CT
TPer Emeritus
- Messages
- 26,617
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Wedding
- Thread starter Bowsa
- Start date
- Messages
- 16,666
- Name
- Ade
- Edit My Images
- Yes
So far then we have 1 in how many?.............
- Messages
- 17,486
- Name
- Hugh
- Edit My Images
- No
So far then we have 1 in how many?.............
on you sample of 1 photographer that would be just over a 1% failure rate
CT
TPer Emeritus
- Messages
- 26,617
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Frac it is a reality mate. If anyone is pushing their luck with minimum kit, sooner or later they're going to come unstuck. On one occasion the flash stopped firing halfway through the wedding and just as we were moving on to the indoor reception shots. No probs thinks I and sticks on my reserve flashgun- still no flash! Grabbed second body on which both flashguns worked. It turned out to be the flash contacts on the shutter burned out on the first camera, and a pretty cheap fix in the event, but my embarrasment would have been hard to imagine without the spare gear. Alright - I was charging for it-but people expect you to have spare kit when they're forking out the wonga and my reputation would have taken a hammering.
On another occasion a lens diaphragm stuck solid on f16 during a wedding and wouldn't budge off it. Thankfully I had other lenses which did the job and later got the offending lens serviced.
So not a big percentage, but that's not really the point, you only need one failure you're ill equipped to handle and it's going to be a disaster.
It's not BS Frac - it's simple fact - it can and will happen sooner or later - if you've not got the gear you shoudn't be doing it- you're offering a professional service with a very unprofessional attitude - soz!
And I don't give a flying ferret about weddings these days, so I'm not trying to deter anyone for any personal motive- just pointing out the realities.
Last edited:
CT
TPer Emeritus
- Messages
- 26,617
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Just a thought! ..... Do wedding togs use their own cars to get to the venue and if so? do they tow a trailer with a spare car onboard?
Seriously -I ****ing despair sometimes!
....................... 
SimonTALM
Linford Christie
- Messages
- 3,268
- Name
- Simon
- Edit My Images
- Yes
Splog said:Just a thought! ..... Do wedding togs use their own cars to get to the venue and if so? do they tow a trailer with a spare car onboard?
No, but I do have local taxi numbers in my bag ready if I need them. To mitigate the risk of punctures I have a number of cans of that foam stuff. Some wedding togs use run flat tyres.
The point about backup kit is it is a practical way to reduce the impact if a failure materialises on the day. Taxi firms are everywhere but camera hire shops are like hens teeth.
As this thread demonstrates, failures can and do happen. Ultimately it is our job to be professional and do everything in our power to ensure that the B&G get the photographs they have paid for whatever happens.
Radiohead
Mine sucks
- Messages
- 3,756
- Name
- Guy
- Edit My Images
- No
That's fine, but make sure you're not spending money to get the stuff you need. I've seen that happen all too often.
Couple say they can't afford it, ask a friend and that friend drops £1k to get the necessary equipment, plus puts themselves under pressure.
Last edited:
Radiohead
Mine sucks
- Messages
- 3,756
- Name
- Guy
- Edit My Images
- No
Twice - mirror fell of a 5D mid-wedding, and lens stopped AF'ing (Nikkor 50/1.4). Do 5 weddings a year for 4 hours each and the chances are low.
Do 35 at 10 hours each and much higher. But you're also guarding against dropped kit, damage and so on.
You can't take the chance can you. My house has never caught fire, nor do I know anyone whose has, but it's still insured.
Last edited:
With regards to flashes, where do I start??? And any books you could reccomend would be greatly appreciated
In another thread you have stated that you are starting a photographic business, despite the fact that you don't know what a prime lens is, you don't know what Lightroom is, you don't what professional indemnity insurance is, you don't understand the point of using an umbrella, you don't possess a flashgun......
I'm sorry, but instead of expecting everyone else to do all your research for you, you've got to start doing something for yourself.
.
Last edited:
- Messages
- 150
- Edit My Images
- Yes
I would use following additional to the camera : )
Flashgun
Flash diffuser
2 x 8gb memory cards
24-70 lens f2.8
70-200 lens f2.8
3 batteries for the camera and lots of batteries for the flashgun
More importantly you need to plan the day, find out what time everything is happening, how many guests, what family is coming. Visit the venue in advance to find the right spots to take photos and make a list of all pictures you are planning to take and what time. Planing is the key to success. It's a very stressful day so be prepared. Good luck
Flashgun
Flash diffuser
2 x 8gb memory cards
24-70 lens f2.8
70-200 lens f2.8
3 batteries for the camera and lots of batteries for the flashgun
More importantly you need to plan the day, find out what time everything is happening, how many guests, what family is coming. Visit the venue in advance to find the right spots to take photos and make a list of all pictures you are planning to take and what time. Planing is the key to success. It's a very stressful day so be prepared. Good luck
Radiohead
Mine sucks
- Messages
- 3,756
- Name
- Guy
- Edit My Images
- No
This is exactly what I mean.
Someone has been asked to do a wedding, for people who can't afford to pay someone. That's fine. No problem.
Now it's suggested that you drop over £2k to do it.
Madness.
- Messages
- 3,656
- Name
- Dave
- Edit My Images
- No
Agree with Guy, at the very most you should hire a fast lens and get them to pay for it. The fact you'll be spending a day doing their photography is enough of a present as it is.
Don't worry about the end result, you haven't told them you're a pro and at the end of the day the old adage 'you get what you pay for' comes into play if things don't go well with what you've got.
Don't worry about the end result, you haven't told them you're a pro and at the end of the day the old adage 'you get what you pay for' comes into play if things don't go well with what you've got.
Radiohead said:
Cheers mate, I appreciate the more helpful of you helping instead of criticising. I also understand the more critical of yours concerns although I don't necessarily agree.
I have been looking into a prime lens see below
http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/19693/show.html
Also thanks for the equipment lists, they should come in handy. As I say I am fairly new to this and so thinking that in 15 months time when the wedding is I will have a greatly improved knowledge
and hopefully a much better equipment base Old Timer said:
I appreciate your comments old timer, the fact is I am not 100% sure on everything, and I dunno about you was not born with a knowledge of all things photographic and business.
I am asking general questions to get more of an idea on where to start. If you have nothing useful to bring to the thread other than looking down your nose at me I would appreciate not having the comments you have been giving. I appreciate that a lot of you may have trolled through a lot of literature an the like to find the knowledge that you have.
Right now I am looking to avoid wasting time, to be able to get practical about things as soon as possible.
You seem to be very knowledgeable old timer and if you would be kind enough impart some of that on me I would be very grateful.
Thanks
- Messages
- 375
- Name
- Patrick
- Edit My Images
- Yes
sounds like you are quite new... but as someone has mentioned earlier, as long as the party is aware of your skills... then i'm sure they'll be happy with what you produce. Just do your best and try and read up beforehand - and enjoy!
you will need a flashgun i think definitely - unless you shoot at high ISO but i'm sure a flashgun will still be needed on a few shots
you will need a flashgun i think definitely - unless you shoot at high ISO but i'm sure a flashgun will still be needed on a few shots
I am trying to give you advice that you would do well to heed. That is to study the subject properly. Google is your friend.
You can't expect to learn a complicated and involved skill or profession and set up in business (I'm not just talking about this thread, but your other threads as well) just by asking for one-line morsels of information on an internet forum.
You need to do it properly and get some serious research done. Study the work of well established and respected photographers, read, read, read, practice, practice, practice.
You're not the only one who's ever started from nothing.
Old Timer said:
Brilliant this is better
thank you? I have to say I learn better in a discussion environment, rather than read and absorb.
In the same way as I requested some literature if you can advise of any photographers work to study that would be great. I can then take that and learn more from there.
I appreciate the change in approach
Just trying to shake you (and others in the same position who may be reading this) into taking it more seriously and doing things properly.
Do some research into things first and if there's something you don't understand then is the time to ask for help. Established photographers are generally more than happy to help someone starting out, but only if they're willing to put the effort in themselves.
Photography is complicated - there's far more to it than people realise. I've done about 400 weddings and I've still got loads to learn.
Do some research into things first and if there's something you don't understand then is the time to ask for help. Established photographers are generally more than happy to help someone starting out, but only if they're willing to put the effort in themselves.
Photography is complicated - there's far more to it than people realise. I've done about 400 weddings and I've still got loads to learn.
- Messages
- 701
- Name
- mat
- Edit My Images
- Yes
yeah i agree
ive been asked to do a wedding soon and the b&g are hard up, so i will just have to use what i have a 18-55 kit lens and a 70 - 300 im sure i can get better results with that than uncle bob with his throw away, and of course its free so 1 good shot is better than none
- Messages
- 533
- Name
- Simon
- Edit My Images
- No
I've done 3 weddings as a second photographer and one small one as a main with help from a pro. On some of the shots I messed up and they came out very noisy. Luckily I was able to recover those and the bride and groom were very happy. Although the photo album I'm doing for them is being a bit late from the suppliers which is a bit embarrassing but luckily it's for the wife's cousin so I have a bit more leeway I would have not been happy if it was a non family member.
I have learnt a lot in the last 12 months and don't expect to ever stop learning. I have another 3 weddings minimum this year as a second and then 3 of my own in 2012. I know I need to buy a lit of kit between now and next year and am trying to save like crazy but it's not easy.
I never got back interested into photography to do weddings but things are going that way and to be honest I really enjoy doing them now even though they can be stressful. If you can try and offer yourself as a second photographer it will give you a real insight into how the day is run and teach you a lot about organising people. I have found that some can be as organised ( the wedding party) as headless chickens so the photographer has to be very assertive.
Good luck
I have learnt a lot in the last 12 months and don't expect to ever stop learning. I have another 3 weddings minimum this year as a second and then 3 of my own in 2012. I know I need to buy a lit of kit between now and next year and am trying to save like crazy but it's not easy.
I never got back interested into photography to do weddings but things are going that way and to be honest I really enjoy doing them now even though they can be stressful. If you can try and offer yourself as a second photographer it will give you a real insight into how the day is run and teach you a lot about organising people. I have found that some can be as organised ( the wedding party) as headless chickens so the photographer has to be very assertive.
Good luck
- Messages
- 2,052
- Edit My Images
- No
Bowsa, I just read the first page, it may be covered further down I don't know but try not to make sure everyone knows your "just a mate helping out" I did the same as you but everyone knew me and it was "just John taking photos" so getting the more formal shots or serious stuff was very difficult some people just messed about. If they think your "The Photographer" you are likley to get a lot more respect from the guests which will make bossing sorry poseing them easier.
OK read more and an edit.
The concerns about backup kit are real. My less than 12 month old 500D stopped talking to the flash 10 days before the wedding. panic mode, fortunatly I had bought a backup but I had been shooting with 2 cameras for a while and it makes things a lot easier to be able to go from 24mm all the way to 200mm without swapping lenses just pick the other camera up (24-70 on one and 70-200 on the other) so I really wanted 2 cameras for the day, quickly sent the camera off to canon and they fixed and returned it the afternoon before the wedding what a relief, but I had made arrangements with calumet to pick a body up the morning of the wedding just incase I didn't get mine back.
You have a lot of time between now and the wedding, get ideas form other photographers on what they shoot but also go to your local church or the venue of the wedding if you can and see how other photographers shoot weddings deal and with groups of people.
OK read more and an edit.
The concerns about backup kit are real. My less than 12 month old 500D stopped talking to the flash 10 days before the wedding. panic mode, fortunatly I had bought a backup but I had been shooting with 2 cameras for a while and it makes things a lot easier to be able to go from 24mm all the way to 200mm without swapping lenses just pick the other camera up (24-70 on one and 70-200 on the other) so I really wanted 2 cameras for the day, quickly sent the camera off to canon and they fixed and returned it the afternoon before the wedding what a relief, but I had made arrangements with calumet to pick a body up the morning of the wedding just incase I didn't get mine back.
You have a lot of time between now and the wedding, get ideas form other photographers on what they shoot but also go to your local church or the venue of the wedding if you can and see how other photographers shoot weddings deal and with groups of people.
Last edited:
- Messages
- 533
- Name
- Simon
- Edit My Images
- No
Its worth asking here. You never know there might be somebody who won't mind you going along. Even just as a helping hand and not to take photos.
At least that way you can see how they work!!
Just remember you dont ask you dont get!!
Some people probably dont agree with me but as long as your polite and expect a few knock backs I'm sure you will fond someone willing to help you out who knows what they are doing.
At least that way you can see how they work!!
Just remember you dont ask you dont get!!
Some people probably dont agree with me but as long as your polite and expect a few knock backs I'm sure you will fond someone willing to help you out who knows what they are doing.
SimonBalaam said:
Cheers Si and cheers to everyone that has helped, I see a new thread being started
Just one last quick thing, I posted a link earlier on about a lens from jessops....... Can anyone comment on if this would be any good ???
Cheer again all
Radiohead
Mine sucks
- Messages
- 3,756
- Name
- Guy
- Edit My Images
- No
Honestly - not a chance. But that's just me.
- Messages
- 533
- Name
- Simon
- Edit My Images
- No
Radiohead said:
This is the problem you might have. Not all photographers want to share their there trade as they will possibly see it as future competition. I believe I was lucky, but you don't need to take photos. Even if you offer to carry equipment for them you will still see how they operate.
Good luck.
- Messages
- 2,052
- Edit My Images
- No
You can do this by going to weddings and observing from a distance, tagging along with a pro is unlikley to happen as they dont want/have time to do it. They also don't want to risk their reputation with you screwing up/injuring someone.
- Messages
- 4,085
- Name
- Leigh
- Edit My Images
- Yes
there's probably a better chance of finding someone who's agreed to shoot a wedding for a friend... in other words... someone in exactly the same situation as you... it seems to be cropping up a lot more often now.
then you can offer to help out and second shoot that. You can bounce ideas off each other and neither of you would be under pressure from each other as it's all being done 'as a favour'. it might end up being a case of the blind leading the blind... but maybe not
then you can offer to help out and second shoot that. You can bounce ideas off each other and neither of you would be under pressure from each other as it's all being done 'as a favour'. it might end up being a case of the blind leading the blind... but maybe not