shooting a wedding on friday!!!nerrvous&reckless

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/29/2007 11:49:55 AM · #77

Originally posted by noisemaker:

Originally posted by justamistere:
You can possibly borrow or rent a camera body, and/or some digital media cards. You can never have enough storage cards.

Shooting a lot is good, but have a list of the "Key" required/requested scenes. Refer to the list when you are getting close to the end of the card storage. Practice changing cards quick.

there are no rental services where I live.
and i think i have enough memory! I'm 10 gigs with me! 1x4gig extreme3, 3x2gig ultra2

should be plenty with a 20D

fotomann_forever

08/29/2007 12:13:04 PM · #78

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESOVrc4K3CQ

Might give ya some inspiration ;-)

Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX-DC HSM

08/30/2007 01:03:10 AM · #79

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by karmat:

:)

LOL

4 days before a wedding it's normal to get nervous. Wait till friday morning!

This isn't where I bring up that if the photography was important to them they'd have chosen a seasoned pro, is it? So since they didn't they'll be satisfied with whatever you give them.

Just wear a name badge that says "STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHER" and you'll be fine LOL

I want to people to believe that I am a pro so I will act like a pro and take pictures like a pro!

and I now have the 70-200mm/2.8 mounted on my camera. its huuuuge

Message edited by author 2007-08-30 11:12:02.

Shadowi6

Nikon D200

08/30/2007 01:49:56 AM · #80

Originally posted by noisemaker:

I want to people to believe that I am a pro so I will act like a pro and talk pictures like a pro!

you just talk your photos up as much as you need to, for someone that asked for help your rather defensive

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

08/30/2007 11:11:40 AM · #81

Originally posted by Shadowi6:

Originally posted by noisemaker:

I want to people to believe that I am a pro so I will act like a pro and talk pictures like a pro!

you just talk your photos up as much as you need to, for someone that asked for help your rather defensive

no no I mean't take pictures likea pro not talk! my bad

defensive? I'm just trying to boost my confidence by saying I can shoot as good as a pro.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

08/30/2007 11:38:36 AM · #82

Nervous I can understand, but reckless? I think you may mean restless which is also understandable.

As long as you acknowledge these feelings you will be much more aware of what you are doing. Just take your time (as much as can be afforded for the situation) and you'll do just fine.

Good luck.

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/30/2007 09:45:05 PM · #83

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

I totally meant Restless!

now the only thing im stressing is when to use the 70-200 and when the 24-70 and what if i miss a key shot while im switching lenses

trevytrev

Canon EOS-5D

08/30/2007 09:48:33 PM · #84

If you miss a key shot while switching then you ruin the most important day of their lives....jk, you'll be fine. they always look at the shots you did get and they don't think of the ones you didn't. GL

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/30/2007 09:51:45 PM · #85

Mr. Bean, Wedding Photographer

Sorry, that thought just popped into my head. Good luck, Dustin.

drewbixcube

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

08/30/2007 10:45:33 PM · #86

Originally posted by noisemaker:

what if i miss a key shot while im switching lenses

Get a program before the wedding starts. Plan your lens changes ahead of time. Write them down on the program. Check the program throughout the ceremony to know what is coming up and which lens you will need for it. Anticipate and plan ahead.

08/31/2007 12:03:49 AM · #87

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Originally posted by noisemaker:
what if i miss a key shot while im switching lenses

Get a program before the wedding starts. Plan your lens changes ahead of time. Write them down on the program. Check the program throughout the ceremony to know what is coming up and which lens you will need for it. Anticipate and plan ahead.

yeahh, im jsut thinking about during hte ceremony of when to switch from 70-200 to 24-70. im thinking that at the start ill use 70-200 to get groom watiing. then swithc to 24-70 for isle walk then 70-200 for almost rest of ceremony(including kiss) then near the end switch it up to the 24-70mm.

Anyone think this would work or wouldnt work?

08/31/2007 12:15:49 AM · #88

I've always felt that 24-70 and 70-200 with a 1.6x crop and a FF is a perfect balance.

Since you don't have that option, you are going to have to make do.

I planned the wedding out based on locations, where I will have to be to get which moments. I will carry the map with me to the wedding and share with the two others that will be there, so we can be organized. I don't expect either of them to follow it.

Point is though, knowing which locations I want to get which shot (full body, head shots, close-ups, quick succession zoom in and zoom outs, I am better prepared to choose my lens appropriately.

I am likely going to start with my 80-200 to shoot them coming in , and walking down the aisle.

I will then move to a location where I can do a few head shots/couple shots of them seated (she can't stand for long due to her bad knee) off to the speaker's right. I will then switch lenses to a wide-zoom (24-70 in your terms) and try to get a shot including the speaker and the couple, likely on the wide end. Then I will zoom in and take a torso of the speaker (likely after the 5 minute mark where any nervousness the speaker has will likely have faded away and his enthusiasm peaks). Then I will sit down and wait for the vows/rings/kiss. Probably shot with the 80-200 at max frame rate. I always ask the B/G not to have a quick peck for their kiss as they will find this to be a key shot in their album even if they haven't given it any thought until then.

That's a bit of an example. I'm not an experienced wedding photographer. In fact, I've only participated in one. But this is how I'm approaching being in a similar situation as yourself.

I actually did a practice with a couple of friends who were recently married in their apartment under fluorescent lighting (similar to the places that both weddings were held) to help get me used to shooting 200mm at 1/60 and give me an idea of how things go. If you use a fast telephoto, your DOF might be lower than you expect and you might have some focus issues. Be ready for that. I like to shoot in bursts, but the first burst I start nice and early. A practice session beforehand helped me learn where the focus point should be and how to get it there when subjects are moving. I don't trust AI Servo enough for this - especially under Fluoro's.

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/31/2007 12:38:38 AM · #89

Originally posted by noisemaker:

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Originally posted by noisemaker:
what if i miss a key shot while im switching lenses

Get a program before the wedding starts. Plan your lens changes ahead of time. Write them down on the program. Check the program throughout the ceremony to know what is coming up and which lens you will need for it. Anticipate and plan ahead.

yeahh, im jsut thinking about during hte ceremony of when to switch from 70-200 to 24-70. im thinking that at the start ill use 70-200 to get groom watiing. then swithc to 24-70 for isle walk then 70-200 for almost rest of ceremony(including kiss) then near the end switch it up to the 24-70mm.

Anyone think this would work or wouldnt work?

This is where a second body or a second shooter would come in very handy. I've only shot a couple of weddings, but have always had a partner to work with. Don't know that I could do it on my own for just this reason. I don't think I'd be able to take on a wedding by myself without at least a second body. Not that this helps you any, just thought I'd share. I'm sure you'll do great. You know your stuff. :)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/31/2007 01:05:36 AM · #90

okay i need some opinions! for hte wedding im shooting tomororw do you really think I need to bring my Tripod? the only thing i'd really need it for would be the formals but ill be shooting them in good conditions outside so i shoudlnt need it reallly. it will just be a hassle to carry around all day.

AJSullivan

08/31/2007 09:14:55 AM · #91

I would bring it for the inside shots, cause you never know where youre going to be, what the lights going to be like, etc.

And its not like you ahve to carry it all day, you can ditch it somewhere (under a table, in a corner) and grab it when you need it.

Message edited by author 2007-08-31 09:15:23.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

08/31/2007 09:47:02 AM · #92

Ya, bring your tripod. You'll kick yourself hard if you do need it. When doing the posed shots afterwards (if you're in a church) you'll probably need to drag the shutter a little bit to balance the ambient light better to the flash, otherwise the background will usually be too dark.

At the reception, I always bring mine even though I never really use it, except for maybe some natural light shots with decorations in place if the hall is mostly empty and I have time when I get there. It's also very handy to have a safe place to put the camera to go to the bathroom or whatever, instead of leaving it on a table where somebody can spill a drink on it or worse. A quick release mount is very helpful here. I use a big bracket setup with external Turbo battery, so that gets clumsy leaving it around somewhere.

Gordon

RIM BlackBerry Curve

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

08/31/2007 10:01:02 AM · #93

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Also you'll want to keep an eye on the number of frames you have left on a particular card, bad form to be changing your CF card for the 'you may now kiss the bride' moment.

08/31/2007 10:36:58 AM · #94

Originally posted by Gordon:

Originally posted by drewbixcube:

Originally posted by noisemaker:
what if i miss a key shot while im switching lenses

Get a program before the wedding starts. Plan your lens changes ahead of time. Write them down on the program. Check the program throughout the ceremony to know what is coming up and which lens you will need for it. Anticipate and plan ahead.

Also you'll want to keep an eye on the number of frames you have left on a particular card, bad form to be changing your CF card for the 'you may now kiss the bride' moment.

for sure, im thiking my 4 gig card will last the getting ready + ceremony. i can fire off avg. 600 RAW images on it. and then i have 3 other 2 gig cards

08/31/2007 10:38:16 AM · #95

Originally posted by Telehubbie:

Yeah I think i'll bring it. I do have a quick release as well!
the thing that sucks is im hitching rides with the wedding party the whole day!

08/31/2007 01:37:20 PM · #96

for dragging the shutter like that indoors, do you find you get better results with 2nd curtain flash sync? I prefer it most of the time myself...

Oh yeah, mine starts at 9:00 AM, 7.5 hours to go. Time for sleep! We should both be getting worked up around the same time!

Heh, have a clean dry place to keep your extra data card and have it and your batteries ready to go at all times.

I did the kiss shot last month off a tripod with the ball-head loose. Shooting 200mm on a 1.6x crop at 1/50 and 1/60 did me OK.

Simms

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

08/31/2007 02:56:50 PM · #97

well, todays the day.. good luck!!! let us know how you got on as soons as you can.

09/01/2007 10:41:05 AM · #98

Backing mine up now, how did yours go Noisy? Mine was fun. The photog for the park formals cancelled last minute, so I got to do about 30 minutes in the park with them. Sadly, just before we left, they turned the A/C WAY up and my camera bag was under the vent, so when we got there (a difference of around 20 degrees), the whole thing just fogged right up. There was another shooter there who was using a kit lens on a 400D and she was fine because she only had the one lens and wasn't near the AC.

DOH!

Did about 80 pics in the park.

Noisemaker, looking forward to seeing your story.

09/01/2007 11:12:29 AM · #99

It went awesome! it was raining during hte outdoor ceremony but there was a cover for hte bride and groom. my camera got pretty wet but everything is still in working order, didn't miss any shots, and right after the ceremony the rain stopped just in time to take the formals. Reception went well also