shared, go ahead and blow your friends away with some fantastic work - it is WORK, believe me:)
Back to Top
Dyxum main page >  Forum Home > Dyxum Community > Knowledge Base Page  123 4>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.117 seconds.

Monitor calibration strip

Dyxum.com - Home of the alpha system photographer

In memory of Cameron Hill - brettania

Feel free to contact us if needed.