Do you bring a small ladder to the wedding?

<p>Hi all,<br>

Do you do that to look at different angles of the objects?<br>

Oliver.</p>

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Usually no. If I need to get up high I use a monopod, with an electronic remote trigger, so no cable cord is needed. The monopod is set up with a quick release so very little time is wasted removing the camera from the pod.

Great for the evening dance

<p>Yes, I use mine most for formals where I might need a step up or two.</p>

<p>It has been useful at other times too: depends on the wedding and what's needed: such as mentioned in the post above for the dancing during the evening just to get a different perspective. </p>

<p>I do like to use it for a long shutter shot where the bride and groom are asked to remain perfectly still amid the dancing guests so that the guests become blurred and the bride and groom are relatively sharp and in focus which captures the spirit of the celebration going on (shutter about a second or two). This shot looks best when taken from a higher angle, imo.</p>

<p>Yes. I keep a 3 stepper in my car trunk. I don't use it at every wedding, but it's handy when I've got people posed on stairs, want a shot over the dance crowd, etc...</p>

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<p>I have a ladder just for photography and will use it when I need it. I don't think I would lug it around everywhere though. I keep it in my vehicle and will grab it when necessary.</p>

<p>Yes I do.<br>

I also use it for outdoor portraits and group shots.</p>

<p>Always!! Got mine at Container Store, nice neat, cheap, plasic feet that don't scratch floors and very stable.<br>

Use it all the time for formals, group shots and dance shots. Hate to step on chairs, too slippery.<br>

Helps a ton with table shots in tight spots.<br>

Would not be with out it. Generally don't use in church but take it to locations and the reception. If nothing else looks like I am doing something when it is open and at the edge of the floor.</p>

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<p>No. I don't even own a ladder, and I'd certainly never carry one around on a job.</p>

<p>I do what Bob does. For wide overhead shots I put the camera on a monopod and shoot either on timer or remote trigger. Even just using the timer is surprisingly effective.</p>

<p>I have one and bring it, but don't use it all the time. I should, because I'm short, but it depends on the need and whether it would be distracting.</p>

<p>I normally get on chairs, tables, back of a truck to get a higher shots but not on a ladder. v/r Buffdr</p>

I have to say that I do have one in the jeep, but only use it once or twice a year. If the groom is taller than about 6'3" I will use one because I HATE the look of shooting upwards and seeing the nostrils of people. It's never a flattering image. Therefore if you are a smaller person, 5'5" or so you should probably always use one.

<p>Yes! I bring a kitchen step-stool (2-3 steps) to shoot formals simply because at 5'3, if all my subjects are looking at me they're all going to be looking down...way down! :) For reception/packed dance floor shots I prefer the monopod idea though. An alternative to the remote trigger is using the timer function...</p>

<p>Ooops! Sorry Neil... I just saw you said something about the timer too! </p>

<p>not necessarily for weddings as I don't do many of them but I have a folding one step stool that weighs less than a pound that I take with me, it sustains up to 250 lbs.</p>

<p>I stand on my Peli case if I need extra height.</p>

<p>If I bought any kind of ladder my wife would make me start fixing things around the house with it. (And we can't have that!)</p>

<p>I'm 6'-5" and don't need to get that high. I generally need to get lower, especially with kids and that's getting harder these days because I'm getting fat. I stood on a chair once and blocked all my light.</p>

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<p>I do, but its for large groups when needed. Rarely used though.</p>

<p>Oh yeah - love my ladder/s at the reception and for group photos. I have 2 and depending on the height of the ceiling at the reception - on 3 step - one 5 step. I've done the monopod thing and just like more control of what I am getting - I use this for my bouquet and garter toss too... they are step ladder fold flat so I set them next to the band or dj no problem - their black and by the time I take them out no one notices. My B/G love the angles I get with a 17mm lens attached... like I said - love my ladders...</p>

<p>All of you who use ladders--be careful! I've been pushed off my ladder by a rambunctious guest, and while I was OK, my camera and lens weren't. I had to send them in for repair.</p>

<p>What I think happened was, the guest caught his foot around one leg of the ladder and upended it, inlcuding me. When you set up the ladder, try to not have your back exposed--by that I mean, try to have your back toward a non-peopled area, and be on the alert. It would be nice to have an assistant hold the ladder while you are on it. I would have done that, but I work alone, and don't have assistants. You can possibly ask someone to help--like the Best Man, perhaps. They are supposed to be 'handy' as part of their job that day. However, that doesn't work if you are on the ladder a lot or are trying to do that shot of everyone in one frame.</p>

<p>Thought I had seen one that multitasked as a wheeled cart for hauling gear. Anyone seen anything like that? If it wheeled in gear and could then be used as a 2 step ladder could be worth having at location.</p>

<p>It is this ladder.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.adorama.com/ZZLK.html?searchinfo=ladder">http://www.adorama.com/ZZLK.html?searchinfo=ladder</a></p>

<p>I saw it in person when a videographer I was shooting with had one. He said it was pretty sturdy but he replaced the wheels with bigger ones.</p>

<p>no, i use my pelican case to stand on</p>

<p>I like the idea of using a monopod - maybe combine it with iPhone/iPod Touch with DSLRemote and a netbook.<br>

Peter Bo</p>

<p ><strong ><em >Do you bring a small ladder to the wedding?</em></strong></p>

<p > </p>

<p >Yes - it usually stayed in the car</p>

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<p ><strong ><em >Do you do that to look at different angles of the objects?</em></strong></p>

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<p >No. I used it specifically / purposely to get an higher camera angle - usually only for large group shots.</p>

<p > </p>

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<p >WW</p>