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HELP!!!
I've volunteered myself to shoot my friends wedding in a weeks time.
I've got a decent knowledge of my camera(nikon d70s), but can anyone give me any killer tips?
Should I buy a flashgun(most of the pics will probably be indoors, depends on weather really).
Anything I shouldn't forget, any hints and tips?
Any help you guys and gals can give me would be greatly appreciated!
firstly id tell your friend that youa rent experianced etc. understand that if you make a mistake they wont be talking to you ever again.
but if you really want to know...
1) go buy 2 or 3 flashes (incase one breaks)
2) go buy a couple more d70s and spare batteries
3) even though i have like 10 prime lens id actually recommend zooms for weddings, for you as a begginer i'd probably say go for the 18-200mm that will cover you and you wont have to worry about changing lenses. dunno how fast it is though. take an 85mm f1.4 for the portraits and maybe a 28mm f1.4 for indoor candids (only problem with the 28mm is cost!).
4) read your instruction manual twice. test all equipment and charge batteries so they are DEFINATELY working on the morning
5) take LOADS of memory and take lots of pictures.
6) take the group photos as early as possible, the longer you leave it the more some of the guests will have wandered off never to be seen again.
7) when taking pictures of the ceremony use a fresh card, choose a lens and stick with it, (check if flash is allowed), keep watching and taking pictures - you're most likely to be killed if you mess these pictures up!
off hand thats pretty much everything i can think of! to be honest id panic, now. go to every wedding in your area and take lots and lots of pictures to practise.
Stu,
Search the forums - this comes up time and time again.
I'm afraid that with only one week to go you have no time to practice, little time to acquire kit, and as I suspect you are doing this for nothing or very little then no money to spend on essentials.
For me you have three choices.
1) Make sure you kit is in full working order, you know how to use it, and you have a backup plan. As this wedding will be in mid-December youo'll need to be capable of shooting in the dark or inside, if that means buying a flashgun or hiring lights then you better move fast. Keep your fingers crossed you don't f**k up someones special day, as you are woefully underprepared with equipment, experience and I suspect insurance.
2) Go back in time, learn how to say no when you are asked to do something you are not ready to do, and use that response when you are asked by your "friends" to shoot their wedding with a weeks notice.....
3) Find a pro and give them coverage as a wedding present.
Good luck
Mike.
Thanks Boyd!!!!
Maybe if I buy lots of camera straps, tie them together and hang myself with those that would be appropriate!
I've bought a flashgun, this is one of those "last minute" weddings at Gretna green, was booked the day before he asked me about pics. Fortunately he just wants some nice pics and is not expecting a "pro" service.
Thanks to zeon for the hint about the group shots, makes perfect sense and I wouldn't have thought of that!
Stu,
I genuinely wish all the very best, winter weddings are challenging but can also look beautiful.
If you have bought the flash at least diffuse it, preferably bounce it, and try to get the flash exposure compensation right.
Last piece of advice.
Quote: Fortunately he just wants some nice pics and is not expecting a "pro" service.
That one is right up there with "the cheque is in the post"....they'll want what they have seen in the magazines, on websites, and in others albums.
Good luck.
Mike
Ouch, 1 week to go!
I agree with most things said above. You will definitely need flash with a diffuser (a stofen one is better than nothing). Bounce the flash off the ceiling if possible (check it's low and white though).
You should really try and have a second camera (if you were a pro you would be ridiculed for not having one, never mind actually the horror of your main camera dying on you).
Secondly, I'd get along to the venue with your friends, and have a good look around. This is really important. Think about where you can place the B&G, and more importantly think about a bad weather scenario (i.e. rain, or sleet). Is there a nice place indoors as an alternative to outdoor shots.
While you are there, try and gauge the lighting. If you get there at around the same time as the wedding it will be helpful. Take some sample shots and consider just how slow the shutter is firing. Although I don't really like to use a tripod at weddings, sometimes it's unavoidable. Consider upping your ISO setting a little to help, but not too high, as the grain will get noticable.
If you are lucky enough to have a lot of memory, consider shooting in RAW which will give you a little leeway, although remember that this will add considerable post-processing.
Take some short to mid range zooms. For winter weddings I use a 28-70 f2.8, and my 17-85 IS on the two camera bodies (Summer weddings I also use a 100-400 lens for some fantastic outdoor candid shots of guests which always sell)
One other thing, ask the B&G about any particularly important people you should be taking photo's of, and just how much of the day you are expected to cover. Remember that you will either be a photographer, or a guest. You can't be both... it's impossible.
Hope this helps alittle. Good luck with the wedding.
Dean
hi - i agree with most if not all above - ive done loads of weddings the one big tip that i learnt very fast was be prepared.
Go and suss out your venue - which pictures where - what lens.
What happens if it rains ?
Take 2 of everything
I went with a schedule ready prepared - what time I would leave home - what time i arrived - put photos in order and where and when etc etc.
You will be anxious - the worse time is about 5 mins before you start shooting - but then once you start it goes very fast.
Good luck
ok mine is this, after the wedding do the big group shots first in reverse album order working down from the entire mob to the mums and dads ect...to bride and groom
Why, because you will spend most of your time hearding up wandering guests if you do them the other way round, sending people to look for auntie and uncle joe, then mum wanderes off for a pee, the dad gets lost looking for mum.....
everybody outside at first prevents all these problems and the bride and groom will be ever so much more relaxed knowing the bulk of the pictures are out of the way and you now have as much time as needed to do the bride and groom shots without worrying about the rest, everything else is done.. until the reception that is !.
PS dont forget your battery charger and dont worry about plugging it in !
A simple easy idea... just like me !
I think the day went ok. Ended up taking about 210 pics, of which i've binned 30 that were out of focus etc. I'm pretty pleased with the rest. No real problems on the day, big thanks to my assistant(girlfriend) for keeping me right with the list I composed so I know that i wouldn't miss a group shot that they wanted. I agreed the list with the bride and groom beforehand.
I've given the groom a disk with the remaining shots on and he's having a look tonight. All in all not a bad 1st wedding. And I quite enjoyed myself.
Now turns out i've got ANOTHER one to do this friday! Fortunately this one only has a guest list of 9 including the bride and groom, so not too much to think about as far as group shots are concerned!
Stu - words of encouragement - you will LOVE it! I got thrown in the deep end the same you - and it completely re-ignited my love of photography - don't worry about your equipment the worse thing you can do is rush out and buy equipment you haven't had time to play with!
What you have to do (sorry if I sound bossy - but I'm actually really excited that you're getting this opportunity!!! you never forget your first wedding ;o) IS.... make sure you know exactly what shots the bride and groom want - make a list of the 'must have shots' also, most importantly - you're no longer a guest at this wedding - sorry!!!! You're the photographer!
Take as many photographs as possible - and check them back on your LCD - when it's a really important shot. Also, take your time and get someone to help you gather people for shots - invest some hours researching wedding pics on the net and if you get a chance to look at Annabel William's book of wedding photography have a look at that -she takes the pressure out of it!
Hope that helps!
Good luck and ENJOY!
Shar :o)
Oops... hahaha I didn't read to the end of the post - BIMBO moment - sorry folks!
and Stu - am glad it went okay - phew!
Shar x
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