Help!

[scott-devon]

My youngest son is getting married next month and they have asked me to play back-up to the photographer they hired. (apparently they aren't too happy with her).

I've never done this type of shooting. My lens choices are the stock 18-55, a Pentax 100mm 2.8 macro lens or my bigma. I do have a Pentax tiltable flash with reflector and defractor screens.  I'd rather not carry a tripod/monopod since I'm not the offical photograper and don't want to upset her, besides the fact I'll be busy with family.

So...what lens would be best? Flash settings? Any hints tips etc very much appreciated.

(if they'd perch in a tree for me I'd be fine...) 

[Ron Kruger]

Since most everyone knows I'm a pro, I often get requests to shoot weddings, and I always decline and suggest they hire a reputable wedding photographer. I only know enough about it to know I can't match experience in a specialized field. But I also understand how you can get ropped into these things. You should get by just fine with the 18-55 for general shooting and the 100 for staged portraits and close-up shots of rings, distant shots of the actual ceremony, etc.
One of the things that always stops me, is I don't have the lighting for it. Because the kit lens is slow, you'll need flash for inside work, but that shouldn't be a problem, because you'll be using it fairly close. Get close, go wide and use the diffuser plate. Check your LCD for exposure after every shot and adjust accordingly. With flash, every shot is different. If possible, borrow or rent a fast prime. You should be able to get some decent shots with the 100 at 2.8 in available light (watch your WB), but I would suggest a tripod, or at least a monopod.
As far as the hired photographer is concerned, she's going to hate your guts and be constructing a voodoo doll in your image, whether you use a tripod or not. Just don't follow her around and take advantage of the shots she sets up or the angles she chooses, because she might be carrying a gun.

[Ron Kruger]

I've got a better idea: Call them and tell them something has gone terribly wrong with your camera and that you have to send it in for repairs. Then just have fun at the wedding.

[scott-devon]

I've got a better idea: Call them and tell them something has gone terribly wrong with your camera and that you have to send it in for repairs. Then just have fun at the wedding.

I like that idea! Thanks for the suggestions Ron, I think I'll go with a small camera bag and the two lenses you suggest if I can't come up with an excuse like yours that is....

[JIMBO]

I am with Ronny on this one. You have know Idea how much pressure you are going to put on yourself. I tried it once and never again. Let me pro's handle weddings. Lighting, people not looking at you, Maybe if you are there as a back-up telling a story behind the story. Good luck. Maybe Spy can add some of his awesome wistom here. JIM

[spyglass]

Hey Scott Devon,

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. You could look at this as a great opportunity. As a secondary photography entity you won’t have the pressure of recording the event and precious memories. I had to laugh when I read T-man’s territorial perspective regarding the hired Photographer. If the hired photographer is insecure this could be a possibility. But I would suggest that you introduce yourself to the Hired Gun / Wedding Photographer, and like a small young dog meeting the alpha male, roll over and expose your belly and acknowledge her skill and position in your little pack. Ask her if she would have any objections with you getting a few shots after she has obtained her shots of the gathered or grouped posses. (let her round up and get the herd to cluster, she is the one that is getting paid and knows how to group people – you sweep in on the tail ends snap and walk).


1)   Keep things easy and familiar. Run with the kit lens and flash. This will also allow you to be very mobile.

2)   Realize that the hired photographer knows about and will get all the expected images. Shoot to your strengths and think outside of the box. There are so many shots that can capture an event. Go for something a little different. If you are not a portrait photographer take more creative shots. Shots of the wedding car (just married sign and cans), wedding cake, main table (especially looking out from the couples positions to the crowd), front steps of the church. (what about a close up of the invitation card on the churches stone steps looking up toward the church). Think like a landscape photographer and capture the event from a wider perspective. If the Wedding is outdoors, how about a pano of the event from a different vantage point. Put your own personal style and touch on things.


3)   Do a mock practice trying out the lens and flash combination. Even spending an hour working with your flash in your own home will knock the dust off and let you experiment.  Not sure what flash unit you have, but if it is like the AF 540 FGZ, Bounce flash, diffuser down if low ceiling / up if it is a higher ceiling, with the fill card up pulled up to direct some frontal fill light works well. I also have had great success with using High Speed Sync for flash shots where you tend to be relatively close and do not want the “deer in the headlights / flash light look”. The High Speed Sync offers soft fill.

4)   Arrive early and fire off some test shots (how high is the ceiling / bounce option).

5)   Avoid being a recording machine where you walk from table to table recording who showed up for the wedding. Look for keys family members and capture a few shots of them enjoying the festivities. This will give the couple a familiar connection with the event. The secondary photography is less visible and can catch people at ease.

6)   Be bold, never shy! In for a penny, in for a pound!


Good Luck and have fun 

(As the father of the groom you may want to dial it back a bit. You probably had to pay for the wet bar..... better get your moneys worth. If you aren't going to take photos, give someone else something to photograph)

Spyglass

Jimbo - I tried it once and never again. Let me pro's handle weddings. Lighting, people not looking at you

Jimbo what the hell...... were you wearing a giant chicken suit? = LOL

[JIMBO]

Jimbo what the hell...... were you wearing a giant chicken suit? = LOL

You were at the same wedding!! and you never said hi to the Chicken. JIM

[calsan]

You could take the photos from over the road though your car window using Bigma..  That way if the official photographer does see you, you can just put the pedal to the metal and take off!  Also, the photos will have a 'FBI surveillance' style to them, which will stand out from the official portraits...

  (kidding)

[scott-devon]

You could take the photos from over the road though your car window using Bigma..  That way if the official photographer does see you, you can just put the pedal to the metal and take off!  Also, the photos will have a 'FBI surveillance' style to them, which will stand out from the official portraits...

  (kidding)

OMG too funny! Thanks for the laugh Calum.


Spyglass, thank you. Those are some great tips for sure. They now inform me they have fired the photographer and I am "it". I think I'll spring for a new photographer and spend my time drinking and dancing.

Tip for any of you who want to try wedding photography.... Making comments to the bride to be such as..
"your fiance came out fine in all the shots but you look like hell so I deleted them all..."

"pose how I say! I am the professional, you are just a clueless broad who is questioning my artistic talent..."

etc etc...
will likely result in your being fired.

Having seen the shots this woman took for their "engagement shoot" I think her camera work is as unprofessional as her comments. out of 300 plus shots they chose 7 as being usable. Out of those 7 I would say 3 are good, one isn't bad and the other 3 are badly out of focus. Out of all 7 the bride's face can be seen fully in only 1.

[Ron Kruger]

I suspected that was coming.

[spyglass]

Scott Devon,

Unfortunately with DSLR cameras becoming so readily available, there is an army of talentless hacks that think if they buy a good camera it will easily take really great photos. In any area of photography there is a huge learning curve and personal commitment. Imagination, vision, approach, management, and execution are key to success. You can always tell when someone is at the top of their game. They appear confident, comfortable, and happy. The stressed out and bitchy ones are struggling.

I bought my first pair of studio strobes from a gal that shot weddings professionally (her work that I saw was excellent). I asked her a bunch of questions about her work and career choice. She said that you should only shoot weddings if you love weddings. (closes the door for me because I can not think of anything I hate more than weddings. On the big scale of "like and hate" weddings would be 98 notches below a tooth ache...... 3 below severe frost bite, 2 below gangrene) 

So to ensure that you are smiling on your sons important day...... hire (even if you have to shell out the big squid) a new photographer. 



Spyglass

 

[JIMBO]

"like and hate" weddings would be 98 notches below a tooth ache...... 3 below severe frost bite, 2 below gangrene)  

Agreed! JIMBO

[Mike Pearson]

I agree with my 2 cents worth - hire a pro 

Mike