 Scott D. Winkelman Jr |
Basics of Wedding photography Greetings, I'm shooting my first wedding a month from now. I'm nervious and just want to cover the basics of wedding photography. I owne the Nikon D70 with the kit lens(18mm-70mm). Will this lens cover the basics? Should I invest in a flash for the D70? If yes, which one? I'm confident with my skills but technically I'm a bit under the water so any basic advise will be greatly appriciated! Thanks!
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Kerry L. Walker |
Your lens should handle things fine. You will definitely need a flash. The pop-up flash won't cut it and probably will cause red-eye. I suggest the SB-600 at a minimum. The SB-800 would be even better. Also, get a softbox to attach to your flash.
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Justin B. Renshaw |
Great advice Kerry. I would also suggest going to the church/venue before the wedding to grasp the layout of the room and lighting conditions. High ceilings make for impossible bounce flash so a softbox will come in handy. Go to the rehearsal and act as if it were the real thing. This will also help to sooth your nerves. Have a plan of attack, and be confident in your abilities. You'll do a great job.
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Scott D. Winkelman Jr |
Thanks Kerry and Justin! I don't use a flash when I'm out shooting so I'm not familiar with there performance. Will I need to adjust the flash in any way. Will I still need to use the flash outside if I have good light? I'm not even sure what a soft box is. How does a softbox work? Should I also get softning filters? Thanks so much for the reply!!!
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Kerry L. Walker |
You shouldn't need to adjust the flash since it has TTL capabilities. You will need to set your aperature to get the DOF you need and the flash widd adjust to that. You may need to use the flash outside to eliminate shadows, depending on whether it is shady or not. A softbox (mini softbox, not a big one) fits over the flash head and diffused the flash, eliminating hot spots. I would'n worry too much about the filters.
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Scott D. Winkelman Jr |
Kerry, Does the SB-800 work well with the D70? I just read up on the 600 and 800 and it seemed as though the 600 works better with the D70. Is that correct? What does the SB-800 have that the 600 doesn't? Is there a big difference? The article I read was short and posted by Best Buy so your advice is more important to me!! I also noticed about a $200 difference. What do you think? I really do appricate your advice and thanks for your time!!
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Bob Cammarata |
Scott, I hope I don't offend you by asking this question but are you being paid for this wedding shoot or is it a freebie? If the former is true, you've got a month or so to get to know ALL of your equipment intimately to avoid some embarrasing moments later. Weddings happen once in a lifetime (usually), and the photos should be taken by someone with photographic knowledge and experience in that field.
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Scott D. Winkelman Jr |
Bob, I understand where your coming from but I do believe in myself and felt like this was a great opportunity. Fortunatly, my client does understand that I am a bit limited(technically). I believe I can take beautiful shots as I have in the past and wanted some input on flashes and lens. I know I might sound like an extreme amature but again thats were most people begin.
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Chauncey R. Huffman |
Scott, for what it's worth I think that you're a very good photographer (judging by your gallery) and it seems as though you have a firm enough grasp on photography to handle this wedding. I also have a D70 and I just bought a SB-800. I haven't learned everything about it yet but here are a few high points. It is more capable than the SB600 in Advanced Wireless settings. The sb800 can be the master unit and control other 800's wirelessly or other 600's wirelessly, but the 600 can only be used as a remote unit, not the master. Also, the 800 has a larger guide number, which means that it's more powerful. The 800 comes with a softbox, but the 600 does not. Some easy things to remember about using flash is to angle the flash head upwards if the ceilings are resonalby low. This will soften the light even more because it is reflecting off of a surface so the surface absorbs some of the light. Also, if you are outdoors and there are shadows on the eyes or forehead (from hair) then use the flash in "fill flash" mode. If it's too harsh you can quickly underexpose the flash with it's lcd screen. It's not that hard, but you should get your flash soon to get acquainted with it. Good luck!
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Kerry L. Walker |
There are many differences between the 600 and 800 but the most important, at least to me, is flash power. When you need it, you need it. When shooting large groups, you will need the extra power to be able to maintain a reasonable aperature to have enough DOF to get everyone in focus.
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Scott D. Winkelman Jr |
Chauncey, Thanks! Your response was truly helpful and I am purchasing the SB-800. With some practice I should feel comfortable with it in a fast pace setting. Kerry,
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Debby A. Tabb |
Scott, we use D70's and have both the sb600 and the sb800 and they are wonderful flash units- unless you are using a battery pack such as the Quantumms, you will mostlikely go through about 2-3 sets of batteries- but they will really do the job- I belive I have a picture taken at 9:00-9:30pm on a stormy night of a dance- I will post it and the flash was only on mid power. i do hope this helps, Debby
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Debby A. Tabb |
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Paul |
Hi Scott,,I just did my first wedding and its a nervous thing to do. One thing is just how formal is it and that makes a lot of difference to how you are allowed to shoot. I found out from the professionals here and from John Lind's site on weddings is " kiss" works. Here goes on what I learned ,, 1.Make sure that when they enter to walk down that they stop just for a moment for you to focus ,if they want those procession shots. 2.Have someone round up the people for the family group and wedding group shots.If you have to do it you won't ever get all the ones that you need. 3.Take a lot of different shots of the bride inside and outside ,,and of course the groom ,but a wedding is really the lady's showplace. 4.Candid shots of the reception are really good ,however,just random shooting of people dont' seem to or in my case be what they wanted so the next one ,,I will limit myself just to give the overall idea of the reception. 5.Watch for other camera's ,I had to ask several people not to take shots when I was shooting. 6.Be extremely nice but also have to be firm about what you need for the people who are paying you. I am sure as I do more ,,if I do,,, I will continue to learn I will stand corrected if what I put down here is wrong in some ones eyes or the way they do things.Every wedding is different and I am not sure that I want to do a real uptown formal wedding however,they might be better since they as I understand it have a professional put the wedding together. So, I am sure it will go well,,just some thoughts on whatI learned on my first and possibly only wedding. Paul
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