Wedding Photography!

[Nedgus]

Hi all,

I am soon going to be photographing a wedding. I have a list of the shots I will be doing but as its my first wedding I will have done 'on my own' I just wondered if there are any tips anyone can give?

I have a backup camera, lens and flash etc.

Unfortunately the place where the wedding and services etc will take place, is in the middle of Sheffield surrounded by architecture rather than nice luscious green vegetation so this will detract from the quality of the overall group photographs.

Here is a photograph of the area that I will have access to for the family photographs etc.

Its already nerve racking and I want to ensure I go on the day with as much information as possible so I can be confident I will do a good job.

Any tips on how to get the best results on the day would be appreciated.

 

[Moos3h]

Would there be any option to rig up a backdrop? I can see your problem here...

From looking at that photo, I wonder if you have a large group photo, if you could get a rather fun one from above - with everyone looking up? May be deemed as cheesy, but it would avoid have Zizzi and the hooded kid in the background

Cheers,
James

 

[Badger UK]

I'm sure you'll be able to find some angle in that area. have you thought about using a very wide aperture to throw the background out of focus? That might help you.

 

[tezza73uk]

I have done a few weddings and would recommend the following...

1. The couple won't be expecting fairy tale shots, otherwise they'd be getting married in a castle or on a beach in St Lucia. This is the middle of Sheffield!

2. Most important is always light. If the sun is bright do not have it directly behind you (squinty eyes!), or behind them (shooting into light = poor images). I find a 45deg angle means they are well lit without huge nose shadows or squinting. Best still, it'll be fairly cloudy... for you anyway!

3. Remember to frequently check your settings. I find a mnemonic very useful:
QWASI -
Quality - RAW/Jpeg
White Balance - Auto or Custom
Aperture - f4, f8, f11 etc
Shutter - 25th, 400th (rarely used)
ISO - 100 or 500

The most of these being ISO. If I've bumped it up to 500 for indoors shot, come outside and take a load of group shots needlessly at 500.... aaargh!

4. Probably most important so you are organised and the Bride (and maybe Groom!) get what they want... ask them to produce a list of the shots they want... "Couple with Bride's parents, Bill & Jess" etc. Names makes it easy to organise. Make sure the best man and ushers have been given copies so they boss people around and you don't have to be the bad guy!

5. Enjoy it!! How often do people doll up and parade for you like a modelling session. Don't over complicate your first attempt and you'll be fine.

Do let us know how things went and post a couple of your faves up so we can see how it went!
Terry

 

[ROFL2K9]

Make sure that, when you take the photos, people aren't stood in front of the trees if possible. This will avoid the unsightly 'branches spouting from head' shots

 

[boyfalldown]

Hi all,


Unfortunately the place where the wedding and services etc will take place, is in the middle of Sheffield surrounded by architecture rather than nice luscious green vegetation so this will detract from the quality of the overall group photographs.

I'm not sure it will detract - you've got to think about it on a more positive note though. How can you work with what you have, rather than whats not there? You're photo looks like the peace gardens in Sheffield? From what I remember bits of Sheffield are pretty attractive and when my friend married there last year the issue was the weather for the groups and not the setting.

There must be lots of Sheffield wedding togs who shoot that area regularly. A good start would be to have a look at their work and how they use the area.

And avoid the branch sticking out of head shot

Cheers

Hugh

 

[Nedgus]

Thanks for all your feedback, it is very much appreciated.

I have photographed the wedding and I took into consideration everything you all said and it helped a lot especially the part about just having fun and enjoying it

I will put a few photos up soon and you can all see what you think but overall it was a successful day.

Thanks again

 

[danfell555]

All these wedding threads are making me want to have a go!

Why did everyone scare away those people asking for a cheap, inexperienced photographer?

 

[swanseamale47]

All these wedding threads are making me want to have a go!

Why did everyone scare away those people asking for a cheap, inexperienced photographer?

It wasn't so much scaring away but advising against. A wedding is a one time only event, you need to get it right first time, inexperienced shooters under pressure, often with limited equipment is a risky combination.
If they get it wrong both sides are in the brown sticky stuff.
Nedgus, I'm glad it all went well for you. Wayne