As a wedding *guest* - what do you bring...

When I'm a guest, I bring a 35mm rangefinder or medium format TLR loaded with Tri-X/HP5+. I don't see an issue with bringing a SLR and shoe mount flash but I would definitely avoid pro looking gear like large zooms, handle mount flashes, and flash brackets. Frankly, when I'm working an event, I don't care what others bring as long as they don't interfere with what I was hired to do.

I'd only take a Leica MP with 2 lenses, unless asked to do otherwise. I wouldn't need a

flash for any pictures I'd want to take using 400/800/1600 iso film.

 

If you generally feel the need to use flash, why not challenge yourself to get by without it.

You might find it rewarding to do that without the pressure of a client. :-)

... and do everything you want to do, BUT not a single thing that will reduce the quality of

work that your host gets from her hired pro.

 

That puts a responsibility onto you to make some assessment of what he's going through.

If it's a difficult wedding for him, or he's a newbie, he might be wearing a smile but already

giving less than his best.

I'm so burnt out from weddings I don't think I'd go to one as a guest. :) Take a tiny little point and shoot and have fun.

I attended a really good friend's wedding about two months ago, and brought my: <br><BR>

 

Nikon D2X<br>

Sb-800 flash<br>

70-200 2.8<br>

17-55dx 2.8<br>

 

I used the 200 during the ceremoney, and the 17-55dx for averything else. Even though I was carrying around a monster, I made sure to stay completely out of the way of the hired photogs.

thanks guys... this is my first wedding since I really got my business up and running... and so I want to respect the pro while getting enough shots for my personal pleasure...

 

And as someone mentioned... the way I enjoy myseld is usually with my camera in hand... one of the main reasons I'm getting into the business.

 

I'll lay low, out of his way... use a small discreet fast lens, but my tuck my flash away for "just in case." :)

 

Thanks for all the advice... I like getting peoples opinions to get anoter perspective!!

Lisa