Need advice; shooting my first wedding!

rheinhessen

rheinhessen

Suspended / Banned
Messages
174
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi guys, looking for a bit of advice/help hints/tips.

I'm shooting my first wedding on October 8th - it's for a family member who's asked me a) to save her some money and b) of the back of the photographs I take of children...

I didn't say no, because I'm sure I can get her a few decent shots - she's already said she doesn't expect AMAZING images, she just wants high quality images of the people attending and a few of her. husband and their kids on the day - all doable. However, I really WANT to give her great images.

The kit I'll be taking on the day:

  • Canon 450D
  • standard kit lens that came with the camera
  • my 50mm f1.8
  • a 17-55mm f2.8 that I have hired for the day, though I have it arriving 2 days earlier so I can have a little play about it with it and a practice
  • my tripod & shutter release - I thought for group shots so I can minimise any possible camera shake and get really crisp images?
  • external flash gun

I'm already meeting with her to go through the order of events, get a list of specific group she wants and exactly which bits of the day she wants me to photograph and we've arranged a date to do a little pre-wedding shoot so we can practice a few poses etc so it's not awkward on the day...

I already have a back up camera in place, JUST IN CASE I happen to drop mine haha...

So now, I guess I just need help if there's anything I've forgotten? All help greatly appreciated :]
 
Have you seen the venue? ae you expecting to take any shots of the ceremony? 450d ISO only goes up to 1600, I had a play with one lst week as i was considering using it along with my 5d for a wedding and even at 1.8 iso 1600 would not have been enough light in the venue i will be in.
 
joescrivens said:
Have you seen the venue? ae you expecting to take any shots of the ceremony? 450d ISO only goes up to 1600, I had a play with one lst week as i was considering using it along with my 5d for a wedding and even at 1.8 iso 1600 would not have been enough light in the venue i will be in.
Click to expand...
Yes, I know what the venue is like inside, it's our local civic centre and it's floor to ceiling windows, so lots of natural light. I do need to speak to the registrar and see whether they allow flash though, I had planned to do that on the day..?
 
rheinhessen said:
Yes, I know what the venue is like inside, it's our local civic centre and it's floor to ceiling windows, so lots of natural light. I do need to speak to the registrar and see whether they allow flash though, I had planned to do that on the day..?
Click to expand...

Many registrars wont allow flash, so get in touch with them beforehand so you can plan accordingly.
 
Yv said:
Many registrars wont allow flash, so get in touch with them beforehand so you can plan accordingly.
Click to expand...
Yes, I had figured I wouldn't be allowed to use my flash... but I'll ask beforehand, just incase I am and I need it...
 
You might need a longer lens for some reportage style shots and be clear exactly who she wants photos of, the groups and all the little details. Get a backup camera even if you borrow one and don't use it, if your camera craps out she will not be happy.
 
To add to that you ideally need something in the 100mm + range as your kit and 17-55 hire lens are similar lengths. I would be looking to work with the 50mm at around f4-5.6 most of the time to prevent the wideangle effect not making the most flattering shots. Visit your venue at around the time the wedding is taking place with your kit to try some test shots so you will know what you are working with.
 
Also you say your tripod and remote release, moments pass so quickly in weddings you might not have the time to use them which is why fast lenses and cameras that handle high ISO are so important. Shoot raw so you can get the most out of processing.
 
Kalibr8 said:
Also you say your tripod and remote release, moments pass so quickly in weddings you might not have the time to use them which is why fast lenses and cameras that handle high ISO are so important. Shoot raw so you can get the most out of processing.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was only planning to use the tripod and shutter release for the group shots outside the venue only - the rest of the wedding, I had planned to just use it in hand... :)
 
Kalibr8 said:
To add to that you ideally need something in the 100mm + range as your kit and 17-55 hire lens are similar lengths. I would be looking to work with the 50mm at around f4-5.6 most of the time to prevent the wideangle effect not making the most flattering shots. Visit your venue at around the time the wedding is taking place with your kit to try some test shots so you will know what you are working with.
Click to expand...

Huh?

What do you mean using the 50mm at f4 to 5.6 to prevent the wide angle effect?

You need to be using the 50mm at 1.8 to get shallow dof and high shutters in the ceremony
 
joescrivens said:
Huh?

What do you mean using the 50mm at f4 to 5.6 to prevent the wide angle effect?

You need to be using the 50mm at 1.8 to get shallow dof and high shutters in the ceremony
Click to expand...

Agreed. There will be no wide angle distortion on that lens on a crop. Well, none worth worrying about.
 
Sorry to clarify I meant on the wide end of the kit and 17-55 obviously not on the 50mm...
 
Kalibr8 said:
Sorry to clarify I meant on the wide end of the kit and 17-55 obviously not on the 50mm...
Click to expand...

so use 4-5.6 at 17mm to stop the wide angle effect?

Surely the aperture has no baring on the distortion at the wide angle

I'm confused
 
Right I will try and be clearer. Using the 50mm at any aperture will not have the wide angle distortion like the 17-55 or kit lens would in the sub 50mm range because it is a prime lens and ideal for portraits regardless of aperture. Using the 50mm at f4-5.6 should offer quite pleasing results in terms of DOF and sharpness compared to the the kit lens. If i remember the 450 AF works better at 5.6 and above as well but on that point I could be wrong. Sorry to the OP for not being clearer...
 
Kalibr8 said:
Right I will try and be clearer. Using the 50mm at any aperture will not have the wide angle distortion like the 17-55 or kit lens would in the sub 50mm range because it is a prime lens and ideal for portraits regardless of aperture.
Click to expand...

You're still not clear, any effects due to the focal length will be present regardless of zoom or prime lens.
 
joescrivens said:
not exactly, some lens have worse barrel distortion than others at the same focal length
Click to expand...

True, but in the light of the current conversation that's a very minor consideration, and don't confuse things even further :)
 
I understand that the effects due to the focal length will be there regardless which is why with the kit selection posted I suggested the OP use the 50mm.

It has a wider aperture (if required in low light), primes tend to be sharper and with less BD than zooms (although not always - compare the MTF charts on the 3 lenses and I thing the 50mm will most likely come out top especially over the kit lens.)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top