A distinct pleasure.

[cdifoto]

I had a rare opportunity to shadow the great Jamison Wexler yesterday. I didn't join him at the hip and actually use his setups (formals, etc). In fact I shot no formals at all, and simply picked off candids and alternate ceremony angles.

It was great to finally meet him and just watch him go. He's a true pro and very, very efficient. I spent more time with my camera beside me just observing than shooting. I learned a lot that way.

But, having said that, here are a few cherry picked images from the day. This is just quick post, certainly not finalized.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-164.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-191.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-215.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-255.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-276.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-329.jpg

[cdifoto]

And of course, a couple of the Man in action.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-274.jpg


Check out the Combat Vest!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-340.jpg

[Jim G]

Nice vest... he doesn't use a grip, though? I would have thought it'd be darn useful for weddings especially with a lot of verticals...

Those last two shots of the couple are my favourites of the lot.. both nice moments.

[cdifoto]

Yeah I loved that vest. It fits EVERYTHING...including the 70-200 IS! :shock: I gotta get me one...

He goes gripless for a couple reasons. First, his bracket is the same Strobo CameraFlip I sold when I got my 1D, because it won't fit gripped cameras. Second, the weight. And third, he moves around so much not only walking/positioning but also flipping the camera every which way, it's kinda pointless. I didn't shoot nearly as much as he did, and even I seldom used the grip button (despite being integrated). It's just faster to maintain your hand position and flip the camera. I'm sure he has other reasons too...BP-511s last forever in the 5Ds so juice isn't an issue. Plus those grips are a significant added expense. I recently acquired one for my 10D but only because it was dirt cheap.

Thanks for the comments. :)

[liza]

Nice goin' there, Donny! These just further reinforce my belief that I need to replace my gear with 1 series bodies.

Glad to hear that this was such a good experience for you. :)

[cdifoto]

Nice goin' there, Donny! These just further reinforce my belief that I need to replace my gear with 1 series bodies.

Glad to hear that this was such a good experience for you. :)

Nah, it's pure dumb luck Liza. Jamie kicks my arse with "lowly" 5Ds. :rolleyes: :)

More seriously, I had more troubles with AF lock indoors and under the tent with my 1D MII than he did with his 5Ds...although I was using the outer AF points almost exclusively. I'm not sure which ones he was using. It's an inferior AF system in lower light situations.

[liza]

Really? Hmmm....

IM me so we can talk about this further.

[Grace]

nice pics!! looks like a lovely ceremony and a great couple! Jamie makes the vest not look as dorky as Id thought!

[Mark_48]

Nice images Don !! I'll be disappointed if Jamie didn't get a couple of shots of you in action. Quite a road trip for you to sort of be a second shooter, but I reckon it was all worth it.

[cdifoto]

nice pics!! looks like a lovely ceremony and a great couple! Jamie makes the vest not look as dorky as Id thought!

Yeah they were great. Probably 2 of the nicest people you'd ever meet.

Nice images Don !! I'll be disappointed if Jamie didn't get a couple of shots of you in action. Quite a road trip for you to sort of be a second shooter, but I reckon it was all worth it.

Thanks Mark. I think he did pluck me a couple times. I saw his lens aimed in my direction at least once. I wasn't actually shooting when I noticed it. Hopefully he got me lookin' cool and not lazy. :cool: :) It was more of a road trip for him than me. He was down my way (sorta). I drove about an hour and a half pretty much straight north.

[italianfemmy]

Very nice work. I am glad you had fun with Jamie. His work is amazing, I am sure it was a pleasure to work with him. :-)

[jamiewexler]

Just home after the long drive from central PA. I'm the one that had the pleasure of working with THE Don H. Don and I go way back from the DCRP forums to here. I think he might have been around when I bought my first DSLR, and he was definitely there when I shot my first wedding. After thousands of online conversations, it was really cool to meet him in person...and he even let me put a couple of clicks on his Mk II.

Anyway here's one of Don scoping out his next masterpiece:
http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/Don1.jpg

And a couple of him in action (notice the ninja stealth shooting skills)
http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/Don2.jpg

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/Don3.jpg

Great stuff Don!

[Grace]

you guys are sooo sweet! how mushy ;) bleh! :)

I'm suprised anyone got married with you two hotties in the house!

:)

[LeesaB]

How cool...I love the jacket...the gear...WOW...

I like the pics alot...

One thing I did notice...that my last couple did almost the entire time..was I felt they were watching me more then I was them...almost every picture..eye contact...UGH...talk about trying to run stealth...

I love the shots when they are NOT looking at you, to see "did she get that" but enjoying the moment and you GET IT...Those are the shots I see above..

Great job..

I need a cool black vest...

I did just however purchase the jessica claire bag...coming in on July 6th..THAT's friday...

[italianfemmy]

Don, you look a lot different than I imagined. :-) you look like such a sweet guy. awww. The glare on your glasses in that pic made me wonder though.. how do you avoid getting a glare from someones glasses in pics?

[cdifoto]

you guys are sooo sweet! how mushy ;) bleh! :)

I'm suprised anyone got married with you two hotties in the house!

:)

Hah. This is why everyone likes you so much. You're sweet like candy.

How cool...I love the jacket...the gear...WOW...

I like the pics alot...

One thing I did notice...that my last couple did almost the entire time..was I felt they were watching me more then I was them...almost every picture..eye contact...UGH...talk about trying to run stealth...

I love the shots when they are NOT looking at you, to see "did she get that" but enjoying the moment and you GET IT...Those are the shots I see above..

Great job..

I need a cool black vest...

I did just however purchase the jessica claire bag...coming in on July 6th..THAT's friday...

Yeah I've got a few where one or the other is looking directly at me. Mostly the bride though. Maybe I was too click happy and it distracted her, I dunno. :oops:

Don, you look a lot different than I imagined. :-) you look like such a sweet guy. awww. The glare on your glasses in that pic made me wonder though.. how do you avoid getting a glare from someones glasses in pics?

Hah thanks. Looks can be deceiving though. :p

As for glare, it's a direct shot. Avoid shooting direct (it's not the most flattering angle anyway) the same as you would a mirror and you'll be fine.

[italianfemmy]

You're welcome and thanks for sharing about the glasses. :-)

[kato1]

Looking good to me.

[Banbert]

Cool pics guys !

Is that the tripod mount on upside down on your 70-200 Jamie ? Why do you have it like that, for carrying maybe ? I have the tripod mount on mine but leave it the normal way up and quite often find myself carrying it holding the tripod mount, never tried it the wrong way up though :)

[Padawan Dad]

Nice pics Don! Hey I noticed in the pic Jamie took of you that you have your Battery pack attached to your camera. Have you ever experienced any issues with writting to the memory card? I've heard horror stories about that causing gremlins to remove pics from cards, or fail to write info. to the cards. Just curious.

Also, Jamie, is the "vest" that you are wearing actually a "thinktank" http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ system? Just curious, because I'm contemplating on investing into this system and would like to hear first hand how well it works.

Once again, great job Don, and Jamie!

[Grace]

Hah. This is why everyone likes you so much. You're sweet like candy.


actually- most people just say I'm full of sh*t :lol: , that I can't be that nice...all the time!

[Mark_48]

One thing I noticed of the shots of yourselves, is neither of you have the flash on a bracket? I do notice the white card on the side of the flash head. Is the card diffusing the light enough plus bounce on a ceiling so a bracket simply isn't needed in a portrait orientation?

Should I sell my bracket :lol: :lol: ?

[jamiewexler]

...Is that the tripod mount on upside down on your 70-200 Jamie ? Why do you have it like that, for carrying maybe ? I have the tripod mount on mine but leave it the normal way up and quite often find myself carrying it holding the tripod mount, never tried it the wrong way up though :)

Honestly, I have it like that so it stays out of my way. Since I zoom and support the lens from the bottom I don't like the tripod mount there getting in the way. I could really take the thing off, since I never use it on a tripod, but it doesn't seem to want to pop off as easily as the one on my old 80-200L did.

...Also, Jamie, is the "vest" that you are wearing actually a "thinktank" http://www.thinktankphoto.com/ system? Just curious, because I'm contemplating on investing into this system and would like to hear first hand how well it works...

Nope, it's the men's documentary chestvest from newswear: http://www.newswear.com/mdocumentarydetail.htm Yes, Kathy, it looks dorky, but Don will tell you that I am able to leave my gear bag in the car when I wear it. It has 4 large pouches on the front that hold tons of stuff...the two largest pouches are just big enough for the 70-200 in one and the 28-70 with hood in the other, the 2 side pockets are big enough for a spare flash and the 17-40, and I have 2 lenses + 2 flashes on the cameras full time. Plus each flap has a pocket that holds batteries, used mem cards, spare sync cord, 500D close-up filter, a small mirror for the bride, shout wipes, etc. So I can have everything I need on me... Unless I have a 2nd shooter that I can send to my car to get stuff I forgot to put in it :lol:.

One thing I noticed of the shots of yourselves, is neither of you have the flash on a bracket? I do notice the white card on the side of the flash head. Is the card diffusing the light enough plus bounce on a ceiling so a bracket simply isn't needed in a portrait orientation?

Should I sell my bracket :lol: :lol: ?

Nope, I have a big honkin' Strobo Camera Flip bracket, and use it most every wedding...unless the wedding is outdoors (like this one). Outdoors I don't neet the flash over my lens to minimize shadows, because there are no walls to catch the shadows. So I saved the weight and left the bracket in the car. We did move indoors for dinner, but the ceilings were so low, that the bracket would have made my flash practically brush them when the camera was up to my face, do I just bounced behind me off the walls, or bounced off the ceiling with the flip-it. The little velcro card was one of Don's , that he handed me when he saw me using my hand as a bounce card for this shot:

http://www.jamisonwexler.com/images/MEDaniel20070630165033a.jpg

I bounced the flash head up, because I didn't want light on the grass in front of the bride, but I wanted enough of the light to spill on her to light her face. The little bouce card sent just enough light forward in just the right area. Had I shot the flash straight on, the front of her dress would have been completely blown out... (BTW, This is pretty much how it came straight from the camera. I didn't burn or dodge anything, lust pulled some of the highlights down a bit on her face)

I'll post a couple more as soon as I have them up on my blog and PBase gallery.

[italianfemmy]

Jamie, you are amazing. Don't you want to be a "pro" at the wedding forum meet I am trying to put together? Come on.. ya know ya want to.

[Curtis N]

He goes gripless for a couple reasons. First, his bracket is the same Strobo CameraFlip I sold when I got my 1D, because it won't fit gripped cameras. Second, the weight. And third, he moves around so much not only walking/positioning but also flipping the camera every which way, it's kinda pointless. I didn't shoot nearly as much as he did, and even I seldom used the grip button (despite being integrated). It's just faster to maintain your hand position and flip the camera.That's worth repeating. Too many people act like a battery grip is some sort of mandatory accessory.

And the velcro bounce cards are a great illustration of the value in simplicity.

[cdifoto]

That's worth repeating. Too many people act like a battery grip is some sort of mandatory accessory.

Yeah I do like 'em if I spend a lot of time in that orientation though.

And the velcro bounce cards are a great illustration of the value in simplicity.

Cheap solution too. The cards I used were cut from the 'free' cardboard Epson bookends to the stacks of 4x6 Premium Glossy Paper. :)


A few more images (links since I already hit the 8 embedded pics rule):

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-035.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-039.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-114.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-176.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-364.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-377.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-382.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/cdifoto/sutton/2007-06-30-399.jpg

[jamiewexler]

Dude, those are perfect! So you buying a 135 L next? :D

[cdifoto]

Dude, those are perfect! So you buying a 135 L next? :D

In a heartbeat if I can use your credit card. :) :p

[Grace]

those are really great Don! I LOVE the expression in the last one! awesome job!

[cdifoto]

Thanks Kay.Pee :)

[Dorman]

Don, those shots look fantastic. You captured some great emotions there, did you shoot these using Wexler's 135L? (guessing from his comment). I love the toning and PP'ing here, would you mind sharing what you did (take it to pm if you don't want to broadcast).

Cheers.

[cdifoto]

Don, those shots look fantastic. You captured some great emotions there, did you shoot these using Wexler's 135L? (guessing from his comment). I love the toning and PP'ing here, would you mind sharing what you did (take it to pm if you don't want to broadcast).

Cheers.

Thanks Brad. For some of those, I did indeed use his 135L. I picked off a few with the 35L as well towards the end.

I'll be the first to admit I'm a PP moron. Since I ran the LightRoom 1.1 update, I saw some new presets. I just used some of those. I think they do quite well, without fuss. The pure color ones are relatively untouched.