First wedding shoot and what I learned!

[crispypie]

Hi,

last weekend was my first attempt at more than just taking a few snaps at a friends wedding. I spoke to the hired tog and he was more than happy for my to fire away but my concience stopped me from using a flash while he was there.

First lesson learned - I love low natural light but its not good for weddings! (not all the time) Too much noise and quite a few duds due to miss focus/slow shutter - Use a flash

The reception was held in a conservatary ajoined to a pub. The hired tog left after a while so I felt a little easier about spreading my wings and broke out the Sigma 500.

Second Lesson - Flash and glass doesnt mix very well. I saw this would be a problem so tried to avoid shooting square to the glass but even so there were some reflections that blew a few shots. (especialy at night and cars are parked just outside, highly reflective number plates dont look good!). I should have thought about having the blinds pulled down before the speeches started!!!

I was pleased with quite a few shots but had to ditch a lot as well. Also found that PP can take a lot of effort.

Third Lesson - PP once and PP it right, I started to get fed up with doing it a couple of times with so many photos. I can now put it down as a good lesson and hope I can learn from it!

Fourth Lesson - My favorite type of candid portrait shot doesnt make for great wedding portraits. The ones I love the best dont show the guests as enjoying themsleves too much, I will have to make myself more obvious so I get more smiles and less bored faces. I like but B&G may not be quite so pleased!

Well that just a few of what I have been able to take in, I still have a long way to go.

PLEASE take a few minutes to have a look at my web site and give me some real feedback +ve or -ve, constructive or destructive. I get some oos and aahs from the family but so many dont really know what they should like ;) . B&G are still away so havent seen them yet. I want them to sort out their main pictures with the hired tog first anyway.

http://www.walkerc.co.uk

Click "Rose and Dave". Please help!

EDIT: "Slide Show 1" are the best, "Slide show 2" are the rest not quite so good in my opinion.

[MrsOpie]

I can see a higher ISO for some of the indoor ones without a flash. I can understand why you felt frusterated with the low light. However, when you did use a flash it seemed a little harsh on some people's faces. I love the detail shots of the flowers.

[ShannonHeat]

I agree with the flash on the faces.....oh, and the floral and accessorie shots are fantastic! For some of the serious faces there, try them in black and white....ya never know :D
Oh, and I'd love some critiquing on my site as well, preferably on the wedding and engagement shots.

[crispypie]

Hi Thanks, I did push the ISO a fair bit but am perhaps too nervous at the moment about my PP and controlling the noise and I definatly agree about the flash being too harsh.

Lesson number Five - Buy a decent diffuser for the flash (or dont be neurotic about using a better bounce card!!)

I will have alook at your web site soon Shannon, thank for taking the time to look at mine and comment. A lot of people have looked but not said anything, maybe I am getting ahead of myself a bit and need a lot more practice before asking!

Thanks again.

[Scott_Quier]

Lesson number Five - Buy a decent diffuser for the flash (or dont be neurotic about using a better bounce card!!)

I was going to mention something about bouncing the flash a bit. It appears as if you did a lot of direct flash. The better bounce card, or something similar, will save the day.