Wedding Photography Tips?

[Mezzotint]

Hi Messotint,

Shooting wedding or special events is not a game thus it is very important that we really put in hard work to it.

We got a responsibility once we decide to take up the task and saying sorry is not an option.

If you are interested in wedding, maybe can tag along your friends and see / learn how the main photographer shoot. That is how I learn too.

All the bests

Just my personal view, hope you don't mind.

Thanks catchlights & DarkForce.

I do learnt my lessons well. Guess I have to do some networking homework so I have friends who allow me to tag along with them to learn.

 

[Ihsan Chua]

sarcastic?

If you think that way, be it.

If i saw this thread earlier, i will ask you better leave it to the pro. You may have ruin the couples once in a life time memories. Table shots so simple, yet screw up, what you want me to say?

My advice is always direct, not confident, don't shoot. You may say sorry in the end, but what about your friend? Will he get upset due to trusted wrong guy?

I always wonder why ppl with no experience wanna help? Be a 2nd photographer, learn, never jump in as main.

I wonder who did not start as a newbie before? Hmmm..... As long the photographer bothers to improve again, it is alright in my opinion. I have seen photographers who are stubborn like dunno what like that and refused to change to get a better photo. That is then indeed a tragedy. The threadstarter obviously wanted to improve himself and that is why he is asking.

However, I think that u shd follow some experienced photographers first for actual shoots so that u will not cockup. That is what I did. I did not go alone until I am sure that I am able to perform confidently alone. Afterall, the wedding photos are the couples only memories of that day.

And also, I do not recommend P mode also. Outdoor maybe okay but indoor better not. Tend to be underexposed for my cam. Manual is the way. And some shots though seem underxposed does not mean that it is wrong. Difficult to explain the concept. It is abt evenness of light distribution.

 

[Ihsan Chua]

my understanding on metering is not good....
for wedding, what kind of metering should I use or watch out for. Any good advise out there? thanks in advance

Dun ever trust the metering when u are indoors, it is never accurate to me. However, I dunno how others experience though

 

[evershine]

Hmm.. but there is one problem for me... i don't know of any pro wedding photographer. Or how or where can i find an opportunity for me to tag along to be the 2nd wed photographer?

Can you introduce me to someone who is willing to let me tag along? I am asking because in Oct/Dec i may have opportunity to shoot my relatives wedding.

Not all couples are willing to pay for pro photographers and I would say some are contented with 'normal' wedding photographs. By normal i mean - as long as it is sharp n clear it is good enough for them. I even used a point and shoot canon G6 to shoot a wedding before in Malaysia. I attended my cousin wedding and they did not have any photographer so I just volunteered and shoot.

I guess is all about managing expectations.

I wonder who did not start as a newbie before? Hmmm..... As long the photographer bothers to improve again, it is alright in my opinion. I have seen photographers who are stubborn like dunno what like that and refused to change to get a better photo. That is then indeed a tragedy. The threadstarter obviously wanted to improve himself and that is why he is asking.

However, I think that u shd follow some experienced photographers first for actual shoots so that u will not cockup. That is what I did. I did not go alone until I am sure that I am able to perform confidently alone. Afterall, the wedding photos are the couples only memories of that day.

And also, I do not recommend P mode also. Outdoor maybe okay but indoor better not. Tend to be underexposed for my cam. Manual is the way. And some shots though seem underxposed does not mean that it is wrong. Difficult to explain the concept. It is abt evenness of light distribution.

 

[DarkForce]

Dun ever trust the metering when u are indoors, it is never accurate to me. However, I dunno how others experience though

Agree with you. Esp when during the Chinese wedding, when the couple walk into the restaurant .... all the lights are off and smoke coming out. If use metering sure end up black black shots.

 

[Ihsan Chua]

Hmm.. but there is one problem for me... i don't know of any pro wedding photographer. Or how or where can i find an opportunity for me to tag along to be the 2nd wed photographer?

Can you introduce me to someone who is willing to let me tag along? I am asking because in Oct/Dec i may have opportunity to shoot my relatives wedding.

Not all couples are willing to pay for pro photographers and I would say some are contented with 'normal' wedding photographs. By normal i mean - as long as it is sharp n clear it is good enough for them. I even used a point and shoot canon G6 to shoot a wedding before in Malaysia. I attended my cousin wedding and they did not have any photographer so I just volunteered and shoot.

I guess is all about managing expectations.

One way is to just go to any function, need not be wedding and shoot. Government sure have a lot of functions now. Just get in and shoot to test your various settings. Get the feel first before u go wedding. General functions will give you various types of settings. Get your settings right first

 

[Errz]

Ihsan Chua seems a nice fella. ask him?

Hmm.. but there is one problem for me... i don't know of any pro wedding photographer. Or how or where can i find an opportunity for me to tag along to be the 2nd wed photographer?

Can you introduce me to someone who is willing to let me tag along? I am asking because in Oct/Dec i may have opportunity to shoot my relatives wedding.

Not all couples are willing to pay for pro photographers and I would say some are contented with 'normal' wedding photographs. By normal i mean - as long as it is sharp n clear it is good enough for them. I even used a point and shoot canon G6 to shoot a wedding before in Malaysia. I attended my cousin wedding and they did not have any photographer so I just volunteered and shoot.

I guess is all about managing expectations.

 

[Ihsan Chua]

Ihsan Chua seems a nice fella. ask him?

Can no problem. Details not confirmed yet. This Saturday, boutique asked me to shoot their wedding setup. This Sunday, also not confirmed yet. Someone asked me to cover him.

 

[Errz]

Can no problem. Details not confirmed yet. This Saturday, boutique asked me to shoot their wedding setup. This Sunday, also not confirmed yet. Someone asked me to cover him.

evershine , there u go. the chance is here. :thumbsup:

 

[evershine]

Can no problem. Details not confirmed yet. This Saturday, boutique asked me to shoot their wedding setup. This Sunday, also not confirmed yet. Someone asked me to cover him.

Thank you in advance. Shall contact you later. I need to get an external flash first.

I have learnt quite a fair bit through this thread... but nothing beats hands-on experience.

 

[DarkForce]

Can no problem. Details not confirmed yet. This Saturday, boutique asked me to shoot their wedding setup. This Sunday, also not confirmed yet. Someone asked me to cover him.

I more thick skin. Whenever my friends invite me for their wedding dinner. I ask them can I join in the photo shooting as backup (shoot the day and night events) ? uaually they don't mind to have more photos.

During the wedding dinner I still give the red packet but end up shooting and eat very little. Some may say I crazy liao. :embrass:

 

[Errz]

I more thick skin. Whenever my friends invite me for their wedding dinner. I ask them can I join in the photo shooting as backup ? uaually they don't mind to have more photos.

During the wedding dinner I still give the red packet but end up shooting and eat very little. Some may say I crazy liao. :embrass:

:bsmilie: so after shooting wedding. how isit? fun?

 

[DarkForce]

:bsmilie: so after shooting wedding. how isit? fun?

After shooting ? I feel hungry loh cos I eat very little

 

[Errz]

After shooting ? I feel hungry loh cos I eat very little

*kok* i mean fun boh shoot wedding. heh

 

[Ihsan Chua]

*kok* i mean fun boh shoot wedding. heh

When u go in as a trainee, must have ettiquette. Always let the official shoot first and also to let them have the best place. Must note when he shoot or else both flash lit up and it may end up with the most important shot gone

 

[DarkForce]

When u go in as a trainee, must have ettiquette. Always let the official shoot first and also to let them have the best place. Must note when he shoot or else both flash lit up and it may end up with the most important shot gone

Ya . Here is my usually SOP

1) Always go say hello to the main photographer

2) Inform him that I am just tagging along to learn

3) Ask him to let me know if I happen to block his view and I will move back quickly

4) Always standing one step behind him

5) shoot only after he shot

So far those Pro I meet quite friendly so I got no problem getting some shots

 

[photoartist]

hello everyone!

i know it's kinda last-minute thing to do here asking questions regarding the best or appropriate camera settings for actual-day wedding photography. in fact tomorrow is my friend's wedding day and 2 months ago i was asked to cover the full-day event. I agreed to help him and it'll be my wedding gift for him and his wife. It'll be my very first exposure and I'm pretty new in wedding photography.

I'm using D70s with kit lens 18-70mm with SB-800 powered by SD-8A (which i borrowed from a friend). I have a Lightsphere II with inverted dome and I've tried some test shots and I found that it tends to drain battery power faster as the flashlight fires high flash output level. So I think I'll stick to the diffusor. Any advise on this issue?

Next, on which settings are best for actual-day wedding shoot, in according to my cam system i.e. A mode or S mode? For A mode, what aperture is best and safe to use in order to attain good image sharpness? For S mode, at what shutter speed to set? Is it advisable to use P mode? Is it advisable to shoot using rapid fire mode i.e. 3 fps? At what situations, shall I use A or S or P mode?

Sincerely seeking advises from the wedding pros here and hope to get learn some useful tips from them too. Thank you very much.

Hi,

If I see this earlier, my best advice is ask you not to shoot for your friend as official photographer. I don't believe your friend have no money to hire a pro. photographer for their big day, the only thing was they trusted you, they may think that as long as you have a camera, you are able to shoot their wedding like a pro. You should tell them the truth as a friend if you are really helping them.
I think you shouldn't ask us for tips at the very last minutes at least, you think is right to do so? Did you let your friend know that you only learnt from us here the night before? If not, why not? You failed to be a wedding photographer, because you are not responsible.

Try to drive a wedding car for your friend's wedding when you have no license to drive? Life is in your hand.

Yes, everyone need to learn from some where, but not from your friend's wedding.

I hope for those who is going to help your friend, think twice. If not the friendship will come to the end if they don't have photos from you. Will they say 'never mind' because you are their friend.

Don't do if you don't know.

my 2cents worth.

Sorry about this if i hurt anyone of you here. It is for good. Thanks.:bheart:

 

[jOhO]

When u go in as a trainee, must have ettiquette. Always let the official shoot first and also to let them have the best place. Must note when he shoot or else both flash lit up and it may end up with the most important shot gone

i don't think i'm too worried about both flash light up destroying the shot.

and sometimes it's not destroyed.. it can be a very good fluke capture:

anywayz.. out of all the weddings (or any other occasions that i've shot) i've only managed to capture another camera's flash twice, the above was one of them!

 

[DarkForce]

*kok* i mean fun boh shoot wedding. heh

Errz,

I find you a little not normal in this thread cos you usually always anyhow "Pro Pro Pro" but this time you sound so "good boy". :bsmilie:

Well, I always felt happy and glad to be able to involve in my friend's wedding. Each time , I always take up the task very seriously and do my very best.

I can't say I am good but as more wedding I shoot, I am more confident as I learn more too.

 

[fotoudavid]

I wonder who did not start as a newbie before? Hmmm..... As long the photographer bothers to improve again, it is alright in my opinion. I have seen photographers who are stubborn like dunno what like that and refused to change to get a better photo. That is then indeed a tragedy. The threadstarter obviously wanted to improve himself and that is why he is asking.

However, I think that u shd follow some experienced photographers first for actual shoots so that u will not cockup. That is what I did. I did not go alone until I am sure that I am able to perform confidently alone. Afterall, the wedding photos are the couples only memories of that day.

And also, I do not recommend P mode also. Outdoor maybe okay but indoor better not. Tend to be underexposed for my cam. Manual is the way. And some shots though seem underxposed does not mean that it is wrong. Difficult to explain the concept. It is abt evenness of light distribution.

As a newbie last time, i don't go into wedding like that. Till now, i am always trying to shoot differently, learning step by step.

You are right telling newbies tag along and learn, but not this thread starter, he never thought that he may ruin couples wedding. Thats something bad.

After wedding, then ask for ppl guidience on settings etc, too late, too late.

On the wedding eve, ask about tips, isn't it obvious that this guy not that sincere on his friend's wedding?

It is good that the thread starter wants to improve, but i always say, tag along, see and learn.