Do you think its overkill...

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thestablelondon

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Alan
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Hey,

I am shooting my first wedding this weekend... Bit nervous but ready to get stuck in.

I have already checked out the venue. got a shot list from the Bride and have sorted out somone for crowd control and get the groups sorted so there is no waiting about.

The wedding is at a regitry office with a nice garden out the back for Photos etc... When i went for a reccy i noticed that the other photographers were keeping it really simple with just a hotshoe mounted flash with a diffuser on.

I was thinking of having a bit of a lighting set up in the garden with off camera flash with an umbrella and having someone assist me and use a reflector at the very least... Is this overkill? for the size of the wedding should i do as the other photographers are doing and keep it quick and simple?. OR should i say to hell with it. get a small lighting set up and take advantage of this as an opportunity to build my portfolio, gain experience and also try and get some nice shots for the wedded couple...

I shall look forwards to hearing your thoughts

Cheers
 
don't want to start any flame wars before your first wedding, so I'll be careful what I say!

It depends on what type of photography you're planning to do at the wedding.

Personally I never take a full lighting rig as my business is based on reportage photography, and so even though I do take formal shots, I follow the same method, so wouldn't have the time or inclination to use lighting, and in fact rarely, if ever use any sort of lighting outdoors at all.

Inside then its bounce flash all the way, with very occasionally some off camera speedlights if the venue doesn't permit that (old timber framed buildings can be a b****r as the beams stop the light getting to the b&g)

Unless you are really comfortable setting up lighting rigs really really quickly I'd give it a miss.

You'll have enough worries on the day without having to deal with something you don't know inside out

good luck
 
Ok so you are at the front of the registry office taking pics during the ceremony, then you have the signing of the register and then the couple exiting.

Now you have to get everyone to where you want to take the pics and get them in some sort of order.

Where is the time to unpack, set up and meter the lighting? ;)

Seriously, I would not even attempt it.
 
AliB said:
Ok so you are at the front of the registry office taking pics during the ceremony, then you have the signing of the register and then the couple exiting.

Now you have to get everyone to where you want to take the pics and get them in some sort of order.

Where is the time to unpack, set up and meter the lighting? ;)

Seriously, I would not even attempt it.
Click to expand...

+1

But discuss it with the bride and groom. Get a feel for what they want and if they are after anything particularly artistic/special in addition to the regular reportage and standard set of formal poses, then explain you will need extra time. This could be on the day, depending on what they feel is important and how much time there is between the ceremony/reception, but maybe suggest an engagement shoot or a shoot after the main event where you can capture the bride and groom being tender with each other?
 
AliB said:
Ok so you are at the front of the registry office taking pics during the ceremony, then you have the signing of the register and then the couple exiting.

Now you have to get everyone to where you want to take the pics and get them in some sort of order.

Where is the time to unpack, set up and meter the lighting? ;)

Seriously, I would not even attempt it.
Click to expand...


sound advice

First wedding - KISS ;)
 
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I would avoid having a lighting setup. Concentrate on getting the group shots done and then some candids of the guests. You'll be amazed at how quickly the time flies by when you are shooting a wedding. Good luck, I hope you enjoy yourself and get some great images for your portfolio.
 
keep it simple I love lighting but for groups I'd need a few extra minutes I dont want to spend

get an assistant who can rig it before you start and jobs a good un ;)
 
The Wedding went well... By well i mean I managed to get the list of shots they wanted. The weather held out Just until the last shot thank god! I kept it really simple and hand an assistant helping me carrying stuff and also talking to a designated family member who ran around and sorted out the groups whilst i photographed. It was a massive help and don't think i could do it without that... Weddings are not something i think i could do for a living. I was really nervous and didnt/don't like the fact that I am responsible for someone else's special day! but it was a RUSH!!!

Most of the time i had a 35mm prime on my D300s and and an 18-55mm Kit lens on my D40 which worked for the bigger group shots. I was nice and loud and made sure that they were looking at the camera when i needed them to!

No to Process/edit/cut down nearly a 1000 photos!!!
thanks
 
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