OMG! I have to shoot a wedding!

SeattleYatesSeattleYates Registered Users Posts: 47 Big grins
edited February 16, 2008 in Technique
I know many of you are FAR more experienced photographers than I am, especially considering the fact that most of my photography to date has been underwater. I've always assiduously avoided serious event photography...I guess for fear of failure. If I shoot 10 fish/sharks/dolphins, etc., and only 3 of them turn out alright, I can just avoid showing anyone the other 7, and go on looking for other subjects.

But with one-time events, such as weddings, if you blow it, there's
no going back! EEK!

Well, my assistant has asked me to shoot her wedding! She says it doesn't need to be a whole formal, professional job - just a few casual photos, but I'm nevertheless freaking out about it. :eek1

Can any of you recommend some good resources (e.g., "Wedding Photography for Dummies" type books) that will help me with the basics of getting some good wedding photos with just a regular flash (no fancy lighting) and a combination of good DSLRs and lenses?
Bruce Yates
Seattle, WA

Canon 5D MkII and 1Ds MkII (used mostly underwater), 1D MkIII for topside

www.UnderwaterReflections.com (my Smugmug site, customized by DGrinner jerryr)

If at first you don't succeed, try try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it. WC Fields

Comments

  • jonh68jonh68 Registered Users Posts: 2,711 Major grins
    edited February 16, 2008
    I am in a similar situation. I tried to talk the person out of hiring me, but he and his fiance insisted. They saw my nature pics and thought I would do a good job on a beach wedding. I explained it's a once in a lifetime experience, I haven't done a wedding, I don't have liability, etc but they still wanted me.

    All I can recommed is have a good 70-200 2.8, a fast prime like 50 1.8 or 85 1.8. Learn how to bounce flash, even off of walls. A flash bouncing off a wall instead of the ceiling will almost give a studio quality to the picture and preserve some of the ambient light as well.

    There are several resources. Googling wedding photgraphy tips produces many tips. Cull through the one that don't fit your style. Obviously she likes your style, so just hone it with people instead of sharks.
  • SloYerRollSloYerRoll Registered Users Posts: 2,788 Major grins
    edited February 16, 2008
    Google is your friend
    You don't need books.
    Just type this into a goole search bar: site:www.dgrin.com wedding help

    Here are a few of the findings I cam up with. The first one is especially helpful and written by wedding photography veteran Scott Quier.

    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=83750
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=83730
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=2865
    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=39837

    There are plenty more. But this is enough to keep you busy for a while...

    Cheers,
    -Jon

  • jhmjcmjhmjcm Registered Users Posts: 10 Big grins
    edited February 16, 2008
    Series of articles here.

    Jim
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