Am I adequately equipped for my first wedding?

[darrell_burnett]

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I have my very first wedding on this coming Saturday (July 20), and would very much welcome opinions on whether you all think I’m adequately equipped.</p>

<p>Whilst I realize my cameras aren’t obviously the very best, my main area of concern is in lenses. I think I’m reasonably OK coverage wise, but realize lens speeds could be more ideal.</p>

<p>The wedding isn’t in a dark church, but in a very bright registry office. I went there yesterday for a kind of reconnaissance mission. I went at the same time the service is taking place on Saturday (4pm) and the weather forecast is the same (hot & sunny with some light cloud). It’s a very bright room with windows all round (a couple of them closed but fairly translucent curtained) and I took a light meter reading at f2.8 of 1/50^th sec at 100 ISO, so figure I should be OK under the same conditions of up to 400 ISO to use faster shutter speeds. The (extremely helpful and nice) Registrar also said they have no problem with flash during the service.</p>

<p>After the service, the pretty very floral grounds aren’t exactly huge, so I don’t think I’ll miss not having a 200mm reach, although the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 is something I’ll purchase as soon as I can for (hopefully) future weddings.</p>

<p>The reception is a disco/karaoke affair being held in a mid-sized function room in a pub. I’m going tomorrow to have a proper look at it, but at this moment in time I only have the bride's description of the room. If I can put it somewhere safely, I’m considering putting one flash on a light stand to bounce off the ceiling and give some light to the whole room, and use the other flash with the camera.</p>

<p>Other than that, pre-wedding, I’ll be at the bride’s parent’s house taking photographs of preparations for the big day, with bride, bridesmaids, ten grandchildren, including two three year old twin page-boys.</p>

<p>I was considering hiring the Nikon 17-59 f2.8 (at a cost of £65) but realized that I have the wider range of that lens covered with two of my existing lenses, albeit at slower apertures, and if light is a problem I can use flash. The Tamron lens has a Macro facility on it, and although I realize it’s nowhere near a proper macro lens, test shots I’ve done indicate it will be quite useful.</p>

<p> The bride & groom are friends who know it’s my first wedding, and it’s second time-around weddings for both of them, and so to them the photography (seems to be) more of a formality than something they seem to have a great deal of enthusiasm and interest for, so I actually think the photography is (in a way) more important to me, to do the best job I can, so I hopefully have the beginnings of a decent portfolio to do further work. Although they want some formally posed shots, most of the photography will be in the documentary/reportage style of wedding photography, which thankfully is the style of photography I am more used to, so that’s good for my first one. </p>

<p>I do have a little pot of money (up to around £300) if anyone suggests something that may be an absolute necessity, but don’t want to spend any more at the moment if I can help it. I’m already running at an extreme loss on this wedding with stuff I’ve already bought, but with the intention of doing further weddings, hopefully that money will prove to be an investment, so money well spent. </p>

<p>Anyway, thank you again for any advice, thoughts, observations (not just on lenses, but on any of the cameras and equipment) anyone can offer.</p>

<p>Darrell.</p>

<p><strong>CAMERAS</strong><br>

Nikon D7000 (2 Batteries) (Main camera)<br>

Nikon D300s (2 Batteries)<br>

<strong>LENSES</strong><br>

Tamron 28-70 f2.8<br>

Nikon 50mm f1.8<br>

Tokina 12-24 f4<br>

Sigma 8-16 f4.5 – f5.6<br>

Nikon 18-105mm f3.5 – f5.6<br>

<strong>FLASH</strong><br>

Nikon SB910<br>

Yongnuo YN560EX<br>

28 x 2100 mAh AA Rechargeable batteries (Unfortunately, no separate Battery pack)<br>

Flash Bracket & Sync cord<br>

Rogue Flashbender (large) with diffuser.<br>

Lastolite Easybox Softbox<br>

White Flash Umbrella<br>

Yongnuo RF 603 Flash Triggers (x4)<br>

<strong>MEMORY CARDS</strong><br>

2 x 32GB Class 10 30 MBS SD cards for D7000<br>

16Gb Compact Flash & 16Gb SD (Both 30MBS) for D300S<br>

1 x 16GB SD Class 4<br>

1 x 16GB Class 10<br>

<strong>OTHER</strong><br>

Manfrotto 055xprob Aluminium Tripod<br>

Sekonic Flash/Light Meter</p>

<p> </p>

[laronge photographie coutu]

<p>You have plenty of equipment but that doesn't make you adequately equipped. Experience does.</p>

[Ian Taylor]

<p>If you have tons of experience with all that stuff, in all kinds of lighting conditions and under pressure, you might be ready. <br>

The best wedding photographer I know (US$7K) uses 2 bodies, 2 primes, 1 zoom, and flash. It's not about the gear.</p>

[darrell_burnett]

<p>Thanks Josh and Ian,</p>

<p>I presumed when I stated (in my very first post on this site) that this was my very first wedding, that might seem to indicate that I already knew, and was actually acknowledging\admitting, that I might not be the most experienced wedding photographer in the world.</p>

<p>I <em>know</em> it's not all about equipment, but the fact that I'm inexperienced is specifically why I came to this forum (a forum <em>specifically</em> labelled <strong><a href="/wedding-photography-forum/?category=Equipment%3a+Camera%2fFlash%2fBrackets%2fLenses+etc%2e">Equipment: Camera/Flash/Brackets/Lenses etc.</a></strong> ) to ask <strong>Equipment Advice</strong> of photographers in wedding photography scenarios. If I was an experienced wedding photographer I would hardly have taken the time to politely and respectfully ask for polite and respectful (and helpful) advice on wedding photography equipment.</p>

<p>So whilst I'm not ungrateful for your comments, I'm not too certain what I can take from them that I wasn't already painfully aware of <em>before</em> I asked for the advice. But thank you anyway.</p>

<p>Darrell.</p>

[vivid_earth_photographics]

<p>You know, Darrell wrote a thoughtful, earnest post and asked for some guidance. How about something constructive? He can't run out and get experience. He is seeking to build experience. So maybe it would help to offer advice more like: pare down your equipment as much as possible so you can focus on the photography itself since a lot will be happening all around you. Between the Tamron and the Tokina you will have the most useful ranges covered with relatively fast glass that you already own. I'd use those and not spend the money to rent any other lens given the expectations and type of job as you describe it. Nothing you write is clearly "wrong," so go for it and see how it works. If insufficient lighting is a problem, getting the shot is more important than anything, so don't be shy about jacking up the ISO--no need to limit it to 400. <br>

I'm not a pro but have shot events for friends and found the experiences to be real opportunities to enhance my own skills while providing a much appreciated service. <br>

Of course equipment matters and needs to be thought through just as you are doing. But just as with the photos themselves, when it comes to equipment, edit, edit, edit. </p>

[savagesax]

2 extra sync cords. they don't hold up at all. Keep things simple and don't change lenses ever 5 minutes. I have a pile of Canon lenses, maybe 15, and I ususally only use 2 or 3. Once in awhile 4. You can actually us 1 lens, your 18 - 105 Nikon. Since everything is fairly lit up you don't really need to worry about something like a 50mm 1.2.

 

Oh, by the way, I hate doing extra work. Therefore I often just use the Canon 24-105mm; such as last weekends wedding. It was only a 3 hour wedding, however that doesn't really matter.

[laronge photographie coutu]

<p>There is sound advice in both my previous post and Ian's post. But, I'll rephrase mine and just answer the question, "Am I adequately equipped for my first wedding?"<br>

<br />Yes, you have an impressive list of equipment that should be enough to cover most situations encountered when shooting a wedding. </p>

<p>http://www.honghuazheng.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/A-photographers-learning-curve.jpg</p>

[darrell_burnett]

<p><strong>THANK YOU <a href="/photodb/user?user_id=2255276">Kyle West</a> for your very kind, courteous and extremely helpful response. </strong><br>

<strong> </strong><br>

I sincerely appreciate your obvious understanding of my rationale for posting on an equipment advice forum, and my logical expectation for receiving advice related specifically (and exclusively) to equipment, on that forum; advice which you have very kindly provided. <br>

<br>

Thank you particularly for putting my (slightly panicking) mind at rest that I’d made the correct decision about not renting the additional lens. Whilst I was happy about the Tamron, I wasn’t sure about the Tokina for the wider stuff. Although it’s probably my favourite lens (other than the wonderfully weird Sigma 8-16), I was unsure about the possible limitations of the f4 aperture, and I was perhaps over-focusing on keeping to the lowest ISOs, having previously not had much call, in my specific areas of interest, to use high ISOs.<br>

</p>

<p>Although I’m not as inexperienced a photographer as one poster now, for some reason, continues to insist on implying, I’m not really used to photography where one is working under the kind of high pressure I know to be inherent in wedding photography (I think I’m more nervous than the bride!). That is why I wanted to be as sure as I could be that I have the correct (and the correct amount) of equipment with me on the day. The equipment I listed was merely what is available to me, but I'm only taking a selection of it with me on the day, and your kind advice will help me make an informed decision as to what exactly that will include. The exact kind of advice I was asking for.<br>

<br>

Thank you again Kyle<br>

<br>

Darrell. </p>

[darrell_burnett]

<p>Thank you <strong><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=2019244">Bob Bernardo - LA area</a> </strong>also for your extremely helpful and constructive comments.</p>

<p>I’ve had the sync cord for two years and it’s never given me any problems (so far), but having said that, you’re right, I should at least have one spare, so I’ve just ordered one on one-day shipping from Amazon. You’re also right about the number of lenses, and I’ll give serious consideration to which 3 (knowing me it will be 4!) lenses I take, which if the weather is as forecast, may very well include the 18-105).</p>

<p>Thank you Bob</p>

<p>Darrell.</p>

[darrell_burnett]

<p><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=3842226">Josh Laronge</a>.</p>

<p>What is this - the picture below that you felt it necessary to send me a link to? In what way is this supposed to help me in my Equipment-related advice question? Do you consider (purely from my first and only posting - Nice welcome by the way) that I'm at the homophobicaly phrased stage, with your thinly-veiled hostility and sarcasm ("<em>Yes, you have an impressive list of equipment</em>") ?<br>

<br>

[i am] a 55 year old dinosaur who despises bullying in all its forms, and continually despairs of the cowardly rudeness people like you (no offence meant) are capable of when sat behind the anonymous safety of their keyboard.[EDIT - Comment removed] </p>

<p>If I ever post on here again, that's if I don't get ex-communicated from the site (if I <em>do </em>post again, it will because of gentlemen such as <strong><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=2255276">Kyle West</a></strong> and <strong><a href="/photodb/user?user_id=2019244" rel="nofollow">Bob Bernardo - LA area</a></strong>), please don't ever, <strong>EVER</strong>, offer me your 'advice' again.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>Darrell Burnett.<br></p>

[savagesax]

Josh too funny! Oh, I need some things!

[dave_wilson1]

OK, well anyway, back to the OP question. Keep it simple and uncluttered and things will have the best chance of going

smoothly. Use a few pieces of equipment you know well, fill flash, keep camera batteries in check. So if one battery goes

low, start charging the first while you use the spare, just in case. BUT, don't leave it somewhere by mistake. Have the

second camera fired up and ready to go, or just use it as the day goes on. Years ago I had a camera dump out just as the

ceremony was going to start. IF I had to go start up my spare it would have been a fail. So, I always keep a second rig

fired up ready to go during the really important stuff.

[savagesax]

Anytime Darrell - Also make a list a few days before, a check list making sure you have everything. Nothing worse then going to a wedding and asking someone for some AA batteries! Like forgetting a simple $5 sync cord can kill your day.

 

The 4 lenses I carry are the 24-105, the 16-35, the 70-200, and a fish eye. The last 2 aren't really needed. The 16-35 is very nice when the dance floors are jammed up. That lens is also something you really can live without. I have lenses up to a 600mm and several primes. They stay home. I use the 600mm for weightlifting!

 

Why doesn't the chart go below zero? Thats where I am.

 

Please revise the chart. Death is 6 feet under!

 

Dave Wilsons advice about batteries. Change batteries every 100 shots. Don't wait to change them much longer.

[darrell_burnett]

<p>Thank you <a href="/photodb/user?user_id=70549">Dave Wilson</a></p>

<p>That is very sage advice, all of which I completely take on board. All my batteries were already fully-charged and ready for use, but what I hadn't thought about until you mentioned it, was taking the charger with me, so thank you for that too.</p>

<p>As to your last comment, you're right, but I'm brand new to the site and the initiation into the stupidity, as soon as I'd made my very first post, kind of took me by surprise. Now I know what I may have to expect, I'll know in future to starve the ducks!</p>

<p>Thank you again</p>

<p>Darrell Burnett.</p>

[laronge photographie coutu]

<p>1. That graphic as been around for a few years on many photo blogs and forums. I didn't create, I linked to it. You may not like the wording in the chart but, it's message is accurate.</p>

<p>2. "Am I adequately equipped for my first wedding?" is a very novice question. If fact, if you're asking it, you're probably not qualified to put a once in a lifetime affair in your hands. Every wedding photographer has to do a first wedding on their own at some point. The truly equipped one's will have apprenticed/assisted/second shot with an experienced wedding photographer to gain the skills and knowledge (including what equipment to use) to avoid their next forum post title being, "I messed up, couple wants a refund, what to do?"</p>

<p>3. "Equipped," your word,not mine, does not just have to refer to equipment, it can also refer to knowledge, physical ability, mental wherewithal, etc. Perhaps, being new to wedding photography, you didn't realize this and thus your aggressiveness toward my answer.</p>

<p> </p>

<p><blockquote><strong> Moderator Note:</strong></p>

<p>The point has been made and reiterated, that experience counts for much. The point has also been made that the Original Post was specific and about gear (cameras and lenses etc)</p>

<p>The words contained within the graph; are the words of the author of the graph. The graph itself serves to illustrate a point. It should be taken as accepted that no malicious intent, general or specific, was intended by linking to the graph.</p>

<p> </p>

<p><strong>Nota Bene: NO FURTHER COMMENT FROM ANYONE - concerning the word used in the graph and/or ANY general OFF TOPIC discussions pertaining, or not, to that graph; or discussion of others' motives for posting, will be tolerated.</strong></p>

<p>Contributions pertaining to the original post and general advice, (apart from such reiterating that “experience is worthwhile”) would be welcomed.</p>

<p> </p>

<p>Thank you in advance for your cooperation</p>

</blockquote>

[michaelmowery]

<p>Yes you are adequately equipped and I would take everything with you as backup whether you use them or not. I would however recommend an assistant. Your lens speed are fine. You cant expect to produce images with a 2.8 or 1.4 look if you don't have them. Work on your flash photography. You have expressed you don't want to spend anymore money to upgrade your lenses so just do the best you can with what you got. When you book some more jobs you can spend some more money. The equipment does not make the photographer. You seem to be a very polite and caring person so make sure to keep that vibe flowing and they will love you. Unlike others with tons of experience but have a bad personality which can ruin your chances of getting any referrals. I have been doing this for 18 years and I still get nervous on the big $$$ Jobs. You will get through it, just keep shooting everything that moves. Good luck.</p>

[savagesax]

Darrell, first off your questions are excellent. Never think that they have validity when it comes to the arts. Often there are no right or wrong answers to artists questions.

 

I have 3 degrees, one in music and 2 in the science's. So with batteries several years ago I found through several months of testing rechargables that the "Eneloop," batteries last for several years. Often with rechargable batteries they are good for only one year before they don't hold a charge. Well the enaloop batteries I have from 7 yrs. ago are still holding their charges. In fact if you don't use them for 6 months or so their charge is about 90 percent fully charged. I have about 2 dozen of them and I haven't replaced a single one. These are made by Sanyo.

 

I've also tested regular batteries and rechargable eneloops at full power using the Canon 580 flash unit. Both were very close to the same. At full power, 100 pops was about it. Remember this is full power. I know that most photographers use TTL, auto, ETTL for Canon and of course manual at different settings such as quarter power, 1/2 power and full power. Knowing these basic settings most photographers often wait past the 100 pops. Well I figure why push it and when the batteries start slowing down the recycle time does too. It's a real drag missing a shot waiting for the flash to recharge. So the battery charger maker is only for Eneloop takes kind of long to charge a set of batteries. 3 to 6 hours.

 

Stay away from the 30 minute chargers. They burn up the batteries including Eneloops.

 

I've said this many times before. When a place is too dark the best solution is to add light, not crank up the ASA/ISO to 6400 for higher. Use a flash. On a TTL setting try to remember that when you are doing formals set your camera to around 30th of a second at 5.6. Shoot in RAW. After around 8 feet to 10 feet the TTL can't really figure out the distance and you will be under exposed. I pretty much always go to manual. Peaple may think that 30th of a second is too slow. Well it sort of is without a flash. A flash can stop most minor movements even at a 15th of a second.

 

Well this is the science part of cameras in general. When shooting in RAW you have some latitude to fix a lot of images. In jpeg the room for fixing images is much, much less.

 

For sure experiment with your cameras and flash units. One last thing. I don't go over the 5.6 setting on the lens, unless the background must be in focus. Above 5.6 I find the flash units in the auto, TTL positions don't carry very far.

 

Have fun learning about your camera and flash setups. This prevents you from stumbling all over the place while people patiently wait for you to figure out what needs correcting.

 

Hope this helps and feel free in posting some images of anything before your big day. Being prepared will bring you and the wedding couple lots of enjoyment.

[leona_evans]

<p>Hi Darrell<br>

I too am doing my first wedding on Saturday, which is tomorrow now, eek! Don't let anyone put you off, all the great wedding photographers were probably crapping their pants before shooting their first wedding! I know I am! We should be nervous,a wedding day is a pretty important thing, and it'll inspire us to do our best!<br>

For my equipment I'm using a canon 5d mark II with a smaller canon as a back up. I have 6 8gb cards as other photographers have advised me to get the smaller memory cards incase of card failure! Tamron f2.8 24-70 will be my main lens, canon 70-200 f4 during the ceremony which is in a huge abbey so not at all daunting! For portraits I'll use my canon f1.8 85mm prime which I love! I'll take my canon speedlite but will try and avoid using it as I'm very much a natural light photographer.<br>

My main concern is the group shots and how to pose people, so have been looking online at numerous photos for inspiration! Also fitting the Abbey into the shots will be a challenge, as it's so vast but there's a wall around it so I can't get any good distance away from it...<br>

Anway, good luck and have fun!<br>

Leona</p>

[dave_wilson1]

It's really hard to work without a flash. Even if you use it on very low power -2 stops or whatever, it has a benefit.

Sometimes the faces will have dark eyesockets and dull eyes, or some parts of the wedding day are just dark and you

have to bump it up and use it as a main light to catch and freeze the shots. Well anyway, you folks will see.

[leona_evans]

<p>I know it's a challenge without a flash but I can't use one in the Abbey! I have been to both of the venues 5 times to practice shooting friends and know exactly where to take my group shots and what the light will be so have no concerns there. I will probably use bounce flash as the evening reception moves indoors when the light goes but otherwise will try and avoid!</p>

[William Michael]

<p>It is, indeed, usually a long journey to master working without Flash - and - working under the pressure of time and also as a first in a new Genre of Photography, one might more consider the usefulness of the application of Flash.<br />It would be incorrect to assume that 'photo-journalistic style' mandates 'no flash to be used'.</p>

<p>Apropos 'Portraits' and specifically your concern about 'the group shots' (as mentioned by leona) - you will most likely have difficulty making these, using only the EF 85 F/1.8 - the Tamron 24 to 70 Zoom will likely be more useful for this task.</p>

<p>Not knowing the Abbey's layout: BUT - <em>assuming</em> that you can move or at the least nail one or two suitable predetermined Vantage Points: you might consider the EF85 F/1.8 for use during the ceremony.<br />Considering that you prefer available light and also considering shooting during the Ceremony Proper where you mention that Flash is not allowed - using an 85mm @ F/2~F2.2 seems more reasonable than using an F/4 lens. In this regard: negotiating for and maintaining the best Vantage Points from which to shoot is integral to success.</p>

<p>WW<br /><br /></p>

[leona_evans]

<p>Thanks for your advice William. I will indeed use the Tamron for the group shots and the prime for the bride and groom shots. I have a second shooter who will use the Tamron durng the ceremony while I use the prime. The rehearal is today so I will then have a better idea of where I can and can't position myself.</p>

[studio460]

<p>Darrell:</p>

<p> I'm also in the camp of bringing the kitchen sink, and if you don't use/need it, it just stays in the car (insured, of course). However, the only thing you may need a tripod for is a time-exposure of the interior/exterior of the venue (so, leave that in the car after that's done).</p>

<p>I still haven't landed my first paying wedding client yet, but I've been buying gear like mad, and shooting every possible friends' and family event over the last few months. I know gear doesn't necessarily make you a better photographer, but I know exactly which results I want, and I know exactly which types of gear produces those results. Again, I'm not speaking from experience, but what I've done is devised a very specific plan (but, still easily adapted to changing conditions at a moment's notice) for each stage of the event. I think this is key to having your shoot go smoothly--being well-prepared with specific approaches, yet ones which are still easily (and, quickly!) modified, depending on whatever unexpected variables or constraints are encountered on the day.</p>

<p>As for your gear, I would suggest adding a rotating bracket for your SB-900 (Newton FR2 or Stroboframe VH-2000), remote TTL cable, and a high-voltage battery pack (Quantum, Lumedyne or Godox).</p>

<p>Here's a picture of my primary event rig with a Newton rotating bracket and SC-17 TTL cable (SC-29 doesn't fit):</p>

<p><img src="http://studio460.com/studio460/rig2-700.jpg" alt="" /><br /> Nikon D3s , Nikon SB-800, AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4.0 VR.<br /> Nikon SC-17 TTL cable (shortened), Newton FR2 rotating bracket, Quantum Turbo high-voltage batteries (not shown).</p>

[darrell_burnett]

<p>Thank you <a href="/photodb/user?user_id=1471453">Michael Mowery - New York City, NY</a> , (My <strong>FAVOURITE</strong> City!)<br>

<br>

I actually feel bad that I didn't even mention that I had an assistant in my original post, particularly as she's my daughter! She actually also has a vested interest, in that she's getting married herself next April and is currently in the process of trying to find a wedding photographer! She's also a very keen photographer herself, which is obviously helpful, and she's also very creative, so as well as being my assistant, she is also going to be my 'Assistant Art Director'! <br>

<br>

Thank you for the other kind comments, and you're right about personality also being a part of it, as well as experience and gear. I would guess that brides & grooms aren't advised they shouldn't get married because they've never been married before. I also think your comments helped me to realize that people who have been doing it years <em>still</em> get nervous! <br>

<br>

Thank you sincerely again.<br>

<br>

Darrell.</p>

[darrell_burnett]

<p>Thank you again <a href="/photodb/user?user_id=2019244">Bob Bernardo - LA area.</a>,<br>

<br>

Twenty of the batteries are brand new, they are '7DayShop' batteries which were recommended on quite a few (UK) forums, and I have to say that the eight I've had for a couple of years have served me really well. The charger is a 2-3 hour job, and I'll have it with me to charge them as I'm using them, but hopefully the 28 should last me quite a while as l won't be using the flashes anywhere near full power.</p>

<p>I've always been an enthusiastic advocate of using RAW and never even consider buying even a compact camera unless it shoots RAW for the reasons you stated. In fact I haven't shot a jpeg in years. <br>

<br>

I'll also do as you suggested and keep f-stops at 5.6 or below for flash, because that has also been my (limited) experience with TTL, although I hadn't pinned it down to a particular f-stop.<br>

<br>

Thank you again Bob for your very helpful (and supportive) comments. <br>

<br>

25 hours and 59 minutes .... and counting!<br>

<br>

Darrell.<br>

<br>

</p>