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Can anybody recommend a good flash photography book? One that tells me

everything from the philosophy behind different types of set-ups down to the

nuts and bolts of what cable releases are and how to manually meter my flash?

Hi Julie, I am also a beginner and learning, and I've shot two weddings -- one very informally, and the other more intensely because the hired photographer was ineffective. Personally, I think you should totally go for this, and I don't think you necessarily need to worry about losing friends in the process. Having said that, here are some tips:

 

1. Definitely do an engagement shoot with the couple if you can. This will give you a sense of what kind of photography they like (whether they prefer more photojournalistic or posed). It will also give them a chance to see what your work is like. If they like it, you might feel more comfortable and confident the day o the wedding.

 

2. Learn how to do as much as you can with your camera and flash set-up. Although there is a lot of gear out there for wedding photographers, I've also seen people do an amazing job with just one camera and a flash unit. I think it all depends on how well the photographer knows how to use his/her stuff. This is NOT to say that all of the fancy stuff is "cheating" (because I'd like some of that fancy gear myself someday!), but rather to assure you that it is possible to take good wedding photos if you really know your gear inside and out.

 

3. As Jim said, visit the venues! This will give you a sense of what the lighting will be like before the actual day. Take some test shots on your own and figure out what combinations of ISO, aperture, and shutter give you the most satisfying images. That way, you'll have a sort of template to start from on the day of.

 

4. Read a lot on the wedding forum here. The archives are amazing.

 

As for the JPEG vs. RAW question, I think that ultimately comes down to the individual. While there's no doubt that RAW is easier to manipulate after the fact, I've kind of gotten to a place where I think: Should I HAVE to manipulate a lot after the fact? I mean, the way I see it, the better a job I do before pushing the shutter button, the less I should have to do after. So, I've personally started concentrating more on how to get a good exposure no matter what. That way, I spend more time shooting and less time on the computer. I take heart in knowing that one of my favorite wedding photographers in SoCal admits to shooting JPEG, and her stuff is awesome (http://www.jcsphoto.com/newsite/index.html).

 

Good luck and have fun!

Robbie -- that's a major thing for me too. I always try to have my gray card on the ready. When I don't, I usually regret it.

Interesting... I shot my first wedding (accidentally) almost primarily in P mode (adjusting exposure as I went along) and "Night Snapshot" mode (before I got my flash). The results were okay, but I've been shooting in manual mode a lot more and I think the results would've been better if I knew then the things I know now.

 

Thanks again for all of the suggestions. I'm finding a lot to take away from everyone's input.

Thank you all for your input. I am, indeed, fairly new at this, and I have been reading through a pretty awesome book on exposure that has taught me a lot. I understand the basics of aperture and shutter speed pretty well; I'm just doing a lot of shooting and practicing to try to get things to a "second nature" point. Ultimately, I want to be able to see a situation and just know what needs to be done to get the exposure I want.

 

As for my lighting system, I've only got the 580EX flash. No other lights, and no manual light meter. (Displaying gross ignorance again...) How do those work? And what kind should I look at getting?

 

With regard to shooting modes, your responses are most helpful! I've been shooting primarily in manual mode, switching to Av when I want to create DOF effects (mostly for still life stuff), and to Tv when I'm looking to convey more motion. My only issue with Tv is getting too much background and orange tones. -- Any suggestions for that?

 

Thanks again, and Merry Christmas to all!

I've been doing a lot of reading about wedding photography and looking at

wedding photography sites, and I keep wondering: What mode are people shooting

in? I've been advised to stay in fully manual mode as much as possible while

I'm learning so that I can develop a good sense of how to get the right exposure

without the camera's "help." I'm wondering if pro wedding photographers shoot

an entire wedding in manual mode or if they sometimes just choose aperture

priority and go with that, shutter priority and go with that for a while, etc.

Hello all,

 

I'm looking for a source of info on filters. I'm interested in possibly getting

a graduated neutral density filter and a polarizing filter based on some

reading I've been doing. The trouble is -- and I feel totally sheepish

admitting this -- I don't know how they "go" on the camera. I mean, is there

supposed to be some holder that I slip them into? Do they screw on? Where can

I learn the nuts and bolts of filters?

 

Thanks,

Judith

Wow, those Viona Art shots look incredible! Thanks for sharing!

I second Ellis -- G9.

As far as people skills go, I'm not worried about a thing there. As an ethnomusicologist in Grad School, I had to work with all kinds of people from all kinds of cultures, religions, socioeconomic classes, etc. And I had to get "in" with those people. Add that to being a teacher of 9th graders in the suburban ghetto, and I think I can handle anything!

 

What worries me more is developing the skill... having pictures that are good enough to make a pro want to take me under his/her wing. That's what concerns me more right now. Perhaps I'll get some ready and then have some of you comment and critique before I solicit people? Is that possible?

 

(On a side note, I just picked up my "back-up" camera [XTI] today! Time to learn a new toy!)

Don hit it when he said that there are many styles within the culture. They continue to splinter off: Goth, Industrial, Rivethead, Ren Fair, etc. etc. etc. So, I'd do what Robert suggested and ask your client what SHE thinks of when she thinks Goth. Having said that, here are a few links to check out.

 

http://www.violetphotography.com/ (She's got a link to both Goth girls and fetish events -- both would be worth looking at as those styles are bleeding together more and more these days.)

 

http://www.ladead.com/gallery/index.php?club=malediction_society&gallery=071125_by_Violet_-_OTAKU_SOCIETY

(Malediction is a quintessential goth club in LA, so this will give you an idea of what Goth kids like to look like now when they go out.)

 

http://www.tempestnyc.com/menu.html (This last one is a fetish model's website, and there are gorgeous pictures on there. Not exactly goth, per se, but you might get some ideas nonetheless. The site is hard to navigate, as there are initially no words, but you should go to the "fruit" link [first little circle on the menu] and then to the "modeling" link [the bug on the right] -- this will make sense when you see the site!)

 

Lastly, and probably least (since I'm no pro), here's a link to photos I took at another classic goth club in LA called Perversion.

 

 

I hope these links help. Think spikey, edgy, black, pale, shocking, depressive, etc.

 

Good luck! I think you're going to have a blast! I would!

Thank you for all of your advice and suggestions.

 

George -- I may, indeed, be in NC before the end of 2008, so I would definitely like to take you up on your offer to visit your studio if that happens. You may get a message from me at some point in the future! Re: my friend's wedding, I think most of what you say would've applied to almost any wedding, but their wedding photographer was (dare I say this as a novice?) less than competent. For example, *I* was the one who got the shot of the bride processing down the aisle, NOT the wedding photographer. So, maybe they just preferred my images because their photographer was so BAD.

 

Conrad -- Thanks for the advice about the gear. I intend to keep my 24-105, but I know that I need to get the 17-55 2.8. I'm working on that right now. I'm also working on getting: a back-up body (probably an XTI that I'll be getting in the next few days), a second flash, and a 70-200 2.8. Then there are all the "little" things, like battery packs and light diffusers, etc. Can you suggest a place where I might learn more about light diffusers and which ones to invest in?

 

Thanks again for the encouraging words. I may, indeed, have a photographer that I can shadow/apprentice with already. I think I'm just insecure about asking him. That being said, your advice about what I should say/include/do to solicit makes me feel like I can devise a game plan!

Hello all,

 

I shot my first wedding completely by accident, and I had only had my camera for

about two weeks at that point. The images were not out of this world, but the

couple confided in me afterwards that they preferred my images to those of their

hired photographer. (I give a great deal of credit for that to the camera and

lens: 20D, 24-105mm f/4 L.) Anyway, the experienced spawned in me a wildfire of

passion for photography, and my camera hasn't left my side since. I am honest

about where I am, and I have read many, MANY threads, articles, etc. on what it

takes to be a wedding/special event photographer. I'm in the gear-building

phase now, but I want to know how I get to the apprenticing phase. Everything

I've read tells me that I should be shooting with/shadowing a quality

professional for a WHILE before I decide to try it on my own. I want to know

how to get into that situation. Do I just randomly solicit people whose work I

like? Is there a place I can go to network with willing pros? Should I have

all of my gear before I do that?

 

Any words of wisdom, suggestions, or advice would be most appreciated.

Hrm... That's weird. I have the 580EX II and just checked the manual. Like you, I've found nothing to indicate that one should NOT use rechargeable batteries. I was planning to get lithium rechargeables, myself.

Last week, I did a lot of reading on here and revisiting of old threads to find

out as much as I could about head shots and fill flash. I mentioned that my

husband wanted me to take a shot of him. Here is what I consider to be the best

one I got. However, I still feel like his left side is overexposed. Can anyone

offer constructive critique on how I could more effectively balance this out?

 

FYI -- I used a 20D, 24-105mm f/4.0L, and a 580EXII flash, which I had manually

stepped down by 1 1/3. I had it pointed straight up with the little white card

(diffuser?) up too.

 

Let me know what you think and if there are any changes I could make that would

help me improve this. I believe there's a better shot to be found!

Thanks for the tips everybody. Now I feel like I've got a better handle on what the various functions of the camera body and flash do. I think we're going to try taking another shot this weekend, and I'll let you guys know how it turns out!

Hi All... I posted this in the Lighting forum, but I'm going to try again here

because these questions are very specific to Canon gear, and I think I need the

expertise of people who know the Canon stuff inside and out. I hope the admins

will forgive me for double posting, as I didn't get really specific answers in

the other thread.

 

My husband asked me to take a head shot. We've done two separate shoots, but I

can't seem to get an image that makes me happy. When I don't use flash, the

images don't seem well lit enough (especially on the eyes); when I DO use flash,

he gets blown out (even when I try underexposing). I have read several threads

about head shots and fill flash on this site already, but I'm left with some

arguably obscure questions. FYI -- This is what I've got to work with: 20D,

24-105mm f/4 L lens, 580EXII flash. (I have no studio or studio lighting available.)

 

My questions are:

 

1) What is the difference between changing the mode on my flash to manual and

altering the C.Fn 5 on the flash to "external metering: manual"?

 

2) Are there specific tips on how to decrease my flash's output (1/64, 1/128) to

avoid overexposing his face?

 

3) If I manually meter the flash, does that automatically adjust the flash output?

 

4) Should I be disabling C.Fn 14 on the 20D to stop "auto reduction of flash

fill output"? Or does that not make a difference unless you're using the

built-in flash?

 

5) Can anyone offer general advice on how to hone fill flash technique? I have

read a lot about it, have experimented with it, and I *think* I understand it in

theory... but I'm not able to actualize that understanding!

 

I would be most grateful for any insights that may help me do a better job of this.

My husband (an aspiring film scorer) has asked me to take a head shot for him

for his press kit. We've done two separate shoots, but I can't seem to get an

image that makes me happy. When I don't use flash, the images don't seem well

lit enough (especially on the eyes); when I DO use flash, he gets blown out

(even when I try underexposing). I have read several threads about head shots

and fill flash on this site already, but I'm left with some arguably obscure and

specific questions. Before I ask them, here's what I've got to work with: 20D,

24-105mm f/4 L lens, 580EXII flash. (I have no studio or studio lighting

available.)

 

My questions are:

 

1) What is the difference between changing the mode on my flash to manual and

altering the C.Fn 5 on the flash to "external metering: manual"?

 

2) Are there specific tips on how to decrease my flash's output (1/64, 1/128) to

avoid overexposing his face?

 

3) If I manually meter the flash, does that automatically adjust the flash output?

 

4) Should I be disabling C.Fn 14 on the 20D to stop "auto reduction of flash

fill output"? Or does that not make a difference unless you're using the

built-in flash?

 

5) Can anyone offer general advice on how to hone fill flash technique? I have

read a lot about it, have experimented with it, and I *think* I understand it in

theory... but I'm not able to actualize that understanding!

 

I would be most grateful for any insights that may help me do a better job of this.

Thanks, William. I think you said what I needed to hear. Re: the article link, reading that article is what started this thread! I haven't spent much time yet in the wedding forum, though, so that's my next stop.

I think someone said it would help to know which lens I already have. I've got a 24-105mm f/4L IS. That's another reason why I'm wondering whether I should get something like the 17-55. I've got a chunk of that range already with the lens I've got, unless the 17-55 would (for some reason) give me better image quality? I was thinking of going for an ultra-wide to wide... but the idea of having the 16-35 for later seems a wiser investment considering a potential upgrade and the range I've already got. Am I right in that line of thinking? The next step after that would be a telephoto of some sort, I'm assuming.

 

In terms of experience, it's true that I don't have much. However, I sort of got thrown into my first gig (a friend's wedding) after having my camera and lens for about a month and the couple was pleased with the results. They had hired a "pro" photographer, but that person was not very proactive and they preferred many of my images of their photographer's. Having said that, I definitely understand that I need to assist others, learn lots more, and have someone with me should I be asked to shoot any other event any time soon. I'm still in the novice & building stage. Thanks for the advice.

I'm interested in eventually photographing special events (weddings,

quinceañeras, etc.), but I am also currently shooting everything from band promo

pics to newborn babies. I'm finding that I desperately need a wide-angle zoom

lens for some of the enclosed places I'm shooting in. My question is: If I have

a 20D, should I fork out the cash for EF 16-35mm f/2.8L or should I stick to the

lens recommended in the wedding equipment article for small-sensor bodies, the

EF-S 10-22 f/3.5-4.5? As I understand it, the former lens will still fit on my

camera, but would I be losing something with it? And I'm concerned about

getting the EF-S lens because my understanding is that it will NOT work on a FF

body should I upgrade eventually.

 

If I'm starting out, what would you guys recommend?

Great picture, and congratulations!

<i>"Man, if I could just climb over that person's fence, avoid the Rottweiler, and get that tree back-lit at about 6:30AM tomorrow morning.... hmmm. And I know JUST what lens I'd use, too." It's a happy, happy affliction.</i>

 

Wow! That's totally happened to me! There was this bizarre circus in a huge purple tent set up in the parking lot of an abandoned, decrepit former mall structure; and I thought, "Now THAT would make an awesome photo!"

Thanks, Mike, Daniel & Bob. Great encouraging words! I take great comfort in the fact that I'm already doing many of the things that all of you suggest (except for shooting in RAW + JPEG, because I'm waiting on Adobe Lightroom for my B-day!).

 

Just last night, I was at a club, and I tried a zillion things. Various ISO speeds, aperture priority shots, shutter speed priority shots, manual shots, second curtain sync shots, etc. etc. etc. Most of them turned out awful, frankly, but I learned a lot! I think I walked away from the night with 3-4 "good" pictures, and a great deal of experimental knowledge. I'm looking forward to going back and seeing if I can improve. It was just a tough setting. Goth/Industrial club, a black ceiling about a story and a half above me, pink walls... and I was having trouble figuring out what I could bounce my flash off of. But hey -- live and learn!

Thanks, LC... because that has always sort of been my gut instinct, but I wasn't sure if that would make me anachronistic. Thank you very much, also, for the links. I love looking at good photos and learning from them. -- As I love reviewing my photographs at the end of the day and thinking, "Now I know how I'd make that better." It's a long, fun road.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, guys! And thanks for all of the comments.