My first (and last) wedding - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

07/19/2008 05:26:09 PM · #1

Two weeks ago I went to France to shoot my first wedding. Not the kind of photography I was planning to do, but the bride is a friend and asked me if I would do it. So I thought I'd give it a try (after warning her that it would be my first time ;-) ).

The day was fun, but also quite stressful (We only had 15 minutes for the portraits. And during the official ceremonies I always had to maneuver around guests taking their own pictures with compact cameras and cell phones...). And although I kept post-processing to a minimum, it took several days. This is also the reason why I probably won't do anything like that again any time soon (I only had the time because I was on vacation anyways...).

The final package contains more than 500 pictures. I don't want to bore you with all of them, but here are some of my favorites:

Feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,

Sam

Patrick_R

Canon EOS-60D

07/19/2008 05:35:42 PM · #2

I think you did fabulous! Nice work. Way better than her friends and family with thier silly cell phone cameras

banmorn

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR

07/19/2008 05:37:46 PM · #3

You're hardly a slouch at this. I might reconsider. Really fine shots in here, especially the one with the bride showing tears welling up in her eyes. All definite keepers.

efit for spoiling

Message edited by author 2008-07-23 10:39:31.

Frankie_Lv

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

07/19/2008 05:41:51 PM · #4

Hi Sammy, I think they are very nice. I think she will be very happy with them.

see

Canon PowerShot S95

07/19/2008 06:13:06 PM · #5

I would rethink the �last� part of your post.

I think you did a fantastic job.

BAMartin

Apple iPhone 5

07/19/2008 06:30:46 PM · #6

The couple and their entire family are all going to love these. You did a great job.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

07/20/2008 08:32:41 AM · #7

Thank you all very much for the nice comments! Is there anything "wrong" with the pictures? What could I have done better?

raish

Olympus C-2500L

07/20/2008 09:12:55 AM · #8

They're good people. If they're not, then you made them look like it and that's not all bad.

There's a freshness in these pictures. The quality of photography, not least for those interior shots, is excellent. The outstanding impression for me, overall, is that the subjects are relaxed and happy about you taking pictures of them. Your being a friend and wedding guest probably has a lot to do with that, but if you could even get close with strangers then you have a gift there.

As for the work flow of preparation and post processing, I believe there's a good few people around this site who can give useful tips, so never say never again.

Mind you, I'd say the same :-)

SDW

Canon EOS-60D

Tamron AF 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 XR Di LD Aspherical IF for Canon

07/20/2008 09:30:37 AM · #9

I think you did a real good job. I have left a few comments and suggestions. Hope they help.

dwterry

Canon EOS-1D Mark III

07/20/2008 09:41:45 AM · #10

Nice work! Perhaps you have a calling as a wedding photographer after all. :-)

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/20/2008 10:13:31 AM · #11

I think you did a great job too.. good exposure, good color, sharp focus, gorgous bride, and lots of happy people. If anything, it looks like you used the same lens through out the all the pictures shown... or at least the same focal length. Some of the images would have benifited from a wide angle (the signing of the papers for instance) and anywhere you had a lot of friends and family gathered around. A longer lens is good for doing the back up the church or really tight shots. You might have used other focal lengths in the other images, but the use of just one lens is the impression I get with these.

And your idea to not do another wedding might be good... after all, it is good to quit while you are ahead. ;D

Mike

07/20/2008 10:58:18 AM · #12

Mike, thanks for your comments. I actually used two cameras (40Ds) and four different lenses:

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM
examples:

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

I wish I could have taken more wide-angle shots, but I couldn't do so without having other photographers in the pictures. I always had to choose my position carefully to make sure they were not blocking my view...

Should I ever happen to shoot a wedding again, I'll request that there only be one or two official photographers and that guests remain seated. They may take pictures from their seats, but please don't stand in front of me with your cell phone and ruin my shot...

Message edited by author 2008-07-20 10:59:57.

MikeJ

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

07/20/2008 08:21:24 PM · #13

Sam, it's a lost cause trying to be the only or nearly only photographer at a wedding. Even if the bride and groom agree and sign a contract to that effect, they can't control their family, friends and other guests... and they shouldn't have to worry about that with so many other things to worry about. Photographers that have that in their contract is like the dog that chases the car... what's the dog going to do with the car if he catches it or, what's the photographer going to do if there are other photographers, sue the bride and groom? Walk out? Throw a fit?

Remember, those other photographers are family and friends too, even if they are taking pictures. Get them in the shots as well. You can always crop them out later if you really need to, but they might also include some of the bride or groom's favorite people and they will be glad you got them.

The very first wedding I did back in the late 70's, I did a shot from the balcony over looking the bride and groom giving their vows and most of the people attending... in the shot is 5 or 6 other people taking pictures, including a guy shooting as super 8 (I believe that's what it was) video camera. That was one of the images that they wanted because one of the guys taking pictures was a family member and the others were friends. So add them in your shots. You never know which are going to be the ones they absolutely can't leave out of their album.

Mike

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/20/2008 09:17:43 PM · #14

Thanks, Mike.

Professional wedding photographers could worry about the other photographers because they might reduce the number of prints they'll be able to sell. However, this was not my concern since I didn't do it for money. I don't mind if guests take as many pictures as they want. The only thing that really frustrates me is when a guest stands right in front of me to take a picture of an important moment with their cell phone. I'm unable to take a proper picture and all they have is a dark, blurry 1MP picture that doesn't even allow you to recognize the people in it.

In addition, photographers (especially in the church) are a nuisance to guests. There's a difficult trade-off between getting the important shots and keeping the disturbance of the event to a minimum. I therefore didn't use flash in the church, kept my distance and used long lenses whenever possible, didn't move a lot and only took pictures when I thought it was "necessary". I think this would have worked out fine, but there were ten other photographers running around, using their flashes and annoying everyone. And I basically became just one of the bunch of disturbing photographers...

I realize how important the guests are and I therefore tried to have each of them in at least one picture. I hope I succeeded.

if_images

Canon EOS-40D

07/23/2008 01:50:55 AM · #15

Sam - those pix look pretty darn good to me. They are better than any of my wedding photos, from both weddings...

The first time I couldn't afford a photographer, and had a collection of photos from friends and family. Some were better than others, but with a budget of $500 out of my own pocket we took what we could get (read afford).

Second time around we used a highly recommeded "professional" photographer. Those photos absolutely stunk!!! I'd say 90% of our wedding album photos are those we got from a friend who was a motivated amateur. Our official photographer was complained several times to us about other photographers. Turns out he was an @55.

Keep up the good work. I'm sure your friend appreciated your insight to what she thought was important.

Bebe

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 55-200mm f/4.0-5.6G ED

07/23/2008 06:05:02 AM · #16

These are beautiful - really well done! I love the emotions you captured.

gwe21

Nikon D300

07/23/2008 10:28:08 AM · #17

you did a wonderful job!!! They should be very happy.