 BetterPhoto Member |
Wedding Photography ... Getting Started Hi, I am a beginner in photography. I received an offer to cover a wedding of my friend on May 2006. I am having a Yashica FX3 + 50mm + 70-210mm(vivitar) and a Minolta 200 flash. I'd like advice on using flash and also tips on taking camera out in rain - i.e., any special gear for the camera? Thanks!
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BetterPhoto Member |
I just sold a Minolta 200 flash that was basically no use to me because it didn't have the power I needed. Since I use a Minolta X700, it also didn't link to my camera's electronics. Each photographer and camera is different, but my suggestion is this. Go to the church where the wedding will be held and pop off some test shots. Make sure it has the power you will need for the wedding. If it doesn't, you may have to purchase a new one. Some of today's flash units can cause major sticker shock. If you need a new one, be prepared. Have fun and keep shooting, Mark
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Dirck Harris |
You also might want to ask if flash is even permitted at the church during the wedding.
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Steve Nudson |
If you are a "beginner in photography" I would make sure your friend knows he may not get many usable wedding pictures and see if he is willing to take the risk... No offense, but first weddings are hard even for experienced photographers... I know because I have been there... by the way, get your flash off the camera or the pictures will look like "snapshots".. I don't know your camera, but would not suggest getting it wet.. one of the reason "pro" cameras cost more is they are sealed against some moisture, but even they are not water proof.. Steve
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Corrie |
Don't do it, don't do it, don't do it, don't do it! Did I say not to do it?
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Devon McCarroll |
I have to agree with Corrie. If you are a beginning photographer, I wouldn't put myself in the position of being the main photographer for the wedding. Also, many churches do not allow flash photography. If your friend hires a pro photographer, maybe you can talk to them about shadowing them or working as an assistant for the day so that you can see what wedding photography really entails. Good luck!
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Haley Crites |
Buy a stroboframe or something similar that will allow you to use your flash off the camera. If it's not raining, look for shady areas to photograph outside so you don't run into harsh shadows. When your photographing the ceremony, (if it's indoors) use a tripod and not the flash. Look at other photographer websites/books before the wedding to get ideas about shots. Good luck!
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Norbert Maile |
Hey. Your friend knows that you are a begginer right? Make sure that he knows that alot of shots may not turn out. Go to the camera store and rent a really good flash. Use high speed film, at least 400 and bring some 800. I once had the same camera as you. I would prefer an automatic for a wedding but hey, they always used to use manual right? Bring some 3200 B&W film with. It will make for cool shots. Relax. Have fun. Too much stress in some of these responses. Carry an umbrella for outside shots if it is raining. Simple. Think back to the old ways it used to be done. Enjoy the moment and make sure the couple does too.
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Norbert Maile |
ps. I have had a "Pro" do a wedding and an "amatures" candid style looked much better as a finished product. If they could afford $3,000 they would not be asking you.
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Colby |
Hi--I have never done a wedding, but recently shadowed the photographer at my niece's wedding. Before I did, I did some research on the web and the best info I found was John A Lind's web page on doing a wedding. The site is http://johnlind.tripod.com/wedding/. He is also a Betterphoto member and gives tons of great information. Best wishes Ellen
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David Groesbeck |
Have you asked HER what she thinks about a beginner taking photos of probably the most important day in HER life?!? As others have said, don't do it! This is no time to be learning the hard way.
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Norbert Maile |
Gee wiz yous guys. We were all beginners until we did our first one. There is always a FIRST. Who are we to judge this persons qualifications with out seeing any of thier work? If everyone knows that they are a so called amature then they are obviously expecting that kind of job. No? Then any quality shown at all, with go over big time and that includes the bride. Who are we to tell anyone not to do something. We should offer costructive advise to help them along. Just another opinion.
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Dennis H. Hernet |
I thought I was a pretty good hot-shot amateur photographer, but at the suggestion of a profession, shadowed him for several weddings. That was the best advice I ever got. While we pretty much duplicated each other's work, his years of experience was obvious. I would suggest shooting several weddings while shadowing a professional, then decide if you want to risk your reputation. I now enjoy shooting weddings ... but still as a complement to the professional, not as the primary photographer. I still consider myself a good amateur ... weddings are one-chance events that need a proven professional.
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Corrie |
"If everyone knows that they are a so called amature then they are obviously expecting that kind of job. No?" NO!!!! They may SAY they understand, but they don't, and this won't become apparent until after the wedding, when it's too late to do anything about it. This is when they suddenly realize that because they were looking for a cheap way out, they don't have pictures like they've seen in friends' albums or in magazines, and it's all your fault...I've seen this happen more than once; friendships ruined, bad feelings all around. Not pretty, and completely avoidable.
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Tina H. Pedersen |
Hi Joseph! I see, you've got a lot of answers saying, do it or don't do it. I'm not getting into that. I myself am an amature, and has done two weedings for friends with good results. My advice is 1) talk the weeding through with your friends. What kind of shots are they expecting, how many and so on. How much alone time with the couple you need. 2) go to the location with your friends to spot good photography locations - for both good and bad weather. 3) On the day make them relaxe, make it fun - then you'll get the best pictures, and they will remember it as a fun event on their perfect day.
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Cheryl L. Bailey |
I too, am an amateur and have been asked to do not one but two weddings and I have JUST gotten my camera and lights. So, I am JUST out of the starting gate. I refused to do it for the obvious reasons, however - I did say I would come and take pictures and play with them in PS and then, what I got, they get for free ... Just for letting me come and "practice". This way there is no obligation on either's part. Maybe I will get lucky and get some really good shots, but if not - no harm done, because I am NOT getting anything for it. I think this will help us both. They get some "off the cuff" photos and I get to experience the feel of things new to me. ~Cheryl~
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Denyse Clark |
I've gotten into many of these discussions before... I truly think it depends alot on the type of wedding. If it's 50 people in a backyard, honestly they may expect less and want to pay less and a good amateur can probably handle it (with practice beforehand!). If it's 300 people, full church wedding with 10 bridesmaids, as an amateur myself I wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot pole! Practice ahead to really know your equipment, and what settings work in what conditions, its a necessity.
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