Minimum skill level for first time wedding shooters

There are a lot of people new to wedding photography and also photography in

general that want to shoot their first wedding. Most questions here are

concerning what equipment they need, backup gear etc. And that is important but

as we all know it is the skill, knowledge and experience of the photographer

that means more to the end result than the equipment.

 

So...what minimum skill and knowledge should a first time wedding photographer

have?

Knowing what to do when something goes wrong is very important. A backup camera and lens are useless if you do not know when to use them.

Portrait skills, people handling skills, understanding what the client wants, sense of humour.

 

Errol

Peter - After seeing some of the worst wedding photography posted this week in a long time and backup issues etc. I almost think this industry should be regulated. Good lord some were not worth FREE.

 

Talent and intelligence can really make up for experience, my first couple of weddings went very well but I researched, studied hard, read books, watched instructional videos. I am assuming of course this is beyond f-stop and shutter speed,etc but I don't think a minimum can be measured as every individual is different. Some are stars out of the box and some that graduated from photography school should just shoot sunsets.

A balance of technical know-how, process and people skills are a must for any wedding photographer. You may have the top of the line gear on hand but if you don't know how to use it, it's not going to help you while you try to defend your work to the client. Since you are dealing with a lot of people coming from different backgrounds and of different ages, having excellent people skills is a must. You want to be able to capture images with a lot of emotion. Having the confidence level to be able to speak to your subjects is ideal, so you can get the image and feel that you want. Another key ingredient for a successful wedding photographer is a process. Having a clear process from beginning to end guarantees that you get the job done, and that you do the job well with little to no hitch. The combination of all three, technical know-how, people skills and process can equip you to be an effective wedding photographer, whether it's your first time or as a seasoned pro.

I sound like such an as**** but I'm not I just care too much I guess. Maybe we should blame the B&G for going cheap not paying close attention to people who have no idea what they are doing. This should be another post. Who is to Blame? - bad shootets marketing themselves as pro's or B&G who aren't paying close attention.

"Knowing what to do when something goes wrong is very important. A backup camera and lens are useless if you do not know when to use them."

 

I think this is an important statement as nothing ever goes wrong the same way twice. Knowing how to recognize the "when." After that, problem solving skills and the individuals adaptability in addition to their abilities in photography are important in finding the right path when things go wrong.

 

My question is how do we put an objective number/value/test on those skills, how do we measure them without a live fire drill? New wedding photographers mitigate risk by working with experienced photographers, reading others experiences, or managing the expectations of the client. Without that risk is the learning experience, which builds those skills, the same as someone who, god forbid, made the wrong decisions regarding problems during a real wedding?

Good Photoshop Skills.

Know your gear and what you are doing well enough to be sure it can get you close enough to the desired result.

 

- The oposite would be using the tiny build in flash and wonder why you can't see details of the dark cathedral or realizing that you should really look up how to select AF spots manually when shooting at f1.4 later in your darkroom. Discovering that shooting a 135mm lens at 1/60 sec handheld is no good idea shouldn't happen after the wedding either.

 

If you are capable to tell your friends: I'll be lost without my tripod in that cave of a church, and my AF will hardly work at all there, you have half the rent. Discovering that realoding your camera seems close to impossible because you are so excited is bad again and shouting for a assistant.

 

The rest doesn't matter that much. Having no people skills but somebody else arranging the groups for you can work... but of course you have to know that you need that other one.

 

Oh: (post)processing: A darkroom wizard or photoshop can get quite a lot out of not that great exposures but who or what are you? - I hope not the guy who relies on somebody else, who produces lots of color tint, to process your stuff.

Learn how to capture an image without blowing out the highlights - i.e. wedding dress. (Some of more vocal members on this forum need to learn that themselves.)

I'm definitely a newbie at this, but I have at least a general working knowledge of f-stop, shutter speed, composing a shot, and working well with a variety of people. These are the things I believe a first-timer should have. Even if working for free.

 

However- it's also important to remember the client-

Steve said: "I may sound like such an as**** but I'm not I just care too much I guess. Maybe we should blame the B&G for going cheap not paying close attention to people who have no idea what they are doing."

 

It's not up to US as to what the bride and groom want/can afford. It's important to remember that some people just want a decent picture of themselves on their wedding day- that they'll never know the difference between color tones, a good/bad crop, good/bad exposure, etc. Because of this, they don't make photography their top priority at their wedding, and so would not hire a $5,000/day photographer who had incredible skill. Maybe the b/g really love food- and will go all out on their caterer. So what?!

 

There's a market out there for everyone- and it's important to remember that every person, in every profession, had to start somewhere.

I agree with all of the above points of view, and although it is not my intention to turn this into a film v digital debate, I can't help but think that with the onset of the new technology, there has been a relaxing of attitudes on both side, i.e the client and would be photographer. I do believe that the industry needs some type of watch dog that would be useful for maintaining a certain level of professionalism in every aspect. There are professional associations which require a certain level of knowledge on the side of the photographer and that offer an added service to the client in the event that the work is not up to standard. Joining such a body is an option, but to do so requires the photographer to demostrate a range of techincal as well as people mangement skill to maintain the profile of the industry in general.

 

Although I believe that most pros can not compete with the weekend shooter who is doing this for some extra cash. The downside is that we are now seeing the fallout of such technology in the wrong or inexperience hands. I have been to a few weddings this year as a guest and have watched how the photographer has asked the B&G not to move until he had taken at least 5 shots of that particular scene. I don't recall seing that when film was used in such an event. The results with film in general, being pretty much spot on...why because all the positive steps that have been mentioned above were not taken for grant. But having said that I also believe that the B&G should also be made responsible, after all they get what they paid for, one would hope.

 

Artur

minimum skill and knowledge, IMHO:

 

1) knowing a good exposure from a bad one.

 

2) knowing how to control the camera quickly and without thinking too much about it.

 

3) knowing how to control flash and how to bounce indoors.

 

4) knowing how to pose people a bit (not much - just the basics).

 

5) having some good people skills.

 

IMHO, good photoshop skills are NOT necessary. I photographed many weddings without opening photoshop. if an image is captured properly, PS is just icing on the cake for small enhancements.

 

I would rather be a good technical shooter with zero PS skills than a lousy one with guru-like PS skills.

The last thing wedding photography needs is regulation by anyone.

 

I am a full time pro, and I support the idea of newbies coming in and threatening pros.

 

If a $4000/day professional is threatened by a $500/day newbie photographer, the professional is vastly overpaid in the first place and obviously has nothing better to offer his or her clients.

 

I used to be a $200/day shooter, and I climbed the ranks because my work was better than the $1000/day shooters. I took their clients because I had more to offer. I never apologized for this - it is the circle of life.

 

I welcome competition and think that every quality photographers should do the same.

 

Those who are afraid of newbie shooters are concerned that the world will discover they are actually mediocre, overpaid photographers.

Very good comments Conrad!

Beside agreeing with most comments here I have found a good physical condition and the ability to "foresee" interesting situations and integrate well into "the flow of the event" very helpful during my very first, no church involved, wedding photoshooting yesterday :-)

Some interesting comments above.

I would also say, business skills & people skills.

 

Plus art skills & tech skills so that they can guarantee that there will be the quantity of promised photographs that make the subjects looks better than they ever imagined.

 

Regulating I would say no to, because the free market will kill off the junk operators. There are however laws in most country that would leave some wide open for damages claims, and judging by the standard I've seen, some would deserve it.

I started writing a whole speil about knowing the basics of photography until it's subconscious. Then I stopped realising that it's such a basic requirement that it should not need to be mentioned. Wedding Photography is marketing, it's people skills, it's crowd control, it's business. The photography side of it should be taken as read. Shouldn't even be a question.

 

Unfortunatly the digital revolution has meant that many seasoned professionals have had to learn to be far more exacting in their photography, the PJ revolution means that photographers have had to learn how to get it right first time in a quick moving situation where you can't direct and the use of lenses and techniques far trickier than methods used in the past. Couple that with many wannabees and those who have the eye but no concept of how to make it a reality other than the automation built into their machines, people who think that wedding photography is all about the photos and have no idea about the peripheral skills needed, and you get this board in a nutshell!

Hell this could get us all on our soap box. Over the last two weeks I had two situations

were people have phoned asking if I could sort out images taken by in one case a friend

with a Good camera and the other a local pro!! who made a mess. Its happening all the

time. We have students leaving university with degrees who gain auto membership to all

the PRO organisations in the UK. They dont have a clue.

 

It makes me cringe when I read on here requests for advice on which camera to but or

which lens to use.. what are these people doing... every one is taking away a possible

client that we need to make a living. They are taking any value and respect out of our

industry and it should be stopped. I am working hard in my area to add customer service

and quality to what clients expect but the public opinion of this industry is so low.

 

When you think anybody can come on here and read posts what must they think when so

called pros ask such stupid questions.

 

http://stevesphotographyblog.blogspot.com/

Let's agree - those who know the game who have been around to jump on stupid questions & potential incompetents straight away.

 

No more Mr / Ms nice guy. Lets say it how it is because I think most of the last posts are all on the same wave length.

 

We may even do some good! No more explaining f stops or what lens etc.

When I grew up and attended a few dozen weddings, and already knew about cameras, the Wedding Pro Photos always had better equipment than the guests.

 

These days you read about shooters asking for advice here with minimal knowledge and consumer grade cameras (Nikon and Canon's cheapest DSLR models). You even read above shooters asking for advice with P&S all-in-one cams.

 

Until we can get better questions from the shooters I think it's hopeless. ;) (a 'wink' only for the fact that there are people with experience who ask "first timer" questions who do understand the basics and don't have cheapie consumer digicams and are suprised when they hear what an SLR actually is... omigod... than humanity).

Being able to get a decent shot under any lighting conditions.

I do have to admit that the 'what lens' and 'what camera' posts don't really belong on this board. Focusing issues or flash issues belong in the respective manufacturers boards such as the Canon board rather than here. To be honest if you don't know what lens you need to photograph weddings then do you really know enough about the way you will be shooting to actually do it?

 

That said I don't think this thread was intended to be newbie bashing but rather a serious general question to be used as a resource. Maybe it can go back to being that before we have to defend ourselves before affronted newbies! ;-)

I find I'm always learning. Creativity is a moving target. It is personal. That's one

important reason why people hire a photographer, the vision they have in creating a

wedding story. I was just at the TCPPA board meeting and comments were made on how

different images submitted and win print competitions are different than 5 years or so

ago.

 

In my business I'm involved with any area that lends itself to a creative touch. If it involves

computer hardware and software then I use it. If it's a mundane task I let others do it.

The rest I have others do. It's what my clients come to expect from my business.

 

Have you ever assisted at a wedding? How much investment do you want to make in

education? I spend quite a fair sum each year. It's how I get better. Once I create a

beautiful image, I want to do better the next time.

 

The only constant is change. An important ingredient is seeing that change and adapting

to it.

I would add that a first timer should not have a wedding as their first event photography session. Shoot your company awards ceremony, a retirement party, anything with a schedule.

 

Assuming the appropriate knowledge of your equipment and basic skills, ORGANIZATION is one of the great beasts of wedding photographers. You should have a plan, and a basic outline of when you are going to shoot what. A 6 hour wedding & reception passes very, very quickly. Without organization, your head will be spinning with no devil to blame for it.

A first time wedding photographer should have 3-5 "weddings as assistant" under his or her belt. Some things, you just can't anticipate no matter how good you are at learning by reading, and some things fall under the (not so) common sesne category. There are exceptions to this suggested rule, but they are rare.