Doing a wedding under protest.

rocketman122

Senior Member
you have to decide if you want to keep it simple and focus on getting the shots or you want to take it up a notch and do aesthetics as well. im very surprised you arent able to get proper expsoure with the flash bounced because the ceiling is VERY low. problem is in photos things look different than IRL. I can show pictures where it looks like it was shot in the afternoon but the place was pitch black so its hard to get a sense but again im suprised you arent able to get a good exposure just with a single bounced flash up.

technically learning to use off camera flash with on camera flash together may be too much already, it may be best to stay safe. I dont want to push you or suggest something too "heavy"

if it was me, as a pro I would have this setup. off course I would also have a flash on my camera. I would also add a flash behind them and do a backlit shot as well.
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I would probably use 4-5 flashes all over and blind everyone there haha!

im not certain now is the time to learn off camera flash for you buddy.
 

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Scott Murray

Senior Member
You have a perfect ceiling in that place to bounce your flash, depending on how far back you are will dictate the amount of angle to put your flash on (kind of like playing 8 ball). If you are worried about noise try and keep your ISO low, but you will find that you may need to change flash batteries depending on the type and strength of the ones you have. In your first shots I see your focus has wandered keep in mind that you need to keep the main aspect of the wedding in focus. I know you can do this but I think you are putting way too much pressure on yourself. Just relax and think about what you are trying to achieve. I am sure it all will come together on the day.
 

egosbar

Senior Member
make a list of shots to get , in as best order you can think of and have a helper to cross the shots off and organise the family for the next shot so you can concentrate on the shooting , cant see why anyone would suggest the majority of wdding shooters shoot jpeg , shoot raw
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
You have a perfect ceiling in that place to bounce your flash, depending on how far back you are will dictate the amount of angle to put your flash on (kind of like playing 8 ball). If you are worried about noise try and keep your ISO low, but you will find that you may need to change flash batteries depending on the type and strength of the ones you have. In your first shots I see your focus has wandered keep in mind that you need to keep the main aspect of the wedding in focus. I know you can do this but I think you are putting way too much pressure on yourself. Just relax and think about what you are trying to achieve. I am sure it all will come together on the day.

I'll do that. Everyone's telling me to point the flash straight up. Angling makes sense.
 

Jim_Y

Senior Member
I did weddings many years ago, and it's not an easy task. People are at maximum tension! Best advice is to make lists of required shots. Don't want to miss any of those. Then take tons of "other" photos that just happen to pop up. Almost "point-and-shoot" style. If this was a paying event, you would be amazed at how many of those throw-away photos are "just wonderful, and captures the moment" (per the mothers-in-law).

I never took flash photo during the ceremony. Remember, this is a sacred event and you are just wallpaper. But, do have your ducks in a row for the photos right after the ceremony. They have other things to do and want to get going.

I wouldn't overly worry about the technical aspects of the photo event. You'll get good pictures and the people that look at your photos NEVER look at the photo, they only see the people in the photo. I had an outdoor wedding in August, in full sun (film days) and the film got so hot that it shifted color, became overly warm, almost reddish. I was devastated! I just knew this was a disaster! The bride's mother (my client) absolutely loved the pictures and never ever noticed the color shift!

Have fun and relax!
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I hate suits. Very uncomfortable wearing a suit and a beer belly at the same time. How bout some black dress pants and a white shirt? No tie.
That would work, maybe re-think the white shirt as it may not stay white for long :) but then again yours is mostly in doors correct?
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
well, like you see in my pic, I usually wear a polo shirt and dark blue jeans and timberland shoes. depends on the event though. if its more formal then ill wear a buttoned shirt and dockers D1. but its rare. timberland boat shoes always.

Suit? jacket? [MENTION=9753]Scott Murray[/MENTION] damn im certain that was tough on you. in the sand on the beach. wow. respect.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
well, like you see in my pic, I usually wear a polo shirt and dark blue jeans and timberland shoes. depends on the event though. if its more formal then ill wear a buttoned shirt and dockers D1. but its rare. timberland boat shoes always.

Suit? jacket? @Scott Murray damn im certain that was tough on you. in the sand on the beach. wow. respect.
Yeah the Jacket didn't stay on long, but it was due to the fact that I was having drinks at the reception with them and wanted to look respectable ;) but in 35deg C heat it was no picnic. One thing I do recommend majorly is very very very comfortable shoes :)
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Well, it's getting closer by the minute. In the morning I'm going over to Belks (a department store here in the US) where the bride will have her hair and makeup done. I'll take some shots over there, then I'll go see the groom and his family. Take shots with those people before heading to the church.
The bride will get dressed at the church(in the back room) so I'll take shots of the wedding dress and other things over there.

The only part that I'm actually nervous about is the actual ceremony itself. No do overs there.

A couple shots walking down the isle. Try to take one from the front and the rear as they are walking.
As many shots as I can standing in front of the preacher.

Make sure to take shots as the ring is placed on the finger.

Take shots when walking out of church and getting into the vehicles, throwing the rice and as they are leaving.

As long as I get these right I'll be fine. All the other shots like portraits won't be done under pressure.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
Kept out of this one up to now as i have been through the first wedding job,came in now to wish you luck not that you need it and say you will be ok.
 
My son is getting married in November and he is adamant that he trusts no one other than me to shoot the wedding. He had a very bad experience with his last wedding with the photographer and the bride.

Thinking I will rent a FX camera or borrow a friends D800 or maybe his D4 to shoot it with.
 
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