first wedding (8 images)

Elaine

I got to be a second photographer at a wedding on Saturday...something I never really thought I would do! I took over 1200 pics in about 8 hours, and I have a whole new respect for you wedding photogs out there! :bow I've just begun to sort and edit, but here are a few...(C&C appreciated!)

There are more wedding pics here, but I've just begun!
http://e-heasley.smugmug.com/gallery/3490464/2/196994052#P-1-15

1 - The dress was hanging on a dress form here...


2


3 - Have you ever seen such a pretty bridal party???


4


5


6


7


8

jeffreaux2

Very very nice. We knew you could do it!!!!

I like ALL of them, but since I am bent towards BW I really like the last one.

Seneca

Ok I must admit that first one is kinda...well...weird looking...or for a lack of a better word errie looking.

But the rest are outstanding.

Cuties02q

Wow Elaine you did a great job...these photos are beautiful

Icebear

I like it!

Seneca wrote:

Ok I must admit that first one is kinda...well...weird looking...or for a lack of a better word errie looking.

I'll bet the bride buys the dress photo. It's a stunner. Lit like a portrait. Very nice - all of them.

dunner

Great
Great photos ... and a gutsy move into new territory. How did you get in as a 2nd photog? Do you know the B&G? The hired photog? These would be very nice even if it weren't your first time.

Elaine

dunner wrote:

Great photos ... and a gutsy move into new territory. How did you get in as a 2nd photog? Do you know the B&G? The hired photog? These would be very nice even if it weren't your first time.

Thank you SOOO much everyone! I really appreciate the kind words...they're very encouraging to me!

I did not know the bride or groom, but the hired photog was actually our 16 year old babysitter whose older sister worked with the bride! When I heard that she'd been talked into shooting this wedding, I actually volunteered to go along and she eagerly accepted my offer. It was a very low pressure situation for me, so it was a great way to try shooting a wedding. Their arrangement includes getting the edited pictures on CD, so I will put mine on a CD too, and it will be considered "gravy." I'm not expecting any sort of payment...I just got some great experience!

evoryware

You did a fine job and I although I'm not a chocolate lover, I really want a piece of that cake!!! You should try and sell that pic to whoever made the cake.
If I were to pick a fav it would be #6.

kygarden

Great job - you could have been the main photog. It's hard work, but I hear it pays well (weddings) if you're willing and able. Seems like you're able!

Scott_Quier

Elaine - These are GOOD! As has already been said, "We knew you could do it!" It's obvious you have the talent - you could have been the main photog and the clients would have been thrilled. And, you're right - it's a lot of work. To do it consistantly, you really have to love the work as it takes it's toll. Imagine doing two in a weekend, by yourself! I've done that once and will be doing it again this weekend.

Some specific comments:

1 - The dress: If you had included a little more room at the top, this could have been captioned, "The Invisible Bride". It's an interesting shot and I would be interested in knowing how you accomplished this.

2 - I really like this. The DOF is perfect.

3 - Aahh, yeah - I have. But, the are always beautiful!

4 - At this resolution, this looks very sharp. Well done. These are more difficult than they look.

8 - Love the B&W shot here.

Elaine

Wow...thanks evoryware...glad you liked the cake shot! I've never seen a wedding where that sort of cake was the main wedding cake for the B&G to cut. The guests were served chocolate sheet cakes. I'm sure that cut down on cake expenses quite a bit, yet it still looked lovely! I've done a bit of cake decorating in my time (only 3 weddings), and I always felt like you couldn't get paid enough for that work! Now, I think I feel the same about photography! Well, not really. The nice thing about photography is that the pictures remain...a cake gets eaten!

I like #6 too...I had my 90mm on and this was how it was cropped in camera. Not sure I would have cropped this close otherwise, but I'm glad this one turned out this way!

kygarden...thank you for the very nice compliment!!!

Scott...I so appreciate your kind and specific comments! The dress shot was taken when the dress was "sitting" on a dress form. The way the dress was laced up, it didn't slide all the way down on the form (or it may have slid right off anyway), so it was just "standing" there! The light was window light. A shot of the dress was the first one I started working on when we arrived, and I took a gajillion shots that just did not work. It wasn't until we got it off the hanger and on the dress form that this shot showed up!
I must admit that shooting the formals (various group shots of all the different combinations of family and wedding party) was my least favorite part, for sure. The getting ready part and the detail shots (rings, cake, etc...) and the reception was the most fun!
I can NOT imagine doing two weddings in one weekend by yourself! The amount of work after the wedding is deterrent alone! All the best to you this weekend!!!

Goodness, sorry this got so long, folks!

Deadeye008

Excellent work. I like 4 and 8 the most. Well done.

urbanaries

Congrats Elaine!!! What fun for you, to join the ranks of the sore

I love your details shots, your use of light, and the super sharp quality of your photographs in this series. I can tell you took your time and made the most of each shot!

Lovely shot of the bride with bridesmaids. The light is perfect! Did you flash this one (or did the other photog have lights setup?) Their brown dresses are beautiful. I like the ones on the right side (they're different, right?)

Also major kudos to the cake shots. I typically have about 10 seconds to get good cake shots (run in before they announce the couple!!!) so I rarely get such beautiful light and detail. Bravo!

Also love #6, again your subjects are so well lit, sharp, and the expressions here are so wonderful. Gorgeous ladies!

You did such a fantastic job Elaine, I am SOOOOO impressed and excited for you! Now, go put your feet up!

Elaine

urbanaries wrote:

Congrats Elaine!!! What fun for you, to join the ranks of the sore

I love your details shots, your use of light, and the super sharp quality of your photographs in this series. I can tell you took your time and made the most of each shot!

Lovely shot of the bride with bridesmaids. The light is perfect! Did you flash this one (or did the other photog have lights setup?) Their brown dresses are beautiful. I like the ones on the right side (they're different, right?)

Also major kudos to the cake shots. I typically have about 10 seconds to get good cake shots (run in before they announce the couple!!!) so I rarely get such beautiful light and detail. Bravo!

Also love #6, again your subjects are so well lit, sharp, and the expressions here are so wonderful. Gorgeous ladies!

You did such a fantastic job Elaine, I am SOOOOO impressed and excited for you! Now, go put your feet up!

Thanks a ton, Lynne! Yes, I was surprised at how sore and tired I was as we walked to the car at the end of the day!

I'm a bit embarassed to admit this, but neither I nor the main photog even owns an external flash, let alone any lighting set-up! (I know...what were we doing shooting a wedding, right?) The shot of the bridesmaids just came at the right moment. We were working in open shade for all the posed group shots, but the sun kept darting in and out behind clouds, so some light was better than others. I was sooo worried about getting racoon eyes, and we probably did on some, but hopefully the shots from the rest of the day make up for any non-ideally lit shots. I'm sure if I had a flash and knew how to use it I would have a higher number of pictures that "worked" because I wouldn't have to be so dependent on natural lighting conditions. I did use my pop-up flash a few times during the dancing as it was a bit dark under their covered patio. It really helped on some shots and I totally blew out some shots!

Because I was second shooter, I had the luxury of spending some time with the cake and the rings while the main shooter was documenting the toasts, etc... Perhaps they did things a bit out of order too??? After the ceremony they went to the buffet reception, time to eat, time for toasts and then time for cake and some dancing.

#6 came late enough in the day that I was able to use some late afternoon light...perfect! And it was a super fast candid moment...just wanted to catch the gal on the left because she caught the bouquet, and then she quickly pulled the other gal (a bridesmaid) into the shot. I had my 90mm on and I couldn't back up fast enough without losing the moment, so I just framed as best I could and clicked! I wish we could have done a bunch more with the B&G at that time of day!

Thank you so much for your encouragment!!! After doing this one time, I am even more impressed with the amazing amount of amazing work that you and Andi and Scott turn out!

ShepsMom

So why where you a 2nd photographer? You should've shoved the first one out of the way
Excellent shots Elaine. Now you know what it is you have to do. Loved your shots! What lens were you using?

Elaine

ShepsMom wrote:

So why where you a 2nd photographer? You should've shoved the first one out of the way
Excellent shots Elaine. Now you know what it is you have to do. Loved your shots! What lens were you using?

Thanks, Marina! I'm currently shooting a Konica Minolta 5D and the two lenses I used were the KM 28-75 f/2.8 and the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro. My 28-75 is nice and sharp at 5.6, so I try not to go much wider than that on that lens. My 90 is nice and sharp at 2.8 (love it!), but the nature of a macro lens is slow to auto focus. I learned that I would really like a wider angle lens and a faster portrait prime lens (non-macro). Of course, I also would like a new camera system as my 2-year old KM with 6 megapixels is somewhat obsolete! Maybe next year I can upgrade...Canon's high ISO performance is calling my name!

Scott_Quier

Elaine wrote:

Thanks, Marina! I'm currently shooting a Konica Minolta 5D and the two lenses I used were the KM 28-75 f/2.8 and the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro. My 28-75 is nice and sharp at 5.6, so I try not to go much wider than that on that lens. My 90 is nice and sharp at 2.8 (love it!), but the nature of a macro lens is slow to auto focus. I learned that I would really like a wider angle lens and a faster portrait prime lens (non-macro). Of course, I also would like a new camera system as my 2-year old KM with 6 megapixels is somewhat obsolete! Maybe next year I can upgrade...Canon's high ISO performance is calling my name!

Sounds like you need

• Canon 40D
• Canon EF-S 17-85 f/2.8 IS
• Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS (or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8)
• Canon 580EX II
• Some off-camera lighting

That'll set you back a bit, but OMG NEW TOYS!!! The only hurdle is getting the purchase order past the CFO! But, your work certainly warrants the expenditure!

Elaine

Scott_Quier wrote:

Sounds like you need

• Canon 40D
• Canon EF-S 17-85 f/2.8 IS
• Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS (or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8)
• Canon 580EX II
• Some off-camera lighting

That'll set you back a bit, but OMG NEW TOYS!!! The only hurdle is getting the purchase order past the CFO! But, your work certainly warrants the expenditure!

I think you've been reading my mind, Scott! I may even add the 85 f/1.8 to that list, and I would like a nice macro lens, too. Right now, we're dealing with computer issues and my hubby is much more excited about getting a new computer system for me than a new camera system! Hmmm...I wonder why?! Maybe because he would actually get to use the new computer! There seems to always be something to spend money on. But I appreciate your vote for the camera goodies!

jeffreaux2

Scott_Quier wrote:

Sounds like you need

• Canon 40D
• Canon EF-S 17-85 f/2.8 IS
• Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS (or the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8)
• Canon 580EX II
• Some off-camera lighting

That'll set you back a bit, but OMG NEW TOYS!!! The only hurdle is getting the purchase order past the CFO! But, your work certainly warrants the expenditure!

Now that is a pretty good list!!! Scott read my mind too! Actually, I wondered if the Sony Alpha will work with the lenses that you already own?
It is a thought, but I would definately price out all lenses and accessories you think you might want and compare that to Canon or Nikon before you buy. I have a pile of pentax gear that I had collected since high school, but when I decided to go digital, it didn't seem smart to not go Canon, not only because of expense, but also availability of certain focal lengths and F stop lenses and accessories. And then ther is that high ISO performance you mentioned. I have seen lightly used 30D s beeing sold for a pretty reasonable deal since thae 40D was introduced!!!

Scott_Quier

Elaine wrote:

I think you've been reading my mind, Scott! I may even add the 85 f/1.8 to that list, and I would like a nice macro lens, too. Right now, we're dealing with computer issues and my hubby is much more excited about getting a new computer system for me than a new camera system! Hmmm...I wonder why?! Maybe because he would actually get to use the new computer! There seems to always be something to spend money on. But I appreciate your vote for the camera goodies!

The EF 85 f/1.8 is a sweet lens. The EF 100 f/2.8 macro is also quite nice, but might be a little long. I've heard good things about the EF 60mm.

Elaine

Yes, the Sony Alpha will work with my gear. But it's not Minolta and I don't like how it feels in my hand. I went with KM when I switched to digital because I had a Minolta film camera and lenses that would work on the KM 5D. And I really did NOT like how the Rebel fit in my hand and I couldn't justify a 20d at that stage in my photography "development." I love the ergonomics and hand feel of my camera, and I think a Nikon is actually more similar in those respects than a Canon is. I'd like to hold a Canon 40d and see what it's like. I've actually been more interested in Nikon until I've learned more about the ISO performance of Canon. But the new Nikon D300 may also be a possibility. Anyway, there's lots to consider, but once Minolta went away I figured a change in camera system would happen for me eventually.

The lenses that Scott mentions, the 85 and the 60 macro, are another reason to go for either Canon or Nikon...more lenses available!

jeffreaux2

Elaine wrote:

Yes, the Sony Alpha will work with my gear. But it's not Minolta and I don't like how it feels in my hand. I went with KM when I switched to digital because I had a Minolta film camera and lenses that would work on the KM 5D. And I really did NOT like how the Rebel fit in my hand and I couldn't justify a 20d at that stage in my photography "development." I love the ergonomics and hand feel of my camera, and I think a Nikon is actually more similar in those respects than a Canon is. I'd like to hold a Canon 40d and see what it's like. I've actually been more interested in Nikon until I've learned more about the ISO performance of Canon. But the new Nikon D300 may also be a possibility. Anyway, there's lots to consider, but once Minolta went away I figured a change in camera system would happen for me eventually.

The lenses that Scott mentions, the 85 and the 60 macro, are another reason to go for either Canon or Nikon...more lenses available!

I think that another one to look at is the Fuji S5 Pro. It is based on the Nikon D200, and accepts Nikon glass, but it is NOT a D200. It supposedly really shines at wedding photography. I have read some really good things about it.

DavidS

WOW! Those are great. I like the unique angles on a number of them.

nicoleshilliday

i like all the shots! if i could change one thing it would be the flowers in #3. I always tell my bridal party to drop the flowers down a few so i can see the top of the dress in the pic. Makes it look less funny...