Wedding help

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KayGraham

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Kay
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My husbands cousin is getting married on Thursday and due to a tight budget they are not having a photographer, so I have offered to take some for them just so they have some memorys to look back on :)

They know I am no pro and do not expect to much from me so.

It is at a registry office so shouldn't be too dark but was just wondering if it is best to shoot with flash or to just up the ISO?

During the ceremony I am worried I will miss the crucial moments if I am messing around in Manual, would shooting in Auto be a big NO NO?
Maybe S or AV mode would be better what do you think?

Please give me any other advice you think I will need :help:

Many thanks
 
if you use high iso you will get noise in the photo which you want to avoid as much as possible try a lower shutter speed if need and worst case use a tri pod for a low shutter speed

flash may not be allowed

give the registry office a call and ask them you will also need to speak to them as to when you are allowedand where you are allowed to take photos i have seen at several diffrent weddings diffrent rule's depending in the area you are


when you ring them ask if you can pop down and do a test run ie get one person and take a few photos in deffrent settings etc

take as much kit as poss

take double of everything ie
as many memory cards as you have
same with batteries take more than needed at least you wont be disspointed

and dont worry too much there should be no pressure on you remember it is just a few snaps for the bride and groom
 
The one thing you absolutely must do is shoot in RAW which means avoiding using Auto. I'd recommend shooting in Av mode and in low light open the aperture as wide as possible, up the ISO to a level your camera can get away with (probably 800iso) and use flash as and when you are allowed. With the wide aperture and higher iso then the flah will only be a fill in flash so it won't be quite to blinding and distracting as using it on full power. It will also improve your recycle time and get you more flashes from your batteries.

As already advised, speak to the venue and registrar before the event and find out what you are allowed to do.

Once you get started, feel like a pro and act like a pro. By that I mean you need to take control to get the shots you want. You may only be a family member halping out but to get the best results you need to usher people in to the positions you want them in to get the photos the B&G will want. Enroll the help of the Best Man and Ushers with this.
 
As long as the flash is well diffused you should be able to get some great relaxed pictures. Put it AV mode and you will be fine, just remember, low f number for shots with 1 or 2 people in higher f number for group shots. Don't use a high ISO if you don't have to, if you have a IS/VR lens then you can use a lower shutter to light a little more light in, wouldn't go past 1/40 though.
 
Thanks for your advice

if you use high iso you will get noise in the photo which you want to avoid as much as possible try a lower shutter speed if need and worst case use a tri pod for a low shutter speed
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What is the lowest SS you would use? and the highest you would go on ISO? My tripod is not a quick release one so would rather not use it :thinking:

when you ring them ask if you can pop down and do a test run ie get one person and take a few photos in deffrent settings etc
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I am not going to be able to get there before Thursday :( Will get there earlier then the wedding though, will call them to see if there are any restrictions

I have a 16gb memory card (still awaiting postage ) & a 4gb and a 2 gb so hoping that is enough will have laptop in car if I need to download some?

I have a spare battery and a spare bridge camera with spare battery and 2 x 8 gb memory sticks
 
-Rob- said:
The one thing you absolutely must do is shoot in RAW which means avoiding using Auto. I'd recommend shooting in Av mode and in low light open the aperture as wide as possible, up the ISO to a level your camera can get away with (probably 800iso) and use flash as and when you are allowed. With the wide aperture and higher iso then the flah will only be a fill in flash so it won't be quite to blinding and distracting as using it on full power. It will also improve your recycle time and get you more flashes from your batteries.

As already advised, speak to the venue and registrar before the event and find out what you are allowed to do.

Once you get started, feel like a pro and act like a pro. By that I mean you need to take control to get the shots you want. You may only be a family member halping out but to get the best results you need to usher people in to the positions you want them in to get the photos the B&G will want. Enroll the help of the Best Man and Ushers with this.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your advice should I bounce the flash?
 
as said above 1/40 is about the lowest but if you use AV mode this will automatically change to where you are pointing the camera so dont worry about that too much

chance's are a tri pod would only need to be used in very very bad light so dont worry too much but take it just in case


as said above use raw as you can adjust so much more in raw inc exposure

take the lap top especially using raw format try not to use the 16 gb car use the smaller ones first if something goes wrong then it is only a few images gone where as a 16 gb card full up would be a days worth lost
 
KayGraham said:
Thanks for your advice should I bounce the flash?
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Ideally yes but it depends on your surroundings. The use of flash doesn't change just because you are at a wedding. Where you would normally bounce the flash then bounce it, where you wouldn't then don't.

If you are shooting with a 70-200mm lens at the longer end then the subject may be too far away to have the light reach them if you bounce. You'll have to use your own judgement.
 
Andy said:
As long as the flash is well diffused you should be able to get some great relaxed pictures. Put it AV mode and you will be fine, just remember, low f number for shots with 1 or 2 people in higher f number for group shots. Don't use a high ISO if you don't have to, if you have a IS/VR lens then you can use a lower shutter to light a little more light in, wouldn't go past 1/40 though.
Click to expand...

It is a vr lens :thumbs: for aperture how low for just b&G and how high for whole group?
 
I find that you risk getting subject movement at anything below 1/60 sec and it makes timing your shots very tricky. Personally I'd recommend sticking to 1/100 if you can.

It's all very well using a tripod to eliminate camera shake but b****r all use if your subjects are moving :) If they are still during the ceremony then yes you can go down to 1/60 OK, but I find that when standing people sway a little and that's often enough to give blurred shots.

If you can, turn off the focus beep during the ceremony, it can be quite loud :) and time your shots so as not to be machine gunning the ceremony too much.

HTH
 
AliB has said pretty much the same as I was thinking. The shutter will sound like a barn door being slammed in a quiet room too :)

So, as lower ISO as possible to get the fastest shutter speed as possible (it's a balancing act). If shooting at slow shutter speeds rattle off three shots at a time. The chances are one will be good.

Above all, relax and enjoy it and don't be affraid to speak up and give direction.
 
I'd never be without my tripod for a Wedding. You never know what the day is going to throw at you and it's better to be prepared than sorry. Framing and focusing then taking the photo without looking through the viewfinder and being confident you have the shot without chimping at the back of the camera is great. You can keep eye contact with the guests. Another great thing with a tripod is that it gives "presence". In particular for group shots it shows who the photographer is and helps with organisation of them and keeping to time scales.
 
RichHobson said:
I'd never be without my tripod for a Wedding. You never know what the day is going to throw at you and it's better to be prepared than sorry. Framing and focusing then taking the photo without looking through the viewfinder and being confident you have the shot without chimping at the back of the camera is great. You can keep eye contact with the guests. Another great thing with a tripod is that it gives "presence". In particular for group shots it shows who the photographer is and helps with organisation of them and keeping to time scales.
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I will take it with me and get my hubby to carry it in a the big baby bag!! :lol:
 
Dave Stone said:
AliB has said pretty much the same as I was thinking. The shutter will sound like a barn door being slammed in a quiet room too :)
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the smaller compacts are quiet..G10 etc
 
During the service shoot without flash, wide open, and take as many as possible. Shutter speed will be slow, so any movement will ruin a shot, hence volume is good.

Use a tripod for some, but see if you can creep round the sides without disturbing things.

Use the flash for the official shots, signing etc.

If there are any shots after the ceremony, work out whether these are inside or out. If outside, then prepare for bad light if service late in the day.
 
My penny's worth - no order and some may be repeated.

Tripods - Take it - Never used it. You have a VR lens - You can shoot at pretty slow shutter speeds (1/60th is my preferred minimum but sometimes you just have to shoot slower)

What other lenses/bodies do you have? Ideally a second body with a 24-70 or a fast prime is a good idea. Saves changing lenses.

Flash - I prefer not to use it during the ceremony but sometimes you may have to.
Outside it is a big help to have a little fill (shoot in Av and just watch the SS doesn't drop to low). Remember flash cannot generally be bounced when outdoors unless you have something you can add to bounce light back. f you can bounce indoors but watch out for coloured walls and ceilings as the images may have a colour cast (same as the wall you bounce from) - That can be sorted though.

ISO - I don't worry about this ever! Most images I provide are smaller than 10x8 and noise is almost non existant in small prints. Shoot at the lowest ISO you can TO GET THE SHOT. Don't chance a lower ISO if your image is likely to be blurred. Shoot as low as you can to get the required SS.

If you can go to the location and scout it out. Ideally go at the same time of day the ceremony will be and get some light levels. Certainly a help.

Shoot Av rather than Auto! Just play around with the aperture BUT it is very important to keep your eyes on the SS and move the ISO as you need. I shot a few images at 1/25th not realising I'd moved away from the light once - luckily flash kept the images fairly sharp but they could have been better!

Take plenty of memory. If you have 2 bodies, lenses, flashes etc great. Sometimes disasters do happen and it's best to be prepared.

By far the biggest hurdle will be people management - Auntie jeanie is there but hubby is in the bar type of thing.

Get the B&G to give you a list of the must have shots (formals and any others) then get the best man and/or bridesmaid to organise the groups at the right time. Be prepared to sound confident and assertive especially if time is slipping away.

The aperture - Large apertures of bride on her own can be pleasing - especially with the 70-200 blurring the background. With groups f5.6 or if you can f8 works pretty well - although light levels will dictate the aperture/ISO /SS you use.

Good luck
Jim
 
I am in the same position, a friend of my sons has been let down by his tog mate and has asked me to step in. Totally new territory for me and looking forward to the experience but also nervous as well. I've spoken to the Registry Office and got a low down of what and where I can take pics.
Really useful tips here which I'm going to try and embed in my memory.
Good luck with your wedding.
Now off to find out how to turn of my auto focus bleep.
 
+1 to raw and lots of memory :)

You will make mistakes. Don't worry to much - just change settings and go.
One big tip - when you go indoors, change your ISO to a suitable setting but equally remember that when you come back out get the ISO back down to a more suitable outdoor setting :) Forgot a couple of times early on and it's amazing howe many people have done that!

If you use flash outdoors, remember your camera sync speed is around 1/250th. If the light is bright and/or your camera has been left on a high ISO, your images will likely look over exposed :)
 
EOS_JD said:
+1 to raw and lots of memory :)

You will make mistakes. Don't worry to much - just change settings and go.
One big tip - when you go indoors, change your ISO to a suitable setting but equally remember that when you come back out get the ISO back down to a more suitable outdoor setting :) Forgot a couple of times early on and it's amazing howe many people have done that!

If you use flash outdoors, remember your camera sync speed is around 1/250th. If the light is bright and/or your camera has been left on a high ISO, your images will likely look over exposed :)
Click to expand...

I have made this mistake and i'm not ashamed to say so,but boy was i embaressed when i found out.Luckily i was only the second shooter and got brilliant images when i realised my mistake. I will be shooting my first wedding in Febuary 2010 and i'm really looking forward to it.I'm evening doing a wedding photography course on the 12th of December,to get some ideas.

Just remember as the main shooter,relax and enjoy taking the photos.Be prepared for all eventualities and all will work out on the day.The very best of luck with the shoot and please post a picture or two if you get a chance...:thumbs:
 
You may not be allowed to shoot during the ceremony - It's certainly not allowed at our registrar's office. If not, you will need to stage the shots after the ceremony.


Steve.
 
I usually set my camera to Aperture priority, min shutter of 1/50, and auto ISO, maxing it to about ISO 800/1000.

Not sure if your camera will have full control of all these settings, but that's what i use.

Don't worry too much about high ISO noise, that can be improved later, worry more about blurred shots, ie a suitable shutter speed (1/focal length of lens used, e.g. 1/50 for a 50mm, 1/300 for a 300mm lens etc.) and also missed focus, if you want the B&G to pause as they are walking down the aisle etc, tell them before hand else you will end up with a motion blurred photo.

Oh and if all the above doesn't seem to be going right, don't panic, just turn the camera off, turn it back on and put it in Auto mode :D

Oh one last thing, get to know your camera's menu inside out, you don't want to hold up proceedings too long if you're constantly fiddling with your camera. And the beauty with digital, check your shots and your histogram!

hope that helps,

Jonathan

ps i'm no expert!
 
Increasingly they won't let you use flash, but it's up to the individual registrar, same with shots during the service, ask nicely before and you may get a yes or no
If it's no set up shots after if you have time, chances are you won't have time, registry offices are like production lines these days.
They won't usually let you photograph the actuall signing of the register, but will normally let you do a fake one after, but you won't have much time so be ready and be quick.
Check out the place before the wedding so you know what you have to deal with, bounce flash if you can and know how, if you don't know how, don't experment on the day, stick with what you know.
 
krazy_horse said:
I usually set my camera to Aperture priority, min shutter of 1/50, and auto ISO, maxing it to about ISO 800/1000.

Not sure if your camera will have full control of all these settings, but that's what i use.
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Thanks for that! My camera does allow me full control but I wouldn't have known it with out you pointing it out. :thumbs:

I am feeling much more comfortable about it now :)

Forecast is still light rain from 4pm :bang:oh well I can't control that:shrug:

Wish me luck and if you have any last tips I am all ears

Thanks all will post some pics asap ;)
 
This is a great thread. Thanks to everyone who has offered advice.

I'm doing a small wedding on Xmas Eve. Only 10 guests, including me. It is also a civil ceremony and i had a good scout around the venue last week setting up shots and taking readings with and without flash.

The scout around helped a little with the nerves and i'm now actually looking forward to it. I was lucky enough to get the Bride and Groom down to my camera club studio for a run though of some shots as well.

All that combined with a lot of careful reading of teh previous posts and i think i'll be okay.

My camera is a Panasonic Lumix DMC FZ50.

G
 
where abouts in Surrey is the ceremony, Richmond registry office won't allow photographs durings the ceremony.

Hugh
 
I'd shoot manual, but you don't need to 'mess around'

Once you have the settings right, unless you are in an odd room which is very bright one side and very dark at the other, things won't change.

Paul
Staff Edit: Commercial link removed
 
riddell said:
I'd shoot manual, but you don't need to 'mess around'

Once you have the settings right, unless you are in an odd room which is very bright one side and very dark at the other, things won't change.

Paul
www.photographybyriddell.co.uk
Click to expand...

I agree that's what I did at my first wedding, just recently. In a Catholic church so really dark inside, had to bump up the ISO but it's easier to get rid of noise afterwards than blur! I shot in RAW then used Lightroom to get everything lighter and warmer.

Actually really pleased with how they turned out. Get an order of service and think about where you need to be for each shot, and what focal length you will need to get the shot. I managed to change lenses a couple of times without too much fuss, but only had one body so didn't want to do that too often (obv two bodies is ideal!)

. I got a fisheye lens and during one of the readings, when I knew nothing would be happening, I went on to the balcony ast the back and got some shots of the whole church which I was really pleased with. I got the idea from searching through loads of wedding photos on Flickr - gives you inspiration and also makes you know what to avoid!

Be prepared to be a bit bossy after wedding to get the shots that you want of the bride and groom and family. Rope in some groomsmen to help you.

Oh, and the mistake I made was to forget to turn the ISO down afterwards - so I had a few shots that were IMO, really well composed outside but ruined by the noise (see the ones by the brick wall with the ivy in the set).

Anyway, this is my set on Flickr, EXIF data all intact :D

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35319044@N04/sets/72157622650385075/
 
Remember spare batteries for the flashgun.
 
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