Been asked to take some shots at a wedding

Matblack · 05-04-2011, 16:40

Right, a couple of my friends are getting married and they can't afford an official tog, the whole wedding is going to be a case of friends and family chipping in and doing things, friends making the dress, doing the food etc.

However the venue is exceptional in it's beauty and the reception is in the grounds of a private castle who they are friends with the owners of (they also ponced use of this for free

)

Having seen my photos on Facebook they have asked if I wouldn't mind taking a few shots, specifically of the line ups at the end of the ceremony, the 'traditional' shots that you see at most weddings.

I have agreed, after doing all the right things, like telling them I couldn't guarentee results and that I would do my best but I hadn't done this before. Wedding photography isn't something I aspire too or have any practice at but I'm happy to give them what I produce and hopefully they will fit with their everyone chips in attitude, other people are taking shots at the ceremony and at the reception etc so I won't be commited all day and I think it would be nice to help if I can keep the stress to a minimum

.

So really the question is technique, I don't want to be experimenting on the day, I'm thinking 580EX fill flash, keep the speed at around 1/60th+ and ISO as low as possible at maybe f4-f8 to keep the depth of field up for all the line ups. I'll use the 17-55mm 2.8is as it's a nice sharp lens and drop to 2.8 for DOF feature shots maybe take the 50mm f1.8 too but mostly use the 17-55mm with a POLCIRC. I might have to revise this if it's an overcast day because of light limts drawing down the speed.

Does that sound like the right strategy?

MB

Mondo · 05-04-2011, 20:54

You don't need F/8 for line up, unless it is REALLY REALLY deep, like you are standing eye level and with 10 people deep. 1/5.6 to 6.4 would be suffice if you get higher up and the group is not too deep.

It depends on the angle really. If i doubt, take a few between f/5.6 to F/8, and decide after.

Rule is 1/focal length, you'll probably shooting at 24mm to 35mm at the group shots so add IS to that it'll be fine. Put the camera in Auto ISO And let it decide.

Matblack · 29-05-2011, 19:48

The results

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...5&l=98d5a6edaa

MB

Mondo · 30-05-2011, 09:31

Pretty good for the first attempt

Tempted to anymore?

Matblack · 30-05-2011, 09:43

I'll leave it to the experts unless I'm specifically asked by friends. I found it hard work but I'm really pleased with the shots with just the Bride and Groom and some of the reportage style shots

For the church shots I was shooting from the back and had to use direct flash to get decent shots but then I wasn't asked to shot that part of the wedding anyway, it was just that I was there

MB

Matblack · 31-05-2011, 13:03

Some of my favs which I have done some work on

05-04-2011, 16:40	#1
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Been asked to take some shots at a wedding Right, a couple of my friends are getting married and they can't afford an official tog, the whole wedding is going to be a case of friends and family chipping in and doing things, friends making the dress, doing the food etc. However the venue is exceptional in it's beauty and the reception is in the grounds of a private castle who they are friends with the owners of (they also ponced use of this for free ) Having seen my photos on Facebook they have asked if I wouldn't mind taking a few shots, specifically of the line ups at the end of the ceremony, the 'traditional' shots that you see at most weddings. I have agreed, after doing all the right things, like telling them I couldn't guarentee results and that I would do my best but I hadn't done this before. Wedding photography isn't something I aspire too or have any practice at but I'm happy to give them what I produce and hopefully they will fit with their everyone chips in attitude, other people are taking shots at the ceremony and at the reception etc so I won't be commited all day and I think it would be nice to help if I can keep the stress to a minimum . So really the question is technique, I don't want to be experimenting on the day, I'm thinking 580EX fill flash, keep the speed at around 1/60th+ and ISO as low as possible at maybe f4-f8 to keep the depth of field up for all the line ups. I'll use the 17-55mm 2.8is as it's a nice sharp lens and drop to 2.8 for DOF feature shots maybe take the 50mm f1.8 too but mostly use the 17-55mm with a POLCIRC. I might have to revise this if it's an overcast day because of light limts drawing down the speed. Does that sound like the right strategy? MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

05-04-2011, 20:54	#2
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	You don't need F/8 for line up, unless it is REALLY REALLY deep, like you are standing eye level and with 10 people deep. 1/5.6 to 6.4 would be suffice if you get higher up and the group is not too deep. It depends on the angle really. If i doubt, take a few between f/5.6 to F/8, and decide after. Rule is 1/focal length, you'll probably shooting at 24mm to 35mm at the group shots so add IS to that it'll be fine. Put the camera in Auto ISO And let it decide. __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog

29-05-2011, 19:48	#3
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	The results http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...5&l=98d5a6edaa MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

30-05-2011, 09:31	#4
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	Pretty good for the first attempt Tempted to anymore? __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog

30-05-2011, 09:43	#5
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	I'll leave it to the experts unless I'm specifically asked by friends. I found it hard work but I'm really pleased with the shots with just the Bride and Groom and some of the reportage style shots For the church shots I was shooting from the back and had to use direct flash to get decent shots but then I wasn't asked to shot that part of the wedding anyway, it was just that I was there MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

31-05-2011, 13:03	#6
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Some of my favs which I have done some work on __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"