I need major help & suggestions

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bill Dobbs on April 25, 2011 at 6:19pm

Well Tina, you've asked for a lot of information!  There is so much to know and think about if you're doing wedding photography professionally that you would probably have difficulty remembering every bit of advice anyway.  I have a few pointers though for amateur photographers shooting their first wedding.

Talk to your clients and find out what they want and are willing to allow during the ceremony.  They'll want certain shots so create a shot list of what they want (i.e. groups of people, shots during the ceremony and register signing, etc)  As for the ceremony, you'll have to step out of being a guest; you'll have to be in the aisle to get those special shots, then move off to shoot the guests. 

I assume you're using a digital camera. Make sure you've got plenty of memory cards (plan for a minimum of 400 shots in RAW format; I usually shoot 700 to 1000 frames) batteries for your flash, and camera batteries all charged up and ready to go. Be READY. 

Go to the church a week before the event and take test shots inside and outside to make sure you can get good results and to find those special spots to take individual and group photos. Find out how your flash performs in the church and outside too.  If you don't think it will be powerful enough then think about getting one that will do the job for you. 

There are many tutorials on the internet; check a few out.  Good luck!!!

 

Permalink Reply by Tina Camp on April 26, 2011 at 2:26pm

Thank you, Bill, for replying.  I am so nervous about shooting this wedding.  I do own a nice DSLR (Nikon D3100) It has a built in flash and I do not own an separate flash that requires batteries.  As far as camera battery, I have two that will be fully charged and ready to go.  I am financially strapped right now so I cannot afford to run out and purchase all sorts of extras for my camera just yet. Honestly, I am pretty amature and really have not done a lot of shooting other then of nature.  I don't know what my husband was thinking by volunteering me to do this but he says he believes I am good enough to do this wedding or he would not have offered my services.  Problem being, If I mess up, it's not like I can "re-take" a wedding shoot!  I have never even owned any SLR camera's (all point & shoots) Now, I jumped into owning a DSLR with no knowledge what so ever!  I did purchase the Nikon D3100 for dummies book and hope and pray to learn and understand enough by wedding day!

Permalink Reply by Bill Dobbs on April 26, 2011 at 8:47pm

Ok Tina, not to worry.  You have a great camera with extremely good low light capability.  I strongly recommend going to the church well before, as said earlier the week before at the same time of day as the wedding with church lights on  and do some test shooting.  You will have to try many different things; with and without flash at a range of ISO settings, then review the results.  From that you'll know what to do on wedding day.  You will also want to be testing for white balance so take some white cloth with you on the trial shoot.  Churches can often have quite a yellow light cast which you may want to compensate for. 

Your two camera batteries will likely do the trick for you but you should have your charger handy because using on-camera flash uses up a fair bit of power especially when you're taking a lot of pictures with it. 

If you find you need extra flash power you don't necessarily need to go out and buy an expensive Nikon speedlight. Your camera store where you bought your D3100 may have a loaner for you; considering you will likely be looking for an accessory flash in due time they might help you out.  There are also aftermarket brands of flashes with units having reasonable power for low cost.  That said, you may not need flash if there's enough light and your camera performs well (as to noise) at higher ISO settings. 

Your nervousness is likely caused by uncertainty of whether you'll produce good results.  Doing a test shooting will do a lot to reduce uncertainty.  If you are being expected to be the main photographer you really need to know what you'll be able to produce so I can't recommend enough the notion of doing a test shooting.  What you learn will help you on this wedding and for all the others you'll shoot if that's what you choose to do. 

In the meantime do as much shooting in low light conditions as you can to see what the camera is capable of.  Shoot, shoot, shoot to get as familiar with the camera as you can.  You should even keep notes on the camera settings you want to use for the wedding day. 

That's about as much of the technical advice I can provide you for now.  Learning to manage people is also a huge part of wedding photography.  Don't be afraid to be "nicely bossy" when it comes to arranging people for group shots.  Make sure groups of people are reasonably balanced and everyone is clearly visible to the camera.  Make sure you've got a few places picked out in advance for group shots; this will prevent panicked searching around for locations and you'll look very professional and in-charge as you calmly direct people to the chosen spot. 

One other thing to think about is that there will likely be a few folks with their own cameras taking pictures of the bride and groom.  When you've got the b&g set up in a pose/location make sure you take the first picture then let everyone else take theirs.  Make sure you discuss this with the b&g first; this will prevent them looking at other people while you are trying to take your shots.  By being first you are also going to get them when they are at their freshest. 

I was fairly nervous at the first wedding I shot by myself, however the nerves died down as things went along.  It's normal to be feeling that way, just make sure you use that nervous energy to keep on top of your game.  Know what you will be doing next and where you need to be for the next group of shots.  As the official photographer you can go pretty much wherever you want, after all you are there for your clients and that gives you special privileges. 

Ok, that's it for now.  No go and shoot a few thousand shots and really get to know your camera.

Permalink Reply by Tina Camp on April 27, 2011 at 1:38pm

Thank you so much for all the advice Bill.  I will most likely head over to the church this weekend to do some practice shots.  I have also printed out a list of wedding shots to take and I have been practicing around my house at different times of the day.  Thank you again for the pointers.

 

Tina

Permalink Reply by dale Daniel on April 26, 2011 at 9:28pm

hi tina, bill has really covered the topic well, i would like to also mention that there are some great album fillers with the bride and groom geting ready befor the wedding . the bride  with her mother and family prepping her . adjusting the gowne . the classic shot is with window light with the mother and brides made checking makeup etc.. the clasic shot with the groom is the best man and friends adjusting the tie and coller of the jacket. etc. then there will be the wedding party and cutting the cake afterwards. i also would like to mention the most importaint shot , the groom putting the ring on the brides finger, do not miss this shot. if you have a wide zoom try to get two shots here the wide shot with the official in the backgroung , then zoom up to just the hands.       you can set the shot up afterwards. just ask the pastor , offcial, preist, to set it up for you befor the cerimoney . remember that the guests will want to get the shot too. like bill said google wedding photography . you will find every thing there,    have fun.     dale

Permalink Reply by Tina Camp on April 27, 2011 at 1:37pm

Thank you, Dale for replying.  I have been practicing a lot and plan on going to the church this weekend to do a dry run with the couple as to what out door shots they want and all.  I have also been researching wedding photography on google. 

 

Thanks for your advice too!

 

Tina

Permalink Reply by Tina Camp on May 10, 2011 at 5:36am

Ok, so I did the wedding shoot and have officially decided that weddings are not for me!  I told the couple way in advance that I am not a professional and unfortunately, I proved that! :-(  I mean, I did get a lot of really decent shots however, some of the most important shots turned out blurry!  Like the kissing of the bride, the mother putting the garter on the brides leg, the cake cutting, the groom dancing with his mother, a lot of really important shots .... all blurry!  I am so disappointed and upset about this.  Is there any way to take blur out of the photos?  I did the wedding at no cost as a favor for the couple but free or not, does not justify ruined wedding pictures!  Any advice anyone can offer to possibly make the pictures better?  The couple did come view the photos on my computer and claim to be satisfied but I just feel awful that they are not good quality!

Permalink Reply by Bill Dobbs on May 10, 2011 at 6:53pm

Oh no...very sorry to hear your results were not what you were driving for.   Without seeing the blurry photos or knowing the shutter speeds they were taken at it is very difficult to suggest a solution if one exists. 

Generally I'd say that it is unlikely that your results can be tweaked enough to take out noticeable blur. 

 

Permalink Reply by dale Daniel on May 11, 2011 at 12:26am

 darhn,   even the    the blurd shots will be treasured by the newly weds. sounds to me like the flash was't in sinck.  did the flash go off when the shots were taken. what kind of blure is it. focus or the camera movement, or subject movement. ? if it is motion blure then the flash would leave a flash image along with the blured shot.   .the only other thing i can think of is the auto focus was turned off. there is a chance that a good photoshop man can help with the images -- maybe!!  why don,t you post a shot and ask the crew to check it out and i think we could spot the problem very easly. also,  give the the camera make and model . there is a chance that the camera malfuntioned. reguards ,    dale