Am I overreacting?

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petemc

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Pete
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Ok so I have a wedding shoot in just under 3 weeks. Its a proper full day wedding shoot. Other weddings I've done have been minor. A registry office and a blessing, not a "real" wedding. I have my 30D + 24-70 + 430ex and I was thinking my 10D + 100-400 as its the only zoom I have. Am I overreacting looking to buy a 70-200 f/4 instead of taking the 100-400? I think the 100-400 is overkill and it'll be f/5.6 at 400mm. I guess I could look at Calumet for a rental. I don't *do* weddings for this reason. Its such an important day I just don't want that responsibility, even if I am a half decent photographer. I'm still human and shy.
 
I think you're over-reacting Pete. I did weddings for yonks using mainly a 28-80 zoom and that was on a full frame film camera. You don't need to go to that expense unless it's a lens you want anyway.

The 28-80 was fine for groups, full length and closer shots. Sometimes I used a 24mm wide angle for really large groups and for getting large interiors in the frame.
 
I was wondering the same really, would I need my 75-300 at all, for candid shots of people?
 
Pete.
I've been to loadsa weddings, where photographers still use MF. They only have one lens, and move the camera backwards or forwards. Having said that, In my local church you would need about 200 on a 1.6 crop to get a full frame picture of the bride and groom at the alter. Not that I've photographed weddings there, but have photographed normal services for a picture library.
 
Janice said:
I was wondering the same really, would I need my 75-300 at all, for candid shots of people?
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You can always argue a case for a longer lens for that type of shot, but if it was me I'd concentrate on more conventional posed shots and make sure those are in the bag before you start looking at doing candids. You have far more control of the posed shots whereas the candids are always a bit of a gamble.

You don't really want to be doing a lot of lens swapping on the day with the all the stuff you have to be getting on with anyway. :)
 
My style, as I've explained to my client, is reportage more so than conventional "And these people were there, and so were these, and look they were too". I prefer to document an event rather than catalogue the guest list ;) With that in mind, a 70-200 would be handy for those random candid shots I think. You know, to get in on a moment without actually distracting people. I did a kids birthday the other year well enough without one though... Hmm
 
Well it's your call Pete, but you really do need to grab hold of 'em and take control - particularly once you hit the reception venue where the bars probably open, or even several bars with some of the country clubs which are popular as venues now. The guests will disappear like rats down holes and you wont get 'em back. There's only three people remotely interested in the photographs, you, the bride, and the groom. The groom is doubtful. ;) To everyone else the photographs are just a drag.
 
Yeah. Assuming the rain holds off theres going to be strawberrys n tea outside the church on a field. That'll be the best time imho, and we'll have access to a school next door with trees and things. That'll be the time for group shots. Its more the candid I'm worried about, but I guess I'm just worried in general :)
 
Anyone who says they aren't nervous doing weddings early on is either daft or a liar.;)

It's a big responsibility and your reputation is on the line if you really cock it up. When you've got a few weddings under your belt the abject terror subsides to mild panic and finally the usual butterflies as you become more experienced and have more idea of how you'll tackle the job.

Just don't opt for the reportage type shots out of shyness - taking control of a large group of people and keeping a sense of humour is great experience.

I've no doubt you'll do an excellent job ... stop fretting! ;)
 
petemc said:
but I guess I'm just worried in general :)
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I know how you feel.

If it's any help I should have my sigma 70-200 2.8 back by then, if you need a loan of it you're welcome :)
 
I'm not opting out due to shyness, its what I prefer to do. Yes it is easier but I do prefer to capture real life rather than make people stand around and say "Cheese" :) I'm doing the whole day from 9:30am getting ready to late evening getting plastered ;) I think the funniest thing is that its my cousins wedding. I spent years as a kid hating family do's and now I have to document one and tell everyone what to do. I'm screwed! ;)
 
One thing I've learnt from the few weddings that I've done is that whilst the candid/reportage style shots are good don't bother too much about taking these types of shots of the guests. Why? Because it is unlikely they will go in the album, concentrate on the B & G as they are the ones who have the final say on what images are used. With hindsight it seems pretty obvious but it took me a couple of weddings to realise this probably because I was the second shooter.
 
I am no wedding photographer, I did 6 weddings for friends, all have since divorced, apart from one where the groom had a fatal accident 6 weeks after the wedding :( So I don't do them anymore.
All the couples were more than happy with my photos I am pleased to say.
I used 28mm 50mm and a 135mm and walked backwards and forwards a lot :)
The 135 was a godsend, but I always wished I had something a little longer.
 
I think people are looking for the so & so was there, that's your aunty flo type of shots, by all means take some good reportage shots of the bride and groom but make sure you get the bread and butter ones in as well.
 
Yeah don't worry I plan to get the cliches out the way :) I thought reportage style was quite popular these days?
 
It's a sign of our times, 30 years ago when I got wed, cliche ones were the thing, all posed etc etc.
The young men and women nowadays are wild :) and their parents... such as myself are up for anything I suppose.
Great if you get this type of wedding to do, I am sure your cousins wedding will be very well complemented by your own particular type of photography.
I for one can't wait to see the results.
 
Nor can I, just wish I could skip over that day and go "Ahhhh" :)
 
One copmment that jumps straight out at me from what you've said above Pete is that as a kid you hated family do's - try top remember what it was in particular you hated about them and so things better yourself. It might only be the kids you'll make a real difference to - but if you can get shots of the kids looking good them you'll sure as hell get the rest looking good as well!

Good luck with it - I have MY cousin's wedding in a fortnight - for a change with a wedding I'm more worried about the pics (although mine will only be "extra") than my outfit! :D
 
What I hated was that I never had anyone to talk to and it was just dull.
 
petemc said:
What I hated was that I never had anyone to talk to and it was just dull.
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Well if there are any kids there, make them the center of attention on some of the pictures. Nothing better as a parent than seeing some excellent pictures of their little angels / devils ;)

They will have a good time and when kids have a good time, so do the parents, and it will show in the pictures.

Other than that :thumbs: :thumbs: , do what you do best.... Take pictures :D
 
The gap between the 70 and 100 lenses you have is nothing the old reebok zoom can't sort out.

For me, telephoto candids are nice, and i've done them at the couple of weddings I've done, but they aren't a substitute for the wedding shots the couple will be expecting of the familes and the rings and register etc.

While looking at a picture of old uncle George who's looking bored at his wife, as she natters her false teeth out to aunty Flo who she hadn't seen since the last family get together might be funny the first time they see it, it sure as hell won't make them get the album out in a years time and have another look.
 
I use 18 - 70 for weddings and never really felt a need for more. I take my larger zoom but it has never been out of the bag.

The larger tele is always nice for uncluttered backgrounds.

If you are doing a 'proper' wedding as you say then I would imagine that the usual groups etc would be the order of the day.

I'm still human and shy
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...you'll need to be more active than that....at the wedding I shot yesterday I literally had to drag them up for photos!

I think your suggested lens purchase is overkill and agree with CT about the range used.
 
I'm doing a proper wedding in that its a wedding, not a blessing or a registry office do as I've previously done. I was reading a book about wedding photography that talked about how reportage style is quite popular now days. I'll be starting at 9:30am with them all getting ready, going to the hairdressers, getting makeup done, basically documenting the day. Because I'm doing documentary I do feel having a bit more zoom would be advantageous to capture those extra little moments.
 
Well have they chosen you because they know what type of photo's you take?, in which case, do what you do, how you do it.

Or have they chose you because they have no idea what type of photos you take, but you are family, and you have a good camera?, if this is the cse then you need to seek guidance from them as to how they want the 'special' day recording.

IMO of course :D
 
I sat down with them and showed them my work so they know what I do. I did say I'll get some portraits and things but what I do is mainly document the day.
 
Then go with that. The equipment you have already, you use superbly. The problem with more choice is just that....... too many choices - which lens, for which shot, and you will end up missing the shot you want.

I say go with your normal kit, dont muddy the waters by adding another lens.
 
My normal kit would probably be a 10-20, 24-70, 100-400. I think the 100-400 is overkill and f/5.6 isn't great in low light. This is why I'm tempted by the f/4 70-200. Nicer range, lighter, smaller, handy.
 
my mother in law is selling a 70 - 200 f2.8 is L with 2 x if your interested ;-)

on the wedding side, i have done some where i wanted shots but sturggles to get close so i used my sigma 70 - 200 f2.8 its great to have when you want to stay out the way and take those sneaky relaxed shots where you dont want to be seen.
 
interesting thread!!!

i have not done many weddings as only been doing it for just a year,

although all my people liked the reportage style stuff it was the formal stuff that went in the album.

i do a 6 x 4 album of my candid shots.

people arriving ect.

it is possible to do both .As before the bride arrives, everybody else does plenty of time then. After the vows i give the bride and groom half an hour to chill before i take more photos of them plenty of chance to get more candids in

im sure you will be fine just keep snapping away.

plenty of batteries and plenty of memory cards you can bin the rubbish and they will treasure the great shots always take more photos that u need

i took 600 yesterday

intending for 40 for the album and 40 candid

u will be surprised how many you will want to keep.

your next prob is which ones to delete thats really hard and takes ages


good luck let us know how it goes
 
I've already got an idea n all. As I said, I've done 2 wedding type things before :p I was just wondering if a 70-200 would be better than my 100-400 really or if its needed at all. It seems if I'm doing the more traditional shots then no, which I'd agree with. But I want to capture those little moments that make the day. As I keep saying, starting at 9:30am. I'm not shooting the wedding, I'm shooting the wedding day :) Having been at festivals I've come to realise just how handy the 100-400 is for just that. You can see a perfect moment in the distance and capture it without having to dash across a field or a room. I love what it lets me do. So I just know that at a wedding with so much emotion and energy I won't have time to zip around like The Flash and a zoom would be handy.
 
sounds like you have convinced yourself you need one.

you should go with what you feel happy and comfortable with.

i think if you dont take one you will regret it and wish you did.

beg or borrow one or buy if funds allow

good luck
 
I dunno if its a case of convinced myself, its what I often use for events to capture things. Its something I do a lot of. 24-70 on one body, 100-400 on another. It allows me to get shots close up and at a distance. Its what I'm used to. However I know the 100-400 is huge and not great in low-light so a 70-200 would have been better. But, I've just checked my bank and I really can't afford it anyway so thats that.
 
Surely someone will be able to 'Loan' you one, you know enough people and you have a very good reputation.

I say put the call out on a new thread :)
 
I'm not a fan of borrowing others gear as I'd be too worried I'd break it, and on a day where I'm going to be worried enough I might pass :) I've shot 2 wedding type things and a kids party without one so I'm sure I'll be fine. I just hate missing photos.
 
my prints are 6 x 4 for candids dont know how big petemc is planning on doing
 
Sorry, don't want it to seem like I haven't been appreciating peoples advice in this thread. Its all been great and thanks :) I felt like most people were offering advice from the traditional side of wedding photography. Stand here, smile, n such. I'll be doing some of that so I completely agree with 24-70 + 430ex and patience ;) My style of photography is more documentary than posed and for that I do sometimes rely on a zoom. Sorry if it came across as me ignoring what people were saying. I bought this book on wedding photography a couple of years ago and it has a bunch of examples using a 70-200 and I can't help but think they're the images I want.

Thanks for everyones posts so far :) I am hard to work with :D
 
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