Basic help required - weddings

davidh6781

davidh6781

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one of my work buddies has discovered my passion for taking picture and offered my a place at there wedding day and night to take some additional pictures of the day.

1 - Issues i raised was, pro tog will be there but bride n groom will be confirming with her regarding my presence and my camera kit.

2 - Any advice on lens best suited to December weddings, could be snowing (not likely but never know) and what would be best as i think would need longer reach as would be behind the pro tog.

3 - Are there any wedding guides/books i can browse for ideas? I did a band promo and although were ok i missed a few pointers with regards to the subjects.

4 - Pre wedding shots - Unsure at the minute if the pro is doing these but who do you focus on, the bride would be my thoughts but what about the groom?

5 - any thing else you would recommend.
 
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I'm sure you'll get lots of answers to questions like these. One point from me though - regarding Q2 - don't stand behind the pro tog - or anywhere near him/her when they are doing shots! If you do people will be looking at you and at the pro and all the shots will look a mess! Find your own shots away from the pro - leave them to do the job they're being paid for.
 
Yeah i was intending to blend in the background and go for the natural takings rather than the posed. I think i put Q2 slightly wrong as i wouldn't be hugging or following him/her around like a puppy as this would get on my wick if i was being paid and some guest was doing it.
 
I agree with above. You should be looking to capture the candid shots, the ones of the guests sharing a joke or a lovey dovey moment between the bride and groom, there is no point just shooting the same shots as the pro tog. As for glass I would got for something with a bit of reach so that you can snap away without being noticed. I have used a friends 85mm prime and its brilliant, nice and fast and razor sharp, good reach without having to stand in another room to get your shot. Ive heard good things about the 70-200 F4 L but of course thats a bit more cash.
 
Cool, since i start my interest in photogrpahy candid, unaware shots have always appealed to me.

I have the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 which I am impressed but so that end should be covered,

The lens is going to be hired for the weekend. would a zoom be best or go for a prime and move myself.
 
awp said:
I'm sure you'll get lots of answers to questions like these. One point from me though - regarding Q2 - don't stand behind the pro tog - or anywhere near him/her when they are doing shots! If you do people will be looking at you and at the pro and all the shots will look a mess! Find your own shots away from the pro - leave them to do the job they're being paid for.
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That is very sound advice. They are getting paid for this so don't try to get the sort of Formal shots that are expected from a Pro, go for candid shots and use a zoom so you can stand well out of the way.
For indoor shots use something like a Nifty 50 with 1.8 or more so your ISO wont be too high, although most are ok up to 1000 or so.
The better the glass the better the quality but just practice with what you are used to. Try getting into Manual mode and practice as much as poss. I know it seems daunting shooing Manual but when it clicks, you will be a happier snapper.
Its free so shoot as much as you can in the mean time.

There will be a lot of answers coming so take note of what you don't understand and ask questions
Most of all have a good time. There is no pressure on you to get it 100%
 
A 70-200mm f/2.8 L is going is a BIG lens to be carrying about at a wedding but will give you good results, a 85mm f/1.8 USM isnt so big and the IQ is STUNNING! It will give you the extra reach to carry on from your Tammy. IMO id go with the prime, its a wedding and you will be wandering around so it wont be a big deal.
 
The 70-200 f2.8 isn't too big a lens to carry around if you aren't built like a peperami. I've been second shooter a handful of times now, and anything other than full frame for decent high iso and wide aperture lenses and you lose the ability to shoot a lot quicker than you think. Once inside, even if it seems well lit to the eye, shutter speeds drop very rapidly. ISO 1600 is the order of the day! The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is nice, but it struggled to find focus when dim and is a little noisy. In your position, a longer lens will allow you to stand back and watch the pro so you can learn, whilst shooting some nice candids and whatnot. The last thing you want to do is upset the pros by getting in the way.

I found overall that the 70-200 allowed enough flexibility to capture full body shots and closeups, without coming in too close and intruding on the ceremony/meal/etc. In the evening, when people where mingling, then a shorter lens felt more apt.

Oh, one more thing - if you struggle to lock focus at all, it can be easier to back button focus first, (ie prefocus on the floor) then shoot at the moment the subject walks onto it. No missed focus then!
 
andyroo1986 said:
The 70-200 f2.8 isn't too big a lens to carry around if you aren't built like a peperami. I've been second shooter a handful of times now, and anything other than full frame for decent high iso and wide aperture lenses and you lose the ability to shoot a lot quicker than you think. Once inside, even if it seems well lit to the eye, shutter speeds drop very rapidly. ISO 1600 is the order of the day! The Tamron 17-50 f2.8 is nice, but it struggled to find focus when dim and is a little noisy. In your position, a longer lens will allow you to stand back and watch the pro so you can learn, whilst shooting some nice candids and whatnot. The last thing you want to do is upset the pros by getting in the way.

I found overall that the 70-200 allowed enough flexibility to capture full body shots and closeups, without coming in too close and intruding on the ceremony/meal/etc. In the evening, when people where mingling, then a shorter lens felt more apt.

Oh, one more thing - if you struggle to lock focus at all, it can be easier to back button focus first, (ie prefocus on the floor) then shoot at the moment the subject walks onto it. No missed focus then!
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The only reason I said about the 70-200mm being big is because I presumed the OP is going to be a guest first and a photographer second. I didnt mean it takes a body builder to carry it round :lol:. I did recomend the 70-200mm myself.
 
Donki said:
The only reason I said about the 70-200mm being big is because I presumed the OP is going to be a guest first and a photographer second. I didnt mean it takes a body builder to carry it round :lol:. I did recomend the 70-200mm myself.
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Fair enough - it is a bit imposing!
 
Despite not actually having much reach, it has become known as the 'perving lens' by my work colleagues...
 
davidh6781 said:
3 - Are there any wedding guides/books i can browse for ideas? I did a band promo and although were ok i missed a few pointers with regards to the subjects.
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Try http://www.oliver-cameron.com/weddingphotograp.html

A nice pocket sized book with loads of information and only £12.50. They also have a new book out "Wedding Photograpy - A Guide to Photojournalism". I have just received this so have not had a chance to read it yet.
 
Assuming the pro is actually any good, you may be better off taking less photos and watching/asking more questions (not to the point of distraction though, obviously). There will be periods between events (the meal for example) where you and the pro can compare notes, so make a mental note of any questions you have as the day progresses. From my experiences, wedding photography is less about the camera work and more about the orchestrating of the crowd, being organised and in the right place, being firm, yet polite. It's quite a learning curve, but not an impossible one.

Most of all, enjoy it.
 
Set a few nights aside in August and watch this online for free. It's prep, shoot and post of a live wedding over 5 days. It's free to watch live during the event.

http://creativelive.com/courses/jasmine_star/

Anyone who's watched the Creative Live material knows it's really worth making the effort for, so stay up late for a few nights and watch it.

I'll be watching it, and I don't even shoot weddings.
 
I was asked to do the same thing at a friends wedding, hired a 70-200mm 2.8 for my little D60.. Heavy lens but definitely worth it.

A couple of points is that it's going to be dull and grey, if you have flash, use it. Also, I would suggest you hire the lens for a week, so it gives you plenty of time to practice before the wedding.

I screwed some shots up because I just wasnt used to handling something that big, well, I mean lens wise ;) lol
 
Having read another thread on here make sure there are no guns involved
 
Hire a 70-200 f2.8is, shoot as wide open as you dare, keep well away from the pro and look for completely different shots to what she is taking.
Regarding a pre wedding shoot, I can't think of a reason for you to be there. I offer them mainly as an ice breaker, to give the B&G some time to practice poses and to build a rapport with them. Frankly i wouldn't want another 'tog there.
 
Scout the venue as much as possible - it might become obvious that you need something very long or very wide for the inside shots depending on the layout. And regarding a pre-wedding shoot, maybe go for a drink with the couple beforehand just so you can hear from them both what they are wanting that they think the pro might not offer. Stuff like more images of guests than them, would be a good example.
 
I think that you stand a chance of taking some really excellent portrait shots with the 70 - 200 lens. Try and pick moments when the B & G are together, and throw the rest right out of focus. Exchanging of, and putting on rings. Try to do everything the pro is not doing - candid shots.
 
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