Advice for a first time 2nd photographer

[bangarang]

I've read thru quite a bit of threads so far, all very helpful!

My situation is I don't consider myself a photographer, just someone who likes to capture those special moments. I've owned my XTi for less than a month and have taken over 2500 pictures just practicing and playing with it. Some pics came out great, some not.

I replied to an ad to make some side cash as a photographer with no experience needed. I met up with the guy and he had me walk around and shoot some stuff on the spot! Needless to say he liked my style and decided he wanted to "incubate" it. He gave me some work this sat. to be a backup guy for a wedding. Needless to say, I was pretty much shocked. I told myself that I wouldn't get into weddings as my hobby was more for fun and family things.......guess God had other plans.:lol: It's a bit easier for me in the sense that he will dictate what place to shoot from and I interpret it myself.

I have a basic understanding of how things work in AV mode, a small amount in TV, and small amount in M. My gear is listed in my sig.

His expectations:

1. Learn and get comfortable
2. Take 200-400 pics
3. In time develop my "style"
4. No pressure as he says the B&G are very laid back and have NOT asked alot of questions as far as this goes.

This is more of a try out for me so I'd like it to go well to get more work. I gotta make this thing pay for itself! hahah..Time I'll be shooting is from late afternoon to late evening.

I plan on keeping my kit lense on my waist bag and shooting with the nifty as I'm supposed to be the "close" guy. What ap does the Nifty sharpen up at? I did some tests today, but it was in my room with horrible lighting. I found f2.8 was decent.

Any quick advice (my apologies for making "another wedding photog" thread)? I'm a quick learner.

Thanks in advance and sorry for the novel!!

[freefallu]

well lookin at your kit list if you plan on that many pics get more memory for the camera.

[holland_patrick]

keep nifty at 2.8 a little less if you need to it will be good at 1.8 but i just keep a cushion just in case.. oh yes get more cards.. and have fun.. I wish i had this chance I would love to be in your shoes

[GertS]

Is he expecting JPeg from the camera or RAW? or RAW processed?

I have no clue how many shots your 2 GB lasts in JPeg, as I'm using RAW only, but 2 GB is not enough in each case. Indoors go for RAW as it's much easier to adjust than JPeg.

Have spare batteries for your flash with you!

Good luck

[bangarang]

I'm going to shoot raw so white balance won't be a big issue. I just picked up another 1GB card so I'll have enough space for a little under 300 shots. Just charged my extra set of rechargeable AA batteries for the flash :).

Thanks for the advice guys!

[Su-Hannie]

Hi

I have 3 x 2GB and use all three on a wedding, then again I shoot about 600 photos. Of that 500 is unique enough to present to the customer

[verty]

goodluck!
thats great for you..
i was in the same situation as you mid this yr..
i had my 350d and the nifty fity on me the whole time.. i took some good shots..
i didnt even have a flash either

my advice is charge all your batterys, and get a bigger flash card.. maybe a 4 gig and if you aint shooting in RAW start doing so... maybe shoot in JPG + RAW mode..

[TeeJay]

Sorry, but ever the pessimist in me wants to know why someone, professionally shooting weddings, would want to hire someone else with absolutely no experience, who answers an add in a newspaper?

Are they charging the B&G for your services, and do they (the B&G) know of the 2nd shooters inexperience. Are they a well-known organisation or a local photog? What do they expect from you - and what in return do you get from them/him/her?

Just thinking out loud.

[verty]

w00f

[bangarang]

Sorry, but ever the pessimist in me wants to know why someone, professionally shooting weddings, would want to hire someone else with absolutely no experience, who answers an add in a newspaper?

Are they charging the B&G for your services, and do they (the B&G) know of the 2nd shooters inexperience. Are they a well-known organisation or a local photog? What do they expect from you - and what in return do you get from them/him/her?

Just thinking out loud.

No experience doesn't always mean no talent or ability ;). The organizer made me shoot pictures on the spot so I guess he saw something that he felt would warrant giving me the opportunity. It's an investment, if I shoot weddings and get better each time, I develop enough to start doing independant shoots which means more profit for the organizer. Of course I don't think the organizer is foolish enough to have me be the main photographer.

What is expected of me is to do what the organizer says and what I expect from them is to get paid and provide a learning enviorment (which is what was offered.).

[newbie_photog]

Lucky guy I've been shooting for about 3 years and have just started working as a second for free. Once I prove myself I will be getting paid (probably next summer). Take it and run with it good luck. Hope to see some of your photos.

[bangarang]

Thank you for the well wishes!

After reading the replies, I'm finding out quickly how big of an opportunity this is.

[Hellashot]

If possible, the person you are "working" for may own the shots you shoot, post your shots. They should be interesting. I hope you know how to use your external flash not as a fill flash.

[mizuno]

Try to get at least one shot of the Bride.

[/tim]

[bangarang]

If possible, the person you are "working" for may own the shots you shoot, post your shots. They should be interesting. I hope you know how to use your external flash not as a fill flash.

Go ahead and explain. :)

[bangarang]

Try to get at least one shot of the Bride.

[/tim]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[bangarang]

less than 15 hours till shoot! Can't wait :).

Here's a quick list of shots I felt I needed to get (a bit brief because they were my notes):

shoot f11 for big groups

brochures
bride prep
groom prep
venue/decor
first time walking to meet
brides maid
best men
photos together/joking around
portraits together
friends joking around/nice shots
one shot with each of the court
table setup/food/picture setup
full family shots
parent shots
vows
ring
kiss
walking after being wed
dance
various pics after (hugging, caressing, etc.)
ring hand shots
cake pic
certificate

other things:
guests getting ready, sitting, waiting
musicians
landscapes
kids
The bride's shoes
The bride's dress hanging on a hanger
The bride's tiara, necklace, etc.
The wedding invitation
The sheet music played at the wedding
The guestbook (once a few people have signed it)
Their champagne glasses
Name cards at the reception
Their wedding rings (perhaps posed on the invitation with some rose
petals casually placed nearby)
The airline tickets for their honeymoon
The sheet music, or CD jewel case, to the music for their first dance
The groom's boutonniere
The bride's bouquet
Any fine detail in her dress


Anything else, please feel free to add. I've been reviewing plenty of albums from POTN. Great stuff!

[Mike Reynolds]

I think you will be and do just fine. First you are thinking about what you wat to shoot, Second, think about how you want to shoot, Third check your equipment make sure you have clean cards and fresh batteries and more batteries and more batteries. I haven't shot a wedding since I switched over to digital and with the season upon us I guess I better get in practice myself Today, I will be shooting a Eagle Scout Cerimony for a family member which will be similar in practice... Good luck to you and have fun and most of all post some of your favorite stuff for us to enjoy
mike

[Hellashot]

less than 15 hours till shoot! Can't wait :).

Here's a quick list of shots I felt I needed to get (a bit brief because they were my notes):

shoot f11 for big groups

brochures
bride prep
groom prep
venue/decor
first time walking to meet
brides maid
best men
photos together/joking around
portraits together
friends joking around/nice shots
one shot with each of the court
table setup/food/picture setup
full family shots
parent shots
vows
ring
kiss
walking after being wed
dance
various pics after (hugging, caressing, etc.)
ring hand shots
cake pic
certificate

other things:
guests getting ready, sitting, waiting
musicians
landscapes
kids
The bride's shoes
The bride's dress hanging on a hanger
The bride's tiara, necklace, etc.
The wedding invitation
The sheet music played at the wedding
The guestbook (once a few people have signed it)
Their champagne glasses
Name cards at the reception
Their wedding rings (perhaps posed on the invitation with some rose
petals casually placed nearby)
The airline tickets for their honeymoon
The sheet music, or CD jewel case, to the music for their first dance
The groom's boutonniere
The bride's bouquet
Any fine detail in her dress


Anything else, please feel free to add. I've been reviewing plenty of albums from POTN. Great stuff!

You are the 2nd shooter. You should be clear with your boss what you are to shoot as your list might keep you too busy to shoot what is going on and he probably has his own game plan for what he wants to include.

[liza]

If you're working for another photographer, he owns the copyright to the images you take, since it's a work for hire situation. I believe that's the correct interpretation of the law. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken. Make sure you get permission to use what you take for your portfolio.

[bangarang]

Wedding went GREAT. I took some fantastic shots and took over 1000 pictures because situations were ideal. The sunset we got was incredible.

I'll see if I can post the landscape without the B&G for all to see.

But yeah, I was on my own with the G for the first part and then was doing my own thing until we started taking the sunset pics. I then teamed up with the coordinator while he got wide shots, I got the tight and creative shots (ultra close with bokeh'd backgrounds..hand shots, ring shots, etc.).

I'm tired...I'll finish this up later :).

Thanks for all who believed in me, I must say this was a success.