Wedding photography (informal)

ConfusedChicca

ConfusedChicca

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Laura
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As the title suggests really... I'm doing the informal pics at a wedding tomorrow, and I need some tips.
The wedding is in some castle ruins at Bolton Abbey (in case anyone knows where that is) in Yorkshire, at 3pm. Will I need my external flash? What settings should I look at altering to make the most of the beautiful scenery?

Also, would you go more for portraits or candids? It's been left up to me to shoot what I think will work, and the photos will be printed off for the bride and groom, and anyone else that wants them of course.

Also, I don't think the professional photographer they booked knows I'll be snapping too, will he/she be peeved? And when should I avoid taking pictures? (really don't want to upset him or her).

Sorry for all the questions, just wanna do a good job, for the bride & groom and for my portfolio.

xxx
 
Personally i wouldnt think the proffesional photographer would get annoyed because in the long run he/she is still going to get paid. Although i dont know ?
 
not sure on everyone elses opinions but I would suggest possibly meeting with the professional photographer at the very beginning and explaining why you are there taking photo's as well, otherwise he / she will probably spend all day thinking "who's this begger taking photo's"
 
If I see him or her I shall have a chat. Everyone has to be their at least 30mins before ceremony so should have chance.
 
Just ignore the professional photographer. He or she is being paid to do a job, not worry about what you're doing.

If it's outside you'd probably be best trying to use the natural light as much as possible. What lens(es) were you considering using?
 
I only have the kit lens, 18-55mm. It's done me well up til now, mind you I've only had the camera (350d) for 4-5 weeks lol.
 
Best bet is to see how you go. If they've paid someone to cover the job 'officially' then you're not under pressure, so use it as an opportunity to get some experience and see what works. Pack the flash in case, and try out some different things. I prefer natural light, but with a diffuser or bounce you can use a flash gun to good effect.
 
Just do what feels natural to you and try out a few ideas, see what works and what doesn't. The pro tog shouldn't mind.

I personally prefer to shoot with natural light and leave the flash off whenever I can but if it is a bright day and you want to get shots including a bit of scenery then stick the flash on, set camera in manual and meter for the scenery/sky and then let your flash work out the foreground exposure itself with TTL. That way you will have a properly exposed foregound and background. I'd also advise shooting at iso400 so that your flash has to work less hard and will recycle faster.

But going back to my original point - use the wedding as a learning process for yourself, experiment, try stuff out and enjoy yourself. By doing that you probably have the best chance of getting some decent results.
 
NEVER just assume that the professional photographer won't or shouldn't care if you're shooting too. The couple paid good money to the professional to cover their wedding well, and there are many reasons why the pro might be hampered by another photog shooting the same event.

ALL of the following have happened to me:

- another person snapping from the angles I needed and refusing to move so I can get what I've been paid to get.

- another person's external flash going off at just the key moments, so my natural light shots are ruined. Or I end up with a great big lightburst in frame.

- another person shooting directly over my shoulder, so the subjects I'm shooting don't know which camera to look at.

- another person with big camera in hand showing up in ALL my ceremony shots; he was so keen on getting the shot that I couldn't shoot without him being in the frame.

- another person shooting without asking the officiant for the "rules." In one case, the I was complying 100% with the officiant's request for no flash, however another guest with a big camera was shooting with a big flash -- the officiant assumed he was working with me, and I got a lecture.

If you introduce yourself to the pro, ask if he minds your shooting some shots, and make it a point to be conscious that you're not impeding the paid photog, you should be fine. If the paid photog asks that you NOT shoot, then you should put your camera away for your friends' sake.

- CJ
 
Thanks, you're all really helpful. I'm taking my point and shoot too (greedy I know lol), but it's great for off the cuff moments where you don't have time to set your main camera up.
x
 
Oh I'd never get in the way or take pics at inappropriate times, it's more when people are stood around in the car park, when the main tog is taking his/her pics I'll be stood quite a bit away, aiming in the other direction!
 
I'm sure if the main photographer knows your there and what your doing and can see you are making an effort not to impede his or her work then they shouldn't mind.
 
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