Wedding shoot.

[Rs500chad]

I know you've probably been asked this a million times before, but I'm new at this and this forum and would like some pointers for a wedding I've been asked to shoot. My kit is very basic as in a 300D with a 18-55 and a 55-250. The person that has asked me is a friend and it's for her daughters wedding. They have been following the photos I've been putting on FB and love them and they really want me to do it. It's fair to say that I am more than a little nervous at the prospect!! I've only been trying my hand at photography since spring. I am enjoying it up till now. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[On the Huh]

Not great frirnds to give you that sort of responsibilty!

 

[Dmac60]

as the main photographer, or just to capture some candids/alternative shots?

 

[Rs500chad]

Only photographer mate.

 

[LongLensPhotography]

I fear they might not be friends after. This has happened to many people in your situation. They have seen your best few shots in controlled conditions, and to be honest with that gear alone you will really struggle, let alone backup and some experience. What will you say when you get noisy, dark and blurry shots? Say no if you can.

Btw. Friend or not you should be charging when you are there.

 

[MWHCVT]

When is the wedding...if its within the next 6 months I'd say politely but firmly say no...this is not to sound nasty as its not the way it's intended but unless your one of those very rare individuals who picks up a camera and is naturally gifted with it as if its and extension to your body your likely not ready for the pressure of such an important day in someone's life, that coupled with the fact we are entering a time of year where we are less likely to have decent weather for photos even experience wedding photographers can struggle in poor weather let along someone who is an amateur...

I'd suggest put some photos up for critique on the forum some of the best photographers in the country roam these boards and the love nothing more than trying to help others improve there photography....then at least you'll know yourself if your really ready for such a commitment

 

[Rs500chad]

I fear they might not be friends after. This has happened to many people in your situation. They have seen your best few shots in controlled conditions, and to be honest with that gear alone you will really struggle, let alone backup and some experience. What will you say when you get noisy, dark and blurry shots? Say no if you can.

Btw. Friend or not you should be charging when you are there.

How can I charge for blurry and dark photos mate?

 

[Rs500chad]

 

[MWHCVT]

Nice enough landscapes, though the exposure is not great quite under exposed but there are maybe exception landscape photographers that couldn't shoot people to save their lives so maybe it would be better to stick up a few photos you've taken where people are the subject

And I know there are a few tiny people in the second one

 

[Rs500chad]

Doesn't sound like I'm going to get much help on here then!!

Sorry to have troubled you.

Can someone please delete this thread. I think I've made a mistake. Sorry fellas.

 

[MWHCVT]

Doesn't sound like I'm going to get much help on here then!!

Sorry to have troubled you.

Can someone please delete this thread. I think I've made a mistake. Sorry fellas.

I've not seen anything unhelpful thus far...you'd be well served by sticking around, nobody here wants you to go into what is a stressful, high pressure and fast paced situation without you being fully prepared

 

[Yv]

Why would we delete it? If you really want help, posting some photos with people in would be a good start as that is what weddings are all about, trust me, I have photographed enough of them

Much of the advice you have been given so far is pretty much on the the nose, but we will see if we can help you.

 

[Rs500chad]

I've not seen anything unhelpful thus far...you'd be well served by sticking around, nobody here wants you to go into what is a stressful, high pressure and fast paced situation without you being fully prepared

Well let's look at that for a moment, I've been told my gear is rubbish, I'm inexperienced and my photos suck. Can't see much of a positive in that. So as said I've made a mistake so please delete.

 

[stumac]

Well let's look at that for a moment, I've been told my gear is rubbish, I'm inexperienced and my photos suck. Can't see much of a positive in that. So as said I've made a mistake so please delete.

You would rather everyone told you lies then?
You were told the photo was underexposed , which it is but it doesn't suck. Now if they are the photos these people are judging you on then to keep with their expectations you are going to have to go back to that location with a couple pose them on the sand or where ever you think is best , up your exposure slightly and then light them with off camera flash and to make it even more like the wedding bring 50 strangers with you to stand and look over you shoulder with their iPhones out . This is the sort of thing you will be up against.
Have you told them yet that you will do it or are you asking everyone here should you do it??

 

[Yv]

Well let's look at that for a moment, I've been told my gear is rubbish, I'm inexperienced and my photos suck. Can't see much of a positive in that. So as said I've made a mistake so please delete.

I think you should take a step back and read again. You have been told that your equipment is, as you said yourself, basic and therefore will possibly make things even more of a struggle than just photographing a wedding with no experience. You are inexperienced, you said that yourself too, and no one has said your photos suck, only that those landscapes are maybe a little underexposed, but more than anything, don't really give us an idea of where you are at photographically.

I will close the thread if you really want me to, but people can only help if you give them a chance to, so far everyone has been both helpful and polite/friendly. :shrug:

 

[MWHCVT]

Well let's look at that for a moment, I've been told my gear is rubbish, I'm inexperienced and my photos suck. Can't see much of a positive in that. So as said I've made a mistake so please delete.

Well you've said you've been taking photos for a few months since you said spring time...you kits is several generations old from current kit of the same family e.g. Canon 700D and your lens too are relatively low end lens, as a results your naturally limited by the inherent limitations of your kit, now this limitations can of course be worked around by someone who has lots of experience...take Yvonne above she is a talented, experienced professional photographer, she could likely use her considerable experience and your camera and get acceptable results in most circumstances...but even she would have too accept that in certain situations she would not be able to get the shots needed with that camera and lens combination...

Your two landscapes are not crap by any means, some experienced processing could make that second one quite special I suspect but as I said above shooting landscapes and shooting portraiture which is the primary photography of weddings are totally different skill sets

 

[Rs500chad]

Please delete.