First Wedding -- New Respect

ghinson

I am a Nature Photographer (AKA, my subjects don't talk back and do not generally involve cruel, mixed lighting environments), but I agreed to shoot a friend's wedding yesterday. It was my first. I only agreed to do it because they begged, it was a small, casual wedding, and, well, because they were having it at Fenway Park (Boston).

I have new respect for what you guys do. This wedding only involved prep from 10-11, ceremony from 12:30, and reception, onsite, until 4pm. But at the end of the day I was exhausted. And my fingers HURT from rapid-fire button pushing.

I thought it would be easy, outside, under an awning, without harsh sunlight. But, we had bright fog in the background, the couple downhill at the edge of a rail of upperdeck seats, with their faces underneath the overhang. Then the reception was inside a luxury club with a wall of windows lit by the same outside conditions, and dark wood paneling and fluorescent lights.

It was tough.

Just starting to process the pics. We'll see how it goes.

Oh, buy the way, I also only agreed to do it if they let me take another local pro with me as my second shooter, someone who has done this before.

I thought I would pass along a few props for what you guys do!

Darren Troy C

Kudos to you for buckin' up and accepting the challenge! Can't wait to see the results. Keep us posted.

ghinson

Only a landscape photographer was process this pic first of all the pics, but I thought I would show you my scout picture of "The Church."



The officiant and the couple stood at the end of this aisle, at the rail. Flash was OK. Curious what your first thoughts would've been to try and get this in-ceremony pic (lighting-wise)?

Surfdog

Wow. I mean...wow.
What an opportunity and what a great setting.

The lighting is really good as is. You were fortunate to have clouds, so no harsh light to deal with. I would use a little fill flash to brighten the faces.

Did I mention wow?

ghinson

Surfdog wrote:

The lighting is really good as is.

Yes, but that is a 9-exposure HDR of the scene, so it doesn't accurately represent the light. But, had to post it for the wow effect. It was really cool being there!

zoomer

I have a feeling you did just fine.

People who already know how to take good pictures from another genre whatever it may be can generally step right into getting good wedding pictures and get better quickly.

I came from the same background, nature and bird photography.

I still remember that first 10 hour event and how dog tired I was, the all day stress and having to be constantly thinking and always "on" for the crowd.

Well congrats and post some pics.

ghinson

Here's a couple I have processed.







..and another shot of the Church:


And, let me ask you guys another question, if I might. I often use Miller's Labs for my fine art work (as well as Bay Photo), and I really like a line of albums that Miller's has (flush mount), but they're really expensive. Any other album printers/sources online that you guys use? Thanks!

Agnieszka

Nice pics! I shot at Fenway once before ... it's a really tough location as you have to work with a lot of backlight, while everybody is standing in the shade ... noooooo fun.
Did the wedding coordinator take you guys on the field too?

ghinson

Unfortunately, the field was off-limits. I think they were told that upfront. But it was raining so hard that I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have allowed it anyway.