My turn for first wedding! - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Nikon

04/10/2008 08:13:45 PM · #1

Well I'm diving in. First wedding will be May 18th.

It's at the amazing Chapel Dulcinea, up near Austin. A bit of a drive for us, but it's a friend of a friend. Their reception is across the way at Tuscan Hall. So good for us it's mostly outside in the evening (7:00 wedding), but bad as well, since it's far enough away that I won't get to practice or know exactly how the light is until we get there.

Anyhooo, we're not really making any money on it, just shots for our portfolio, so if anyone wants to second... let me know!

And most, wish me luck!!! I'm thinking of renting a lens or two for the day, taking my 350 and a 20D, but the only lenses I have are Kit, the 1.8 50mm and sigma 70-300. Will have to see wha tthey have down the road. If I can afford it between now and then (big IF) I was thinking of getting a gary fong whale tail, but... well that's a big big If.

Thanks for any well wishes, to be honest I'm terrified.

cryan

Nikon D700

04/10/2008 08:20:33 PM · #2

Hey don't worry so much. All will be fine. i would try to rent some glass, and if you can swing it go for the whaletail. I have one and love it, just make sure you pratice with it and watch the included video. honestly Ches, I have confidence in you, just don't let them see you sweat.

04/10/2008 08:31:29 PM · #3

lol again luckily for me.. Mid may, central texas, everyone will be sweating!!!!

NVPhoto

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/11/2008 08:49:31 AM · #4

Ill rent you some stuff. I own www.rentphotostuff.com.

I would recommend... 24-70 2.8L, 85 1.2L, 70-200 2.8L IS, and 16-35 2.8L. Mix and match some of those depending on the venue. I guarantee you will love any of them.

Justin

04/11/2008 09:58:33 AM · #5

Thank you Justin, I had checked out your place from the other thread :). I'm going to go up there Week after next to try to see more what I have to deal with.

Prof_Fate

04/11/2008 10:32:41 AM · #6

For weddings your glass sucks. It's all slow, slow to focus, not sharp wide open.
Enjoy the experience, but if you're planning on shooting more weddings get better glass - 17-55 2.8 IS (Canon is best, but the tamron can be used), 70-200 2.8 IS (again, canon is the best choice and you'll want IS, but lesser lenses can sub for a while). Get either the 50 1.4 or 85 1.8, and you'll need a wide lens - the 10-22 is the only real choice as it's not much more than the tokina, but you can't make it flare.

You'll need fast and IS for the ceremony especially if you can't use flash (i never use flash even if I can - it's the bride's moment and I'm not there to be a distraction. Besides, the gear exists so you don't need to use flash)
You'll need fast, wide open lenses to blur out lousy BGs and for portraiture.
You'll need fast, fast focusing lenses cause you'll have to focus in pretty dark places and weddings don't stop for second takes - if you're gear can't focus fast enough you'll miss a lot of shots, expressions, etc.

Got a plan for the formals? As in posing, lighting? People rarely buy these, but they're expected to be done and everyone is watching you when you shoot them, and everyone assumes them to be the easiest shots of the day - they are not.
Are they doing a boquet toss/garter? Got a plan for that? You'll need to have perfect timing OR shoot in drive mode and you're flash won't keep up. Be prepared to shoot at ISO 1600 or 3200.
Got a backup flash? Got 3 sets of batteries? Got enough memory? Shoot RAW - it will allow you to fix the WB later if needed, and tweak the exposure with less hassle if needed.
Have a list of shots you want to take, if not in great detail at least as an outline. There is nothing worst than when you're going thru the pics the next day to see you missed the formal shot with his mom, or you have no ring shot, or to have the bride ask "How come you didn't get a shot of my and the groom in the church or in the limo or ....
Good luck and try and enjoy the day.

04/11/2008 12:39:35 PM · #7

The bride has asked for the formals to be against the bell wall. At this point I'm not sure what direction the light is going to be coming from (Going up around the 22nd to see).

She has a long wish list of shots (See below), this is the grooms first wedding and she's trying to make it perfect for him. So far she's been very greatful, though of course bridezilla could come through won't know til it's all over.

Pre- Wedding:
candids of the female in bridal party getting ready,
(especially the bride & the flower girls)
artistic shots of the bouquets & corsages,
candids of the groom & the groomsmen getting ready,
artistic shots of the bouteneers,
Reception hall (pre- wedding):
artistic shots of the cake,
artistic shots of centerpieces& candles,
artistic shots of the table set-ups,
Ceremony:
chapel,
groom & groomsmen waiting,
rest of bridal party walking down the isle,
the parents & grandparents in the crowd,
candids of the rest of the guests,
the ring exchange,
the kiss,
ringing the bell,
Portraits:
Bride & bridesmaids,
Groom & groomsmen,
Bridal party together,
B & G with bride's family,
B & G with groom's family,
B & G with both families together,
B & G with flower girls,
B & G,
(including artistic shots of B & G & rings)
Reception:
B & G's entrance,
1st dance,
father & daughter dance,
mother & son dance,
toasts,
cake cutting,
candids,
B dancing with flower girls,
garder toss,
bouquet toss,
B & G's exit

She has stated the most important pictures are the ones with the B&G and their children. I will definately have a second shooter, either one of my employees, or a volunteer :). But none of my staff has ever done a wedding either, so it's new to all of us. We're shooting from probably 5:30 for pre-wedding, me with the bride my second with the groom (seperate locations..;. oi logistics) then at the wedding itself at 7, then formals and the reception.

What we're plannign on delivering is around 80 edited shots, probly in a book from MyPublisher, as well as all the jpegs on a dvd and personal use print release. She definately want's pictures above teh pool a the reception which is I think the most challenging, since it will likely be darker by then. I may go up for some of the scheduled weddings there and just kinda hang out off the sidelines and see what other photogs do.