HELP!:Wedding advice

[ypx3]

As of ten minutes ago I am the primary photog at a wedding tomorrow. I have never even been to a wedding holding a DSLR.
I only own 4 lenses.
70-300mm
28-105mm
Kit lens and a 50mm FD with a converter.
Which lens should I use?
Any tips?
I plan on using the Jpeg+RAW mode on my camera in case I underexpose a lot.
A don't know much about weddings or the photography that goes along with them
Any tips?

[ypx3]

My biggest weakness is exposure. which metering modes should I use when?

[Permagrin]

I would shoot in M and use evaluative metering (or partial), if it were me.

I would also be very clear in my experience with the couple so that they know what to expect. (are you doing this as a gift?)

Your 28-105 (is it the 3.5 to 4.5?) is probably your best bet, lens wise. If it's the one I mentioned, it's a good lens but a bit slow for lowlight indoors. Make sure you find out if flash is allowable, otherwise you'll need to shoot on an higher iso. Talk to the minister to find out what the church rules are (in regards to photography)...

Watch your histogram (because you want to hit the exposure the best you can, especially in lowlight, or you'll have TONS of noise).

Make sure you charge all your batteries. (and take every battery you have...if you only have 2 take your charger...if you only have one, buy another)

Do you have an external flash?

Do you have plenty of CF cards?

Fill the frame as much as possible with your shots...and take LOTS of photos so that you have a few to choose from for each shot.

Get a list from the bride and groom (for the photos they want).

and don't panic :)

I'm sure there are other things but that's a good place to start.

[ypx3]

I would shoot in M and use evaluative metering (or partial), if it were me.

I would also be very clear in my experience with the couple so that they know what to expect. (are you doing this as a gift?)

Your 28-105 (is it the 3.5 to 4.5?) is probably your best bet, lens wise. If it's the one I mentioned, it's a good lens but a bit slow for lowlight indoors. Make sure you find out if flash is allowable, otherwise you'll need to shoot on an higher iso. Talk to the minister to find out what the church rules are (in regards to photography)...

Watch your histogram (because you want to hit the exposure the best you can, especially in lowlight, or you'll have TONS of noise).

Make sure you charge all your batteries. (and take every battery you have...if you only have 2 take your charger...if you only have one, buy another)

Do you have an external flash?

Do you have plenty of CF cards?

Fill the frame as much as possible with your shots...and take LOTS of photos so that you have a few to choose from for each shot.

Get a list from the bride and groom (for the photos they want).

and don't panic :)

I'm sure there are other things but that's a good place to start.

Wow amazing start.
I've got 3 batteries and a grip, I'll throw the charger in the bag. I only have one CF card. No external flash. Yeah the 3.5 to 4.5 is probably my nicest lens

[Permagrin]

Wow amazing start.
I've got 3 batteries and a grip, I'll throw the charger in the bag. I only have one CF card. No external flash. Yeah the 3.5 to 4.5 is probably my nicest lens

how big is your CF card? How many shots can you get on it? You really really should have another one.

[ypx3]

how big is your CF card? How many shots can you get on it? You really really should have another one.
Unfortunately only 2 gigs.

[cdifoto]

Good luck.

[ibdb]

At least one more CF card would be an essential addition. If something should fail on your only card, or you fill it up, it's game over.

As far as the shooting mode, unless you're already familiar with shooting in Manual, I wouldn't recommend using it at a wedding tomorrow. You're going to have enough other things to worry about, figuring out how to shoot in M if you haven't already done so is best saved for another time and place.

I'd suggest AV, and be aware of what shutter speeds you're getting. If they're too slow, bump up the ISO.

Second the recommendation on getting lots of shots of each "pose" or situation. Another reason to have more memory. You're not always going to have everyone's eyes open, or the right smile, or, or, but if you have more than one shot, you'll have more to choose from later.

And also second the recommendation of making sure the B&G know what they can expect from you. I know that at this point there's not a lot more than can be done, but I still think that's important.

[ibdb]

Unfortunately only 2 gigs.
2GB - (RAW+JPG) = Not enough.

[jptsr1]

WOW! what time is the wedding? any possibility of hitting a store tomorrow before you go? you definitely need more memory and a flash at least.

J.
EDIT: im not a wedding photog but i would think you would need the above.

[ypx3]

WOW! what time is the wedding? any possibility of hitting a store tomorrow before you go? you definitely need more memory and a flash at least.

J.
EDIT: im not a wedding photog but i would think you would need the above.
Frankly I feel a little abused in this case so I am rather disinclined to shell out any kind of money. I am not being paid and the bride asked me to do it through my girlfriend (a mutual friend as well as a bride's maid)
I love the bride dearly but to drop any kind of money when I am effectively free help seems a little out of line to me.
I guess I will end up with a lesser product but in this case the B+G will get way more than what they are paying for.

[cdifoto]

Frankly I feel a little abused in this case so I am rather disinclined to shell out any kind of money. I am not being paid and the bride asked me to do it through my girlfriend (a mutual friend as well as a bride's maid)
I love the bride dearly but to drop any kind of money when I am effectively free help seems a little out of line to me.
I guess I will end up with a lesser product but in this case the B+G will get way more than what they are paying for.

I agree. Don't put yourself out financially. It's bad enough you're being treated like help instead of a guest/friend. So what if they get crappy product. They can't sue for damages.

I'd be inclined to slap it in P mode, shoot JPEG, burn a disk, and forget it. No editing, no processing, no nada. If they want images from someone who cares they can hire me or another pro.

[ypx3]

I just found out there will be another photographer there. Perhaps more experienced but the bride has again expressed a desire to have me shoot. If you knew the personality of the bride you would understand completely why i am willing to help, but a little hesitant to really throw any resources at it.
Now my biggest fear has become that perhaps the other photog has expectations of me that are higher than what me as an amateur can provide. But, there is nothing I can do about that until I get there and meet her/him tomorrow.

[cdifoto]

I just found out there will be another photographer there. Perhaps more experienced but the bride has again expressed a desire to have me shoot. If you knew the personality of the bride you would understand completely why i am willing to help, but a little hesitant to really throw any resources at it.
Now my biggest fear has become that perhaps the other photog has expectations of me that are higher than what me as an amateur can provide. But, there is nothing I can do about that until I get there and meet her/him tomorrow.

OK in that case I'd say no, sorry. A pro will be there, and since I'm NOT his paid assistant or lackey, I ain't shootin'. If you DO shoot anyway, don't give the pro anything. Don't help him, at all and don't give him your files. He's not paying you and you're not his bitch. Just stay out of his way.

[ypx3]

OK in that case I'd say no, sorry. A pro will be there, and since I'm NOT his paid assistant or lackey, I ain't shootin'. If you DO shoot anyway, don't give the pro anything. Don't help him, at all and don't give him your files. He's not paying you and you're not his bitch. Just stay out of his way.
As far as I am aware the Pro is also unpaid. It is a family member, who happens to shoot some pro shots. i think mainly studio. Not a pro wedding photog by any stretch.
But I see where you're coming from and I agree with you to some extent.

[Eagle]

I would shoot in M
I hate it when someone gives this advice. If a person is asking what out of my gear should I use and how should I shoot more than likely doesn't know how to shoot in Manual.

Either shoot in Av or probably best for a true beginner would be P.

Don't do Raw + Jpeg, just use Raw. And that would only be if you can do minor corrections and convert to Jpeg after. If not just Large Jpeg. Plan your shots and don't just hold the trigger down.

Definitely make sure the Bride and Groom know you are a truew amature and have never done any wedding shoots before. And let them know that nothing is guaranteed.

The 28-105 and the kit will be the ones you'll use.

[jptsr1]

Frankly I feel a little abused in this case so I am rather disinclined to shell out any kind of money. I am not being paid and the bride asked me to do it through my girlfriend (a mutual friend as well as a bride's maid)
I love the bride dearly but to drop any kind of money when I am effectively free help seems a little out of line to me.
I guess I will end up with a lesser product but in this case the B+G will get way more than what they are paying for.

i hear ya. gear can get expensive. you don't live in the bay area do you? id be happy to lend you a flash and some memory if you do.

J.

[ypx3]

I hate it when someone gives this advice. If a person is asking what out of my gear should I use and how should I shoot more than likely doesn't know how to shoot in Manual.

Either shoot in Av or probably best for a true beginner would be P.

Don't do Raw + Jpeg, just use Raw. And that would only be if you can do minor corrections and convert to Jpeg after. If not just Large Jpeg. Plan your shots and don't just hold the trigger down.

Definitely make sure the Bride and Groom know you are a truew amature and have never done any wedding shoots before. And let them know that nothing is guaranteed.

The 28-105 and the kit will be the ones you'll use.

I do, do some photography to make money. But it is all in the postcard and calendar realm. Straight art, all landscape. Thats what encouraged my friend to ask me to do her wedding. But weddings, their a whole 'nother animal.

i hear ya. gear can get expensive. you don't live in the bay area do you? id be happy to lend you a flash and some memory if you do.

J.
I really appreciate the offer but I am way over here in snowy Michigan.

[Permagrin]

I hate it when someone gives this advice. If a person is asking what out of my gear should I use and how should I shoot more than likely doesn't know how to shoot in Manual.


Actually it didn't occur to me that that would be the case but I'll keep it in mind for future.

The advice I gave was prefaced with "what I would do under the circumstances", not knowing the skill level of the person suddenly thrown into the situation, and when I learned M, I found it was much easier than controlling exposure in AV. And exposure is key here, imo, given that the OP has posted before about under exposing shots. However, if AV is the "au currant" recommendation in these situations, then that's what I'll suggest.

However, if I believed they had no skill (first I would think they wouldn't have been asked in the first place), but second, I'd say, stick it in green box mode and pray. :lol:

[liza]

Program mode would be a much better choice so you can control ISO, white balance, and flash.

[Woolburr]

It is a little late in the ballgame to start learning new tricks. Stick the camera on green box...slap on the 28-105 and do the best you can at getting people properly composed in the shots. You have a very capable camera...let it do what it is designed to do. When you get all done...you can go over the shots, read the exif data and use the whole process as a learning experience. The bride and groom will get exactly what they paid for....and maybe even a bit more. Let us know how things turned out.

[Primm]

Frankly I feel a little abused in this case so I am rather disinclined to shell out any kind of money. I am not being paid and the bride asked me to do it through my girlfriend (a mutual friend as well as a bride's maid)
I love the bride dearly but to drop any kind of money when I am effectively free help seems a little out of line to me.
I guess I will end up with a lesser product but in this case the B+G will get way more than what they are paying for.

Are you an invited guest at the wedding? If so, I would rock up sans camera and tell her it failed. Maybe then she will understand why professional photographers get paid.

If you had offered, that would have been a different story. But she asked you.

How rude! I'm getting married next month, and one of our invited guests is a pro wedding photographer. I would no more ask him to photograph the wedding than I would ask my fiance (a restaurant manager) to co-ordinate the food and beverages.

[ypx3]

Well turns out I got an early christmas present the day of the wedding. A 50mm f/1.8. Most of the wedding was shot with that lens. There was a pro there so I stopped shooting once I got bored of it and the shots I did take are between me and the bride and only as gifts. THe pro will get to touch my photos. Some of them came out ok.

[yonni]

Can we see some?

[ypx3]

Can we see some?
As soon as I find the cable to download the pics, I will get some of the keepers up.

[yonni]

As soon as I find the cable to download the pics, I will get some of the keepers up.
Don't keep us waiting:) Oh, btw, I think virtually everyone on this site uses card readers to download pix to their computers as it is a faster and simpler process, and well worth the nominal cost involved. If you already have one or are aware of their advantages, please disregard.

[BillsBayou]

HELP!:Wedding advice

Don't.

:D Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[vincewchan]

Don't keep us waiting:)

x2!

[ypx3]

Don't keep us waiting:) Oh, btw, I think virtually everyone on this site uses card readers to download pix to their computers as it is a faster and simpler process, and well worth the nominal cost involved. If you already have one or are aware of their advantages, please disregard.
For me a card reader is just another piece of gear that could get lost. Cables have never severed me badly and when downloading speed has never been an issue.

[ypx3]

OK so it took me far too long but I finally have some sorted and Uploaded.
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f367/ypx3/Janelle%20Wedding/IMG_4805copy.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f367/ypx3/Janelle%20Wedding/IMG_4747_cropcopy.jpg
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f367/ypx3/Janelle%20Wedding/IMG_4701copy.jpg

The rest of the album (http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f367/ypx3/Janelle%20Wedding/?action=view&current=IMG_4896copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f367/ypx3/Janelle%20Wedding/IMG_4896copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket")

[kevin_c]

As soon as I find the cable to download the pics, I will get some of the keepers up.


For me a card reader is just another piece of gear that could get lost. Cables have never severed me badly and when downloading speed has never been an issue.

What like the USB cable you mean :-)

A card reader tends to be left connected to the PC, not shoved in a drawer somewhere ;)



White balance seems way off in those shots...

[ypx3]

What like the USB cable you mean :-)

A card reader tends to be left connected to the PC, not shoved in a drawer somewhere ;)
If i had a PC that would work, but I use a laptop.



White balance seems way off in those shots...
Perhaps it was no way to be sure.

[liza]

If you have Lightroom, adjust that white balance. I believe you can even do that to JPEGs using that program. It will help the look of the photos immensely.

[ypx3]

If you have Lightroom, adjust that white balance. I believe you can even do that to JPEGs using that program. It will help the look of the photos immensely.
Unfortunately, I don't own lightroom.

[vincewchan]

WB looks a bit off