 Noor H. |
I need some tips for wedding photography?? Hello, I was assigned to take some photoshoots for my friends wedding party. I am good at taking day time shoots, but when it comes to flash and light boxes, AM lost. So can any one guide me. what are the basic equipment I should have other than a camera and a tripod? How can I set appreture with flash meter? Thanks
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Andy |
If you type in "wedding" in the "Search QnA" box above, you can find many, many tips. Hope this helps.
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Noor H. |
Thanks Andy, Rally appreciate it. My problem is the wedding party that will take place at NIGHT. I have a Digital Minolta DiMage7 28- 200mm. Is it good for wedding photography? And I also want to know how can I avoid having a dark background? what type of flash do I need for my camera. I know these might sound like silly questions, but I really need help.is there any sites that you can provide me with that shows some tips on night wedding photography? I would really appreciate it. thanks
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Andy |
According to the system chart from Minolta, you can purchase the 3600 HS(D) or 5600 HS(D) flash to use on your camera. Here's the link: http://konicaminolta.com/products/consumer/digital_camera/dimage/dimage-7_5/page08.html I would recommend you getting the external flash because it sits higher on your camera that might reduce the chance of red eyes, it doesn't drain the battery from your camera and it recycles faster. There are other accessories, like a flash bracket and diffuser, that I would also recommend if you are serious. For NIGHT time photography, if you don't want the background to be completely dark, you need to use a slower shutter speed. I know the tripod is not feasible if there is action and the bride/groom are moving around. So you would use a shutter speed that is slow enough to record some light from background but fast enough not to let your hand shake ruin the photo. The flash should freeze the subjects. With flash and steady hands, you can go down to 1/30 or even 1/15 of a second shutter speed. Although I have used a Maxxum 7 film SLR, I have no experience on your Dimage7. However, when I looked at the spec, you can choose the exposure mode using the function dial. Instead of the automatic P mode, you can try either the A mode (aperture priority) or the M mode (manual). In A mode, set the aperture to the largest (smallest number). In M mode, set the shutter speed to, say, 1/30 and any aperture you want. Then experiment until you get the combination you are comfortable with. Experiment and practice at home with various background light source and intnesity. Oh don't forget extra batteries for both the camera and flash (if you use an external one) and/or memory card. Hope this helps.
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John P. Sandstedt |
I don't mean to be a "stick-in-the-mud," but . . . You've been asked for a major favor and, remember - you'll have only one chance to ruin a wonderful friendship, when your pictures aren't perfect. A year of so ago, either Pop Photo or PhotoGraphic Magazine had a great article on the response to the request to shoot a friend's wedding. The first recommendation was to say No! The article then went on to give some tips to make your life easier. Check the library or go to the web sites of these magazines to see if the article is archived. If you don't have a lot of experience with your digital, that is, if you have more experience with a film camera, it might be wise to avoid "learning to use" your digital at the expense of the bride and groom. If you have no choice, check out Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc. to determine whehter there are any new books on wedding photgraphy using digital cameras. I'd try to use a strobe, rather than the flash provided on the camera. I'd also get a Stroboframe that will allow you to offset the flash from the camera's axis and, thereby, avoid red-eye. I can't see how you'll be able to use a tripod at a wedding; there's just too much going on. If you use a film camera and auxiliary flash, use ISO 200 [with flash,] ISO 400 without. If you're sticking with your digital, check the manual. I agree with Andy - bring extra batteries. Also film and/or memory cards. Finally - if you can, suggest that your friends hire a pro. Then, you can bring your camera and shoot to your hearts content, taking many pictures the pro just won't be able to and without any pressure. Remember, also, you won't be able to enjoy the party yourself if you're the key photographer. I've shot almost a dozen weddings. Whenever I was the "chosen photographer," it meant no food and no drink because I had to be roving all over the reception hall to capture significant events. I shot with my Canon EOS 620 or EOS 3 set in Program Mode - that way, all I had to worry about was getting the picture properly in the viewfinder. And, if your "significant other" wants to dance, forget it! Professional wedding photographers, who are "worth their salt," command handsome fees for their services. And, they earn them! It's hard work to shoot a wedding! If you accept the assignment, treat you effort very seriously! And, I repeat, you'll only have one opportunity to ruin a wonderful friendship!
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John P. Sandstedt |
I don't mean to be a "stick-in-the-mud," but . . . You've been asked for a major favor and, remember - you'll have only one chance to ruin a wonderful friendship, when your pictures aren't perfect. A year of so ago, either Pop Photo or PhotoGraphic Magazine had a great article on the response to the request to shoot a friend's wedding. The first recommendation was to say No! The article then went on to give some tips to make your life easier. Check the library or go to the web sites of these magazines to see if the article is archived. If you don't have a lot of experience with your digital, that is, if you have more experience with a film camera, it might be wise to avoid "learning to use" your digital at the expense of the bride and groom. If you have no choice, check out Barnes and Noble, Amazon, etc. to determine whehter there are any new books on wedding photgraphy using digital cameras. I'd try to use a strobe, rather than the flash provided on the camera. I'd also get a Stroboframe that will allow you to offset the flash from the camera's axis and, thereby, avoid red-eye. I can't see how you'll be able to use a tripod at a wedding; there's just too much going on. If you use a film camera and auxiliary flash, use ISO 200 [with flash,] ISO 400 without. If you're sticking with your digital, check the manual. I agree with Andy - bring extra batteries. Also film and/or memory cards. Finally - if you can, suggest that your friends hire a pro. Then, you can bring your camera and shoot to your hearts content, taking many pictures the pro just won't be able to and without any pressure. Remember, also, you won't be able to enjoy the party yourself if you're the key photographer. I've shot almost a dozen weddings. Whenever I was the "chosen photographer," it meant no food and no drink because I had to be roving all over the reception hall to capture significant events. I shot with my Canon EOS 620 or EOS 3 set in Program Mode - that way, all I had to worry about was getting the picture properly in the viewfinder. And, if your "significant other" wants to dance, forget it! Professional wedding photographers, who are "worth their salt," command handsome fees for their services. And, they earn them! It's hard work to shoot a wedding! If you accept the assignment, treat you effort very seriously! And, I repeat, you'll only have one opportunity to ruin a wonderful friendship!
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Noor H. |
Thanks Andy,John for your advice. I really appreciate it. The wedding is going to be a very good learning experience to me.Also,The couple are getting a professional photographer just incase something happens :). Am gonna start practicing more on shooting with flash at night and maybe arrange a fake wedding party with friends just to practice. Ill update you guys on the wedding, and show you some of the pictures. Thanks again, and have a nice day.
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anonymous |
Oh I'd love to know how you go, as I will be in your shoes next March. My brother in law is getting married and has asked me to take part by being a photographer. But because I am still "learning" they are also going to hire a "pro" and explain to the "pro" that I will also be taking photos!
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x |
Noor, That's great that they are not relying on you. However, I am going to be a little bit negative. It is not OK to shoot over the shoulder of a pro. This is getting to be a problem for me these days. I have no problem telling people to wait, or sit over there until I'm done, or whatever. But, it's just not OK. The pro is being paid good maoney to take excellent shots, and if he/she is always worried about what you are doing, you are in the way. Also, if the pro is a PJ shooter, you will always be in the way and it's hard to get you out of the way. My advice is if they have hired a pro, tell the couple that other than getting a few snapshots, like all the other guests, you'll just be a guest at their wedding. Sorry to be negative, but this kind of things with the couple and someone trying to learn thinking it's OK is really irritating. I do not allow this. If someone does it anyway, I pull them aside and tell them to stop. If they don't, I inform the bride that her pictures might suck if this person doesn't get out of the way.
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Andy |
Noor, there's a first time of everything and I say go for it. Since the couple had hired a pro, here are a few more advices: Don't get in front of the pro. Don't shoot at the direction of the pro - you may have the pro in your photo and he/she may have you in their photo. Try different angles. Stand back and zoom in. Don't 'compete' with the pro but supplement what the pro missed - the flower arrangement, the cake, the flower girl, the church, the GUESTS, and many, many other things you can take photos of. I have different approach when I am the primary photographer. I actually don't mind other photographers to take photos. But I will communicate with them well before the ceremony/banquet begins. I know I am the best among them (otherwise the couple won't hire me at the first place). I don't want to offend anyone because they may be my potential client in the future. Well, it's just me doing business differently. Hope this helps.
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anonymous |
Jerry, I understand where you are coming from, and the Uncle Fred's can get very annoying, but because I am practicing to become a pro (well I do already have my own business)that I won't be taking shots at the same time/place as the hired photographer, ie, I will not lean over their shoulders, and also know better than snapping away while a photo is being checked for light etc. For example, while the bride and groom are getting shots done, I may get family shots, bridal party shots, candids, flowers etc. Then when the pro moves on I may get the bride and groom for a few shots, but not many etc, as I know it is time consuming to pose for one pro let alone another one!
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x |
Natalie, that's excellent. I've had people follow me around and do everything I do. I think if you want to be a great photographer, like Andy said, go get the other stuff. The pro has to shoot certain things. You don't. So you have total creative freedom. Joe Bussink said today that he hires a primary photographer for some of his weddings, so he doesn't have to worry about shooting all the regular stuff and he can be creative and shoot the real stuff. He calls the second shooter an "elevated position". I thought that was funny considering that we usually consider a second shooter someone who is being mentored, learning, or just not as skilled as the main photographer. Jerry
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Noor H. |
Thanks guys for your help and support. You all have great points that will help me allot. Although am still reluctant about doing this job,I know that I am a good photographer when it comes to creativity and good composition using natural light.But I still think that I need more practice on taking night shoots especially with flash. The couple are not very close friends of mine, so am not gonna miss out anything. But they know my friends and they have seen some of my work and they liked it. So they asked me to take some creative shoots of their wedding. I tried taking some night shoots yesterday with my friends at a restaurant. the idea was to freeze the subject and still show all the lights and colors in the background and foreground. The pictures turned out interesting. I used a very slow shutter speed and a built in flash on Sync Mode with out a tripod. The background only showed when I used the night mode. When I used the M mode the flash was still dark. My question is, can I show the background without using the night mode? Now the only down fall is that the subject has to freeze till the flash fires. My friends got really bored last night when I was practicing with them because they had to wait for few seconds till the flash fires. Another question, how would the external flash help ? Thank you guys :)
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anonymous |
Jerry - I'll be doing very very sneaky things with my 300mm telephoto. People will not know what I am photographing! So they better watch out! LOL
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BetterPhoto Member |
how about a gallery?
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