wedding pics

[gavinhildrop]

what lens should i use for a few wedding pics. i have a 35mm nikon prime lens, a 18-105mm nikon lens, a 70-300mm tameron lens. my camera is a nikon 5100. also what setting should i use. i use aperture for most pics.

 

[haggis]

Don't believe what I just read. If you really have this little knowledge and kit then get yourself on some training and find out what it takes to do the job.

 

[Gr8Shot]

Don't believe what I just read. If you really have this little knowledge and kit then get yourself on some training and find out what it takes to do the job.

he never said he was getting paid, he might just be taking his camera to a friends wedding and looking for a bit of advise......

 

[Sonriendo]

Don't believe what I just read. If you really have this little knowledge and kit then get yourself on some training and find out what it takes to do the job.

Me neither, do you not think it would be better to find out first if he is going as a guest, or is the Photographer at the wedding.

 

[paulrushton]

Give the guy a break fellas. He's only just joined and actually written "what lens should i use for a few wedding pics" hardly sounds like he's planning on a full paid job. If he is then I'll stand corrected.

 

[Gr8Shot]

Give the guy a break fellas. He's only just joined and actually written "what lens should i use for a few wedding pics" hardly sounds like he's planning on a full paid job. If he is then I'll stand corrected.

i think you'll find we are singing off the same song sheet

 

[RBaker]

If it's just some photos of a friend's wedding, slap on the 18-105 and stick with Aperture, as you're using it already.
If the wedding is some time in the future, there's a million and one tutorials out there - Google is your friend in that respect.

 

[Gr8Shot]

another quick tip, i've learnt
when metering, use spot metering and meter on the faces, that way the brides dress should be white (if she's wearing white) and not be dull like it would if you had metered on the dress.
If you get me drift

 

[Gary Coyle]

Don't believe what I just read. If you really have this little knowledge and kit then get yourself on some training and find out what it takes to do the job.

Oh dear

 

[~Sam~]

Google is your friend in that respect.

Which is probably how the poor thing turned up here, first post on the forum and all that.:shake:

 

[Mogsy]

Don't believe what I just read. If you really have this little knowledge and kit then get yourself on some training and find out what it takes to do the job.

Very unnecessary! :shake:

 

[fracster]

Stick your 35 on, charge a grand, jobs a good `un.

 

[andya700]

Don't believe what I just read. If you really have this little knowledge and kit then get yourself on some training and find out what it takes to do the job.

Well that was really helpful wasn't it?:shake:

 

[Organnyx]

"KISS" - keep it simple - use one lens (the 18-105), invest in a halfway decent flashgun (Nissin 622 Mark 2 will probably do all you need), learn to "fill flash" using the inbuilt "reflection panel" or a "Stofen" diffuser, and use aperture priority, or even "P" setting to start with........
And practice, practice, practice - shoot the cat, anybody in the house, look at how groups are set up - get used to looking at the world through the viewfinder so it becomes second nature......
I've recommended sticking to one lens for a good reason, that zoom will get you probably over 90% of the shots you want - it is easy to get confuddled, fumble a lens change, or drop one and perhaps get dust on the sensor, whilst all the good photos are "getting away"

The Nikon D5100 is a very capable camera, you've got most of a good "starter kit", so "go for it", and the best of luck!

If you're going along as a guest, shoot all the "aside" shots that you can - if there's a professional there, don't get in his way, and if it's a church wedding, do NOT blaze away inside the church with a flashgun..........

 

[Phil V]

Par for the course for wedding threads.

OP asks the most ambiguous question ever, 1 pro makes an assumption and 6 people jump in to tell him he's out of order:shake:

2 people were 'helpful' and you can also add in some forum 'banter'. So who's really responsible for threads that end up like this?

The OP as always ought to be more specific about what they want to shoot, there's no such thing as wedding pics as far as gear or technique is concerned. Nor are there any such things as 'recommended settings' for 99% of photography.

If the OP is attending a wedding and planning on getting a 'few shots', tell us what the shots are and you'll get some help.

If he's shooting the wedding 'as a favour', he should realise how complex a task this is, and get help with preparation (there's nothing unique about weddings, just a lot of different stuff in a short time frame).

If he's taken this on as a 'job', Jim was right!

I'm guessing the OP is a long time lurker who's largely been reading the equipment threads (it's all about the gear right?), who's been asked to shoot a wedding because he's got some nice pictures of ducks (or cars) on Facebook. So he finally joined because he had a question.

Welcome to the forum, try search before asking a question, and please give a bit more info when asking a question. It'll really help you get the answers you're looking for.

 

[gavinhildrop]

Thanks everybody. And no im not doing it as a paid job. And haggis what ever your name Im just a guest and wanted some nice pics.

 

[Ricardodaforce]

Par for the course for wedding threads.

OP asks the most ambiguous question ever, 1 pro makes an assumption and 6 people jump in to tell him he's out of order:shake:

And it was totally justified.

 

[Phil V]

Thanks everybody. And no im not doing it as a paid job. And haggis what ever your name Im just a guest and wanted some nice pics.

Nice pics of what, where?

Once again, it sounds like pedantry, but what I'm trying to say is that if you start to think about precisely what you want to achieve, then the question will come. You might even work out the answer yourself.

There's threads on here about 'wedding photography' and technique, but at a wedding the pro will shoot:
Macro
Candid portraits
Posed portraits of: single people, couples and groups.
Still life
Contre jour
High key
Low key
Natural light
On camera flash (as fill)
On and off camera flash as the main light
A bit of landscape
Night photography
Action

And typically use 3 zooms and a macro lens along with some fast primes.

Now you're obviously not thinking of all of that, just stick on a standard zoom and flashgun and use your imagination. One of the most interesting techniques is dancefloor shots mixing the DJ lights for movement with your flash for freezing the action. Take the prime lens to hang about round the bar, blend in to the environment and shoot some low light candids (takes patience and keeps you away from drinking though).

As a guest I'd only take a DSLR to a wedding if I was on a diet or a course of antibiotics.

 

[Phil V]

And it was totally justified.

Bullying is never justified.

There are always people waiting to jump on a 'pro' as soon as weddings are mentioned. Less people actually willing to help the OP with their question, .

Sorry but that's just pitchfork mentality and helps no one. What did your mum used to say when you were a kid? "2 wrongs don't make a right:nono:"

 

[gavinhildrop]

As im a guest i just thought of trying my new camera out at the wedding and thought it would be a good chance to get some pictures of the day.

 

[Ricardodaforce]

Sorry but that's just pitchfork mentality and helps no one. What did your mum used to say when you were a kid? "2 wrongs don't make a right:nono:"

She died giving birth to me.

 

[gavinhildrop]

Nice pics of what, where?

Once again, it sounds like pedantry, but what I'm trying to say is that if you start to think about precisely what you want to achieve, then the question will come. You might even work out the answer yourself.

There's threads on here about 'wedding photography' and technique, but at a wedding the pro will shoot:
Macro
Candid portraits
Posed portraits of: single people, couples and groups.
Still life
Contre jour
High key
Low key
Natural light
On camera flash (as fill)
On and off camera flash as the main light
A bit of landscape
Night photography
Action

And typically use 3 zooms and a macro lens along with some fast primes.

Now you're obviously not thinking of all of that, just stick on a standard zoom and flashgun and use your imagination. One of the most interesting techniques is dancefloor shots mixing the DJ lights for movement with your flash for freezing the action. Take the prime lens to hang about round the bar, blend in to the environment and shoot some low light candids (takes patience and keeps you away from drinking though).

As a guest I'd only take a DSLR to a wedding if I was on a diet or a course of antibiotics.

thanks Phil

 

[Phil V]

She died giving birth to me.

And there was no-one else to tell it to you

 

[Marc]

Bullying is never justified.

There are always people waiting to jump on a 'pro' as soon as weddings are mentioned. Less people actually willing to help the OP with their question, .

Sorry but that's just pitchfork mentality and helps no one. What did your mum used to say when you were a kid? "2 wrongs don't make a right:nono:"

Sorry Phil. Usually I agree with a lot of what you say but I'm going to have to pull you up on a couple of points here

Firstly, telling someone they're out of order isn't bullying

Secondly, only you used the word "pro" so I'm not convinced it's relevant in this instance

Thirdly, yes the question was ambiguous (although the phrase "a few wedding pics" would seem to denote guest rather than official photographer) but maybe asking the question rather than making an assumption would have been a better route to take.

One thing I will agree on though is that there isn't really a need for half a dozen people to post that he was out of order and that those people would be better off helping the OP.

 

[andya700]

One thing I will agree on though is that there isn't really a need for half a dozen people to post that he was out of order and that those people would be better off helping the OP.

Actually Marc, that was Gavin's first ever post on this forum, and that was the first reply which he received, so I think that the response was quite deserved and adequate, unless of course you feel that this is the type of welcome which new members should receive.
As Gavin has now said that he will be a guest, I would advise just taking the 18 - 105 along, and experiment with different shots, using AP and maybe SP, fill in flash (if allowed), taking a mixture of portrait, candid and "staged" shots.

 

[gavinhildrop]

Actually Marc, that was Gavin's first ever post on this forum, and that was the first reply which he received, so I think that the response was quite deserved and adequate, unless of course you feel that this is the type of welcome which new members should receive.
As Gavin has now said that he will be a guest, I would advise just taking the 18 - 105 along, and experiment with different shots, using AP and maybe SP, fill in flash (if allowed), taking a mixture of portrait, candid and "staged" shots.

Thanks Andy. i did feel a little uneasy and felt like i should even go to the wedding with the comments lol, as like you said it was my first post on here and im new to TP. thanks again for your advice.

 

[Mogsy]

Sorry Phil. Usually I agree with a lot of what you say but I'm going to have to pull you up on a couple of points here

Firstly, telling someone they're out of order isn't bullying

Secondly, only you used the word "pro" so I'm not convinced it's relevant in this instance

Thirdly, yes the question was ambiguous (although the phrase "a few wedding pics" would seem to denote guest rather than official photographer) but maybe asking the question rather than making an assumption would have been a better route to take.

One thing I will agree on though is that there isn't really a need for half a dozen people to post that he was out of order and that those people would be better off helping the OP.

.

I agree with that but regarding your last point, in all honesty I don't feel I have the knowledge or the experience to help the OP. What I did do was see a thread regarding wedding photography (which interests me) so had a quick look and see the first reply back to the guys 'first' post is an abrasive one which offers no constructive advice whatsoever, what a welcome! I may not be able to offer much advice but can tell someone when they are being unnecessary Having said that, Ok, maybe 6 people coming back telling the guy he was out of order is a bit much, but I would guess the other 5 in 'our crew' would be thinking something similiar.

Anyhow! Some good, constructive advice offered by Phil so hopefully we can all move on now back on topic!

 

[andya700]

Thanks Andy. i did feel a little uneasy and felt like i should even go to the wedding with the comments lol, as like you said it was my first post on here and im new to TP. thanks again for your advice.

If it is a church wedding, then you could try some shots without flash at 1600 or 3200 ISO, using the lens wide open (f4.5?). This works really well in older churches with stained glass windows.
Watch the pro when they are shooting and try to replicate their shots - but don't whatever you do get in the way of them - they can be a bit "prickly" at times

 

[gavinhildrop]

If it is a church wedding, then you could try some shots without flash at 1600 or 3200 ISO, using the lens wide open (f4.5?). This works really well in older churches with stained glass windows.
Watch the pro when they are shooting and try to replicate their shots - but don't whatever you do get in the way of them - they can be a bit "prickly" at times

once again thanks for the advice.

 

[-Paul-]

This has got well out of hand! All the OP wanted was a bit of help and advice! Ok so maybe he did leave out some pertinent information? But we can all read between the lines (?) If he is a pro surely he wouldn't be asking what lens to use? I'am sure that somewhere it's written that this is meant to be a friendly place (?)..... So come on guys we were all where the OP is once so give him a chance!

 

[Phil V]

... but don't whatever you do get in the way of them - they can be a bit "prickly" at times

This is completely unreasonable, everyone else I know loves it when you go to their place of work and try to take over.

My butcher is a right laugh when I go round the counter and try to take his knife off him to carve my own joint. And when I wander into the council offices and log into their pcs to see if I can get their budgets balanced better so that my council tax bill reduces, they're really accommodating:nuts:

Seriously, most pro's are quite friendly, and if you catch them on a rare rest, they'll usually be happy to share tips if you're pleasant (don't offer to get them a beer, we usually get fed up of turning them down all day).

I find it odd that wedding photographers have a reputation for being unfriendly, we get most of our work from referrals and mostly our customers describe us as great company if we're prickly we're unlikely to get good photos and even less likely to get referrals.

I think I've just worked out why other photographers think wedding photographers are 'prickly'

 

[andya700]

This is completely unreasonable, everyone else I know loves it when you go to their place of work and try to take over.

Sense of humour bypass maybe?
You obviously missed the wink at the end, which kind of confirms my less than serious comment about pro photographers
It was actually serious advice to the OP that they should not get in the way of the pro.

 

[Marc]

Actually Marc, that was Gavin's first ever post on this forum, and that was the first reply which he received, so I think that the response was quite deserved and adequate, unless of course you feel that this is the type of welcome which new members should receive.
As Gavin has now said that he will be a guest, I would advise just taking the 18 - 105 along, and experiment with different shots, using AP and maybe SP, fill in flash (if allowed), taking a mixture of portrait, candid and "staged" shots.

Sorry Andy but where did I say that I feel it was the type of welcome a new member should receive?

 

[Phil V]

This has got well out of hand! All the OP wanted was a bit of help and advice! Ok so maybe he did leave out some pertinent information? But we can all read between the lines (?) If he is a pro surely he wouldn't be asking what lens to use? I'am sure that somewhere it's written that this is meant to be a friendly place (?)..... So come on guys we were all where the OP is once so give him a chance!

So you become the 9th complainant about 1 I'll advised post well done for keeping the balance of 'friendly'

We need to ask what exactly is out of hand at this point?

 

[andya700]

Sorry Andy but where did I say that I feel it was the type of welcome a new member should receive?

You criticised the six people who pulled the existing member up regarding the negative first reply.
You should have reminded ALL members that they have a right to be helpful and polite, particularly to new members.

 

[Marc]

You criticised the six people who pulled the existing member up regarding the negative first reply.
You should have reminded ALL members that they have a right to be helpful and polite, particularly to new members.

No, I merely stated that it isn't necessary for half a dozen members to post in a thread merely to repeat what has already been said. I also pointed out that it would have been better for Haggis to have asked the OP the pertinent question rather than post based on an assumption so, once again, where do you get that I am, in any way, finding his response acceptable?

 

[DrRusty]

I like to stand back and capture people without them knowing Repotage/Candid.

This usually provides different photos then the Pro.

To this end I like longer focal length howeover it also good the get some of the tables at the "wedding breakfast" before people sit down.

I also like continuing taking photos during the evening as in my experience the Pro has already left. Again Candid style and you will probably need flash.

 

[Phil V]

I like to stand back and capture people without them knowing Repotage/Candid.

This usually provides different photos then the Pro.

To this end I like longer focal length howeover it also good the get some of the tables at the "wedding breakfast" before people sit down.

I also like continuing taking photos during the evening as in my experience the Pro has already left. Again Candid style and you will probably need flash.

I don't know what pro's you're comparing this to. If you look through the sites of the wedding togs here (or locally) you'll find most of the work nowadays is unposed candid stuff.

And just like street photography, long lenses tend to create rather pleasant but boring shots. A good photograph tells a story and 'this is aunt Maud's head' isn't really a story. Whereas here's aunt maud reading through the guest book wiping a tear, is a photo.

 

[DrRusty]

I don't know what pro's you're comparing this to. If you look through the sites of the wedding togs here (or locally) you'll find most of the work nowadays is unposed candid stuff.

And just like street photography, long lenses tend to create rather pleasant but boring shots. A good photograph tells a story and 'this is aunt Maud's head' isn't really a story. Whereas here's aunt maud reading through the guest book wiping a tear, is a photo.

There still seems to always be an element of formal photos at weddings. More importantly as a guest there is the opportunity to get photos when the Pro is engaged taking photographs elsewhere or after they have left.

On the few occasions I have done this I have provided the couple with photos of the day that would simply been missed by the Pro. Admittedly not as polished and it is never my intention to cut in on the Pro. Although on the most recent occasion last year tar Pro was working alone.

 

[Donnie]

On the few occasions I have done this I have provided the couple with photos of the day that would simply been missed by the Pro. Admittedly not as polished and it is never my intention to cut in on the Pro.

But you regularly shoot weddings?