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Bowsa

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Hi all

Long time no speak.

I have been doing some photography, mainly studio. A friend however has requested I do there wedding.

They do this on the basis that they know that this will be the first wedding that I have done, and knowing full well the limitations of my knowledge.

As this is the case I am looking to give them the best photo's that I can. So what I am looking for is almost a check list as to what I will need to provide this.

I am not looking to break the bank but for example I don't have a flash (other than that on the nikon as standard)

so any help, hints or tips you can give to help me make there day would be great.

Thanks

Dean
 
BarryDawsib said:
To start, what do you know, and what would you like to know?
Also what lenses you got?
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I have a D300 with 18-105 mm F3.4 so basic lens

only flash on the camera and I have a tripod.

Looking for other equipment I may need?

I have a 4gb CF card thinking of getting a few more of these maybe buy a few 2gb and swap over as not "put all my eggs in one basket"

Also looking to get some more batts as only currently have the one

in terms of photo's to take I am confident in my own knowledge, although any ideas people want to through my way about particularly nice poses or shots would be great

Cheers

Bowsa
 
"Sits back and grabs the popcorn"



Are you sure you feel like you can give them great results? It's the (possibly) only wedding they will have and it would be unfair on them to not be able to produce what they require. I'm not doubting your skill at all, its just something to think about.
 
Today actually is "Groundhog Day" :lol:

BOWSA, I'm laughing at the irony of the thread not your post.

I've posted a similar question a few days ago :thumbs:

For the record, if the B&G can't afford much & they know it's your first wedding. They have to accept what you produce :shrug:

I'm sure you will give it your best shot.

Mick
 
Skyline On Fire said:
"Sits back and grabs the popcorn"



Are you sure you feel like you can give them great results? It's the (possibly) only wedding they will have and it would be unfair on them to not be able to produce what they require. I'm not doubting your skill at all, its just something to think about.
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Alright mate,

They are fully aware of my skillset and I have been completely open and honest about it.

They know i'm new and they cannot afford a proffessional wedding photographer. As this is the case they have asked me to do it and it is a case of them either having me do it, or not having anyone.

Knowing this is hopefully going to be the only wedding they have is why I am coming here to ask for more help to try to give them the best they can.

Thanks
 
Mickwreay said:
Today actually is "Groundhog Day" :lol:

BOWSA, I'm laughing at the irony of the thread not your post.

I've posted a similar question a few days ago :thumbs:

For the record, if the B&G can't afford much & they know it's your first wedding. They have to accept what you produce :shrug:

I'm sure you will give it your best shot.

Mick
Click to expand...

This is exactly it mate, *see comment above* its a case of me or nothing and if I ever wanted to get married, I am sure I'd rather have something than nothing.

Cheers mick :)
 
Ah okay no worries Mick, I wish you the best of luck. I'd offer advice but wedding/indoor portraiture etc... Is nothing no do with my field and I'd be far out of my depth!

All I can say is try and get your hands on a fast prime, usually quite cheap and will perform much better than your kit lens. Also have you considered renting kit/a lens? It can be cheaper than you think.
 
Skyline On Fire said:
Ah okay no worries Mick, I wish you the best of luck. I'd offer advice but wedding/indoor portraiture etc... Is nothing no do with my field and I'd be far out of my depth!

All I can say is try and get your hands on a fast prime, usually quite cheap and will perform much better than your kit lens. Also have you considered renting kit/a lens? It can be cheaper than you think.
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Sorry mate Maybe being silly what is a prime and where would I hire kit from?
 
Just a few things i've learned sling the way......


Get the B&G to look at photos they like in mags and on the web and make a tearsheet, and then whittle it down to the shots you can provide so all parties are happy with the 'brief'. I've dine this for my last few and it works a treat.

From this, make a shot list that you can follow through the day (laminated just in case of beer spillage at the reception).

Get access to the venue, or at least do some homework on potential shooting options both at the wedding venue and the reception venue.

Have a good chat to the vicar to find out where you can and can't shoot at the wedding venue.

Take a step ladder - it WILL come in handy for group shots.

Dont 'try things you're not comfortable doing, especially with off-camera flash and the like.... It can be an epic fail that will do nothing for your confidence.

All the fancy kit in the world won't get you a shot unless you have the eye for it; go for simple, tested poses and situations.

Indoors, overestimate your ISO; go one stop higher just in case you need that faster shutter speed or extra DoF.

Don't promise things you can't provide is probably a good maxim to follow :)

:thumbs:
 
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Bowsa said:
Sorry mate Maybe being silly what is a prime and where would I hire kit from?
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A prime lens is a fixed focal length lens, usually much better optically (better photos) cheaper for a faster lens (i.e wider aperture) take a look at the 50mm f1.8 for a good cheap fast prime. I see you shoot Nikon, my experience with their gear is limited so I can't vouch for their 50mm f1.8 prime, but if the Canon one is anything to go by, brilliant lens.

As for lens rentals, cant beat http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/
 
I'm not sure what all the popcorn is for ;) There is a big difference between a person being asked to help out for a very cash strapped couple (I am making an assumption on this one) and a person with inadequate knowledge, skills and equipment wanting to charge couples for their services or a couple who are spending thousands on a wedding exploiting a "friend" to save a few quid.

Remember that weddings are once only events and I would urge caution before you finally accept. Ask yourself and the couple what would happen if you completely mess everything up (not that I think you will); could you remain friends?

If you do go through with it Weddings need a plan! Create yours and stick to it - work out what you want to shoot in advance and then go shoot it on the day. Your stress levels significantly reduce if you have a plan.

I could give you a list of photos that are advisable but it will be far better for you to create your own list for each of the main stages of the day. By working on your own list you will research what other photographers do and see shots that you like and want to capture and you will also find it easier to remember.

Kit wise:

Your current lens may be OK in a very light venue during the summer but you will find it awkward for most internal venues (flash is normally forbidden in churches) and in spring, autumn and winter. Something with a wider faster aperture e.g. 17-55 f2.8 or 24-70 f2.8 would be advisable.

If you've only got the on board flash then you should definitely consider getting hold of a proper dedicated flash which bounces, the photos will be better.

Also ask yourself what would you do if your camera, lens or flash breaks during the day, having backup kit is definitely a strong recommendation. Do you have any friends you can borrow a camera from?

You will probably also need much more memory, I would personally use a separate card 4GB card in each camera for each part of the day (Prep, Ceremony, Formals, Speeches and Reception) making sure that full cards are easily identifiable from blank ones.

Consider getting a book or two on Wedding Photography to help you.
 
One other thing, is it in a Church, Registry office, private venue? Try and take a look around before the big day. Take your camera with you and take some test shots if you can.
 
SimonTALM said:
....You will probably also need much more memory, I would personally use a separate card 4GB card in each camera for each part of the day (Prep, Ceremony, Formals, Speeches and Reception) making sure that full cards are easily identifiable from blank ones....
Click to expand...

Good call. CF cards cost next to nothing these days - a decent 4GB card such as a Sandisk is about £15 these days - so maybe ask the B&G to cover that basic cost. :)
 
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Hi,

Do you have a budget yourself to spend on kit. I see you mentioned mem cards and batteries.

If you can give an idea of what you are willing to spend, we can draw up a shortlist of things that may be useful in your own specific scenario.
 
SimonTALM said:
I'm not sure what all the popcorn is for ;) There is a big difference between a person being asked to help out for a very cash strapped couple (I am making an assumption on this one) and a person with inadequate knowledge, skills and equipment wanting to charge couples for their services or a couple who are spending thousands on a wedding exploiting a "friend" to save a few quid.

Remember that weddings are once only events and I would urge caution before you finally accept. Ask yourself and the couple what would happen if you completely mess everything up (not that I think you will); could you remain friends?

If you do go through with it Weddings need a plan! Create yours and stick to it - work out what you want to shoot in advance and then go shoot it on the day. Your stress levels significantly reduce if you have a plan.

I could give you a list of photos that are advisable but it will be far better for you to create your own list for each of the main stages of the day. By working on your own list you will research what other photographers do and see shots that you like and want to capture and you will also find it easier to remember.

Kit wise:

Your current lens may be OK in a very light venue during the summer but you will find it awkward for most internal venues (flash is normally forbidden in churches) and in spring, autumn and winter. Something with a wider faster aperture e.g. 17-55 f2.8 or 24-70 f2.8 would be advisable.

If you've only got the on board flash then you should definitely consider getting hold of a proper dedicated flash which bounces, the photos will be better.

Also ask yourself what would you do if your camera, lens or flash breaks during the day, having backup kit is definitely a strong recommendation. Do you have any friends you can borrow a camera from?

You will probably also need much more memory, I would personally use a separate card 4GB card in each camera for each part of the day (Prep, Ceremony, Formals, Speeches and Reception) making sure that full cards are easily identifiable from blank ones.

Consider getting a book or two on Wedding Photography to help you.
Click to expand...

I wanna make sure that every realises that I am helping my Mates out, and I am looking to do this as best I can which is why I am asking for more help on here.

The wedding is not until 2012 and so I am looking to get as much info as possible between now and then as it's around 18mnths away.

I am looking on a budget of 3-500 ish although that isn't set in stone.

I will be discussing what my mates are looking for but also looking to take something to the table myself.
 
Bowsa, where are you based? Where is the wedding? You might strike lucky and get an offer of some help.

Kev.
 
That's my manor*...... ;)





*(Just realised that's what kids say. I am not a kid. I'm 31, nearly 32. I'm too old to be 'street'. I should be ashamed of myself) :D
 
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Oh. Bit far for me. I would happily have helped. I've just done a friends wedding for the same reason that you are doing it.
Maybe someone nearer will step forward. Two lots of kit then. Hopefully have the essentials between you then.
I used the 24-70mm and 70-200mm. Also the SB900. I'm lucky in that I have a second body at hand too.
Good luck and good on you for helping them out.

Kev.
 
kevshore said:
Oh. Bit far for me. I would happily have helped. I've just done a friends wedding for the same reason that you are doing it.
Maybe someone nearer will step forward. Two lots of kit then. Hopefully have the essentials between you then.
I used the 24-70mm and 70-200mm. Also the SB900. I'm lucky in that I have a second body at hand too.
Good luck and good on you for helping them out.

Kev.
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Cheers anyway kev, unfortunately I dont have two bodies but do think I need more glass :(

An specialman I think I have missed something lol ?
 
I'm not too far away, and whilst its a hell of a long way away, if your in need of some assistance, a second shooter or something, and cant find anyone more experienced in wedding photography, let me know closer to the time and I'd be happy to help.
 
Skyline On Fire said:
I'm not too far away, and whilst its a hell of a long way away, if your in need of some assistance, a second shooter or something, and cant find anyone more experienced in wedding photography, let me know closer to the time and I'd be happy to help.
Click to expand...

I will definately keep this in mind I really appreciate it :)
 
Warwickshire here too (well, west mids/warks border anyway).

Take heed of the RAW thing Bowsa. In the big scheme of things it doesnt take all that long to teach yourself, and it really can make a world of difference. I'd certainly go along with hiring kit as well...I dont do weddings either, but I do have one this year (similar situation to yours...helping relatives out) and ill be hiring the lens I need.

Good luck with it :)
 
Get a flash - SB600 SH for £150 or ideally an SB900 which would be around £260 SH. That bounced, will make a hell of a difference to indoor pics.

You do need better glass. Get a 50mm or 85mm prime, ideal for low light, but look at Lenses for Hire who could probably hire you the great 24-70 or 17-55 for around £60 at a guess.
 
Definitely shoot RAW without a doubt. And if your really having trouble with the editing, I'm sure a few people here would be happy to lend a hand in regards to that.
 
get the couple to make time for photos to be taken of them after the service and before the recetion. Either at the venue of the reception or somewhere with special meaning to them as well as a list of the usual shots.

See if you can be a second shooter at other peoples weddings to get a bit of practise in.

Here are a few useful links someone kindly put in a post on another forum

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/We...ography-Part-1
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/We...ography-Part-2
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/We...ography-tips-3
http://www.aljacobs.com/NEW WEDDING.pdf
http://www.rokkorfiles.com/Wedding101-page1.html
http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/...ngPhotographer

A few lists for the must have shots to get you started and an idea of what to go through with the bride and groom

http://www.budgetweddingphotography.net/checklist.htm
http://www.taphilo.com/photo/weddings/weddingchecklist.shtml
http://www.gast-gazette.com/weddings/photolist.htm
http://www.sharitucker.com/Weddings/wedtoolpage/checklist.pdf
http://showcase.netins.net/web/kdphotography
 
Darthchaffinch said:
do you have lightroom or similar? Shooting raw's relatively easy- and saved my bacon when I shot my Dad's wedding!! :eek:
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I have photoshop 3 pretty sure I have lightroom, but will double check later.

It's simply something I have never needed to try or use.......but as I have mentioned in another thread alway up for new things lol
 
1st 2 weddings I shot were all on 1 body and a 24-105 (24-120 I think is the Nikon version) with a 580 flash on the camera. I did have a back up body and lens in the car if needed.
I shot RAW to make sorting out 'mistakes' easier and in both cases B&G were delighted with the album.
The point I'm making is keep it simple. I wouldn't get hung up on a raft of primes because you'll struggle to find the time to swap lenses. If you keep the kit simple you can concentrate 100% on getting shots.
I didn't worry about the f4 aperture at all. Its a brave person to shoot very shallow DOF on their first wedding. Get the B&G in focus on every shot, they won't be bothered about the bokeh!
If your shutter speeds are getting low up the iso and/or use some fill flash. A noisy image isn't the end of the world a blurred one goes in the bin (unless you're planning on marketing yourself as a 'fine art wedding photographer' in which case blurred is apparently good :thinking:)
 
Turns out I have just about everything but lightbox....... Is it called something else on CS4 ??
 
It is Lightroom, not Lightbox.

If you don't know whether you've got it, then you haven't got it. You have to buy it.

The best advice to you would be to buy more equipment - you can't do it without a flash, find a volunteer, and practice, practice, practice.

Instead of hoping for the best, buy some books on the subject and do some proper studying.
 
With regards to flashes, where do I start??? And any books you could reccomend would be greatly appreciated :)
 
The biggest problem with this, and I know you're just trying to do the couple a favour, is that they have no idea of the pressure they're putting you under and you probably don't quite appreciate it yet either.

The thing you have to be aware of is the likelihood of equipment failure, and it can and does happen at the most awkward times. That means two camera bodies and two flashguns as a minimum to be reasonably safe. It's belt and braces every time - two of everything - plenty of spare cards and batteries, so most people being press ganged into a wedding like this are unlikely to have the gear to be really confident taking it on.
 
CT said:
The biggest problem with this, and I know you're just trying to do the couple a favour, is that they have no idea of the pressure they're putting you under and you probably don't quite appreciate it yet either.

The thing you have to be aware of is the likelihood of equipment failure, and it can and does happen at the most awkward times. That means two camera bodies and two flashguns as a minimum to be reasonably safe. It's belt and braces every time - two of everything - plenty of spare cards and batteries, so most people being press ganged into a wedding like this are unlikely to have the gear to be really confident taking it on.
Click to expand...

Being honest Cedders, how many times has equipment failed on you?

Yes, I do weddings, have a bit of gear, never had a failure. Is the back up an urban myth,a tool used by wedding photographers to deter others or a reality?

% wise, I would love to know how many wedding photographers have had equipment failures at the event......:shrug:
 
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fracster said:
Being honest Cedders, how many times has equipment failed on you?

Yes, I do weddings, have a bit of gear, never had a failure. Is the back up an urban myth,a tool used by wedding photographers to deter others or a reality?

% wise, I would love to know how many wedding photographers have had equipment failures at the event......:shrug:
Click to expand...


err I've had a failure - quite a crucial moment as well
 
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