 Michele E. Myers |
Sunset Wedding Photography I've been asked by a friend to photograph his wedding on a beach, followed by a bonfire. I just photograph for fun, so don't have a lot of equipment, nor do I have a lot of experience photographing at this time of day. I have a Nikon D40x with 18-55, 70-300 and wide-angle lenses and a speedlight. I'd like to avoid having to use a tripod, partly because of the sand (finding a stable surface) and to have more flexibility in my position. Also, I'd like to try to get by with one lens (don't want to be changing lenses with the wind/water/sand). I tend to have more of a photojournalistic style of photography. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated.
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- Carlton Ward Contact Carlton Ward Carlton Ward's Gallery |
Hi Michelle, Sunsets are great for silhouette shots but you will want more than just silhouettes so I do recommend using the speedlight as well. You may need to switch lenses and just use a towel or sheet to cover your camera as you switch to keep the sand out. Having the sun in your face or your back will drastically change your exposure settings and if you are not used to switching quickly in manual mode, you may consider Av/Tv mode and select your preferred aperture or shutter speed. You may need your tripod, so bring it along with everything else you think you won't need because when you get there and say to yourself, "I wish I had brought ____ along with me" - you will be learning one of the first lessons of shooting weddings :) I carry my tripod everywhere and you may not need it much if the light is working for you and you can keep your shutter speeds fast enough, BUT there are always a couple of cool artistic photos that will present itself that may need the tripod to execute the capture. I hope this helps.
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michellepetersphotography.com - Michelle M. Peters Contact Michelle M. Peters Michelle M. Peters's Gallery |
I have been shooting weddings photojournalistically for over 3 years and have never used a tripod. A fast lens and a flash with a diffuser is what I recommend. Also, I use two bodies with two different lenses. Careful with the sand! Practice ahead of time shooting at that time of day. This is one time when you cannot afford to screw up. Paid or not. It is someone's VERY special occasion that can't be done again. If you don't feel up to it, don't risk it, and let them know to hire someone else. You wouldn't want your inexperience to ruin their chance for memories. Especially a friend. Good luck!
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Bruce A. Dart |
Hi Michelle, Two camera bodies is a help to keep from switching lenses. However, unless the wind is blowing sand (or you drop the camera in the sand) there is no problem changing lenses at the beach. Nor is there a problem using a tripod on the beach. I have gone there for vacation for five of the past six years and have done lots of images there. I have also been photographing weddings for the past 30 years. Carlton is right, take extra stuff because you don't know what you will need sometimes.Other important things are fresh batteries; and EXTRA batteries. As much extra equipment as you can round up is also helpful. An extra flash or camera body is good insurance as well. If something quits working it will quit at the wrong time. If you can, borrow an extra flash or an extra camera body to be safe. If you backlight the bride, groom and wedding party for more than a shot or two at a time, they will all be silhouettes unless you use fill flash or change your camera position. Bruce
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Michele E. Myers |
Thank you everyone for your insight. I have set up a few practice runs at a nearby beach at sunset so I can further familiarize myself with the various exposure settings during this time of day. I plan to use my 70-300 as my primary lens due to the way it nicely blurs the background and its speed. I will also use my speedlight (this is where I feel I will need to experiment with the most in my trial runs). I have, however, been thinking about upgrading my camera body and now just wondering if it would be the time to do it. Hmm ... that's a separate discussion. Thanks again. I really do appreciate the responses.
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