Wedding #1, the best and the worst

[alisa_stieg]

Howdy!

 

On August 9th I shot my first wedding. I spent an INSANE amount of time preparing for this. Read books, practiced

shots, yada, yada, yada. I've been shooting a lot of portraiture lately and requests are getting more frequent, so I

decided to take advantage of the Gear-Up rebate in July and buy a new camera and had to dive right in learning how

to use it (getting it only a week before the wedding).

 

Long story short, 1,200 shots were taken all told. After looking through them, I was very upset at first. I admit I have

incredibly unrealistic expectations and hoped that they would all be great (HA!) and was very frustrated with the

results. The conditions we were working in was basically a very small chapel with a TON of windows. This created a

high contrast situation in nearly every shot (note shots #4 & 6 imparticular). I was really trying to avoid using a lot of

flash during the ceremony. This wasn't requested of me at all, nor was limiting my moving around during the

ceremony. I guess I'm just pretty old-school and I consider a wedding ceremony to be sacred and felt that using a

lot of flash would be kind of crass. I realize now that if I'm going to ever do this again, I need to get over that. I used

a higher ISO (I believe it was around 3200) and had a lot of noise in some shots and none in others (go figure!) and

had my aperature wide open. I also used my 18-250mm lens (even though Maria suggested I stick with my 50mm

1.7. being that it was the fastest glass I owned) and reserved the 50mm for the pre-ceremony shots only. I thought

that would give me the advantage of being able to keep a reasonable distance from the actual proceedings and still

get some tight shots. I had intended to use the TaV mode on my camera, but ended up going with manual instead

(which I think caused me a LOT of problems). Weddings move really fast and not being an experienced wedding

photographer, I didn't always get a chance to check the metering without missing "THE shot" (no do-overs at

weddings, ya know!) My daughter was the 2nd shooter (shooting from basically the bell tower window) and the two

perspectives really added a lot to the collection.

 

Let me just say I learned a LOT! And looking at them now (after MANY adjustments in CS3), I think they will be

happy with the shots. But I still would like to know how the situation should have been handled differently WITHOUT

adding a lot of flash lighting to the situation. When I used the flash, I bounced it off the ceiling or walls, but this had

little affect if I was very far away. Whatever suggestions you can give me for future reference, I would be most

appreciative! Peter, since you shoot weddings professionally, would you consider being my mentor!? LOL!

 

 

#1

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239740925664876482"><img

src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMnE1U18I/AAAAAAAACio/9vNC3ALO0Fs/s800/010.jpg" /></a><br>

 

#2

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239740953389070434"><img

src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMosHSeGI/AAAAAAAACiw/m_5XcYupquk/s800/074.jpg" /></a><br>

 

#3

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239740961775538962"><img

src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMpLWx0xI/AAAAAAAACi4/EWIkEBkeh3Y/s800/018.jpg" /></a><br>

 

#4

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239740985244010530"><img

src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMqiyGSCI/AAAAAAAACjA/68N4jl1GDzg/s800/136.jpg" /></a><br>

 

#5

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239741007841796722"><img

src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMr291InI/AAAAAAAACjI/sWV4Lg3dVnM/s800/160.jpg" /></a><br>

 

#6

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239741026780283618"><img

src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMs9hHguI/AAAAAAAACjQ/M-8_OHpHvk0/s800/169.jpg" /></a><br>

 

#7

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239741042265639730"><img

src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMt3NHSzI/AAAAAAAACjY/9zamsIkDQwM/s800/175.jpg" /></a><br>

 

#8

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239741055073702178"><img

src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMum6y0SI/AAAAAAAACjg/CTL_vlUh9u4/s800/326.jpg" /></a><br>(Can

someone please teach me how to use the burn tool better! LOL!)

 

#9

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239741077401353842"><img

src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMv6GHvnI/AAAAAAAACjo/bA1VPYzLJ6M/s800/337.JPG" /></a><br>

 

#10

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/skweekysoo/ScherylAlan/photo#5239741104097041474"><img

src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/skweekysoo/SLdMxdi3nEI/AAAAAAAACjw/leNwJgfrhzg/s800/346.JPG" /></a>

 

[gib]

i admire your guts in shooting a wedding, many years ago I stepped in at the last second to help out friends on three weddings and I dont think my nerves could take it now.

[jptreen]

When shooting from the back, use a tripod (or maybe a monopod if you want to stay more mobile?), and a touch of fill flash (probably just direct on-camera in this situation, but you don't need to use it for every shot.)

 

I really love the last shot! The rest ain't bad at all either to my eyes!

[shaloot]

After the description you had given I was expecting some really bad stuff but these are really good considering it is your first wedding! I think #2 is great and very creative! I also like #7 since it's got the silhouette/halo effect but can see the couple faces and the last one is a good arrangement of the rings and flowers and good complimenting colors. This is your first wedding??? Be very proud, it looks like you are going to do well with this!

and with the 18-250 glass huh?? hmm...

[garydem]

frankly, you got the camer only a week before the wedding. that is not enough time to be familair with it. a wedding photg is so concerned with the right shots there is no time to fiddle with setting on the camera. the action and right shot comes and you HAVE tot shoot, you cannot be spending time doing settings in manual. you should be so familiar with camera and basic photography that you do that automatically. your concerns are which shot you want not camera technical stuff. you should pick one of the auto modes. full auto or program. of the 2 i would go with program that allows you to still change thje fstop or shutterv speed if need be.

 

i wrote the folowing as a prewritten howto on weddings. do not think it is complete, it is not, but you can use it as a starting point. there is also some websites listed that are very good. try the pdf one.

 

wrote the following for another person who was talking about shooting a wedding.

i realize there are many pros who are wedding phtographers, so ignore this.

 

many yrs ago i shot 2 weddings; one for a friend and one for my brother in law. afterwards i made myself a promise that i have kept: NEVER AGAIN.

if you must-

-do your research. there are plenty of web sites available. find out what scenes EXACTLY to shoot and what to shoot it with. make yourself a list of expected shots and take it with you. make it in order of the shots.

-for the bride and groom, especially the bride, this is their day. the once in a lifetime event. you cannot look at this as just another day for to take pictures and have fun with a hobby. weddings are extremely serious business and the pressure is on the photographer to DELIVER. there are no excuses for poor or not gotten shots at a wedding for the photographer. rpt no excuses for not getting the shots.

-check out the church and check out the reception hall. this means go to them. can you use flash in the church? ASK the minister without fail before the ceremony starts, preferably when you check out the church. are you supposed to be at the brides home BEFORE everything on wedding day for pictures? which pictures of who, are they going to be there, who tells them to be there? i was for one of my weddings. my day started at 5:00am and i didn't leave the reception till past 2:00am. it was almost 24hrs on my feet. get rest and prior to wedding no liquid courage. at wedding and reception, pop or water only. you will be the soberest one there. your job is to produce pictures nothing else. what shots are needed at every place? of who are the shots at everyplace needed? where are these people? you are going to tell/ask anyone that you need after the ceremony to remain? if you do not ask them, who is?

-get a external flash, as big as you can buy. also brackets, cables, more batteries(if flash takes extra), any other needed accessories. you do have more than one camera battery, right? and charger? do you need a12volt charger as well???

-again. read. research so you know everything about taking wedding pics.

-after reading. do you need any more lenses? what kind, what size, what fstop?

- memory cards. do you have enough gb? if no, buy major brands only. do not take a chance on any great deals on memory cards. if you have el chepo cards do not use them, replace them. in all respects this is when you go with the best and most dependable equipment you can find.

- consider a backup dslr. if you do not have one-buy, rent, borrow.

-you mentioned setting up your tripod and taking many pics with it. do you absolutely have permission of the priest/vicar to use a tripod at that location. do not assume. also the same question about flash in the church.

-find some way to talk the couple into using a wedding pro. this couple may not be your friends AFTER the wedding.

try these web sites-

http://www.creehanweddings.com/shotlist.shtml

http://wedding-photographers-directory.com/

http://www.christophermaxwell.com/wedding-photography-tips.htm

 

this is a pdf file, 79 pages.

http://www.aljacobs.com/NEW%20WEDDING.pdf

 

you should read the following web site. very interesting.

http://tips.romanzolin.com/articles/article006.php

 

where do wedding photographers learn their trade???

by being an assistant to a PRO wedding photographer. do it without fee if you have to but get the experience.

- and very lastly. THE VERY VERY BEST OF LUCK. you will need it.

 

gary

 

another reply-

at the wedding i was referring to i was in the house with the brides and all the bridesmaids at 7:40am, having arrived 10min earlier. at the reception i was shooting till about 2am when the bride/groom finally left. that ended up at just under 18hrs shooting. when i did this it was with film, not digital.

though i have been asked, the one thing i learned was never again. the 2 weddings were done gratis, no fee, that was the wedding present.

if you want to do more weddings i suggest glen johnson's book "digital wedding photography". not cheap, but well worth it. i have read it, and my conclusion is anybody who reads the book will never do a wedding. he simply tells what you have to do to photograph a wedding. the book is a COMPLETE howto. but be sure you know what you are letting yourself in for when you do a wedding.

 

 

[mountainvisions]

i could never shoot a wedding...both because it doesn't appeal to me, and because it seems ridiculously difficult to do a good job at. Worse, the expectations must be pretty high. THen again, since most marriages end in divorce, I figure most people toss those albums in the trash at some point anyway!

[alisa_stieg]

Ironically, this was a second wedding for both individuals. They were incredibly laid back. The only reason I was asked is because I was playing with my new lens on the playground one day during summer school when I didn't have duty. When she first asked, I absolutely refused! I knew I didn't have the skills for this! But when she told me they had planned on having pictures from peoples point and shoots taken, I decided it was worth a try if not for the experience only. This is really why I say I think they'll be happy with the pics. Had I been a paid photographer, I don't know if they would have been as happy with them. I mean after all, if you're paying someone for their work, you expect they have knowledge and expertise in this area! I, on the other hand, DO NOT! LOL!

 

No one has addressed my question though! What should I have done differently under the circumstances? The only real suggestion given was to use a tripod (which, by the way, was completely unfeasable due to the space of the situation). I did consider a monopod, but decided against it in the end because I didn't know if I'd use it again. Exposure-wise, what should I have done differently?

[markus maurer]

Using a monopod, a bit of fill flash and the 50mm prime would have helped extremly Alisa. I use a combination of a

50mm Pentax prime and the Pentax 24mm on the monopod all the time at events. Despite the difficult conditions,

I would not be happy with these photos because of the color unfidelity,

insufficient

DOF and some blur as well to be honest. For portraits and small groups inside I would use around F 4/5.6 if possible

by

focussing exactly on the eyes and around 1/45 to 1/90 by flashing and dragging the shutter at ISO 200/400, all in

manual flash and camera mode.

[alisa_stieg]

Thanks, Markus, for the info! Do you shoot with two cameras, or change lenses (between the 50mm and the 24mm)? I was trying to avoid that situation. The color is definitely a big problem for me as well. I can't decide if the blur is actually a blur or if it's the contrast situation. Was my lens unable to focus correctly because of the contrast situation, or is it looking fuzzy because of the lighting? I'm seeing both situations in various pictures. Can you please explain what you mean by insufficient DOF using examples from my pictures? I'm trying to see what you're seeing and learn from my mistakes, so whatever you can point out would really help. THANKS!

 

Somanna, just to clarify, shots 1-3 are using my 50mm prime lens. The rest are with the 18-250mm.

[markus maurer]

Alisa, for paid photo work I allways carry two cameras just for backup reasons alone and two flashes and plenty of

spare batteries and memory cards and the Monostat monopod.I'm glad that the *istD is smaller and lighter than the

K10D but do miss SR and instant histogram of course. The combination of 36mm and 75mm on digital works very

well for me and I could also use one body at high iso without flash and the other for fill flash. I would have carried my

Tamron 90mm macro or the Tamron SP70-150mm F2.8 with me as well for a wedding. I confess that I don't like high

iso settings in dark areas and for color photos of skin at all, so some of yours may be looking better converted to b/w

as well? You should have metered exactly on the brides dress and make sure not to overblow the highlights, that is

the most important detail in these photos here. And I do find/take the time to change lenses as well.<div></div>

[markus maurer]

Alisa, I focus manually only since most of my primes are of the Pentax A/M/K types. In low light and for macro work

it works best anyway and I believe that you loose a lot of critical photo moments with such a large zoom and even

some primes just hunting for auto focus. Chances are as well that they focus on the nose instead of the eyes on

head shots. I would probably have manually metered for the brides dress and the windows in the background and

compensated the underexposure with fill flash, bounced sideways to the white walls. And I agree with others, never

use unknown new equipment for such an important event, I would also forget the slow hyperzoom. I can't show you

people portrait samples here for legal reason , but at least one more detail photo :-)<div></div>

[alisa_stieg]

Honestly, I was so busy composing the shots that I don't remember even LOOKING at the meter to see what was happening. The bride failed to provide me directions to the chapel and bed & breakfast where they were getting ready. I had "map-quested" the directions but they weren't correct and we ended up getting lost, which resulted in my arriving late. I had planned (and left EARLY) to arrive at the chapel before going to the bed & breakfast to take the pre-ceremony shots in order to prepare my camera and test my settings. Instead, I made it to the B&B just in time to record her putting on her dress, fly over to the reception area and get shots of that before guests arrived, zip over to the chapel to take pictures of the groom and groomsmen with 10 minutes to spare before the ceremony started. It was complete MADNESS! My inexperience with both the camera and the event really shows...suffice it to say I was very flustered!. As I said, I had no intention of shooting in manual mode and I think if had used TaV like I had planned, it would have been better, TV would have been a good choice as well...even though pros shoot with manual mode, advising an amateur photographer to shoot weddings in manual is bad advice, in my opinion.

 

Markus, with the ceiling being wood paneling, do you think bouncing it off the ceiling was a bad choice?

[alisa_stieg]

"I believe that you loose a lot of critical photo moments with such a large zoom and even some primes just hunting for auto focus"...boy, was this ever true...

[joe_jackson4]

My stock answer to anyone who even brings up the idea of me shooting their wedding is "Sure, if I can shoot the

honeymoon too... All of it... Right down to the nitty-gritty... And yep, I'll do it for free."

 

Not sure why, but here have been no takers so far for my more-than-generous offer to capture those special

moments... :)

[alisa_stieg]

Gee Paul...I can't imagine...

[michael_kuhne]

Paul Wilkins- LOL, LOL!!! Remember reading about ye olden days when a crowd would wait outside after the wedding for a family member to wave a sheet with a blood spot and other stains out the window for all to see?? Wouldn't that be a photo to keep! In fact, many shots of the sheet itself being held by various people...

 

Back to basics, Lisa- spend some time shooting only in manual and with MF. this will train your eye to automatically pay attention to what your meter, the AF, what your camera is doing when in an auto mode. Auto is good and convenient, but may not always be doing what you want.

 

Lisa, one thing to keep in mind is people want to have photos that capture an important event. This is more important to them than artistic shots. Numerous times I have been invited to a wedding and have taken my own shots, even though they hired a pro. In many cases, I go ahead and provide some prints as part of my contribution, and have been told they liked mine even better than what they got from the pro! This is a good way to practice yourself- as a guest.

 

First, always go to the final rehersal if you can, so you know what to expect, and find out in advance where everything will take place, if possible. Get a good shooting position without getting in the way. I keep the technical aspects simple. I do not use a tripod, I do use flash, in a TTL auto mode, and often with flash comp control to soften the effect a little, or a diffuser only if shooting very close, or a bounce flash where possible. I use on camera flash to keep things compact and not distracting. I often shoot in TV mode to control my flash sync and at a somewhat higher ISO to capture more of the ambient lighting, with less flash effect. I direct my efforts to the key elements of the event. I get shots of the cute bride's maids and little children, if there are some. The groom's arrival and group shots as they await the arrival of the bride. I use a super zoom, like you did, so I can quickly go from wide angle to closeup as needed. I get the bride coming down the isle escorted by her father, and wide enough to include people on either side looking on. I get some of the cerimony without flash, if possible, or with fill flash, and more with fill flash at the immediate end of cerimony. Getting expressions is important, including expressions of family members and friends. Group shots galore at the cerimony end. I get shots of the greeting part, as guests line up and offer their congrats, etc. I go outside and get the couple as they emerge, and include some of the crowd, of course, and with fill flash. Then more shots outside, where I still use fill flash. Many group shots, and some of just the couple, of course. If there are pro photogs there, I just let them pose the people. I then get more shots at the reception, cutting the cake, etc. etc. They will want to revisit and remember these things and the people who were there. I would not hire myself out as a pro wedding photographer, but I can get decent results with minimal equipment.

 

Your church shots are good, except fill flash would have been a big help with the back lighting. Especially the #4 closeup with the minister, and #7 silhouette. No flash comp reduction would be needed because the strong window light would have caused the flash to back down anyway. #5 angle is interesting, but only a churchmouse would remember the event from this view.

 

I would have positioned myself more up front, within the first few rows, getting pics including the crowd from there, and the wedding party, bride, etc. as they came down the isle. Then it would not be necessary to zoom from a very long distance to get the closeups. Doing that reduces your DOF, which can ba a cause of some fuzzyness in your case, and increases shake effect.

 

In my case I like to shoot film because I order numerous sets of 5x7 prints to give out, in addition to a CD for the couple. I like using Fuji Superia Xtra high speed, 400 or 800 ISO for its fine grain, moderate contrast and VG mixed lighting characteristics.

 

Here are a couple of shots I scanned from a friend's son's wedding last summer. I should have scanned more, because I gave the whole shebang to the couple. I've known this young man since he was born.

 

 

[michael_kuhne]

Well, the photos did not take- try again...

[michael_kuhne]

What th???<div></div>

[michael_kuhne]

Finally got it. Here's the other-<div></div>

[michael_kuhne]

I would have touched out some of the background in the dance scene, had I PS'd it.

[michael_kuhne]

And no, I did not mean use fill flash for the silhouette!!