Wedding Photography?

[xrapidx]

A friend of ours is getting married in November - they don't have money for a photographer (or honeymoon)... so - worst case scenario, I'll try take a few photo's - unless I can find a charitable photographer before then.

Any advice/tips/what to get/etc.

Currently have the following:
Canon 50D
17-85mm IS Lens
50mm f1.8 Lens
50-500 Sigma lens (probably not of much use in this case.).

any advice will be appreciated - maybe I can start practicing in the meantime.

 

[Oreomitch]

It' more about expectations, rather than the equipment you have.

What are their photo expectations?

If they expect professional level of work, then I'd suggest you retract your offer (and not ruin a friendship).

 

[bwana]

A flash would be a good addition.

 

[xrapidx]

It' more about expectations, rather than the equipment you have.

What are their photo expectations?

If they expect professional level of work, then I'd suggest you retract your offer (and not ruin a friendship).

They expect no photo's - they've asked my girlfriend to take some photo's with her point and shoot.

A flash would be a good addition.

Was also thinking so...

 

[mercurial]

I use my 18-55mm IS lens and a flash. I've done two weddings so far.

 

[mercurial]

They expect no photo's - they've asked my girlfriend to take some photo's with her point and shoot.

That's good - no pressure you. Good opportunity to get some wedding shoot experience

 

[xrapidx]

I use my 18-55mm IS lens and a flash. I've done two weddings so far.

What flash do you have?

 

[xrapidx]

I've emailed a photographer friend who does wedding and portrait photography - hopefully they're feeling charitable - and will work for a free plate of food

 

[mercurial]

What flash do you have?

Canon Speedlite 430EX II.

 

[Oreomitch]

They expect no photo's - they've asked my girlfriend to take some photo's with her point and shoot.

Great! Enjoy and have fun!

 

[SubliminalThought]

I shot photos for my brothers wedding. They didn't expect any photos either and weren't all that interested in doing a garden shoot or posing much as was their second time getting married. I shot with a 400D & 24-105L. Had the 50 1.8 in the bag... didn't use it. What I've learnt/gained:

* Group shots require more in the way of people expertise than photographic.
* Taking pics at weddings, especially nice candids, is more about being ready than having all the technically correct aspects - you don't always want a forced posed shot. Catching the bride and bride-grooms happiness will be best when they don't even realise you're there. Unless you ooze that friendly personality that just puts everyone at ease, this for me was the most difficult part.
* Keep extra sets of charged batteries for the flash/camera.

As for composition and stuff like that, perhaps start browsing the blogs of wedding togs. There are some nice ideas, getting the detailing, which shots to always get etc etc. Also take note of any potential cultural conflicts. When you can/cant move around during the ceremony and use flash etc.

 

[mercurial]

+1

 

[xrapidx]

I shot photos for my brothers wedding. They didn't expect any photos either and weren't all that interested in doing a garden shoot or posing much as was their second time getting married. I shot with a 400D & 24-105L. Had the 50 1.8 in the bag... didn't use it. What I've learnt/gained:

* Group shots require more in the way of people expertise than photographic.
* Taking pics at weddings, especially nice candids, is more about being ready than having all the technically correct aspects - you don't always want a forced posed shot. Catching the bride and bride-grooms happiness will be best when they don't even realise you're there. Unless you ooze that friendly personality that just puts everyone at ease, this for me was the most difficult part.
* Keep extra sets of charged batteries for the flash/camera.

As for composition and stuff like that, perhaps start browsing the blogs of wedding togs. There are some nice ideas, getting the detailing, which shots to always get etc etc. Also take note of any potential cultural conflicts. When you can/cant move around during the ceremony and use flash etc.

Thanks

I don't ooze friendlyness - so I'll do it from a distance

Is this the lens? http://www.orms.co.za/product.php?a=view&product=112

 

[bwana]

I shot photos for my brothers wedding. They didn't expect any photos either and weren't all that interested in doing a garden shoot or posing much as was their second time getting married. I shot with a 400D & 24-105L. Had the 50 1.8 in the bag... didn't use it. What I've learnt/gained:

I've got two weddings coming up in the new year - one couple wants mostly candid shots while the other wants staged . . . hope I wrote down which is which . . .

Thanks

I don't ooze friendlyness - so I'll do it from a distance

Is this the lens? http://www.orms.co.za/product.php?a=view&product=112

Save your money - the 50D seems to have some fairly decent high ISO functionality behind it which makes the kit lens you have and a flash more than adequate for the job at hand. Maybe get a bracket and a sync cord to get the flash off your camera.

When you're doing the table shots get the g/f to go around before you and get the next table set up for the shot.

 

[xrapidx]

Save your money - the 50D seems to have some fairly decent high ISO functionality behind it which makes the kit lens you have and a flash more than adequate for the job at hand. Maybe get a bracket and a sync cord to get the flash off your camera.

Yeh - I do want a decent lens though - wasn't it you who fixed the terrible purple fringing on one of my photo's?

Imagine having to fix a wedding dress

 

[SubliminalThought]

That is the lens I used, but no reason why a 17-85 wouldn't suffice - just try to stay away from strong verticals if you shoot very wide. The barrel distortion is awful at 17. I'd invest in a flash so that you can bounce for indoor shots and maybe use as subtle fill for outdoor. Flash will make more of a difference that a lens for your indoor shots.

Also another tip. Don't be afraid to shoot at higher ISO when indoors and using flash. If u use a very low ISO, TTL is going to crank up the power on your flash and you'll more likely get hot areas, u'll run down your batts. quicker and you won't be able to take shots in quick succession as the flash recharges.

 

[bwana]

Yeh - I do want a decent lens though - wasn't it you who fixed the terrible purple fringing on one of my photo's?

Imagine having to fix a wedding dress

Go for it then. Personally I'd go for this - http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx - or (if you're resigning yourself to crops for the foreseeable future) this http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-55mm-f-2.8-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I also keep my 70-200 close at hand on a separate body.

 

[Oreomitch]

This wedding is costing the OP more than the couple are willing to spend on a photographer

 

[xrapidx]

Go for it then. Personally I'd go for this - http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx - or (if you're resigning yourself to crops for the foreseeable future) this http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-55mm-f-2.8-IS-USM-Lens-Review.aspx

I also keep my 70-200 close at hand on a separate body.

Thanks - I see on canonrumor the 7D is rumored to be 1.6x

This wedding is costing the OP more than the couple are willing to spend on a photographer

I get to keep the lenses Besides, if you don't have money for a photographer, you don't have money - girlfriend is feeling bad for them cause they're going to their wedding, then going straight home again - no honeymoon - no special night away from home, etc.

 

[bwana]

Thanks - I see on canonrumor the 7D is rumored to be 1.6x

Not full frame? Interesting in a shoot yourself in the foot sort of way.

Now more to consider when I ask myself . . do I want what may be the last(?) of the FF cameras (5Dmk2) or the 1.3 crop 1DMk3 . . .