Photographing my first wedding

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HappySnapper

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Natasha Balletta
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Hi I have my first wedding photography job next year, they don't want formal photos (they just want memories from the day),I'm looking forward to it, it'll be a good experience :). On the day I'll probably be using my Nikon D300 and Sigma 10-20mm lens (did some portrait photos with the lens the other day and I was happy with how they came out). What settings would you reccommend? Any advice and tips, much appreciated, thanks :)

Natasha
 
I would suggest some fast glass and something longer than the 10-20 as well. And definately a second body.
 
Portrait photos with a 10-20mm lens??? I wouldn't have thought that would be terribly appropriate. The perspective you get from having to be really close to your subjects isn't considered by most people to be very flattering.
 
StewartR said:
Portrait photos with a 10-20mm lens??? I wouldn't have thought that would be terribly appropriate. The perspective you get from having to be really close to your subjects isn't considered by most people to be very flattering.
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I agree. I've just sold my 14-24 as I never got it out of the bag at weddings.

Hugh
 
You want to have Something around 17-85. That way you fully sorted. The only thing you want to use the 17 end for is for the group shot of everyone.
 
Agree with all the comments too wide and not quick enough - I had a 10-22 never used it and sold it!

The two I use are 24-70 and 70-200 and I honestly wouldn't want to be without either at a wedding, especially taking informal candid stuff, you never know when you are going to spot something and the last thing you want is to be caught short........... ;) on focal length!!!!

If life depended on it I would use the 24-70 though!
 
If your D300 has a 1.5x crop factor then a 100mm becomes a 150mm (effective length) Most portraits are in the region of 50mm (full length) to 200mm (head shots) So that's 33mm to 133mm for you. The most important thing with lenses though as well as the obvious focal length is aperture. If you want to shoot in low light or you want good separation from the background you need wide apertures, generally f2.8 and below.

Bit of a generalisation but true :)
 
Hey, just a question that i have from this thread, and probably a really obvious silly one, lol do you guys that do weddings have 2 lenses and keep them on different bodies and carry them around together? or keep switching through the day? :D
 
Depends on the wedding, the size of the venue and the conditions. I have shot a well lit wedding almost totally on one lens (24-105mm) but others I have used both bodies and up to 5 lenses.

The different phases of the day have different demands. The bridal prep can usually be shot on one zoom and a macro (for me anyway ;)) The ceremony I use both so I can get some atmospheric wider ones showing the venue but closer shots of ring exchanges. Group shots and bride and groom shots again two lenses either 17-40mm or 24-70mm for groups depending on how much venue and how much people I want. Then 24-70 and 70-200mm for B&G and candids. Then 24-70 and 70-200 depending on range for speeches and sometimes 17-40mm for first dance.

I'd say that the 24-70mm or 24-105mm (lighting dependant) is the mainstay and everything else fits around that.
 
Ask away!

I have expanded my lenses to 8 and take them all now simply because no matter how well prepared I think I am, I always want to know I have the kit to cope. I added a few primes, 35mm f2, 50mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 and they have got me out of some tight spots where even a 2.8 was struggling. One notable one was a bride getting ready in a room with no windows and downlighting :gag: :help:

Yes they can have narrow depth of field but sometimes you can use that to your advantage and so long as you have a rough idea of where your depth of field is you can get away with shooting horribly low apertures and still get shots in focus. Scary stuff at times and one reason why I'm looking to upgrade one camera to something with really good high ISO performance.
 
Have you got a budget in mind? Maybe we can help you.
 
Weddings are not very demanding in terms of equipment.

If you know what you're doing, you can make a decent fist of it with just the standard zoom, AKA the kit lens, which for a Nikon D300 is around 18-55mm or so. You will also need a good flash gun. That is the minimum amount of kit you'll need and will get you a passable set of all the banker shots you need.

There is however, a bit more to it than that ;)
 
The minimum amount of kit you will need is a back up on everything! If you drop and smash your lens, you should have another one so you can continue shooting for example.

You will need insurance, as has already been mentioned, and by this I mean Liability and Indeminity.

Most of all you will have been honest with your clients about your ability and experience, so they know what to expect from you, and a contract to cover you on any of the pitfalls that may occur.

HTH

Nige.
 
Hi guys Thank you for the advice on wedding photography,I really appreciate it :). I've been doing research on portrait lenses and came across these lenses:

Nikon 12-24mm

Nikon 50mm F1.4 G AF-S

Nikon 24-70mm

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

They all sound like good lenses for portraits and wedding photography. Any advice, much appreciated it, thanks :)

Natasha
 
HappySnapper said:
Hi guys Thank you for the advice on wedding photography,I really appreciate it :). I've been doing research on portrait lenses and came across these lenses:

Nikon 12-24mm

Nikon 50mm F1.4 G AF-S

Nikon 24-70mm

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

They all sound like good lenses for portraits and wedding photography. Any advice, much appreciated it, thanks :)

Natasha
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For your D300 (crop sensor) the most useful single lens would be the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8. It's all you need frankly.

A top-end flash would take next priority.
 
HappySnapper said:
Hi guys Thank you for the advice on wedding photography,I really appreciate it :). I've been doing research on portrait lenses and came across these lenses:

Nikon 12-24mm

Nikon 50mm F1.4 G AF-S

Nikon 24-70mm

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

They all sound like good lenses for portraits and wedding photography. Any advice, much appreciated it, thanks :)

Natasha
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I'd thgink you could lose the 12-24 from that list. I would add somethinglonger if you get stuck away from the B & G for whatever reason, and remember its wedding photography - not just portraits
 
I did a wedding recently (no fee, for family) and used a Nikon 17-55 f2.8 (you WILL need the extra aperture in a church, especially as usually no flash allowed), Sigma 50-150 f2.8 and a fisheye for some shots of the whole church.

It was really tiring and I only had to do the ceremony! Can you get an assistant to carry your stuff and hold lights/reflectors?
 
HoppyUK said:
Weddings are not very demanding in terms of equipment.
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They can be.

HoppyUK said:
For your D300 (crop sensor) the most useful single lens would be the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8. It's all you need frankly.

A top-end flash would take next priority.
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Depends on whether she wants a flash look or an available light one. I'd want at least one fast prime, probably a 35/1.8 with that camera.

To the OP - are you being paid for this?
 
2 lenses
2 backs
lenses 2 zooms - something like a 18-70 and a 70 - 300. use both backs at once, one with the long lens on, one with the shorter lens

While 2.8, 1.8 lenses seem obvious, if the ISO performance of your backs is reasonable you will need only standard apeture lenses and...

Tripod, monopod (same fitting)
Decent flashgun (or two)
Loads of batteries

Its not about the gear, its about you

what time is the wedding, and on what date. Are we expecting dark and dreary, or full on sunny?

They are not wanting formal, then you will be shooting lots of candids, and a longer lens is perfect for this
 
Richard King said:
While 2.8, 1.8 lenses seem obvious, if the ISO performance of your backs is reasonable you will need only standard apeture lenses and...
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Disagree - f2.8 or faster is essential for UK weddings. Especially if wanting to use available light.

Never used a tripod or a monopod at a wedding.
 
Radiohead said:
Disagree - f2.8 or faster is essential for UK weddings. Especially if wanting to use available light.

Never used a tripod or a monopod at a wedding.
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why?

At what aperture (normally) is a lens at its best resolution (forget the camera back for a second)

A tripod and monopod are just tools, and plenty of wedding photographers use them
 
Richard King said:
why?
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You're not really asking me that are you? If you want to control your depth of field you need to know you can adjust focal length and keep the desired aperture. Whilst you may be able to shoot a wedding with a kit zoom you'll end up with flash-heavy, Uncle Bob looking shots.

Put it this way - I don't know a single good wedding photographer who rocks up with a £50 18-55mm and gets quality images. You'll look like an amateur, and your shots will as well.

Richard King said:
At what aperture (normally) is a lens at its best resolution (forget the camera back for a second)
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Oh come on - we all know that most lenses are at their absolute best dialled down a couple of stops. But qood glass is emminently usable wide open or close to wide open (try something like the Nikkor 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 70-200/2.8 and tell me otherwise). I very rarely go above f4 outside of formal groups and don't have single problem. I know that every one of the lenses I use can be used wide open.

So please, don't try and suggest I need to use f5.6 because that's the absolute sweet spot.

Richard King said:
A tripod and monopod are just tools, and plenty of wedding photographers use them
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They do - but they're also big, bulky, heavy and get in the way. I prefer a little more discretion and effort to get the shot. Or, to put it another way - if you're suggesting using a monopod to combat the lack of lens speed because you have a kit zoom, save and get a faster zoom or decent prime. Mobility wins every time.
 
I agree with Radiohead 100%, this is England, not California. 2.8 is a must over here, and when the sun goes down, if you want some atmosphere in your indoor shots, you'll need fast glass too, a flash is not going to light the entire reception/disco up.

P.s. Monopod? you kidding me, you better have insurance if you want to carry that around, not that you want to do one without anyway but apart from getting in the way, you might accidentally knock the 92 years old grandmother over with that thing if you are not careful !

IS is the tool if you want a monopod, but then again, if you are thinking about IS or monopod then you are using too slow a shutter speed. People move, and you'll end up with LOTS of motion blur, and no photoshop can fix that. The only way to avoid that is high ISO and FAST glass, and in a lot of cases, both.
 
Ummm.. with all these threads dealing with how best to shoot a wedding and what equipment works best, couldn't we organise a Wedding Workshop amongst ourselves... somewhere central so it's not too heavily weighted North/South...
Pony-up a few quid each for the hire of suitable models, and a venue... use ourselves as the guests if enough of us turn up?
Go to the bar afterwards and get mashed?

(Maybe even run out in the road after that and get arrested for taking photos of traffic lights/buildings/dustbins in a dodgy terrorist manner?)

I for one would be up for that - i've 'done' a few Weddings myself, but there are people here who are wa-aaaay better than i could ever hope to be without some form of coaching...it's ideas that matter more than anything else - the technique and familiarity with equipment should be second-nature by the time you decide you're 'ready' to tackle a Wedding - I actually think Weddings represent the pinnacle of Photographic excellence if done right - they combine almost every aspect of photography - or they should - good people skills, organisational skills (what we call logistics), portrait skills, candid skills, technical excellence, plus imagination and flair with the images themselves...
 
Arkady said:
Ummm.. with all these threads dealing with how best to shoot a wedding and what equipment works best, couldn't we organise a Wedding Workshop amongst ourselves... somewhere central so it's not too heavily weighted North/South...
Pony-up a few quid each for the hire of suitable models, and a venue... use ourselves as the guests if enough of us turn up?
Go to the bar afterwards and get mashed?

(Maybe even run out in the road after that and get arrested for taking photos of traffic lights/buildings/dustbins in a dodgy terrorist manner?)

I for one would be up for that - i've 'done' a few Weddings myself, but there are people here who are wa-aaaay better than i could ever hope to be without some form of coaching...it's ideas that matter more than anything else - the technique and familiarity with equipment should be second-nature by the time you decide you're 'ready' to tackle a Wedding - I actually think Weddings represent the pinnacle of Photographic excellence if done right - they combine almost every aspect of photography - or they should - good people skills, organisational skills (what we call logistics), portrait skills, candid skills, technical excellence, plus imagination and flair with the images themselves...
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Spxxx tried and had to cancel for lack of imterest
 
boyfalldown said:
Spxxx tried and had to cancel for lack of imterest
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Really? I'm surprised - though I've long suspected that maybe some people are happier talking about photography and collecting cameras and lenses than actually going out there and being photographers... :cuckoo:
 
Let me be really clear

1. there are many photographers who shoot weddings, each will offer a "right approach" to shooting a wedding. There isn't an absolute right way, or right kit list
2. there is a general consensus you need (at least) 2 backs I use 2, with a different lens on each. This saves swapping lenses, and helps prevent getting muck on a sensor. I am not saying dont swap lenses, I am saying from my point of view it is quicker and easier to have a different lens on each back. We happen to bring a couple more spare backs which we leave securely in the car/hotel reception etc..
3. there is a general consensus that you need duplicate equipment where practicable, especially for fragile things like flashguns, key lenses and backs
4. while a lot of photographers think that shooting wide open is the way to go, there are plenty that take the other approach, and others use the whole range of apetures, and some use exactly the same aperture all day
5. Some use flash, some barley touch it
6. Points 4&5 are often dictated / influenced by the equipment you have (or not), or the style you want to shoot... and other external influences - e.g. when the registrar says "you cant use flash"
7. Insurance is a must, monopod or not
8. a monopod / triopod allows you to be not be forced to use the 1.8 end of a lens. if your style naturally uses this end of the lens, dont pack one. If you need/want the option, take one with you
9. Being 6'5 I find my natural standing up shooting height very useful for candid's, but often too high for groups. Sometimes a tripod makes my life a lot more comfortable, especially if I want to be constantly at a "shooting from the hip" height. For groups, having a tripod allows you to concentrate more on the group (with both eyes). Again this is a style/preference thing

On aperture - there are 2 reasons for choosing an aperture - because you want to for creative reasons (DOF) or because you are forced to.. extreme lighting levels. At the extreme end one has a choice.. change ISO, use a tripod, use more lighting, use a ND filter. On a personal note, I am not phased by the weight / bulk of carrying the extra kit around

On lighting - some photographers use flash, some don't, the sun in California is the same brightness as the sun here. My wedding a couple of Saturdays ago at 4.00 was dark, because of the time of day, and the time of year (and the dark oak panelled rooms). Outdoors, on full sunlight, on a normal sunny day, exposure will be the same in California, and the UK. Lighting indoors (in a similar type of room) will be the same. This is why I asked the OP what time and date is the wedding

From a business point of view, the OP would be mad to invest in loads of expensive fast glass for one wedding (consider hiring it / borrowing etc..) (learn it inside out first)

Assuming the OP is a competent photographer, the OP will find that it is all the other things on the day that present the greatest challenges.. managing people, venues, time.. and ... in the fury the challenge is remaining fresh and creative and not forgetting a basic all day long
 
My point stands - use a standard £50 kit zoom and you're asking for problems. A £250 Tamron 17-50/2.8 gets round that problem.

Of course, we still don't know if the OP is being paid here. That changes the advice.
 
Arkady said:
Really? I'm surprised - though I've long suspected that maybe some people are happier talking about photography and collecting cameras and lenses than actually going out there and being photographers... :cuckoo:
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yep - and I also suspect that people are looking to build a business without putting a little time and effort in
 
I have to say I agree with Radiohead. There have been times this year where (due to the venues) I've been shooting at ISO 1600 and had to shoot at f2 just to get between 1/60 and 1/125 sec. Yes I could have put the camera on a tripod (I keep one in the car just in case) but tripod or no tripod I would not have got the shutter speeds any higher by stopping down, they would have got slower and you certainly don't want motion blur during the ceremony, keep that for the first dance.
 
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