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02/14/2010 02:33:30 PM · #1 |
Hi All,
My friend has asked me to shoot his wedding in August this year - which will be held in Cyprus. Gonna be darn hot......
Please can I ask for as many tips and as much advice as possible form your experience....
My lens are 24-105MM and 85MM 1.8 - do I need any other glass? Will this glass do? do I need something faster...
I will also take a canon 580 EX also with a diffuser (plastic cap type) I intend to use flash on each shot either in or outdoor.....
Is their a benefit to an off camera flash holder?
Cheers All....
Tony |
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02/14/2010 04:22:49 PM · #2 |
Tony,
Your asking for advice on something as serious as wedding photos is scary on its own. Most people don't shoot weddings until they are sure they can you get excellent photos under the pressure of the day?
Will you ruin your friendship if the photographs don't turn out well, or will snapshots be OK?
Will you have any other role in the wedding? The wedding photographer is a full time job. You won't do anything else that day if they want a complete wedding set. My first wedding shoot was my son's wedding. He had a co-worker that was studying photography and saved the day by getting some pictures that were not on my list. She kept on shooting at the reception when I tried to enjoy the reception. I missed some of the people that were there, she shot everyone. I missed his friend that he met in day care as a toddler. I missed an old and dear friend. I'll get the training that she had before I shoot another wedding.
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02/14/2010 04:51:36 PM · #3 |
Here is a good web site with lots of info.
//photo.net/learn/wedding/ |
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02/14/2010 05:46:04 PM · #4 |
Don't be pt off by any negative feed back here. the 24/105mm is a great lens. I used same for 90% of my wedding photography, other than that I had a70/210mm and an 16/35.mm w/a and 100mmm 2.8 that was my kit with a sunpak 5000 flash.managed to do a lot of weddings with that. the main thing is too be conversant with your gear and operate it as 2nd nature, Down here in Summer the kight is bright especially on blue sky days so fill flash is a must in90% of the time.
LISTEN TO THE BRIDE.SHE WILL HAVE SOME SET IDEAS.Buy a few bridal mags and get ideas from those. make a list of the must do shots and mark them off
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02/15/2010 01:28:47 PM · #5 |
take a second body.
I can't stress that enough. If something goes wrong, you need a backup. And since they'll be looking to you to get the shots, if your camera fails, then what? And yes, it does happen. But it only happens when you don't have a backup. The universe is great like that.
I think your lenses are alright but nothing more. Personally, I don't think you have anything long enough. When I shot my last wedding I was at 200mm a lot of the time to capture candids and people shots where they weren't aware they were being photographed. I'm not entirely convinced 105mm will be long enough. Another reason I say this is for more practical/important reasons- the shots of the rings being swapped, the bride saying "I do" and wiping a tear off her face whilst looking lovingly at her new husband come a lot easier at 200mm than at 105mm where you will either have to crop, or get uncomfortably close to capture these moments. I applaud the versatility of the 24-105mm but I would seriously look at renting something like a 70-200 2.8 for the wedding. You'll be glad you did.
I also really like a wider prime since lighting at weddings and their subsequent receptions isn't likely to be great, although with it being held in Cyprus, I imagine a lot of it will take place outdoors which negates the need for speed for reasons other than depth of field.
The benefit of an off camera flash rig thing is to eliminate the tell-tale (and monstrous) flash shadows on walls etc that come from direct flash. It situates the flash to the side slightly to provide light that comes from a far nicer position than dead on. Honestly, I've never used one. I have a 580 EXII which I just bounce off whatever will work and it's been fine and doesn't nuke anything or anybody. I got all the cake cutting shots by bouncing a flash off a nearby wall and f/6.3 and all was well.
So thats about it. The shooting of a wedding isn't dissimilar to shooting sports, you need to be quick, pre-emptive in movements but weddings have the advantage of being formulaic so you know that the bride stands on one side, he on the other, they do this, then do this, etc etc so once you know 'the routine' you can plan where you need to be when the time rolls around.
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02/15/2010 03:27:08 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by Tez:
The benefit of an off camera flash rig thing is to eliminate the tell-tale (and monstrous) flash shadows on walls etc that come from direct flash. It situates the flash to the side slightly to provide light that comes from a far nicer position than dead on. Honestly, I've never used one. I have a 580 EXII which I just bounce off whatever will work and it's been fine and doesn't nuke anything or anybody. I got all the cake cutting shots by bouncing a flash off a nearby wall and f/6.3 and all was well.
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Dont bother with the off camera rig - waste of time, from what I can tell it shifts the shadow a wee bit but still look monstrous - for all wants and purposes its still direct flash. Learn how to use available light and augment that light with your flash - bounce it off the ceiling, a wall, even the shirt of one of the guests (in  kevip6`s case he generally bounces his flash off my retinas - much to his amusment).
Defintely take a second body - even a cheapy 350D or something takes better pictures than no backup body at all. |
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02/15/2010 03:57:48 PM · #7 |
Just make sure you are prepared and take heaps of photos. You won't have any problems. Talk to the couple and their parents in advance about any guests that they would like shots of. Most of the time when I shot videos for weddings I had the mother of usually the bride but sometimes the groom also following me around making sure I got this person and that person in the video. This becomes annoying when shooting video because I would end up having to edit their voice out of the video several times. Not as big of a problem while shooting photos but if you ask before hand, They might stay out of your way and let you do your thing with out interuption. The only other thing I can say is take alot of formal shots, but then suggest some fun ones as well. Let everyone get a little loose in front of the camera. It usually provides some nice memories. legs kicked up, crazy faces silly poses etc... Good Luck....
Message edited by author 2010-02-15 15:58:39. |
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02/15/2010 04:13:56 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Tez:
weddings have the advantage of being formulaic so you know that the bride stands on one side, he on the other, they do this, then do this, etc etc so once you know 'the routine' you can plan where you need to be when the time rolls around. |
You obviously havent been to a Greek (Cypriot) wedding! :D |
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02/15/2010 05:16:35 PM · #9 |
| Tony, I would try to put an advert out that you would be willing to be a second shooter at some weddings. That way you can get some experience in! |
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02/15/2010 05:20:23 PM · #10 |
TOny, I will say your work on your website is exceptional - obviously hard to translate across to a wedding, but you obviously know your equipment well..
I think you will do fine.
Just dont f**k it up.
:-)
Message edited by author 2010-02-15 17:20:31. |
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02/15/2010 05:33:57 PM · #11 |
Glass wise you are definitely fine! I would almost prefer the 24-105 4 to the 24-70 2.8 with the 5dII for weddings. that extra reach is really nice to have on the hectic day. and the 85 will get those super amazingly sharp images for the portraits. My advice... I mean beside the aforementioned take a second body and read online and blah blah is to just relax. Try your best to enjoy the day. Be apart of the day. Just think these people have chosen you to come to the most expensive party of their lives. enjoy it!
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02/15/2010 08:11:30 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Simms:
TOny, I will say your work on your website is exceptional - obviously hard to translate across to a wedding, but you obviously know your equipment well..
I think you will do fine.
Just dont f**k it up.
:-) |
You been watching too much My Cousin Vinney. |
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02/15/2010 08:26:18 PM · #13 |
O..M...G. That's a great link, so great in fact, I parsed it for you. Bookmark score!
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02/15/2010 10:38:21 PM · #14 |
I just read the 'who?' section of your website.
I love the second line: "about us... well, we don't do weddings..."
Guess you'll be wanting to change that now.
I still maintain you should try and borrow/rent/steal something with longer reach then 105mm though but if it's all you have, it's all you have.
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02/20/2010 02:44:38 PM · #15 |
ALL -MANY THANKS for the great info and SUPPORT here - absolutely much appreciated.
@Gene243 - Many thanks for your feedback and your time. My friend ain't got the cash for a PRO Wedding Snapper - hence I have been asked. I am really happy that he trusts me enough and I want to go out of my way to do a good job. My pics are not your straight forward steam train or close up of a flower as I strive to be original and obviously not to everyones taste - however I do have the ability to learn, practice and adapt - which Is what i will be doing. I am glad I am in a position and try and help him.
@simms - lol - best advice ever.....:)
@Tez - you got a body I can lend? - LOL - only kidding but I can borrow another body and will - great advice thanks.
@ JulietNN - yep defo will - I was planning exactly that- anyone need a free bag carrier in the North West UK ?
Cheers all
Tony |
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