Help with wedding photography...

[PeteStewardson]

So on Saturday we're off to a wedding of some friends. My significant other has said she wants me to take my camera to try and get some photos as well. Now most will be at the reception afterwards inside, but I'd like to try and get a couple after the ceremony.

The presure is on a bit after being told last night "You've got some good pictures of animals and touring cars, and you've probably got a better camera than the photographer so you'll have better pictures..." I don't think she quite grasps the concept that wildlife photography and people are different things entirely.

Anyway I'm planning on taking the D2x, The Beast, and my SB600. So could anyone lend any advice on settings etc that might help me along? I've only used the flash a couple of times and the flash always seems overdone, so I must be doing something wrong.

Help!

 

[chuckles]

You could try this for a start..... My Wedding Photography Tutorial it's a bit scant on the camera techniques cos I was kind of thinking most people would be aware of how to use their kit! I've said to CT I'd rework when I get time.....

You may find it helpful..... :shrug:

 

[PeteStewardson]

Thanks I'll take a look.

You're not doing a wedding at a farm on Saturday are you? As the wedding is in cabridgeshire

 

[JPS]

The presure is on a bit after being told last night "You've got some good pictures of animals and touring cars, and you've probably got a better camera than the photographer so you'll have better pictures..." I don't think she quite grasps the concept that wildlife photography and people are different things entirely.



Help!

this is the sort of thing my missus comes out with. 'Oh that's a good shot of the trees, how about doing Auntie Bertha's wedding - I'll tell her you will....' :nono:

Are you 'just' a guest at the wedding and is this wedding business something you want to move into? If not, you'll get fed up by the close of play carrying all your gear around. Think about it - an easy compact - or D2x - just a guest - or a serious photo session? The choice is yours.

Anyway - I did my first wedding last week - took 645 shots :bonk: way over board with that many I think, but it was better to be safe than sorry I thought. If I do another one I'll think more serious before hitting the shutter release. More than half of my shots have been binned. The flash was a problem, on my Sony flash I found the best option was to use 1/4 and 1/8 strength - at 1/1 the shadows were way too ugly and bright - too many washed out shots. Have a go at 'flashin' the missus at home to see how the shadows appear on the walls and alter the bounce if the ceiling will allow it.

 

[CT]

Have a look at Barry's tutorial.

With regard to flash I almost always use it in AV mode with the flash set to ETTL and it produces pretty good results left to it's own devices. That's exactly how I used it with Nikons too and with no problem at all. If anything - the flash can tend to be a tad too much in which case, I'd say take a quick test shot on the day, and if necessary just reduce the flash power a little until you have a nice balance of flash to ambient light. You should be good to go for the rest of the shots then.

 

[chuckles]

Thanks I'll take a look.

You're not doing a wedding at a farm on Saturday are you? As the wedding is in cabridgeshire

No - a (the) church in Brampton, near Huntingdon!

If you follow CT's advice you won't go too far wrong. I usually dial-in -0.7 EV for the backlight control and let the system do the rest. We're using D200s with SB800s and they work really well. I guess the D2X and SB600 should let you do the same!

We don't have to be embarrassed. We won't be in each other's way. (Unless our clients have changed the venue and not told us)

 

[PeteStewardson]

this is the sort of thing my missus comes out with. 'Oh that's a good shot of the trees, how about doing Auntie Bertha's wedding - I'll tell her you will....' :nono:

Are you 'just' a guest at the wedding and is this wedding business something you want to move into? If not, you'll get fed up by the close of play carrying all your gear around. Think about it - an easy compact - or D2x - just a guest - or a serious photo session? The choice is yours.

Yeah that's exactly how it went for me too.

I am just a guest at the wedding, and I definately have no intentions of starting a business doing this. I think weddings are far too stressful for me. I'll stick to ducks and squirrels

My plan is to take the D2x and get some photos and then when I get sick of lugging the camera round I'll put it back in the car. We will have a Nikon compact as well so that can carry on. I'm hoping to use it more as a bit of a learning experience.

No - a (the) church in Brampton, near Huntingdon!

If you follow CT's advice you won't go too far wrong. I usually dial-in -0.7 EV for the backlight control and let the system do the rest. We're using D200s with SB800s and they work really well. I guess the D2X and SB600 should let you do the same!

We don't have to be embarrassed. We won't be in each other's way. (Unless our clients have changed the venue and not told us)

I'm not planning on trying to do any "staged" type shots, more the casual stuff after the event really. I'll be staying well out of the official Togs way as I'm sure they will be having enough of a day dodging all the puddles... :shrug: