photographing a redneck wedding - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 70-200 /2.8 APO EX DG Macro HSM II

04/01/2008 10:40:37 AM · #1

So my niece is getting married and has asked us (my sis and I) to photograph it. We got very excited as it will be our first time as primary photographers at a wedding. Well, after digging into the details and talking to the bride to be herself, it is certainly not going to be your typical wedding (although it sounds a lot more fun than mine was).

Evidently, around 7:00 is when the keg will be tapped and the cornhole games brought out. The father, who asked me to do this says there will be 30 people, the bride is telling me 15 at the most. Bride is wearing an off-white sundress and I'm praying the groom is in tux, but somehow I feel I shouldn't get my hopes up. On a side not, these are two of the best looking people I have ever met. I was ecstatic when I thought they were dressing up.

The guests are asked to dress informally and I have so many pics of these people drinking and playing cornhole, it's unreal.

So finally, here's my questions... she obviously isn't looking for any formal posed photos (she sounded like she only wanted to pose if we really wanted her to... as a favor to her aunt). That's not her style. She's got angel wings tatoos on her back which I hope are showing. Any advice on props, poses, light tricks, that are more out of the box?

And, I have absolutely no night-time photography experience and I believe she is doing this with tiki-torches. She doesn't want me to set up any lights and I don't blame her. Any suggestions? ANY. I'm hoping I can use this to my advantage somehow.

Thanks in advance!

Eyesup

Nikon D300

04/01/2008 10:52:07 AM · #2

couple things I can think of off the top of my head...
a) if she doesn't want posing I would opt for a more photojournalistinc type to style, document the day as it happens. with very few (if any at all) posed shots.
b) if you don't already have one get a fast lens at aleast 2.8f. also I would get something like the SB800 flash, though if there are enough torches you may find that in some areas you have enough light (with the faster lens)

Remember to have fun, and get some great pics :)

04/01/2008 10:57:20 AM · #3

50mm 1.8 is needed

It is inexpensive an it will let a lot of light in...there is NEVER enough light or this would be easy. This will be the only lens you will use all night if you can not use a flash.

NOTE:This was dusk, The sky was not bright...

Message edited by author 2008-04-01 11:07:36.

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/01/2008 11:01:37 AM · #4

You are going to need some fast lenses and a good flash.

I have a rental site that will have what you need and my prices can pretty much beat anyone else. If you rent 2 lenses, I can throw in the SB 800 flash for no charge. PM me if you are interested.

//www.rentphotostuff.com

My suggestion would be a combo of the 28-70 f2.8 and the 70-200 f2.8. Another could be the 85 f1.4. Also the SB800 would be ver useful with all these lenses.

Justin

Message edited by author 2008-04-01 11:04:19.

04/01/2008 11:03:58 AM · #5

Originally posted by cynthiann:

........She doesn't want me to set up any lights and I don't blame her..........

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

04/01/2008 11:17:45 AM · #6

I shot a few weddings with no flash, I would ask for at least a few formals with 2 off camera flashes...Ya Know, the stuff THEY want....HAVE FUN WITH IT! I had better see a shot of the bride doing a keg stand!! REALLY.

I would love to shoot a wedding like that...Instead, I had to shoot stuff like this!

If you know how to use your flashes well, I would ask... if you are not sure, stick with the 1.8 50mm and stick with what you know....Play it safe

I really want to see the bride doing a keg stand....husband and brides father on each leg....I have about 5000 more ideas on just absolutely great shots..... You really need to get think long and hard about the fun shots you can have.

Message edited by author 2008-04-01 11:19:10.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

04/01/2008 11:18:29 AM · #7

what the hell is cornhole ?

good luck.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

04/01/2008 11:19:51 AM · #8

Originally posted by soup:

what the hell is cornhole ?

good luck.

I was afraid to ask! But the real question is, do we REALLY want to know?

oOWonderBreadOo

Canon EOS-5D

04/01/2008 11:40:27 AM · #9

sounds like she doesn't want you to set up lights, not that she doesn't want you to have a flash on your camera- big difference there!

Also, I would absolutely make her do the formal ones (unless someone flat out does not want them, but she did say she was willing!) They don't have to be boring but make them have fun! I think they might regret it later in life if they don't have a few fun ones of just the two of them. :0) I've come to realize how important those family formals are. They're history- a part of this family's history and grandma might not be around next year...

and uh, I also have no idea what cornhole is. ummmmm yeah. :0P

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/01/2008 11:47:20 AM · #10

Originally posted by Derf:

Originally posted by soup:
what the hell is cornhole ?

good luck.

I was afraid to ask! But the real question is, do we REALLY want to know?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8X4pz_QJ0&feature=related

Cornhole is HUGE around here!!! We are easily amused. LOL

50mm 1.8 is on the way.

... and the bride doing a keg stand is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. although I'm not sure I am picturing it.

And yeah, good idea to make them do formals. I'm sure Dad will step in and insist on a couple anyway.

icu1965

Sony DSLR-A200

Sony 75-300 mm f/4.5-5.6

04/01/2008 12:02:39 PM · #11

Thanks for clarifying cornhole. That's not what it means here, and that's not what we call that game here! I have to admit I thought you were going to a redneck wedding in prison!
Anywho, my wedding was similar, very casual. We didn't have very many of the traditional photos taken. We did pose for some and it was a pain, because it did kind of detract from the whole laid back feeling. The best pictures, in my opinion, were the very candid shots. When my dad walked me down the "aisle" the Chris, the photographer, pretty much just jumped out and took the photo and it's one of my favorites! Plus it didn't hold up the ceremony like most do and make the bride and dad stand in the middle of the aisle and pose! If you think it would give you some ideas, I can share some of my photos with you.
Good luck, and have fun!

Spork99

OM System OM-1

04/01/2008 12:15:53 PM · #12

Cornhole

citymars

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/01/2008 12:35:31 PM · #13

Originally posted by icu1965:

Thanks for clarifying cornhole. That's not what it means here, and that's not what we call that game here! I have to admit I thought you were going to a redneck wedding in prison!

Exactly. Cornhole met something completely different when I was growing up.

04/01/2008 12:35:57 PM · #14

Originally posted by cynthiann:

50mm 1.8 is on the way.

... and the bride doing a keg stand is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. although I'm not
sure I am picturing it.

And yeah, good idea to make them do formals. I'm sure Dad will step in and insist on
a couple anyway.

As soon as you get the 1.8...ask some frends over for a case of free beer. Put like 8
candles around, 4 on the tabe and 4 in the backround.. YOU NEED TO LEARN LOW LIGHT
REALLY FAST. Use mainly Manual mode and increase or decrease the shutter so when you
****LOOK AT THE HISTOGRAM (NOT THE PICTURE IN THE VIEWFINDER!!!!)****** you see NO
overexposure execpt what will the the flame from the candle.

Without any light besides the candles, shoot wide open manual mode F1.8 800-1600 ISO
at about 30th of a second. From there you can see if the picture needs to be
brighter (increase ISO ...BECAREFUL OF NOISE)
Darker (Increase F-Fstop for better depth of field.)

WARNING ABOUT THE 1.8!!!
if you shoot a couple together with the 1.8, one person may be in focus and the other
person is out even tho they are next to eachother...the Depth of Field is so low, YOU
NEED TO BE SPOT ON! Do a couple of shots at 1.8 with two people is only a few inches.

04/01/2008 12:47:44 PM · #15

Originally posted by cynthiann:

... and the bride doing a keg stand is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. although I'm not sure I am picturing it.

You have to be on the ball... they will want to place it, if you can find a good backround you have to lead the bride to where she NEED to be and Husband and father can take position. Have mom assist and give her a nudge, wink, smile and aske her to stand off to the side so she does not block the vew of the bride as that would kill all your work.

The few shots that you really plan are always hard to pull off. You do not get the opportunity to do most of them, but be ready, if it works out, and you are ON YOUR GAME, you will get shots.... Make the shot in your head and think about lots of them

More
Bride and groom with arm interlocked with beercans
Get one of the formals of the father of the bride with a shotgun

The thing is that you really need to know the group, if they want to have fun, that is great....but they might just be offended.... be careful and make sure you have a nice little chat with the Bride AND the Groom. If they like the Idea of spoofing a the redneck thing, it is fun, is only one person get really upset, it is a bad bad day. Know what you are doing and do not piss anyone off. I can not wait to see some...Please share ;)

04/01/2008 12:48:41 PM · #16

Originally posted by Derf:

Originally posted by cynthiann:
50mm 1.8 is on the way.

... and the bride doing a keg stand is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. although I'm not
sure I am picturing it.

And yeah, good idea to make them do formals. I'm sure Dad will step in and insist on
a couple anyway.

As soon as you get the 1.8...ask some frends over for a case of free beer. Put like 8
candles around, 4 on the tabe and 4 in the backround.. YOU NEED TO LEARN LOW LIGHT
REALLY FAST. Use mainly Manual mode and increase or decrease the shutter so when you
****LOOK AT THE HISTOGRAM (NOT THE PICTURE IN THE VIEWFINDER!!!!)****** you see NO
overexposure execpt what will the the flame from the candle.

Without any light besides the candles, shoot wide open manual mode F1.8 800-1600 ISO
at about 30th of a second. From there you can see if the picture needs to be
brighter (increase ISO ...BECAREFUL OF NOISE)
Darker (Increase F-Fstop for better depth of field.)

WARNING ABOUT THE 1.8!!!
if you shoot a couple together with the 1.8, one person may be in focus and the other
person is out even tho they are next to eachother...the Depth of Field is so low, YOU
NEED TO BE SPOT ON! Do a couple of shots at 1.8 with two people is only a few inches.

Great advice Fred!! Will do!! I'm getting more and more excited about the new lens. I've been using the same old lens since I got the camera.

I do have a lot to learn about light. This is definitely going to be a challenge for me, but I'll practice a lot before May 26th.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

04/01/2008 12:48:49 PM · #17

Found this online
Bride Keg Stand....(Not Mine)

Spork99

OM System OM-1

04/01/2008 12:50:24 PM · #18

Originally posted by citymars:

Originally posted by icu1965:
Thanks for clarifying cornhole. That's not what it means here, and that's not what we call that game here! I have to admit I thought you were going to a redneck wedding in prison!

Exactly. Cornhole met something completely different when I was growing up.

Same here. Something quite unpleasant.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/01/2008 01:01:04 PM · #19

Originally posted by Derf:

Found this online
Bride Keg Stand....(Not Mine)

Yeah, I know the family pretty well. I think they will go for doing some spoofs like this. Hell, I probably won't even have to say anything to get that shot... just kinda' wait for it to happen. The really funny thing is that her dad is also the pastor... and he'll have no problem helping out.

I should've expected a confusion about cornhole. lol. It's just such a popular thing here. The lady I work with has a set in her office that we set up in the hallway on spring break and in the summer. Not quite as fun without the beer, though. I had a Derby Day party at my house once and we played cornhole in the rain. We all got pretty wet and muddy, but the guys didn't mind.

citymars

Nikon D700

04/01/2008 01:35:22 PM · #20

Originally posted by cynthiann:

... we played cornhole in the rain. We all got pretty wet and muddy, but the guys didn't mind.

Now there is a photo op. :-p

icu1965

Sony DSLR-A200

Sony 75-300 mm f/4.5-5.6

04/01/2008 01:55:29 PM · #21

Originally posted by cynthiann:

Originally posted by Derf:
Found this online
Bride Keg Stand....(Not Mine)

I should've expected a confusion about cornhole. lol. It's just such a popular thing here. The lady I work with has a set in her office that we set up in the hallway on spring break and in the summer. Not quite as fun without the beer, though. I had a Derby Day party at my house once and we played cornhole in the rain. We all got pretty wet and muddy, but the guys didn't mind.

That game's pretty popular here too, although it's just called bean bag, or bag toss game. bag tossThere's no way I'd pay that much for one, you can make a set for $20.00!
This redneck wedding reminded me of the couple that got married on a deer stand wearing camo!redneck weddings
eta:link

Message edited by author 2008-04-01 13:57:38.

glad2badad

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Lensbaby Sweet 35 Optic

04/01/2008 02:26:10 PM · #22

Originally posted by Derf:

Found this online
Bride Keg Stand....(Not Mine)

Ok. Now I'm curious. Went to take a look at this and the server filter shot back:

The site you requested is blocked under the following categories: Sexual Materials

:-/ Hmmm....

04/01/2008 02:29:03 PM · #23

LOL, yeah, I've seen that picture before at more attainable sites. It didn't really fit in on this one.

04/01/2008 02:32:00 PM · #24

Originally posted by icu1965:

[quote=cynthiann] [quote=Derf]
That game's pretty popular here too, although it's just called bean bag, or bag toss game. bag tossThere's no way I'd pay that much for one, you can make a set for $20.00!
This redneck wedding reminded me of the couple that got married on a deer stand wearing camo!redneck weddings
eta:link

I like calling it cornhole better:)

the deer stand with camo pics were funny, but not quite their style...