frank_myers2

This iVCD software should work for you. It is free to try and $29.95 to buy. I have several programs that do this but they are PC only. CNET is a reputable site for downloading software.

 

http://www.download.com/iVCD/3000-2183_4-10384592.html?tag=lst-5

 

 

Frank

I can't speak for anyone else, but we use 50, 85 and sometimes 400mm primes at weddings all of the time. We also use a 70-200 f2.8 IS that is sharper and cleaner than any of our primes. I think lens design has come a long way 'cause I am pushing 50 and I can remember when even a great zoom was no match for a prime. It is just no longer the case...

 

Frank

I like the one on the bottom left hand side. The angle composition is the strongest to me.

 

 

Frank

I shoot sports, nature and weddings and I use a 400mm f5.6 at weddings where I am in the balcony and need that extra reach or want to get a close-up of the ring ceremony.

 

For sports, I have tried to talk myself into a 300 2.8 lens forever, because it looks cool and adds a sense of legitimacy to walk around with it tossed over my shoulder. But frankly my 70-200 2.8 and 400 5.6 cover everything I need outdoors, where there is generally plenty of light for the 5.6.

 

For indoor sports, I almost never need the longer focal length. I use the 70-200 and a wide angle almost exclusively in those situations.

 

Good luck,

 

Frank

Bob's comments are right on! If you are planning on doing this on a regular basis you must learn the "bounce flash and shutter dragging" technique. You need detail shots they tel the story as much as anything else. you have got to vary your angles and perspectives. Be brutal in your editing...there are too many unflattering shots. For example, the shot on the stairs makes everyone look heavier than they are. Next time try it the other way around, you get on the stairs and have then look up at you...

 

If you are serious in pursuing this, I would recommend making yourself available as a second shooter to a working pro to get some experience and see if you have the desire and vision. This is a lot harder than it looks, as I think you found out, but it is a very challenging and rewarding occupation....

The biggest issue with any of the "prosumer" cameras from either Canon or Nikon is their ability to operate effectively in low light situations. Here in the south, most of our weddings are in churches that do not allow flash during the ceremony. This means that we must have fast lenses and be able to produce great quality at 1600 - 3200 ISO.

 

This issue is not about technique or experience, it is where the limitations of the equipment will bite you... I would not consider shooting weddings with anything less than a 5D or the Nikon equivalent.

Christine,

 

The difference in the size of folks in the photo are either accentuated or reduced based on the focal length of the lens and your distance from the subjects. The more wide angle and closer to the closest subject you are, the greater the size difference will appear, the longer the lens and further away, the more compressed and uniform subjects in the image becomes.

 

Compare the photo from Russ that was taken further away, to David's that was taken much closer. You can see that the difference in perceived size is greater in David's image even though the focal plane distance from the first to last subject is shorter than the one from Russ.

 

I hope that helps...

I think Colin is right, both in how to use an expodisc, and in his assessment that if you are in a situation where there are a lot of mixed light sources or changing light it is more of a pain than a gray card.

 

I find that evening receptions are the place where white balance seems to be difficult - fluorescent lights, dark outside so no sunlight, and DJ lights colored and white...If I can white balance with the expodisc to the primary light source, with a gel on my flash, my results are more consistent with the least amount of hassle.

If there is a smackdown, make sure you post the link to the video of the ensuing melee'. Good luck,

 

Frank

David,

 

I appreciate the examples you gave and clearly 1.4 and 1.2 are faster than 2.8, but both of your photos have a single focal point. What about multiple subjects. Especially during the ceremony, it is easy to find yourself at an angle where at least one attendant walking side by side at less than f2.8 is soft due to DOF issues. Or worse either the bride or her dad are soft. There is nothing you can do to fix that, except to call it an "artistic" image. Whereas an image with 1/2 stop of underexposure or a little more noise from a higher ISO is more likely to be salvagable.

I agree that this sample looks like a 2 page storybook album spread. I did a workshop with Maura Dutra recently and she has some excellent design templates for PS3 for sale. They are pricey $349, but if you plan on doing a lot of album design they can be great jumpstart for your designs...

 

http://www.idcphotography.com/site/pages/album_design/album1.html

 

Disclaimer: This is not an ad for, nor do I have any fiscal interest in helping, Maura.

In our market, we have a one of the more established companies that sponsor a monthly / bi-monthly photo night for all of the wedding photographers in the area on the assertion that there is enough work to go around. It is designed to help all of us learn from each other and network. Different photographers present on topics ranging from business practices to personal projects that help them stay fresh and then we drink!

 

Given that you are one of the more established studios, maybe you could take on something like that... You would establish a large pool of photographers that you would know and could refer when you are booked and not risk referring these folks and have them screwup. You will also get referrals from others in the group. If the below average photographer comes to the meetings, maybe he/she will learn something and it gives you the perfect opportunity to begin a dialog if the opportunity arises.

 

Just a thought...

I agree with you, Steve that it needs more light on the right side of the brides face. I should have hung a reflector on the wall to their left to provide some more light in the shadows. I will file that one away for next time. Thanks for taking the time to give me some excellent input.

 

Frank

LB,

 

I am glad you have been lucky enough to not encounter what I come up against all of the time and that is many church venues have restrictions on using flash during the ceremony. Those are the rules of the house and our contract explicitly states that we are bound by the rules of the house. We go over this with our couples.

 

Bambam,

 

Crank the ISO, use a tripod and stop your lens down to 2.8. Opening up more than that, especially if you are at the back of the church with a longer lens like a 70-200 could create too short of a DOF. Of course, make sure you shoot in RAW. That way if you need to try and get more exposure out of it, you can. We shoot our 5D at 1600 and even 3200 when it is absolutely necessary without too much grain. Noise ninja and some exposure corrections in lightroom can often save the day. And as noted by several others, practice, practice, practice.

I would go above and situate the bridal party on the landing. If the wedding is during the day, the light behind them coming through the window will be a natural hair light and you can just do some minor fill flash for the faces. People looking up are always more flattering as well....<div></div>

A more useful tool than a gray card in the digital world is the expodisc. It creates a white balance reference in any lighting situation and is very simple to use. It comes in two types standard and portrait (slightly warmer).

 

http://www.expodisc.com/

I agree with Rachel...except I have gone to Lightroom for the majority of 1 and 2. I use Photoshop CS for the "special processing" of anywhere from 30-75 images that need extra pop.

 

For item #7 - I also host my own site instead of bludomain using a modified flash template that can be purchased from several sites - Google flash website templates. This is much cheaper and with a little computer savviness you can deploy and manage a site for around 15% of what a bludomain site would cost..

Rachel,

 

Who said anything about pressuring someone? An adage of sales, and this business is as much about sales as it is about talent, is that a deal cannot be closed until it is ready. That can happen at the first meeting, or not at all. People feel pressured when someone inexperienced in sales tries to "close the deal" prematurely. People give off very specific buying signs and body language that can help you determine if they are ready to sign a contract.

 

My goal is always be to leave with a contract, anytime a prospective customer walks away without a commitment you put the opportunity to work with them at risk, they see someone else the next day, they decide their Aunt can take pictures for free and that will free up more money for the honeymoon, etc... That is not to say that you should attempt to badger a prospect that is truly counterproductive.

 

Good selling has nothing to do with pressuring...

It is in our contract and we tell the guests they are welcome to take pictures of the group, once we have our shots. They helps avoid the issues, you are talking about and still gives people the opportunity to shoot.

 

It usually ends with the bridal party telling them to stop because they are tired of waiting for people to frame the shots and get their cameras to fire, that way you get your shots and are not perceived as the bad guy.

Our experience at a recent wedding show was very positive but there are several factors to consider.

 

1.) The majority of vendors at the show will probably be other photographers. In our market there are 4 major bridal shows a year and we estimate that 35% of the vendors there are photographers. That means that your booth design has got to be eye-catching. We went with a very "homey feel" that contrasted well with all of the high-tech booth with plasma TV and industrial displays

 

Here is a link to our blog showing the booth. http://sweetlifephoto.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/08/index.html

 

2.) Brides will judge your ability based on your sample albums. This is a major expense and pain, but albums with complete stories - preparation, ceremony, formals, reception, detail shots are what brides are being advised to look for by the bridal publications.

 

3.) Have a handout that is something other than a tri-fold brochure and have some complete packages with contracts and pricing on-hand in case someone want to book you at the show. Sales 101 - Always be prepared to close the deal.

 

I hope this helps!

 

Frank

I have done this a few times in the past and I agree that you should not use flash, it can certainly be distracting but also a bit dangerous when kids are moving around on the stage and are blinded by the flash. You will be less distracting close up with a 50mm than anywhere else with a flash

 

I have found that the 5D even at ISO 1600 creates a good quality image. Most of our wedding ceremony shots are RAW images at 1600ISO. Given the low light situations, one of the the keys to success is to think like a sports photographer and look for the apex of motion. So whenever there is dancing or movement try to shot when there is that hesitation and the motion stops before things or people move in another direction. You will have more usable sharp images, even in extreme low light.

 

If you want to use a longer lens, then I would recommend a tripod, since hand holding the 70-200 2.8 lens with slow shutter speeds really takes some practice.