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11/30/2002 03:59:37 AM · #1 |
I am photographing a wedding May 31st 2003. It will be my first time so if anyone can give me a few pointers and any creative ideas I would appreciate it. I am using my S404 Dimage (minolta) Thanks Paul
Thanks to all very helpful keep them coming!
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 3:15:35 PM. |
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11/30/2002 05:23:42 AM · #2 |
Are you photographing the actual wedding itself, or are you taking posed photos afterwards?
I once filmed a wedding, and I found a good place to be is high up on the balcony at the back of the church. For most of the service you will only be able to see the back of their heads, but as they are exchanging rings and kissing, you will be able to get great profile shots. And then, as they are walking down the eisle at the end, you can capture a full on front shot of the happiest moment of their lives :)
You could do this without a balcony but theres the risks of the bridesmaids getting in the way and everything.
After the service you can go downstairs and walk in front of them as they leave the church, with all the confetti and things.
If you were asking about actual posed photographs after the wedding, well I did a bit of this as well. The best you can do it to make them feel relaxed, so the photos look more natural. Try to find a nice area with lots of green plants to take the photos in, but seeing as I'm not actually a professional and have only done it once I can't really help you very much more.
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11/30/2002 07:02:36 AM · #3 |
Originally posted by Konador:
Are you photographing the actual wedding itself, or are you taking posed photos afterwards?
I once filmed a wedding, and I found a good place to be is high up on the balcony at the back of the church. For most of the service you will only be able to see the back of their heads, but as they are exchanging rings and kissing, you will be able to get great profile shots. And then, as they are walking down the eisle at the end, you can capture a full on front shot of the happiest moment of their lives :)
You could do this without a balcony but theres the risks of the bridesmaids getting in the way and everything.
After the service you can go downstairs and walk in front of them as they leave the church, with all the confetti and things.
If you were asking about actual posed photographs after the wedding, well I did a bit of this as well. The best you can do it to make them feel relaxed, so the photos look more natural. Try to find a nice area with lots of green plants to take the photos in, but seeing as I'm not actually a professional and have only done it once I can't really help you very much more.
Konador,
Are you really ONLY 15 years old? Amazing. You talk like you are an old hand at this sort of thing. I can hardly wait to see your work once you gain the advantage of more years of experience. Keep up the good work. And, a Moderator too - wow!
Cheers,
Michael Martin
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 6:59:51 AM. |
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11/30/2002 08:49:40 AM · #4 |
Some churches dont have balconies... some churches also dont allow photography during the ceremony.. in which case you'll have to scout out a better place to stand and take pictures. If there's no photography allowed during the ceremony you should contact the person conducting the marriage and ask if he/she will pose briefly after the ceremony and kind of recreate the kiss and the exchange of rings.
Good luck! |
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11/30/2002 12:30:28 PM · #5 |
I've done black and white for a number of friends now and have been very proud when two brides have told me that one of my pics is one of their favourites of all their photos...
Basically I go for the candids - with a little manipulation on occasion.
One couple was just taking a quiet breather and I asked them to just snatch a kiss - the joy and the secret moment that passed between them, even though I was there and it was a pose, is captured in the photo.
I also did a number of informals of bride and bridesmaid getting ready which they wouldn't have had from the official/ formal (male) photographer.
I like to capture things like brides startled expressions as their veils get caught in the wind - or the procession of bride and bridesmaids walking across the lawn with skirt hitched up (to avoid grass stains) en route to the official photographer's next chosen location - a real bride and bridesmaid moment.
Also any shots of bride or groom snatching a moment, perhaps grabbing a bite to eat, or chatting and laughing to a guest...
Basically, the candids are my favourites - I do hang around when official photog is taking the posed ones - and grab a few but even then the best ones are the candids.
My friend was married recently and her bridesmaid is a good foot taller. The photographer wanted to take one where the height difference wasn't so obvious so had the bride stand on his strong metal camera case - I have a great picture of her standing on it, holding her skirt and looking down at it, with bridesmaid next to her.
Anyway hope this helps...
Kavey
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11/30/2002 02:33:13 PM · #6 |
Make sure you have extra batteries and storage card(s)!
My camera has a bad shutter lag, so I try and anticipate the action -- somewhat easier when you have structured activity!
I've only taken one set of wedding photos since I got my digital camera. That was complicated by being outdoors, and parts of the ceremony were conducted in a backlit orientation...
Matthew & Larkin |
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11/30/2002 02:43:11 PM · #7 |
I have no technical suggestions, but a few practical ideas...
1 ~ Talk to the Minister / Justice of the Peace / Whomever well before the ceremony. Days ahead if possible. Ask if they mind photography and if there is a certain part of the ceremony that it would be inappropriate to be moving around or shooting. If the celebrant feels you are on 'their side' you could likely get access to areas others would be unaware of.
2 ~ Try to go to the rehersal. This will give you an idea of the flow of the ceremony and let you know if they plan any 'special moments' (i.e. candle lightings, whatever) that you will want to be prepared for.
3 ~ VERY IMPORTANT!!! Wear soft soled shoes and try them out on the floor you will be walking on (the day BEFORE the ceremony). Be certain that when you walk during the ceremony you are not sqweeking or clicking like a stormtrooper. If you can talk to the celebrant at that time s/he will likely be very impressed that you are being so considerate and thoughtful.
4 ~ If you are shooting at the reception, DON'T DRINK!!! This is the voice of experiance... Trust me on this one :)
5 ~ Try to get to know the parents of the bride/groom and everyone in the wedding party. People have much more natural expressions with someone they know. Also ask if there is a 'special shot' that someone wants. Father / daughter comes to mind.
6 ~ Flower children do interesting things with little or no warning... Keep an eye on them.
Enjoy and let us know how it goes!
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11/30/2002 02:57:10 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by myqyl:
I have no technical suggestions, but a few practical ideas...
That's really a great summary (especially #3!)-- thanks!
Also, no flash/strobe unless you're going to set up a formal portrait. Try to shoot some tests for exposure (the day before if possible). |
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11/30/2002 03:16:05 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by myqyl:
I have no technical suggestions, but a few practical ideas...
1 ~ Talk to the Minister / Justice of the Peace / Whomever well before the ceremony. Days ahead if possible. Ask if they mind photography and if there is a certain part of the ceremony that it would be inappropriate to be moving around or shooting. If the celebrant feels you are on 'their side' you could likely get access to areas others would be unaware of.
Thanks now You spooked me! I am going to go to the church to find out what my exposure should be in both auto and manual b and w Plus my girl is a pretty good photographer so I hope she can take pics at the brides house getting ready so she will feel more at ease. Then I will go to the Grooms
2 ~ Try to go to the rehersal. This will give you an idea of the flow of the ceremony and let you know if they plan any 'special moments' (i.e. candle lightings, whatever) that you will want to be prepared for.
3 ~ VERY IMPORTANT!!! Wear soft soled shoes and try them out on the floor you will be walking on (the day BEFORE the ceremony). Be certain that when you walk during the ceremony you are not sqweeking or clicking like a stormtrooper. If you can talk to the celebrant at that time s/he will likely be very impressed that you are being so considerate and thoughtful.
4 ~ If you are shooting at the reception, DON'T DRINK!!! This is the voice of experiance... Trust me on this one :)
5 ~ Try to get to know the parents of the bride/groom and everyone in the wedding party. People have much more natural expressions with someone they know. Also ask if there is a 'special shot' that someone wants. Father / daughter comes to mind.
6 ~ Flower children do interesting things with little or no warning... Keep an eye on them.
Enjoy and let us know how it goes!
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11/30/2002 03:20:41 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by myqyl:
I have no technical suggestions, but a few practical ideas...
1 ~ Talk to the Minister / Justice of the Peace / Whomever well before the ceremony. Days ahead if possible. Ask if they mind photography and if there is a certain part of the ceremony that it would be inappropriate to be moving around or shooting. If the celebrant feels you are on 'their side' you could likely get access to areas others would be unaware of.
2 ~ Try to go to the rehersal. This will give you an idea of the flow of the ceremony and let you know if they plan any 'special moments' (i.e. candle lightings, whatever) that you will want to be prepared for.
3 ~ VERY IMPORTANT!!! Wear soft soled shoes and try them out on the floor you will be walking on (the day BEFORE the ceremony). Be certain that when you walk during the ceremony you are not sqweeking or clicking like a stormtrooper. If you can talk to the celebrant at that time s/he will likely be very impressed that you are being so considerate and thoughtful.
4 ~ If you are shooting at the reception, DON'T DRINK!!! This is the voice of experiance... Trust me on this one :)
5 ~ Try to get to know the parents of the bride/groom and everyone in the wedding party. People have much more natural expressions with someone they know. Also ask if there is a 'special shot' that someone wants. Father / daughter comes to mind.
6 ~ Flower children do interesting things with little or no warning... Keep an eye on them.
Enjoy and let us know how it goes!
do you have any shots to share? thanks great advice!
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11/30/2002 04:16:17 PM · #11 |
This may seem obvious, but when doing formal group shots, make sure that from where the camera is, no-one's face is hidden behind someone else's head... :o)
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11/30/2002 07:44:35 PM · #12 |
During the wedding you probably should not use your flash. Of course if it is too dark inside you may need to but check with the wedding party and minister first. Instead put your camera on a tripod and slow your shutter speed down a little bit to increase the brightness. Since this is a wedding, the bride and groom will not be moving very fast so you can probably get away with a slow shutter speed like 1/30 to 1/60 as long as you pick your shots carefully so that their heads and hands are still. Try to manually set your ISO to 100 or else the camera might automatically choose a higher setting that may introduce too much noise into the photo. You can move the legs of the tripod together and move the camera and tripod around to a few pre-planned locations relatively inconspicuously. Zoom in or get as close as possible to avoid as little cropping of the pixels later on. Oh, and good luck : )
T
* This message has been edited by the author on 11/30/2002 7:44:01 PM.
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11/30/2002 07:51:18 PM · #13 |
And another thing. If you are taking group or individual shots remember you are running the show. Take the neccesary time to be thorough and to consider everying. Be patient and methodical and don't allow anyone to rush you. They will be thanking you later on.
T
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