Pre-Wedding Photography advice needed

smr

smr

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Joel
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Hi all,

My friend is getting married this weekend and has asked if would take photographs of him getting ready with the best men on the morning of the wedding. He knows I'm not a pro but I thought I'd ask for some advice as I don't often photograph people or portraits. He does have a proper wedding photographer for the main event but just thought it would be nice to get some shots of him getting ready etc.

The gear I have is a Canon 700D - 18-55 kit lens, 10-18 wide lens, 55-250 zoom and a 150-600, and also a Sigma 100mm 2.8 Macro ...

So any quick general tips / advice as to what to include in the shots / mistakes to try and avoid etc. / which lens best using would be grateful.

Thanks.

Joel
 
smr said:
So any quick general tips / advice as to what to include in the shots / mistakes to try and avoid etc. / which lens best using would be grateful.
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Get photos of the details, but most importantly, try to get the emotions, the first time his mum and dad see him in his suit, the nerve calming drink, everyone putting on buttonholes etc.

Be careful of windowlight throwing your metering all over the place, try to stay calm an shoot from points where you understand the light, whether that's backlight, or sidelight from the Windows or overhead artificial in this weather.

Try to take 5 mins to get a decent portrait of the groom when he's all ready, you can scout the spot for this early on.

What lens? None of yours if I'm honest, sorry but my slowest lenses are 2.8, it'll be darker than you think, just keep the shutter speed up by raising the ISO.

I know you landscape shooters are scared of noise, but our customers are happy with noisy images and when the alternative is spoiled by movement, just remember your priorities.
 
As above, keep that shutter speed up! I did the same last week in a dark dingy changing room and had to bin 80% of my shots! Noise is better than blur, it's sad that I chose to ignore that!
 
I'd use the 55-250 zoom and get back a wee way. Shoot from a comfy spot so you can see all that's happening. As said, up the ISO to get a fast shutter and improve your chances of blur free shots.
 
Norkie said:
I'd use the 55-250 zoom and get back a wee way. Shoot from a comfy spot so you can see all that's happening. As said, up the ISO to get a fast shutter and improve your chances of blur free shots.
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We tend to shoot prep on 35 and 50 on FF with the occasional 85mm portrait but it's difficult to get far enough away for the longer lens in a typical hotel room or domestic space.

I also have a dislike for the 'sitting back and picking off' approach, getting in close with a wider lens gives a feeling of 'being there', whereas longer shots feel detatched and impersonal.

YMMV
 
Just remember that a sharp but noisy shot beats a noise free shot with camera shake.
I can't advise what the upper range of your usable ISO is, as I don't use Canon. So try pushing the ISO up and see what your upper limit is.
 
If it helps you to know, neither of us can recall ever using anything longer than 50mm equivalent for prep pictures. Or flash.

Unless they involve the blokes taking part in some outdoor activity, you can almost guarantee you'll be pushed for space. And that they'll be running late. If you're not used to photographing people doing stuff, keep it as simple as you can and as Phil says, concentrate on the emotions. the buzz, the activity (assuming there is any). Don't be tempted to hang back with a long lens: get right in there, take lots of pictures, and don't try any arty stuff. Keep what light there is behind you or to your side and just aim to take simple, honest pictures.

Do a straightforward portrait or two like Phil says, but get him to check his tie and his hair in a mirror first, and remove his phone from his pocket. Check he's wearing the flower if he's supposed to. Get him on his own or with the best man: you don't want his mates taking the pysse while he's trying to be sensible.

Take a spare battery, plenty of cards, and be prepared for any plans going out the window before you even get there. Have fun with it. Nobody's going to die if you screw up.
 
smr said:
Thanks very much for the great advice guys, it sounds as though I may be making use of my 55-250 and 18-55 lens then more than any of the others. I'll keep it simple and take lots of pictures, hopefully there will be a few keepers - time clear the SD cards and charge some batteries up.
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I'm sure you'll do just fine.
Oh, and don't forget to enjoy it !!
 
Hi Joel, how did the day go?
 
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