Help please. Need advice for engagement shoot in Bristol.

dakid

dakid

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I'm shooting my second wedding next month (well, first wedding technically, as the last was a civil partnership), and I'm doing an engagement shoot next Friday in Bristol.

My photography experience lies in sports, wildlife and candids, and I'm really unsure about what exactly to do on it. I've got a couple of books by Bill Hurter (Master Posing Guide For Wedding Photographers and Existing Light Techniques for Wedding and Portrait Photography) that I'm slowly working my way through, and am hoping they'll help, but I could really do with any tips people have.

I'm aware of the basics of posing models, but I've not actually done it before, so I'm pretty unsure about what I'm doing. Thankfully, this wedding is being done completely free, for a friend, so there's an element of it "not mattering", but of course it does really. I am definitely keen to use as much natural light as possible, not least because I don't have any remote triggers or tripods to use off-camera flash. I do have a 580EXII though, so if I can find things to bounce off, I may well be using that, or straight-on at -2 FEC to get catchlights and as a fill.

I'm also not quite sure where I'll go if the weather's bad, so if anyone knows Bristol and has any good suggestions for poor-weather shooting near Brandon Hill, it'd be much appreciated! :)

Thanks,

Martin
 
Hi Martin,

Sorry that I can't help you with the photography-side of things as I portraits aren't my thing at all.

However, as to the location, you might think about popping a bit further down the road towards College Green where you will find the local public library, Bristol Cathedral and the Town Hall thingy. I am not sure if you are allowed to take pictures in any of these places but it might be worth checking it out because they are interesting buildings and you might be able to sneak in a pic or 2 in the lobbies/porches. Bristol City Museum at the top of Park Street is free to get into, has a lovely interior and you might be able to take pics in there.

There is a lovely coffee shop called ? Woodes just at the bottom of Park St with some lovely older wooden furniture upstairs (at least it did have when I was there last year) that might be good for a pic or 2 over coffee if you pick a quiet time?

There is a tiny bit of cover beside the harbour in front of the watershed cinema - but the lighting might be a bit tricky.

Your friends should know all these places.

That's all I can think of for now - hope it helps.
 
I know most of the places actually, as I grew up in Bristol, but haven't been there for coming up to a decade, so I'm a bit rusty. The places you mention are very good ideas though ... thank you!
 
Some great Recommendations by Ali, but I think you would have to pay for most of these places, even the lobbies/porches. (unless you were quick ;))

You could also try in the galleries, (photography is allowed without a permit now) along the waterfront, by/on the SS Great Britain, underneath the cumberland basin, on the Clifton suspension bridge.

It may also help to have a couple of golfing brollies.

HTH.

Spence
 
Have emailed the museum to ask about taking photos there. Suspension Bridge is a grand idea. Thanks, Spencer.

Anyone at all able to offer suggestions or point me at a good place to pick up some simple tips for outdoor photo-shoots?
 
Hi Again,

Hope you have some luck with the museum - you never know.

If you do get up to the suspension bridge you might pop over to the camera obscura building that they have there for a different backdrop if the weather is OK.

Like ryanyboy I saw the thread below today which had some great ideas and feedback. I did particularly like the 'street' shot, which I thought would suit some Bristol streets v. well as some of them have distinctive looks.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=214588

St Nicholas' Market is covered with a couple of lovely alleyways/buildings around it if the weather turns out to be ok.

Good luck with it - extra points if you manage to get a picture of them with the Banksy 'man hanging out the window' pic in it. It is just at the bottom of Park St!!!!
 
It's not gone yet. Three days' time!

Weather's looking suitably dreadful for Friday, but I've cleared that I can shoot inside the museum (without flash, but my equipment should cope with that) and have also been thinking about shots down by the waterfront under the walkway, and using umbrellas. Still nervous, but am aware that I need to control them, so I'm gonna try and blag supreme confidence on the day ;D
 
dakid said:
It's not gone yet. Three days' time!

Weather's looking suitably dreadful for Friday, but I've cleared that I can shoot inside the museum (without flash, but my equipment should cope with that) and have also been thinking about shots down by the waterfront under the walkway, and using umbrellas. Still nervous, but am aware that I need to control them, so I'm gonna try and blag supreme confidence on the day ;D
Click to expand...

I'll keep my fingers crossed for dry weather.:thumbs:

Spence
 
dakid said:
It's not gone yet. Three days' time!

Weather's looking suitably dreadful for Friday, but I've cleared that I can shoot inside the museum (without flash, but my equipment should cope with that) and have also been thinking about shots down by the waterfront under the walkway, and using umbrellas. Still nervous, but am aware that I need to control them, so I'm gonna try and blag supreme confidence on the day ;D
Click to expand...

Good news about the museum if the weather does turn out to be so bad :thumbs:.

I'm sure that the couple want the photos to turn out well as much as you do - so I'm sure they'll cooperate as you take your time to get the best that you can.

Good luck on Friday - post a couple if you feel brave enough :)
 
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