So I'm getting married

[ctgirl]

Me and my fiance have moved up our wedding because a close family member is very ill and doesn't have alot of time left. Due to this we don't have the money for a photographer so I was thinking of giving someone my XT and letting them snap away. So here's my question, since I won't be in charge of the settings is there a better mode to put them in (besides auto) so that they would have better luck with the outcome of the photos? I would like them to be RAW so that I can have more control with the PP just in case. I also would need a better lens then what I have but since the money is an issue was thinking the fifty just for something faster then my kit, what do you think? The ceremony will be outside, so that's safer, but the reception will be inside and unfortunaltly only have the on camera flash. Maybe I could rent a lens online for the day, if so which would do the best for indoor with auto focus? Sorry for all the questions, I would just like some nice photos from my wedding and am nervous that they won't be in the hands of a experienced photographer. Thank you for any input you have.

[pgb2ad54]

I would think "P" mode would be good. Someone else will probobly help you out with the lens.

[GilesGuthrie]

For an XT in the hands of an inexperienced person, I would recommend the Canon EF-S 17-85 IS USM. Image quality is pretty decent, and the IS will help the novice's hands. It also gives you enough range that they will be able to take a reasonable stab at groups and at candids. If you can't rent it, it retails for around £500, which is significantly less than a pro for the day!

I would also recommend getting a big (i.e. 4GB+) CF card, to give them the freedom to shoot away.

[picturecrazy]

If the person shooting doesn't know much about photography, then I'd leave it in Auto mode.
Even P mode can confuse an inexperienced person. I wouldn't want dark evening receptions shot at ISO100, but if the operator doesn't know when to switch it then it'll be worse than just using Auto.

Check out craigslist... there are some lower priced photographers that that you might be able to afford...

Wishing your family the best through this illness.

[ctgirl]

Yeah I'm planning on buying a few more CF cards, right now I only have a 1GB, which is fine for me (I don't do any pro photography) but it's good to have them anyway, and this gives me a good excuse to buy them. The wedding itself will be small, the reception though is were all our friends will be and I figured for most of those shots I could take over. I will look into the lens, thanks for the advice it's much appreciated.

[ctgirl]

If the person shooting doesn't know much about photography, then I'd leave it in Auto mode.
Even P mode can confuse an inexperienced person. I wouldn't want dark evening receptions shot at ISO100, but if the operator doesn't know when to switch it then it'll be worse than just using Auto.

Check out craigslist... there are some lower priced photographers that that you might be able to afford...

Wishing your family the best through this illness.

Thank you for the wishes. I get nervous about auto, just because of the control in PP. I think if I can't afford a photographer then I will practice with one person prior to the wedding to get them to understand more. One of my to be sister-in-laws has played with photography before so I was thinking her since she may understand better. Unfortunatly my other to be sister-in-law is a photographer who has done weddings before, but we had a falling out and I don't think she would be willing to do me a favor if she even comes. Note to self: don't fight with family. :rolleyes:

[xandria]

Me and my fiance have moved up our wedding because a close family member is very ill and doesn't have alot of time left. Due to this we don't have the money for a photographer so I was thinking of giving someone my XT and letting them snap away. So here's my question, since I won't be in charge of the settings is there a better mode to put them in (besides auto) so that they would have better luck with the outcome of the photos? I would like them to be RAW so that I can have more control with the PP just in case. I also would need a better lens then what I have but since the money is an issue was thinking the fifty just for something faster then my kit, what do you think? The ceremony will be outside, so that's safer, but the reception will be inside and unfortunaltly only have the on camera flash. Maybe I could rent a lens online for the day, if so which would do the best for indoor with auto focus? Sorry for all the questions, I would just like some nice photos from my wedding and am nervous that they won't be in the hands of a experienced photographer. Thank you for any input you have.

This is a rough situation, and my sympathy goes out to you and your family. I was in the same boat a couple of years ago. My husbands mother was only given a few months so we moved the wedding up. I had a pro photographer friend lined up for the job and it wasn't a problem.

In your situation, I would check with the local school - - perhaps there may be some photog students willing to shoot your wedding for the experience only (no $$$). It would give them a start on their portfolio and they would probably have their own equipment. Provide them with the CF cards to hand over to you after the event - you can give them a disc with the images or vice versa. Most students would probably salivate at the opportunity. I'm always getting offers from students to shoot as a second for free.

Pick up the nifty for $80 and have your soon to be sis-in-law start practicing with your camera. Between the two of them (and yourself for a few shots) you're liable to come out with enough good shots to put together a beautiful album.

[JMHPhotography]

Thank you for the wishes. I get nervous about auto, just because of the control in PP. I think if I can't afford a photographer then I will practice with one person prior to the wedding to get them to understand more. One of my to be sister-in-laws has played with photography before so I was thinking her since she may understand better. Unfortunatly my other to be sister-in-law is a photographer who has done weddings before, but we had a falling out and I don't think she would be willing to do me a favor if she even comes. Note to self: don't fight with family. :rolleyes:

I think this may be a great time to start mending some fences. You could approach her and swallow a little pride and say, "I know we haven't been too tight these days, and I really hate that." lol.

One other option for you, and I've seen this at quite a few weddings is to put a disposable camera on each table, and let ALL of your guests go nuts with them. A wedding I did three weekends ago had this and there were people coming up to my associate and I and taking photos of us. It was really fun. Just make sure you get them with ISO 800 film. They may not be technically fantastic, but sometimes that photo that captures a moment without being technically perfect can be a really great memory to keep. Definately get someone to do the regular photography though with your Rebel.

[Grace]

well just have your wedding in texas and I'll help you out :)
kp

[EOS mE]

well just have your wedding in texas and I'll help you out :)
kp

haha.. you beat me to it kathy.. i was going to say have it in California and I'll shoot the wedding free. hehe ;)

[4x4rock]

Maybe you can post up a thread asking for 'free' wedding photographer around your area. Not completely free but offer to pay for their gas money, meal and such.

I'm sure a few people would take the opportunity to learn more. At least you'll get someone who's a little familiar with photography.

It maybe a better alternative. What's the worst that could happen? Set the camera to shoot without CF card and go ahead and SHOOT without CF card? :D

[inthedeck]

Yeah, I hear your situation. Very tought predicament. However, I wouldn't put a 'friend' at the end of the camera to take pictures. It could ruin lots of things, especially if they aren't used to an SLR type camera.

I would suggest to take the previous advice, and see if the local HS has a student in a photography class...or post some notes on phone polls. It would be better, than to lose a friend.

Good luck, and congrats, and hope that your relative gets as well as he/she can.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

well just have your wedding in texas and I'll help you out :)
kp


I was going to say the same thing..... Maybe someone here who is local to you (if there is someone) would help you out. I would, but youre too far away. Hope everything works out for you.

[AKRover]

I did a very similar thing at my wedding in August. I had someone that had some training, she was in the same collage classes I was, take the photos with my equipment since she didn't have any. Well, to be blunt, they were crap but you get what you pay for. I never thought about how over whelming it could be for a person that has never used a certain camera before to pick it up and start shooting. The day before I gave her my camera bag and told her to take everything home and play with it (yeah, that was scary) so she could figure out how to work everything. When she started asking me tons of basic questions I knew I was in trouble.

If you are going to hand your camera off and hope to get some good shots at least let the person shoot with it for a while, more than just a day. I hope you have better luck than I did.

[kilowat]

no CT ? members here on POTN. wish i was close, i've been thinking of trying wedding

[RandyMN]

After I had already been photographing weddings for years it came my turn and being it was such a small wedding I had a friend and a brother-in-law who had taken pictures for years take my cameras and shoot.

My pictures came out OK, but the only real valued shots came when I actually set up the shot and took ir myself. Of course I was not in the shot, but I had them take the two of us and even that was better than what they had done.

It takes some knowlege of what makes good wedding photographs, and even a good camera in the hands of someone that knows photography won't get you that.

I'm not sure what to suggest to you, but try and find someone that knows a little about weddings, or at least a determined ametuer that has done some reading about wedding photography.

At the very least, give someone your camera that has the drive and buy them a good wedding photophry book. Hopefully they will read it and get some very good shots.

[PixelChick78]

Maybe you can post up a thread asking for 'free' wedding photographer around your area. Not completely free but offer to pay for their gas money, meal and such.

I'm sure a few people would take the opportunity to learn more. At least you'll get someone who's a little familiar with photography.

It maybe a better alternative. What's the worst that could happen? Set the camera to shoot without CF card and go ahead and SHOOT without CF card? :D


Great Idea, I would do it for you for the practice and I bet you'll find someone willing. Good luck

[ctgirl]

Thank you everyone for all the great help. I accually recieved a PM from someone here (I won't give names, that's up to them.) They offered to help me out, which was very kind of them to do. It's been tough with everything going on with my family, and planning a wedding has made it all the more difficult, but it's looking better. Thank you agian for all the wonderful help, and especially thank you to the person who is giving me such a good deal on short notice, it's much appreciated.