Help and advice needed

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Sleepydawg

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Mick
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My son is getting married this coming sunday at a very pretty location in Northumberland, Langley Castle to be exact. I have hired a Professional photographer for the wedding which includes..... before, during and about the 1st 1/2 hour after the reception (1st dance).
I want to take some pictures mainly candid shots during the reception and night time do.
As I have never ever done anything like this before, would love some input as to the best way to go about this this, best lens to use, flash on, or remote that type of thing.
The gear that I have at my disposal is a D200, SB900, Nikon 70-300mm, nikon 50mm f1.8 and a sigma 12-20mm any thought, idea's I would really appreciate.
I just really want to get some good memorable shots to hopefully compliment or at least go with the main photographs

Thanks in anticipation


Mick
 
OK Mick, hope you all have a great day :)

Firstly check in with the pro and just let them know what you intend to do. Trust me, there is nothing worse that a well intentioned family member at a wedding getting in the way. ;)

The light levels this time of year are pants so it will be 50mm f1.8 and ramp up the ISO to get about 1/60 for natural light shots and flash for the rest. Your SB900 is a heck of a bit of kit and there are lots and lots of techniques for using it effectively. Bouncing it off ceilings and walls is great but you need to take account of ceiling height and colour casts. (red/orange/green walls are not great!)

You can just use it for fill flash and that is probably the simplest way of using it shoot in Aperture priority and stick the SB900 on TTL/BL and that's what it will do.

If you really want to mix flash and ambient, stick a diffuser on it and go manual. Try ISO800 1/60sec f4 and flash on TTL (Not TTL/BL) you may have to dial the ISO up or down a stop to get it about right but that is a good starting place for those indoor shots where you don't want it all flash lit and black in the background.

Just keep an eye on the pro and stay clear of what they are doing. :)
 
:D

Who said anything about your chest! :lol:

That's not where I was going to have it tattoo'd :nuts:
 
Hi ALIB,

thanks for the input and advice. I intend to have a mess around tonight to get some practice in. Do you think that I'll be able to get away with any other lens, the 70 - 300 f4.5-5.6. the reason I ask is that I was after more candid shots and I feel that I would be in peoples faces with the 50mm. I also have a Sigma 150mm f2.8 which by all accounts is a good lens for portraits. What do you think?

As far as not getting in the way of the pro, believe me I've got no intention of doing so as it's costing me 1500 squid so I'll be patrolling and stopping:bat: everybody from snapping:lol:
 
Sleepydawg said:
Hi ALIB,

thanks for the input and advice. I intend to have a mess around tonight to get some practice in. Do you think that I'll be able to get away with any other lens, the 70 - 300 f4.5-5.6. the reason I ask is that I was after more candid shots and I feel that I would be in peoples faces with the 50mm. I also have a Sigma 150mm f2.8 which by all accounts is a good lens for portraits. What do you think?

As far as not getting in the way of the pro, believe me I've got no intention of doing so as it's costing me 1500 squid so I'll be patrolling and stopping:bat: everybody from snapping:lol:
Click to expand...

The problem with the longer lenses is flash range, fine if you are shooting from a distance in natural light but don't forget to include some of the venue in your shots, after all, you are paying for it! ;)

At weddings I use both the 70-200mm f2.8 and a 50mm f1.4 for candids. I stick each lens on a D700 and walk round the outside with the longer lens and walk through the middle of the various social groups with the 50mm. Best of both worlds :)

Hope it all goes nicely for you, I'm shooting one on Saturday and the forecast is snow so I've stocked up on white brollies, the video light is charging and I'm prepping for a difficult day. :)
 
AliB said:
............

Hope it all goes nicely for you, I'm shooting one on Saturday and the forecast is snow so I've stocked up on white brollies, the video light is charging and I'm prepping for a difficult day. :)
Click to expand...

Yeh really heavy snow forecast here as well. Looks like the Bride and Groom are going to get their wish "a White Wedding":) It's going to be a nightmare getting there though as it out in the sticks a bit.

Anyway thanks for your input, I really do appreciate it. :thumbs:

P.S.Hope you have a really good day on Saturday

Mick
 
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