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jallen

jallen

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Joe
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Afternoon all,

Before I start, don't worry I'm not about to embark on a new business venture :)

My cousin is getting married in september and I intend to take my camera along, with the idea of getting a few different shots that I can compile for her afterwards. I have a few queries and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

1. They have hired a professional photographer for the wedding, so obviously I don't want to get in the way, any advice from wedding photographers about what not to do!

2. Equipment wise I have a Canon 7d, 10-22, 70-200F4L, 17-40F4L, 50 F1.8 and 430EX II. I think the 50 will change for the F1.4 variety, the 70-200 to the new 70-300L and I would also like to "invest" in another prime in general. Obviously this is very much up in the air and understandably money dependant. Im a little worried my zooms are not the fastest, what are peoples experiences with F4 at weddings?

On the whole there isn't any pressure on me to do a good job, aside from what I put on myself of course. If people could point me in the direction of nice photos/albums of "alternative" wedding photos it would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Joe
 
My advice is take the camera and 17-40 and your flash for the night time do. You don't want to be lugging heavy gear around while you are supposed to be enjoying yourself.

If he is a good pro tog he /she will have you in mind and you will probably not even notice him apart from any formals when they may be bellowing a little to get everyone's attention.
 
Thanks for that Tom, good point about lugging stuff about, I may have a car nearby so could swap lenses occasionally rather than having to carry all my gear. Of course chances are I'll stay by the bar :D
 
To add to the experience, why not take the candid shots on the day. Definitely do not shoot over the pro's shoulder, as he will get very annoyed with this. Also, you will end up with the same images, but with the happy couple looking out of shot. The happy couple may get annoyed at you for the photographer as well.
 
Get lots of candids away from the pro, that way you will have completely different photos that the pro won't have and will be more natural, oh and enjoy the day.
 
One of the best shots we have from our wedding was taken by a friend of ours, who has a passing interest in photography :) While the pro tog was shooting us signing the register, our 18 month old son was having a whale of a time playing with the stand of balloons we had either side of the aisle. We knew nothing about this until we saw our friend's photo, but we were over the moon with the shot as it captured the essense of our little man better than any of the official shots :)

I guess i'm trying to say, candid is great :) Candid from someone who knows what they're doing is even better!
 
I say leave your flash at home and use primes wide open. It'll make you less intrusive and should result in many great candid images. If you're shooting the couple try to be a bit more abstract - its something their main photog won't get as much scope to do.

I've had bad experiences shooting weddings where guests have gotten in our way to a point that they've ruined our photographs - usually by distracting the couple during their portrait shots and generally spoiling the intimate vibe we try to create. So yeah, my only advice would be to not get in their way!
 
Thank for the replies!

Last thing I want to do is ruin the pro's photos, my cousin would never forgive me. Looking at renting/borrowing a long prime now so I can stay well out of the way, out of sight, out of mind (out of shot).

Thanks,

Joe
 
Nothing worse than having someone shoot over your shoulder. Plus the couple will like extra Candid shots and as you will no doubt know some of the guests they are likely to play for the camera for you too.
 
I'd say take a flash for indoor parts of the event - using ambient light only I have found does not work well especially if down-lit due to the shadows this casts on faces.
 
My wife insists that we take one of our cameras and kit bags every time we go to a family or friends wedding. I NEVER use it. Far too much fun to be had and I'd much rather be holding a glass of wine than taking a picture. I love my family, but theres no way I am goign to display their wedding pictures in my home - so why would I want them? Compact for the evening an messy drunken facebook images is my preference every time.
 
canonlad said:
To add to the experience, why not take the candid shots on the day. Definitely do not shoot over the pro's shoulder, as he will get very annoyed with this. Also, you will end up with the same images, but with the happy couple looking out of shot. The happy couple may get annoyed at you for the photographer as well.
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:thumbs:

Uncle bobs are a fact of wedding photographer life - but that doesnt mean we have to like them - my usual line is " now everyone , look at the propper camera" which makes the point and get a laugh.

so Do stay out of the pro's way

Don't shoot over his shoulder, or while he is shooting

Don't follow him when he takes the couple off for the bridal walk shots

Don't loudly tell the assembled guests " i've got all the same shots so you won't need to buy any prints " ( My wifes uncle dave did that at our wedding - right next to the tog - I had a few choice words to say in return)

Do try to get some different shots

Do take plenty of shots of the later reception - chances are quite good the pro will disapear after the first dance.

Do remember you are there as a guest so try to be in some of the pro shots - not lurking out of shot uncle bobbing

and finally Do have fun - and (optionally) do get legless, try it on with the bridesmaids, and throw up in the punch bowl
 
must admit you have an interesting question there about using an F4 70-200 lens as im about to buy one - what do people think ?
 
Not looked at this thread for a while, thanks very much for the replies, especially Pete for taking some time :)

I have obtained since the thread started, a 135mm F2L (on a crop!), so I'll be stood somewhere well out of the way, probably down the road!

My cousin has intentions of making me an official 2nd photographer, but I explained to her that I didnt have the skills, and that I wanted to enjoy her wedding! I do intend to get some nice pictures for her, but went along the lines of under promise, over deliver (hopefully).

Thanks for all your help.

Joe
 
Talk to the pro either before the wedding or before the ceremony on the day, and agree a set of ground rules that you are both reasonably comfortable with.
 
tomkbucks said:
must admit you have an interesting question there about using an F4 70-200 lens as im about to buy one - what do people think ?
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I had a mate who helped me out as a second shooter with the f4. It did very well. For the money it's great value. I'd say unless you are a pro or have a lot of spare cash, the f4 is far better bang for buck than the f2.8.
 
tomkbucks said:
must admit you have an interesting question there about using an F4 70-200 lens as im about to buy one - what do people think ?
Click to expand...

Personally i think the f4 struggles in dimly lit venues (Ive tried one on hire and thats my experience) - I'd say you'd be better off with the sigma 70-200 f2.8 which is about the same money (or sometimes cheaper s/h)
 
tomkbucks said:
must admit you have an interesting question there about using an F4 70-200 lens as im about to buy one - what do people think ?
Click to expand...

Really love my 70-200 f4, completely changed my opinion of what my camera could do. Mine is mainly used for agricultural machinery photos, so doesn't get used inside to often. When I do use it inside, I do wish it was F2.8, however it was half the cost of the 2.8, and it feels about half the weight. Swings and roundabouts, but I'm a big fan of mine :)
 
Take some props....hide in the corner.....wait till people are a little tipsy and then dress them up, make them laugh and snap away....

At a friends wedding we took moustaches, random glasses/monacle and a gold vintage photo frame big enough for 2 people to get head shots in and a sign dangling from the bottom saying Congratulations mr and mrs .........

Every now and again (with a little encouragement) people would pick up the glasses and put the moustaches on, hold the frame in front of their face and boom....an amusing shot that the bride and groom didnt know they were getting...
 
I've had my fair share of Uncle Bobs :D

But I look at it like this... as long as I have the couples attention when I need it, I don't give a **** what Uncle Bob does; but if he keeps distracting them or me, I have a quite word and he'll usually stop doing the annoying bit

Its a celebration time and of course everyone wants photos, so as much as I can I let them and encourage them at times too !!! I like one where the signing is being photographed by 20+ guests and I stand behind the couple and shoot the guests shooting them - some amazing face pulling and odd stances going on :lol: - but I only stand there 2 secs to grab that one, I don't want to annoy everyone by being in their shot !!!

When its just shooting the couple in their private time then yes, UB can FO :bat:

What would I shoot as a guest ??? Candids of other guests, kids especially - 70-200 wide open is great for this but also hard to 'hide' on the day, its also heavy and expensive so you'll be worrying about it too; so I'd probably go for a 50 f1.8 and get closer; far more incognito, and far less likely to annoy the main tog

Oh and No: 1 - have fun :)

Dave
 
DG Phototraining said:
What would I shoot as a guest ??? Candids of other guests, kids especially - 70-200 wide open is great for this but also hard to 'hide' on the day, its also heavy and expensive so you'll be worrying about it too; so I'd probably go for a 50 f1.8 and get closer; far more incognito, and far less likely to annoy the main tog
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these days as a guest I only ever carry a compact as i want to be in the pictures, not titting about behind the main tog trying to get the same shots he's getting- although i usually have a set of DSLR gear in the car , just in case it becomes apparent that the main tog isnt going to cut the mustard. (as with a wedding i was at earlier in the year where the main tog was shooting with a D40X, kit lens and on camera flash :thinking: )
 
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