Wedding Shots - CC please.

AndrewSt

AndrewSt

Messages
1,261
Edit My Images
No
One of our friends wedding at the weekend, not shooting in any formal capacity and tried to stay away from the pro as much as possible. Concentrated on getting shots that he didn't and of taking shots of some of our friends and other guests.

There is a whole load on flickr, lots wouldn't pass the cut in a paid gig but seeing as if we know everyone I have kept a lot more in. Any comments and CC would be appreciated. Technically all shot with D750 and 35 1.8 and 85 1.8, no flash, mostly aperture priority upto ISO 6400, shutter speed min of 1/160 mostly.


McVay Wedding-98 by Andrew Sturrock, on Flickr

McVay Wedding-131 by Andrew Sturrock, on Flickr

McVay Wedding-177 by Andrew Sturrock, on Flickr

McVay Wedding-179 by Andrew Sturrock, on Flickr

McVay Wedding-241 by Andrew Sturrock, on Flickr
 
FWIW, and speaking as a retired wedding snapper ...

#1 is lovely example of how to get a good recession shot, and proof that you do not need to shoot from the bottom of the aisle in the time-honoured way

#2 fair enough for what it is, but anything like that always works better if you squat so you're shooting from nearer their eye level (yes, you do have to be quick, and no, you don't need to look through the viewfinder)

#3 taking the traditional portrait-format shot of them emerging was never going to work from where you were, but it's still a worthwhile picture

#4 is loads better though, and you did really well to realise as soon as you did that you were better off landscape. I wouldn't mind betting that that's actually a better shot at that moment than the pro got from where he/she was.

#5 is fine AFAIC but for

#6 how come no bouquet? She doesn't know what to do with her hands, and in any case a formal shot of a bride in a church doorway always looks wrong without a bunch of flowers in at least one of her hands.

Nothing at all wrong with #7 or #8, but for

#9 they needed to be to the right of the frame on account of he's the dominant figure. It would read better with him facing "into" the picture

#10 is nice enough considering what you were up against with it. What's all that light coming from the right though? Video?

#11 was well worth trying, and very nearly paid off. But I'm now wondering about those light stands in the background. Was the pro using flashes on stands?

Overall, you did really well IMO. I've seen far worse from pro wedding snappers - including one or two who do wedding photography workshops ...
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the detailed CC, exactly what I was after, much appreciated.

6 - Not sure where the bouquet was, to be honest I didn't even think about it Your right, it does look like it is missing something.

10- Yes, light from video, I really struggled with 10 and 11 due to the difficult light and without a flash.

I think that looking through the whole set I have about 50 photos that I am quite pleased with. There is probably not much more I could have done without getting in the way of the pro. Hence the lack of formal B&G shots.

Would love to try and do some more weddings. I might look into the possibility of acting as a second shooter to get some experience, other than that it is quite difficult to take it further.....North East based if anyone is looking?
 
All good shots as far as I'm concerned and all as one would expect from a wedding shoot but #5 is special precisely because it falls outside that expectancy. The expressions on teh flower girl and page boy are priceless.
 
Hi Andrew.

I noticed you only used a 35mm and 85mm lens's - did you find this challenging at all? - 5 is a great shot btw
 
Jason_Palmer said:
Hi Andrew.

I noticed you only used a 35mm and 85mm lens's - did you find this challenging at all? - 5 is a great shot btw
Click to expand...

Yes a little as I only had one body and as I was a guest I was having to make do with a lot of the positions I was in, perhaps a zoom would have been better in this situation. As the pro it would have been fine as I could have directed people accordingly, and would likely have a second body.
 
You have some good shots. I was on a shoot the other day with just a 50mm 1.4 and I found it challenging at times also. I was just wondering if you came across some similar issues.. I think in a more controlled environment fixed focal lens's are more suitable. A 24-70 2.8 is next on my Lens list. I love the black and white on the steps too btw
 
AndrewSt said:
Probably a 3rd!
Click to expand...

Indeed. But I actually meant a second body in use. Even if you're not a two-cameras person (and I can never understand why anybody shooting a wedding wouldn't be), a "backup" isn't really much use if it's in your car boot when you need it ;)
 
I think you did very well indeed with the above. I think you've probably suffered a little like I do, in that you miss small details during the thick of it which unfortunately comes with experience. I did pretty much the same as you at the weekend, used a 35 and 85 too. My posing is my weakness and I can see that the shot of the bride suffers as mentioned already without the bouquet. In no.7 the guy looks a little uncomfortable but you have positioned them well in the frame, or in line with the background. Really like the shot of the children peering through the window, that's a great spot. The processing is nice, crisp and clean and most important, consistent, so works well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top