One of my reasons for getting a DSLR and learning to use it is because a family member has asked me to do their wedding photos at the end of April 2008. Although i take some nice looking snaps and have an eye for reasonable composition with a compact, I feel like I really need to learn quickly and practice allot to get some good wedding shots for them. The trouble is im unlikely to get many chances to shoot portraits (especially group ones) and most of my photography between now and then will be landscapes. Can anyone recommend some good reading material that i'll be able to apply to all photography in order to help me with the wedding shots??
Novice to wedding in 9 months ?
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Diego Garcia
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Well, the Internet is a wealth of information.
One of this weeks 'weekly' photo mags has a wedding article.
Try various bookshops like Waterstones.
HTH.
One of this weeks 'weekly' photo mags has a wedding article.
Try various bookshops like Waterstones.
HTH.
pxl8
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Get yourself invites to as many weddings as possible between now and then. Tell friends to spread the word that you're looking to practice and willing to do some freebies to compliment the official shots. Then you can watch the tog on the day and learn plus get some practice in but be careful not to upset the paid tog.
Also ring round the local togs and see if you can tag along as an unpaid assistant for some valuable experience.
Also ring round the local togs and see if you can tag along as an unpaid assistant for some valuable experience.
cjnicolai
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My honest advice is to consider whether it's really wise to take this on. If you're not very confident with photography in general and photographing weddings in particular, you could find yourself in a very uncomfortable place. It's double jeopardy when it's a family member, too; if it doesn't go well, it can be a huge source of family discord.
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EOS_JD
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Yes this is true. You need to be used to shooting in a variety of conditions, be aware of exposure issues, posing singles and groups and in general managing a large group of people who are sometimes more interested in talking and drinking than getting their photos taken
Also helpful (and I'd say pretty much essential) are fast lenses (f2.8 and faster), 2 x camera bodies (in case one lets you down - it happens) lots and lots of memory, back up disc, 2 x flashes, lots of batteries, a decent tripod etc etc
The job may seem simple, press the shutter button and that's it done, but there's really a lot more to it.
My advice is ask them to get a pro and you shoot as a second getting those great candid moments. If all goes wrong the pro will have saved the day. Once you have sussed out the problems shooting as a pro creates, multiply this by 5 and then move onto your next.
Sorry if this sounds harsh but it's not as easy as many may think. We all love shooting weddings but you need to be prepared, know your camera inside out, be able to react to changes in lighting conditions etc etc.
You have a lot of time to learn and practice is everything. Do not do this unprepared.
Thanks for your feedback guys. Im under no illusions that this will be easy but I've already agreed to take this on, and in fairness i said at the time that i make absolutely no guarantees to the quality of the results and pointed out that taking good holiday snaps is in no way the same thing as capturing their wedding. They want to make the day as cheap as possible, and I will not be charging them anything except the cost of printing the photos. The ceremony will be in a nice registry office at which i attended a wedding just a few weeks ago and the light is very good there (although thay allow no photography during the ceremony, only signing the book). As for organising the groups etc I have already opted out of that by telling them i will just be taking lots of candid shots throughout the day but dont want to be responsible for organising the family shots. I currently only have the kit lens but plan on buying 2 or 3 more lenses between now and then. Can you make recommendations of any "fast" lenses suited to shooting a wedding not in excess of £200 ??
EOS_JD
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Buying cheap lenses will not be a good start although there are a couple of budget lenses that will be pretty useful.
Firstly the Canon 50mm f1.8. Cheap, fast and sharp. A great lens that everyone should have. I have the faster and better built 50mm f1.4 but the f1.8 version is a nice lens to have.
Next perhaps the 28-75mm f2.8 Tamron. It's pretty fast and sharp and should do well as a general walk around lens. The large aperture helps get the shutter speeds you'll need.
shiato storm
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I can only agree with this...also rather funny when the couple choose yours over the pro's that were there!
I think this goes along the lines of 'know your equipment like the back of your hand' - weddings are very demanding, the last thing you need is to be fiddling with things as you try and take a shot... I did one the other week as a friend to the couple (expenses paid etc.) and despite being a really great time it was tiring. got lots of awesome shots though, not something you can do by halves...has to be all in or not at all.
dazzajl
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I don't really get to do this here but I'm going to disagree with pretty much everything that everyone has said.
Don't spend a whole load of money on lenses. Be they budget or faster and better ones. (unless you want them anyway).
Don't waste your time being an unpaid slave to some wedding snapper.
Don't stress or give up your time practising this or that.
These people have asked you to take some pictures for them based on what they see you shoot now. They obviously like what you're doing so turn up on the day and do it some more. If they want guaranteed results in the bag, they'll find the money for a pro.
If they feel that your pics will provide the memories they want, it's a nice pressie to be able to give.
Don't spend a whole load of money on lenses. Be they budget or faster and better ones. (unless you want them anyway).
Don't waste your time being an unpaid slave to some wedding snapper.
Don't stress or give up your time practising this or that.
These people have asked you to take some pictures for them based on what they see you shoot now. They obviously like what you're doing so turn up on the day and do it some more. If they want guaranteed results in the bag, they'll find the money for a pro.
If they feel that your pics will provide the memories they want, it's a nice pressie to be able to give.
I
Ian T
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Jeez, all this talk of weddings! Am I the only one that things shooting a wedding would be a total nightmare?!
EOS_JD
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Ian
Wedings are a real blast. Sure there's stress and pressure but for those that thrive on that..... it's very enjoyable work.
dazzajl
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Nope, on the flip side from EOS_JD I'd rather have my finger nails pulled out than shoot a wedding. I'm pretty much mercinary enough to shoot anything else and the more pressure the better but there's something about working a wedding that makes my head explode.
Brains
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I really enjoy shooting weddings. I have met some great people and still keep in touch with some. Time may come when I don't enjoy them as much. They are not for everyone though.
In terms of reading material....well, my opinion is that you can read all you want but practise is what will count...getting to know your equipment....being able to flick to a higher ISO without looking...making things become instinctive.
In terms of reading material....well, my opinion is that you can read all you want but practise is what will count...getting to know your equipment....being able to flick to a higher ISO without looking...making things become instinctive.
I
Ian T
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Seconded. I've taken some photos in places I really shouldn't have been, with a high risk of being discovered. The pressure and stress keeps it interesting, and makes the results all the more worthwhile. Perhaps I just don't like the idea of working with so many people!
Apologies if I've dragged this thread off-topic...
Thanks for your replies, and Dazz, I think you summed it up quite nicely. I do want to learn and become a better photographer, and will be aquiring lenses anyway. I guess i just need to work out which ones will be suitable for weddings & general purpose use so that i dont waste money just for one day.
King_Boru
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That equipment is not essential at all. I shoot many a wedding with a 24-120 4.5-5.6 VR lens and 50 1.4. If my D200 goes belly up I get the F-80 35mm out and shoot film.
2 flashes are not essential as you are going to only be using one at a time unless you can hold two cameras to your eye and compose 2 different shots at one time. They are easy to whoop off and place on another camera body.
2 batteries does me all day. I have only ever once had to get the AA's out for my grip and they lasted for around 120 more shots.
Tripods are of personal preference. For group shots I use them but for single/couple shots I use the gridview in the viewfinder to ensure level (when required) shots.
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As for people saying dont do it, it is too much pressure, you need to know your camera, then to be honset I dont think they are being fair. I remeber when I did my first wedding with a Practika MTL3 and 50mm 1.2 when I was 17 years old. The couple came to the college and picked who they liked knowing the tog had not done a wedding in the past. I was nervous but managed to deliver the goods because we had planned things beforehand.
My advice to you sir is, meet up with them, find out what they want, fit it in to their schedule turn up on the day with a checklist/clipboard and you'll be laughing.
Good luck.
EDIT: PREPERATION PREPERATION PREPERATION
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Assuming you're going to go ahead with it, look round the net for examples of shots taken by others for inspiration. Make a list of shots that you need to take (family groups, cake, ceremony etc) so you have a game plan on the day and are not wandering about lost. Take a loud hailer and take charge too, crowds can be difficult to get the attention of.
cjnicolai
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Yes, two flashes ARE essential. It's not that you'll use them both at the same time, it's that if one fails (as has happened to me before) you HAVE to have a second. I shoot almost entirely natural light, but there are times during a wedding when I've absolutely had to use flash to catch a critical moment. You HAVE to have backup of everything in case of equipment failure. Or theft, which has also happened to me.
Absolutely have a tripod available. You may not use it, but you might need it. Best way to guarantee that you need a tripod is to not have one.
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EOS_JD
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The 50mm f1.4 is a very fast lens.... The long end of the 24-120 will not be much use in a dark church or reception room (without flash).
You do not understand my point! What if one of the flashes stops working? You need backup gear! I use 2 bodies and do have a flash on each though. When needing to swap you've already missed the shot!
I go through the 2 batteries in my grip but have another 2 spare. So I never run out of power. However regards flash batteries I'd say 12 will get you through a days work although best to have more just in case.
I must admit to rarely using tripods though. Now I leave a little room for cropping. If I need to level 2 secs does it in lightroom.
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Times have changed. If you don't know what you are doing you need to practice practice practice (as you say below). It's not fair on the couple unless they are perfectly willing to accept sub standard results. Now I must qualify this by saying if you know your camera and are confident then go for it but do so with care. This is THEIR BIG DAY..... they will be very disappointed if they don't get what they are expecting.
EOS_JD
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I answered the above before reading this or I'd just have referred to this. Just what I said.... Backup gear is essential if you are the main tog at a wedding. If there's a pro doing it, you can get away with just about anything. Just shoot and be happy.
EOS_JD
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If you buy a lens for a wedding, it will be suitable for any kind of photography. Look at the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 or if you have more cash to splash, the 17-55mm f2.8 IS Canon lens is probably the ideal wedding lens for crop cameras.
I generally use a fast prime 50mm f1.4 or a fast wider zoom (one of the Tamrons) and the 70-200 f2.8L IS for the ceremony shots.
Outside the 24-105 f4L IS and the 70-200 get the main use.
As a beginner I appreciate you'll not want to spend a bundle but the point of the above posts is really to kind of put you off because if you turn up with inadequate gear you may find that you are not equipped to do the job (either with hardware or with the mental knowhow).
I hope it works out well for you though. Good luck
oldgit
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Wow. 
unless you are completely sure of yourself. Weddings are hard. You get one chance.
As you are going with all disclaimers burning, and your hosts dont expect massive results, then maybe you can have fun, but be sure.
Lenses are NOT cheap. f2.8 or better is a good starting point, but they cost £££. The nifty 50 is your best bet for a cheap lens, but it is limited. Look at splashing upwards of £400 for a good lens.
unless you are completely sure of yourself. Weddings are hard. You get one chance. As you are going with all disclaimers burning, and your hosts dont expect massive results, then maybe you can have fun, but be sure.
Lenses are NOT cheap. f2.8 or better is a good starting point, but they cost £££. The nifty 50 is your best bet for a cheap lens, but it is limited. Look at splashing upwards of £400 for a good lens.