Wedding Reception

[Rico]

I've been put forward by my wife to, in her words, take some 'proper' shots at a evening do for her work colleagues sister. The catch being that the wedding is tomorrow!
Having picked myself up from the floor and talking to the b&g they would like some photos of the first dance and candids of the guests if I can.

I'm always up for trying new things and this is most certainly a new thing being that the only photos I've taken of people are of family members!

I've done a quick search and there are lots (now that's an understatement!) of threads like this I can't find any that deal with the low light environment of a reception.

So, any hints and tips, do's and don'ts, advice that you could pass on would be much appreciated! Especially with regards to capturing the first dance as this is the part I'm most unsure of.

My kit list is

5D MKII
24-70 f2.8L
70-200 f2.8L
430 EXII

I'm hoping that should be okay! I've also got a couple of Yongnuo 560 and RF603 triggers if they will be of any use.

Okay I am an empty bucket, fill me with your wisdom people!

 

[Phil V]

I've been put forward by my wife to, in her words, take some 'proper' shots at a evening do for her work colleagues sister. The catch being that the wedding is tomorrow!
Having picked myself up from the floor and talking to the b&g they would like some photos of the first dance and candids of the guests if I can.

I'm always up for trying new things and this is most certainly a new thing being that the only photos I've taken of people are of family members!

I've done a quick search and there are lots (now that's an understatement!) of threads like this I can't find any that deal with the low light environment of a reception.

So, any hints and tips, do's and don'ts, advice that you could pass on would be much appreciated! Especially with regards to capturing the first dance as this is the part I'm most unsure of.

My kit list is

5D MKII
24-70 f2.8L
70-200 f2.8L
430 EXII

I'm hoping that should be okay! I've also got a couple of Yongnuo 560 and RF603 triggers if they will be of any use.

Okay I am an empty bucket, fill me with your wisdom people!

First dance we cover like this:
Me with camera 1 std zoom and radio flash trigger, the flash is on a light stand across the dance floor. I can use it as a backlight or a sidelight by simply changing position.
My camera 2 has a short tele and on camera flash bounced off the ceiling (or wall if poss). Could you loan a 2nd body for the night? Alternatively shoot the first half with on camera flash and switch to off camera for the 2nd half.
My 2nd shooter has on camera flash bounced off the ceiling and a std zoom.

Later dance floor shots are a mix of slow shutter speed and flash to capture the atmosphere, sometimes I'll move the camera or zoom to exaggerate the light movement.

Worst case scenario is that the DJ has those horrid laser things that put little red dots on people's faces which looks like they're in the sights of a sniper:bang:

Shoot tons, the keeper rate under these conditions is really low.

 

[Rico]

First dance we cover like this:
Me with camera 1 std zoom and radio flash trigger, the flash is on a light stand across the dance floor. I can use it as a backlight or a sidelight by simply changing position.
My camera 2 has a short tele and on camera flash bounced off the ceiling (or wall if poss). Could you loan a 2nd body for the night? Alternatively shoot the first half with on camera flash and switch to off camera for the 2nd half.
My 2nd shooter has on camera flash bounced off the ceiling and a std zoom.

Later dance floor shots are a mix of slow shutter speed and flash to capture the atmosphere, sometimes I'll move the camera or zoom to exaggerate the light movement.

Worst case scenario is that the DJ has those horrid laser things that put little red dots on people's faces which looks like they're in the sights of a sniper:bang:

Shoot tons, the keeper rate under these conditions is really low.

Cheers for the tips Phil. It won't be possible to borrow another body for the evening so I'll try your suggestion of half on camera flash and half off and will be sure to shoot loads!

 

[Joshua James]

I shoot exactly the same way Phil does. There are a couple of good threads on nightclub photography that will give you guidance on getting some good shots of the rest of the dancers.

 

[MWHCVT]

First dance we cover like this:
Me with camera 1 std zoom and radio flash trigger, the flash is on a light stand across the dance floor. I can use it as a backlight or a sidelight by simply changing position.
My camera 2 has a short tele and on camera flash bounced off the ceiling (or wall if poss). Could you loan a 2nd body for the night? Alternatively shoot the first half with on camera flash and switch to off camera for the 2nd half.
My 2nd shooter has on camera flash bounced off the ceiling and a std zoom.

Later dance floor shots are a mix of slow shutter speed and flash to capture the atmosphere, sometimes I'll move the camera or zoom to exaggerate the light movement.

Worst case scenario is that the DJ has those horrid laser things that put little red dots on people's faces which looks like they're in the sights of a sniper:bang:

Shoot tons, the keeper rate under these conditions is really low.

Phil, a quick question re: DJ and Laser, have you ever asked them to turn the laser off? for the first dance?

 

[Phil V]

Phil, a quick question re: DJ and Laser, have you ever asked them to turn the laser off? for the first dance?

No, It's a thought though. They are becoming a bit of a pain - I've shopped spots out of a few first dance shots, and they're less intrusive in B&W.

For the dancing generally I consider them the same as other moving light shots - default position is that they're destined for the bin. My keeper rate is ridiculously low for these - but then I suppose I only need a few for the album just to tie the story up. I'd shoot them differently if my aim was to get a set of photo's of everyone dancing.

 

[Rico]

I shoot exactly the same way Phil does. There are a couple of good threads on nightclub photography that will give you guidance on getting some good shots of the rest of the dancers.

Cheers, it hadn't occurred to me to check things like nightclub photography as its very similar.

 

[Rico]

the flash is on a light stand across the dance floor. I can use it as a backlight or a sidelight by simply changing position.

Quick question, when it's on the stand is it bare flash or do you use a diffuser? I've got a stofen knock off and a lightsphere if either of those should be used. Full power as well?

I plan to use the lightsphere when I'm using on camera flash.

 

[Phil V]

I use it bare and quite high for a spotlight effect. It doesn't even matter if it ends up in the frame in the backlit shots, with all the DJ lights hanging about too - it's not out of place, and you also have the option of hiding it behind the couple for rim-lighting.
like this:

or like this

Couldn't easily find any purely rim lit ones but I'm sure you get the picture.

 

[Rico]

Thanks again Phil, you've been a big help!

 

[dave98013]

Love this thread. Thanks for all the help.

 

[chip]

I set up 2 speedlights, one each side of the room and if I can include something from the disco too it adds to the atmosphere.

My 2nd camera can trigger just one of the lights if I want more drama. The beauty of PW's

Edit: Whoops, I haven't been here for a while and just realised the wedding has already passed!