Wedding Photos! HELP!!!

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Parv

Senior Member
Hi Nikonites,

My mate has just rang me and is totally panicking. She is about to get married this weekend and her Photographer has cancelled on her.

She has asked if I can step in. OMG! I'm an amatuer who loves taking photo's off!!

I said I didn't mind, but this is a huge responisbility and I have never done anything like this or had a chance to fully understand my D5100.

Can anyone help?

What setting should I use, indoor and outdoor. Would HIQ be the best effect to use, other than the select colour effect.

When there are over 20 people,and they don't all look at the camera, do i keep taking them off until i get the perfect shot!
I know people tend to get impatient!

What speedlight do you recommend and battery grip, i suppose i better get one of those too.

Any help would be appreciated!

Parv
 
R

ryanp

Senior Member
Dude, you're screwed.


Only kidding. There are far more experienced people than me on here who will no doubt help but first we need to know a couple of things.

A) what lenses and other equipment do you already have
B) does the bride and groom want staged photos or a more natural, journalistic approach where it's more about candids.
C) location, big, dark chruch or small and well lit room for the ceremony?
D) have you checked the weather report to see if it's going to be a sunny or overcast day, either is going to affect your set-up and choice of location for outdoor shots.

I'm sure more questions will come your way but thinking of these will be a start.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
To answer you question honestly, I don't think I can help you make these pictures. But I can advise you to tell your mate that you can't do it, or warn her that you don't know how to do it like a trained professional wedding photographer. I don't know you nor have I seen any of your work, but from your questions, I just doubt that you can pull it off. Of course, you can take pictures at her wedding, but if she is relying on your pictures alone to build an serious album, she might be deceived. Please notice that I wrote "might".

I understand from reading between the lines that your friend has put you in a bind and you feel scared. And this alone can give you undue pressure that can make you take the wrong decisions as far as camera setting, flash fill-in settings (and yes, you'd better get one of those).

For group shots, you have to make sure they hear your directions. You have to get in charge for the group shot, you have to sometimes shout to get their attention. The only trick I can give you for this is you have to countdown or up to 3 and direct them to say "SEX" on the count of 3. I find this makes them laugh more than "cheese". So you take your first shot and then tell them to think about it. They will look happy in the second picture for sure.

​So the decision is up to you and all I can say is good luck.
 
S

Somersetscott

Senior Member
As Marcel suggests if you are worried about capability it is probably worth turning it down. - But if you fancy a crack and the Bride and Groom are fully aware of your skill, worries and accept the risk i'm sure there is information that can be provided to help you.

One of the wedding photographer top tips is 'Scoping the area' - find out all the juicy details, Venue(s), time of day, Date/season, rough amount of people, - chance of rain, cloud, bright sunshine.
Then go and practice at the venues if possible. Pretend as if the bridal couple and guests were there, where you would stand and get snapping - carefully inspecting your results and recording settings for what works best.

I guess you're thinking of every eventuality - 'here is a good place for the group photo' - 'here is good for if it rains' - 'oh shoot better watch out for that window letting light in like that' - 'dark in here, better come up with a solution'

In a church no-one wants to see your flash going off - in fact I think it isn't allowed in the UK churches. So the old trade off - ISO vs Shutter Vs Aperture.. again - it depends on where you're standing, the features of the room/hall/church and the light that is in there.


Also - you may want to test out some post processing software - if you haven't already. I use Lightroom 4, it takes a while to get used to the workflow but I have salvaged some heavily under exposed images and 'blown out' whites (especially on windows) in photos which I see as invaluable. I don't rely on this, obviously its best to get it spot on in the camera.

Hope this helps
Good luck :)
 
P

Parv

Senior Member
Hi Guys,

I have the basic 18-55 and 55 to 200 lens.

I'm looking at speedlight flashes and have order the battery grip along. Is it best to get a Nikon battery or are the other imitations any good?

It is a Muslim wedding, so everything takes place at the venue, well that's what i have been told. They will have a stage, where the photo's will be taken off and a side stage where they will but their wedding cake.

The back ground to the stage will be quite lighted with lights and draped fabric so if you google muslim wedding and check out the images you'll have some idea. Lighting won't be an issue as it will be all over by 6pm.

So it will be a case of some natural group pics along with the main pics at the stage and them cutting the cake.


I'm not really scared, but would just like some direction or guidance....TIPS really.

Thanks,

Parwinder
 
R

ryanp

Senior Member
I'd definitely consider getting one, if you can, 2 speedlights; a tripod, at least one new battery and a bag to put your spare lens in.

Neither of those lenses are particularly fast so the lighting still plays a big part in order to keep iso down.

I would have a search on depth of field to understand the basics when taking group shots, if there's about 20 people in say, 3 equal rows; you would need to focus about one third into the group, in that example, inbetween the first and second rows and you're not going to be able to use wide aperture so lighting is going to be important in order to keep your shutter speed high enough.

Everyone's tastes in portrait shots are different and of course performance at different apertures varies with lenses, my own preference is to shoot portraits at around f2.8 - f4 to get enough detail in the face but leave a nice bokeh. Everyone is different though, shooting at 1.4, 1.8, etc all achieve slightly different and sometimes astounding photos.

I think it's been touched upon before but my main advice (as easy as it is to say) is to try and enjoy it as best you can. It's a steep learning curve but a fantastic opportunity to be thrown in the deep end and do what a lot of people on here (myself included) haven't had the opportunity/courage to do yet!
As long as you're friend knows what your skill level is and isn't expecting a $5,000 service from you; they will most likely just be appreciative that you were there in the first place.
You're going to make mistakes, there are going to be bad shots but the flip side is that there are also going to be some wonderful photos that come out, photos that wouldn't have been captured without you there.

​Good luck!
 
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SkvLTD

SkvLTD

Senior Member
Get at least the Yongnuo 565 EX. It'll save you like no other. Else, just keep the camera on Shutter priority and maybe set a max ISO it can use not to get too much grain. And shoot in RAW.
 
M

Moab Man

Senior Member
I agree with SKvLTD on getting a powerful flash with a diffuser and I really think a 35mm prime would be an absolute must. It is a faster lens and very sharp. Cost $200 American.
 
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