Wedding photography as a guest

[-Rob-]

I'm attending a friends wedding this afternoon purely as a guest but I am taking my camera gear along in the hope that I can have a practise at some wedding photography. I'll make it clear from the outset that I will be very careful not to get in the professional photographers way at all. I will certainly be watching him to learn and get some hints about what he does and how he controls the people and what shots he takes but I'm certainly not going to be taking the same shots as him to divert the B&G's attention.

I was just wondering if anyone had any hints about how to go about getting the best shots I can without affecting the work of the pro togger or the general running of the wedding.

For info I'll have a 50mm f1.4, 70-200mm f2.8 and a 24-120mm VR on a Nikon D80 which I'm using instead of th D300 because I only got it a couple of days ago so I want to test it out.

 

[buckas]

i shot my brother's wedding as the "guest" few years ago

it's pretty easy to not get in the way to be honest, don't fret it too much - just keep behind him/her and off to the side - expect a lot of your shots to be of them not facing you square on as the pro wants them sqaure on) though, although quite liked some of the angles myslef

drew

 

[cyclone]

I'd refrain from taking 3 lenses to be honest, it'll just detract from your enjoyment of the day.
The 24-120 is the worst performer so leave that behind for a start, I'd be tempted at just the 50mm.

 

[-Rob-]

just keep behind him/her and off to the side

I would have thought that would be one of the worst things to do. Surely me pointing another camera at the B&G and guests is going to distract them and move their eyes to me as they are meant to be looking at the pro tog.

 

[swanseamale47]

There may be breaks where the official tog stops shooting, he may stop to let them chat to guests etc, use those times to your best advantage. He'll also be expecting some guests to shoot pics, just don't be supprised if your in some of his shots (intentionally) after all your part of their day as well.

 

[artona]

I would have thought that would be one of the worst things to do. Surely me pointing another camera at the B&G and guests is going to distract them and move their eyes to me as they are meant to be looking at the pro tog.

agreed, take you 70-210 and get some great casual shots showing the fun of the day

 

[-Rob-]

I'd refrain from taking 3 lenses to be honest, it'll just detract from your enjoyment of the day.
The 24-120 is the worst performer so leave that behind for a start, I'd be tempted at just the 50mm.

To be honest I wasn't expecting to use the 24-120 much if at all. I'll have the car there so my gear will be in the boot. I'll stick the 50mm on to begin with and if I feel the need then my other lenses will be there to make the change.

I'm only really thinking of taking photos before and after the ceremony. The real fun of the wedding won't start until the bar opens in the evening and my camera will either be packed away by then or deffo just have the 50mm on it.

 

[hyakuhei]

I would have thought that would be one of the worst things to do. Surely me pointing another camera at the B&G and guests is going to distract them and move their eyes to me as they are meant to be looking at the pro tog.

Have to agree there, I don't mind guests shooting while I'm doing a wedding but standing behind me is a big No-No. Guests will start looking over my shoulder at the other tog, and many times out will come the point and shoots too.

I'm more than happy for guests to take snaps and sometimes their familiarity with the crowd will allow them to get candids that I could not but its very important for me that I'm left plenty of space to get the job done without distraction.

 

[CT]

I would have thought that would be one of the worst things to do. Surely me pointing another camera at the B&G and guests is going to distract them and move their eyes to me as they are meant to be looking at the pro tog.

Quite! When I was doing a lot of wedding togging, guests used to crowd round me once I'd set up the shot. It didn't bother me in the least as long as they didn't get in my way or divert the subjects' attention. It was never any real problem. I did sometimes tactfully point out that they were all getting the same shots and they'd do better to try some different shots/angles, but it usually fell on deaf ears.

In your situation, take advantage of the fact that the main tog will be holding people's attention while he's organising and setting up shots. Adopt a 'fly on the wall' approach and go for those candid shots as they'll mostly be unaware of what you're doing. You have a real advantage over the official tog in this respect, so make the most of it.

 

[buckas]

I would have thought that would be one of the worst things to do. Surely me pointing another camera at the B&G and guests is going to distract them and move their eyes to me as they are meant to be looking at the pro tog.

nope, obviously don't shout look at me instead......most shots were of them looking at the pro and not my camera.

then tell them to look your way when he' re-adjusting (not shooting) etc

don't think too much into it, just do it

 

[HoppyUK]

The best wedding photos I ever took were as a guest. They also turned out to be the B&G's favourites too

I shot candids with a longish zoom. Your 70-200 would be perfect. There were pre-reception drinks in a beautiful garden where the light just happened to be wonderful - hazy sun backlighting everybody against a dark background of trees. All the guests were there, relaxed and happy (and relieved) after a lovely ceremony. I got several frames of everyone, mainly close head shots full of expression and joy. Got a lot of the bride looking relaxed and, since she was absolutely like an angel, I couldn't go wrong. She was my secretary

There are also some good pics to be taken late at the reception when the offical chaps have gone. If you're sufficiently sober You might also catch some late guests that have been missed out of the formal line ups.

 

[-Rob-]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I'll just wing it and see how I get on. I'll add some pictures to this thread tomorrow if I manage any good ones. If no pictures appear then you'll know I either did really badly or go too pi55ed to hold a camera.

 

[CT]

you'll know I either did really badly or go too pi55ed to hold a camera.

The latter eventuality is definitely a possibilty to be aware of.

 

[stevelin]

I attended my nephews weeding in may and had my gear with me i kept out of the pro togs way i found that i got more candid shots just by standing at a different angle from the offical photographer, i found the girl who was doing the shot very helpful, at one stage the batterys gave up in my speed light and guess what there were none in my kit bag she kindly offerd me some replacements.

 

[-Rob-]

That was very kind of her. I can't imagine too many togs would offer up their kit to people they didn't know.

I'm only taking 1 body, 1 memory card, 1 flash and 1 set of batteries. If anything goes wrong I'll just put the kit away and enjoy the wedding. I'm not going to be taking it too seriously, any pictures are a bonus.

 

[Greg K]

I've taken my kit to a few friend's weddings. I think the second to last one I might have got on the togs toes a bit at the ceremony (oops!) :shake:

This is probably my own failing as a photographer but I found just taking my 50mm, I focused more on people at the wedding and got better shots as a result.

I took my 18-200 and 50 to the last one and ended up taking more pictures of things, cars, church, venue. Didn't think my shots were as good. I had an SB600 this time though so had some fun bouncing that in the evening.

 

[edumad]

If I were you I'd take the 70-210mm and 50mm.
Use the tele zoom to keep yourself away from the tog. There will be times when he's not shooting, use the 50mm and get closer.
Enjoy the opportunity to take informal shots. If you'll be around for the formal ones and those of the bride & groom, dont shoot, just pay attention.
My 2cts.

 

[CaptainPenguin]

I'd refrain from taking 3 lenses to be honest, it'll just detract from your enjoyment of the day.
The 24-120 is the worst performer so leave that behind for a start, I'd be tempted at just the 50mm.

With the 50mm you are going to need to be in fairly close and therefore potentially in the way of the official photographer.When I am a guest at a wedding in the time that the official Tog is around I always use a telephoto zoom on so I can pick off lots of candids without the "victims" noticing

 

[-Rob-]

OK so I survived the wedding, didn't get too drunk and did manage to take quite a few shots. I certainly have a new found respect for wedding togs now. It really is unbelievably difficult. Indoors I was either opening the lens or knocking up the iso or both and really struggling to hit the focus. I did my best though and managed to get a few I was happy with. Not too many of the B&G as the official tog was requesting that guests stay out of his way so I did.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. The bride with her proud Mum.

6. The B&G's daughter. I know the focal point is on the top of her head but I still like it.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Comment and critique welcomed.

 

[Phiggys]

Great job Rob bet they are pleased.

 

[SimonTALM]

I certainly have a new found respect for wedding togs now. It really is unbelievably difficult.

It's not easy but I think it would have been easier with the D300 (better low ISO, better AF, and better metering than the D80)

Not too many of the B&G as the official tog was requesting that guests stay out of his way so I did.

What a grumpy tog :razz:, I know that guests can sometimes get in the way and that risks the whole eyes in different directions but a good tog can always manage this.


The photos: Overall, not a bad job, although all look a little soft to me, but that could be due to a lack of final sharpening or even the image hosting.

I think #8 is really good being hyper picky it could do with a bit of fill lighting to bring the eyes out.

 

[whitevanman]

Going to my first wedding as a guest with a "proper camera" my D90 in a couple of weeks, probably taking my 50 1.8 and my 70-300 for candids. not sure if its worth taking my 18-55 for those group shots.

 

[jonesy_ni]

If i get the chance to bring my camera along to my friends wedding i would prob get plenty of practice on the guests

Then i will still be getting some practice, and the B&G will get plenty of shots of the people there.

 

[SmileyShazza]

I did this last week at a friends wedding in Italy. I had asked them if they minded me taking a few shots and assured them I wouldn't get in the way of the proper photographer but I just wanted to get some practice in. They had seen some of my other pictures and said they were more than happy for me to take pictures. I hired a 50mm 1.4 EF lens from Lenses for Hire which was great although there were a few times I wish I had a zoom but only had space for one lens and didnt want to be changing all the time.

These are a few of my favourite pictures

 

[HoppyUK]

No images coming up for me Smiley

 

[-Rob-]

Lovely images those Shazza. You've done really well.

 

[-Rob-]

Double Post

 

[SmileyShazza]

Lovely images those Shazza. You've done really well.

Thanks was a bit of a nightmare with lighting as it was 45 degrees on the day of the wedding and the sun was so bright. I don't think I did too badly considering that is the first time I have ever taken my SLR to a wedding since I got it back in February.

Have got 4 weddings next year so am going to try a similar thing, although I'm bridesmaid at two of them so might not logistically possible really but at the other two I definitely am going to have a go.