3rd photographer - 1st wedding

[bungee]

My first wedding shoot was for practice at a friend's wedding. Behind the hired photog and his 2nd and a video guy I took what was left over. All in the name of experience.

Any feedback is welcome, good or bad.

www.image29.com/wedding.html

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I definitely think you have the skills to take on a wedding as the first photographer. From what you posted, those look really good. I like the variety within.

[ktgiggle]

I know the difficulties of getting the perfect composition for wedding pictures, especially when you were over powered by other 2 photog's, but I think you did pretty well as non-primary shooter. Sorry to say, but I do not care too much about the car's shots ;), and those b&w pictures generally look better than the color ones. Maybe it's just me.

I'd like to see more directional lighting on your subjects. Also it's hard to judge based on the tightly cropped pic's, and without numbers on them (easier to critique on specific picture if it's numbered.) You probably tried to cramp as many pictures as possible?

[notapro]

for a third I think you did a really great job. I like that you took a PJ approach instead of standing taking shots of the pros poses from lesser angles and with nobody looking your way.

[amironsi]

if this is what's let over... then man if you go for the whole cake you will be dangerous... good work...

[jsanz11]

great photos...i like them all

[ErikM]

By the looks of these images I would say you could easily shoot a wedding yourself very soon. Try a few more as a second shooter just to gain a bit more experience and you will be off to the races!

[bungee]

Thanks for the kind words of encouragement - and sorry for the car shots Kim - I assembled these as a bit of a show 'n tell for my friend (the Bride) as she is still on honeymoon and the official pics aren't out yet. Funnily enough some of her friends assumed they were the official pics and really liked them. Anyway it was fun. ErikM, good advice, I will try to get some experience as a second shooter.

I have one confession to make. The sun was very harsh (Sydney in November) and shadows from the trees all around plus the reflection off the harbour made it difficult. So I made a couple of errors. 1st - I forgot to bring spare batteries for the flash and used them all up before the actual wedding. 2nd - I forgot I had a CP on the 70-300 DO lens and used incorrectly it caused a blue fringe in a couple of shots. Pretty sure it wasn't the lens as the 17-55 didn't show the same problem and the DO is supposed to be almost immune to CA.

What I did get from the experience was that you really have to work quickly, have a plan and get everything right first time. At least I could tuck into the Champagne afterwards.

On the way back to the UK I stopped in Hong Kong and treated myself to a new 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, Tamron 90mm macro and a nifty-fifty for my now semi-retired 400D. Nice.

[notapro]

Always best to learn your lessons when the pressure's not on!
I actually like the car shots, if I recall there were two good strong car shots and a couple alternates that were weaker, though. But I think I'm a details person, and I think it's better for you as a third photographer to get those shots that may have been missed by the main than to try to get the same shots as the main.

Nice little haul on the trip home, huh? I think i would have a heart attack buying that much at once!

[bungee]

Nice little haul on the trip home, huh? I think i would have a heart attack buying that much at once!

I was so pleased with how much I'd saved - over UK prices - that I just had to buy an iPhone. So many gadgets....so little time :lol:

[ktgiggle]

Anthony,

About the car shots, I didn't mean to say they are bad in any way. It's just that I like the other shots much more ;)

Congrats on acquiring more arsenal ! I have that 70-200 f4 IS, but haven't put it to use much lately (I should) . You're gonna love it for wedding shots in not so dark venues. I think you might still be using that 400D as a back up / compliment to your primary kit, so you dont have to switch lenses during critical moments ;)