Anything extra I need for a Wedding shoot?

shabba

shabba

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Ok I know alot of you will say 'here we go again, another amatuer shooting a Wedding'.........

Well I have somehow been talked into shooting a mates Wedding, he has made it clear that I'm under no pressure and he has no expectations, it's a freebie so there is no contract etc between us - I'm simple a mate taking photos for him.

I've done a fair amount of shoots just no Weddings, I'm fine in nearly all shooting situations but I think I could use something to bounce my flash off - basically to cover for flash fill in when I can't use a ceiling to bounce off - any suggestions? I've seen bulb like items, which works best generally speaking? Currently I just have the basic diffuser item that pops on the top like this http://p.lefux.com/61/20091010/A12550000N/InsetImage/Flash-Diffuser-Box-Cover-for-Canon-430EX.jpg

My kit should cover me:

Canon 1D mkIII
17-40L F4
24-105L F4
70-200L F4 (non IS)
50mm 1.8
430EX
24gb of cards inc a 16gb high speed one.

I'll take a laptop and my expresscard reader (v quick) so I can copy off and backup images during the day.

Someone else is shooting with me and they have their own kit, but they are more the second shooter.

Anything you can think of that I might need? I know I could do with a 5D mkII or something simailr with better ISO performance, faster lenses but frankly I'm not buying/hiring more kit when I'm not getting paid for it - so the above will have to make do - but open to any accessories etc.
A friend has the 100L macro - I will most likely borrow that to take a few detail shots, rings and such.


Open to suggestions on the flash diffuser.
 
forget the laptop you wont have time for that. by the time youve got it out, started it up, plugged in your card.. youll have missed a lot of shots.

you can make do with F4 glass with a flash, you wont have as much DOF obviously..

flash diffusers, we used the stofen type like you have and found it worked fine.
 
I'm cool with the settings etc, usually shoot as wide open as I can get away with.

I try and avoid flash generally, I just prefer natural light, but for the evening stuff I will need it. Strange as I spoke to someone else who does alot of photography and he said he uses flash in 90% of his shots! (albiet v low amounts).
 
neil_g said:
forget the laptop you wont have time for that. by the time youve got it out, started it up, plugged in your card.. youll have missed a lot of shots.

you can make do with F4 glass with a flash, you wont have as much DOF obviously..

flash diffusers, we used the stofen type like you have and found it worked fine.
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Agree with Neil, there's not much time.

You might like to try a white card attached with a rubber-band to your flash, to use as a bounce.
 
Your kit is absolutely fine whether youll struggle with low light depends on the venues. you may wish to hire another body and flash as backup though.
You should ALWAYS have a backup of everything! Just imagine the bare minimum you need to take pictures with then double it.

For example. I need a camera body, one lens in the 24-50 range, flash, battery and a memory card. That's my bare minimum. Then I have to make sure I have a backup of EACH ITEM.

I shoot with a 5d mkii, 7d as second (backup body), lenses now comprises of a 16-35mm and 85mm f1.2 with a sigma 50mm f1.4 and 100mm L as backup or extra lenses. Two 580ex ii flashguns with a 430ex as spare. 6 batteries and about 96gb in cards.
The only I don't have a backup of are my pictures on the cf cards, hence why I'm looking towards upgrading to 5d mk III very soon

You have plenty of overlap in your lenses so you should be fine. You really should get another body at a bare minimum. Even if its a canon xxxD series..
 
Oh and I will try and get a SD card for the 1D, that way I can have it auto backup to that as it can shoot to 2 cards.

There are 2 of us shooting, so we have 2 bodies/lenses to cover the ranges (she has a 17-85, 70-200 etc).
 
You have more gear than you need.

You may find out that you will be rushing through the day so don't forget about keeping it simple.
Sometimes I have up to 1h with the couple, I can get creative, create complicated lighting setups.
Sometimes I don't have time to drink some water, it's that busy.
It all depends on the day, how well the wedding was organised and how well you can cooperate with the couple.

I'm sure you know it already but:

Stay focused, follow the most important person, the VIP of the day: the bride. Don't be distracted by your gear. Make sure it works OK before the wedding, then think about composition, exposure...
Follow the brief, get the shots the couple wants
Take plenty of cards and batteries with you.
Keep it simple, unless you will have time to do advanced stuff.
Flash: bounce it only if you have something good to bounce it from: white walls, ceilings "be careful with raccoon eyes"... or best man's white shirt.

Remember the reason behind bouncing the flash: you want to make the light source bigger than the front screen of your flash gun.
That's why I can't understand why some togs are using stoffen outdoors...

It would be great if you could go to the venue before the wedding. It helps a lot. You can test some ideas, find places for group shots...

Just to let you know: my must-have gear for weddings is D3, 24-70mm f2.8, 50mm f1.4G, flash, batteries an some cards. the rest is optional.
 
Get a monopod for the 70-200, it will be invaluable for some indoor shots where the lighting is less than ideal, especially if you can not use flash.
 
Thanks Seb, superb post - most appreciated.

I'll go prepared, with some print out's of shots I'd like to get (I have some time booked with the couple alone during the day), I'm cool with my settings and I've shot corporate vents before - as you say it can be full on - no rest even for a moment.

Unfortunatley I can't go there before as it's a long distance away but I've checked it out a bit already and lighting should be ok as it's seasfront facing and has full height glass along one wall.
 
tiler65 said:
Get a monopod for the 70-200, it will be invaluable for some indoor shots where the lighting is less than ideal, especially if you can not use flash.
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Great thinking.
 
As the main photographer I think you should have two cameras. I know you say your assistant has one but (for me) that's passing off your responsibilities.
 
ryanyboy said:
As the main photographer I think you should have two cameras. I know you say your assistant has one but (for me) that's passing off your responsibilities.
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I was thinking the same thing,plus you can have two lens on the go :)
 
ryanyboy said:
As the main photographer I think you should have two cameras. I know you say your assistant has one but (for me) that's passing off your responsibilities.
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I agree. IF your camera fails you'll be standing there like a lemon. You'll also be totally reliant on your second covering the rest of the day, its on your head so be sure you understand what you're getting yourself into.

The wedding is a one off, there are no repeats, you just get one shot at it. Make sure you're able to cover it otherwise IMO simply kindly decline to shoot the wedding.

On the day I would stick to shooting in a style that you are comfortable with. The worse mistake is to try something someone has recommended to you and get flustered as you're not familiar with it. That's one of the reasons why I never tell someone how they 'should' shoot or what to use, everyones style is different. So shoot the wedding your way, in your style.
As long as you are familiar with your equipment, know your lenses strengths, weaknesses and know how to react to different lighting situtations you'll be fine.

One final bit of advice, make sure you catch all or at least most of the photos on the shot list (you did ask the bride for a shot list right?), thats what the bride expects from you even if you miss many other great moments (obviously try not to..) make sure to get the shots on THAT list! :rules:
 
You could also think about hiring or borrowing a second body for the day. You will probably find you will relax more knowing that if, heavens forbid something goes pete tong with one body, you still have the gear to get the job done. ;)
 
You are all right of course, will see if I can get a second body.
 
Sewing Kit
Boob Tape
Corn plasters or blister plaster (for when the brides corset digs into her.)
Safety pins
first aid kit
wonder web
torch
pen
spare confetti incase you **** up the shot.. LOL
umbrellas
tripod for the group shots (easier to swap heads if eyes closed)

That is all i can think of for now..... :-)
 
Thanks everyone, borrowing a 60D as a second body, thinking I might leave the 70-200mm on that and the 24-105mm on the 1D for most of the shooting. Hmmwill wan to use the 50mm too at some point, group shots can be with the 17-40mm.

Also got a 100m L macro for a couple of detail shots.
 
Actually I'm going to write a rough schedule of the day, the shots they want and the figure out what lens would be best and roughly work to that.
 
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