DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Wish me luck...got roped into doing a wedding
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 19 of 19, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 07/27/2004 08:38:11 PM · #1
Well, I got an e-mail from someone at work today asking me to shoot their wedding this weekend. Kind of nervous, as this will be the first one I've shot on my own. It will also be indoors, in a large church with little lighting, so bouncing my flash won't be an option.

I'm going to try to do the group shots outdoors (hopefully the weather cooperates), so that will only leave the ceremony.

I'm probably going to use the D70 kit lens for the ceremony. Any suggestions for shooting indoors with only my SB-800 flash?

Thanks!
 07/27/2004 09:01:45 PM · #2
I shot a wedding for a friend once YEARS ago using a Minolta manual SLR so you oughta do just fine! But hopefully my well wishes will bump this thread so you can get some real advice.

Good luck!!
 07/27/2004 09:03:53 PM · #3


f:6.3 - 8

Message edited by author 2004-07-27 21:04:23.
 07/27/2004 09:09:40 PM · #4
You should go to the site before the wedding and do some test photos in your available light to see what the actual exposure requirements are going to be. This will tell you wether or not you are going to need a flash and how you will need to use it. Take someone with you to pose in the setting...
 07/27/2004 09:11:43 PM · #5
Itreally depends how dark the church is? That is the toughest thing to do in a wedding! Tripod on shots when you can. Get a good exposure and try to stick with it for the cermony. And take the groups outdoors like you sai if weather permits. I am fortunate to do miost of mine outdoors...but there are always exceptions! I also have a nice strobe set if I cant. You have a fast lens? That helps too!
 07/27/2004 09:18:11 PM · #6
Looking through the portraits in your portfolio, it's little wonder you got roped in. Nice stuff! I was in your shoes 10 days ago- first wedding for my sister-in-law.

Ask the minister if he has any reservations about flash or where you stand beforehand. I vaguely recall hearing of people who rig an index card or similar white item at an angle above their flash to serve as a bounce. I think such things are available commercially, too (ask EddyG or Gordon- they seem to know every gizmo ever created). Worth a try.

Bring a tripod. The couple will likely want at least SOME group shots at the altar, and that's your best hope. If the church is relatively bright, you might be able to shoot with available light only using your widest aperture and a tripod.

I'm not sure I agree with Soup's suggestion. Go to the church beforehand (at least the rehearsal) and test every scenario. When in doubt, shoot RAW, but you'll need lots of CF space and/or a laptop handy for downloading. Good luck!
 07/27/2004 09:55:22 PM · #7
Thanks for all the comments so far. I forgot to mention that there is no rehersal, so there won't be much time for testing. I'm trying to talk my brother into going with me so we can get a little testing in before the ceremony.
 07/27/2004 09:58:06 PM · #8
Originally posted by scalvert:
Looking through the portraits in your portfolio, it's little wonder you got roped in. Nice stuff! I was in your shoes 10 days ago- first wedding for my sister-in-law.

Ask the minister if he has any reservations about flash or where you stand beforehand. I vaguely recall hearing of people who rig an index card or similar white item at an angle above their flash to serve as a bounce. I think such things are available commercially, too (ask EddyG or Gordon- they seem to know every gizmo ever created). Worth a try.

Bring a tripod. The couple will likely want at least SOME group shots at the altar, and that's your best hope. If the church is relatively bright, you might be able to shoot with available light only using your widest aperture and a tripod.

I'm not sure I agree with Soup's suggestion. Go to the church beforehand (at least the rehearsal) and test every scenario. When in doubt, shoot RAW, but you'll need lots of CF space and/or a laptop handy for downloading. Good luck!


Yeah, it's a Lumiquest Pocket Bouncer or the SoftBox - either product will do lovely things for otherwise harsh flash shots.
 07/27/2004 10:16:38 PM · #9
The last time I got roped into doing a wedding, it lasted twelve and a half years and cost me a house and half my retirement account. <>
 07/27/2004 10:20:02 PM · #10
Good luck with it - I've luckly managed to turn down 3 requests this weekend. Did one two weeks ago as second shooter - would never like the stress of being the official photographer, certainly not until I start getting good enough. I'm years away.
 07/27/2004 10:43:06 PM · #11
Originally posted by Gordon:
Good luck with it - I've luckly managed to turn down 3 requests this weekend. Did one two weeks ago as second shooter - would never like the stress of being the official photographer, certainly not until I start getting good enough. I'm years away.


Thanks. I've been the 2nd shooter and that was stressful enough. :) I definately wasn't planning on shooting a wedding by myself for quite awhile.
 07/27/2004 10:43:26 PM · #12
Originally posted by Gordon:
...not until I start getting good enough. I'm years away.


Good enough? Geez, Gordon, unless your church forbids batteries or requires all photographers to wear blindfolds, you are SO ready. You were among my first favorites in both categories.

Message edited by author 2004-07-27 22:44:25.
 07/27/2004 11:39:22 PM · #13
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by Gordon:
...not until I start getting good enough. I'm years away.


Good enough? Geez, Gordon, unless your church forbids batteries or requires all photographers to wear blindfolds, you are SO ready. You were among my first favorites in both categories.


Like I said - I've tried it. In my opinion I'm far from ready to be trusted with someone's once in a life time memories.
 07/28/2004 12:35:18 AM · #14
Your eye and knowledge of the tools are much of what makes the images memorable.
 07/28/2004 02:29:38 AM · #15
Originally posted by Gordon:

Like I said - I've tried it. In my opinion I'm far from ready to be trusted with someone's once in a life time memories.


I know what you mean. If my wedding photographer walked out in front of my car, I would really have to think about whether I'd hit the brakes or not. :-) We had zero photos turn out. We finally have a single photo printed (4 years later), after I scanned it in and spent about 4 hours in Photoshop cleaning it up.

I don't want to be that photographer to someone else. :)
 07/28/2004 03:20:25 AM · #16
I tried my hand at my friend's wedding a month ago yesterday and let me say this. I was sitting in the pews (I wasnt there as a photographer) and my mother agreed with me that using a flash was NOT a good idea, it detracts from the ceremony. Therefore I was left to try and get clear photos...not gonna happen, I didn't have a tripod and ended up with mostly blurry pictures. So my recommendations based from this:

- A tripod is your friend.
- Flashes are a no-no in the ceremony, no matter what the wedding party says. It was only used on the entrance, exit and at the lighting of the candles (it was a Catholic ceremony) when everyone else pulled out their cameras.
- Raw is a nice option, but if it's not possible to use, definately check out the location beforehand, I was lucky that my "Auto" setting did as well as it did.

Also, I noticed that the official photographer was in the rear of the church during the ceremony, I don't know why or how his pictures turned out (or if he even took some during it), but I'd say that if it's not too big of a group, why not set-up your tripod in the aisle (after the bride's entrance)? It'd be a great place to get some shots of the couple, and depending on the height, the wedding party.

Okay, the amateur is done now...
 07/29/2004 12:06:30 AM · #17
I know I might be a bit late with this, but I used to take wedding photos. My advice to you is to be absolutely discreet. Wear darker clothing (not bright colours) Get to the church early and introduce yourself to the minister/priest so that he knows that you are the photographer and not just an irritating relative! Take lots of candid shots of the front couple of pews (parents, grandparents etc) make sure that if there are kids in the wedding party to shoot them first as they get really bored early on. When the couple are making their vows, stand at a discreet distance behind the groom so that you get the look on the brides face as they are saying their vows (they like that) and when he lifts the veil etc. Take you time when they are signing the register. Let them sign and then go in and pose the photo. This saves a lot of stress on the couple as they don't have to worry about smiling and looking at the camera as they are signing their lives away lol. Get in front of them as they are walking back down the aisle. They will usualy stop to kiss family members as they are going down the aisle and these make really nice photos. This way also, you can position them at the entrance of the church and get some shots before they leave the church doors. Once all the guests are out of the church and throwing confetti and congratulating the couple, just try and get some candid shots of this as they look great too. At the reception (if you are going to that) make sure you get into the reception house prior to the couple arriving so that you can get them walking in. Once they have been seated, get the couple up and do a "staged" cutting of the cake. This is easier to do now than when they actually cut the cake as you will be competing with all the relatives and you can take you time to set up a really nice photo. Any thing else just ask!
 07/29/2004 12:19:32 AM · #18
[quote=foxycoxy2au] I know I might be a bit late with this,

I have shot 6 weddings.Foxy has some great advise.I had no problem with the lighting but I did my job.I was All Over The Place.On the front row, sitting in the floor as the bride walked down.Behind the preacher as he spoke.Standing behind and over the candles as they prayed and then lit them...in there face .Caught a tear running down the brides face as she lit the candle.I had the best time and was praised for my work.My only advise would be fill the frame no long shots if you can help it.(this chirch was D.I.M.L.Y lit.)
 07/29/2004 12:38:04 AM · #19
No blowing my own horn (well probably) but I have been taking wedding photos since I was 16 (14 loooonnnnngg years!!lol) I've probably photographed well over 100 weddings. I was totally over them when I got engaged so gave up so I could enjoy my own wedding.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 09/24/2025 02:40:53 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 09/24/2025 02:40:53 PM EDT.