Recent Wedding

[JasonSTL739]

I'm fairly new to weddings... looking for some feedback.

Just few random images, I haven't even proofed the full body of images yet.

http://sedura.smugmug.com/photos/348434522_QS3DQ-M.jpg

http://sedura.smugmug.com/photos/348434886_hSwLC-M.jpg

http://sedura.smugmug.com/photos/348434983_HCQ9z-M.jpg

http://sedura.smugmug.com/photos/348434807_4xvrS-M.jpg

[divinemethod]

so you want feedback on "random" images eh..

okay.

#1 the fact that they are not on even ground feels odd to me, and the oof trees, white statue and that blue thing in the picture distract me. curves and cloning fill fix that :)


#2 awesome shot, if you had been more to the right with your camera to get the 3/4 angle would have been even sweeter.

my $0.02

[pcunite]

They will love #1 and #2. The last two could use better bounced flash. Put slave flashes on light stands in the corners. I hate being picky to another photographer but you asked :)

[JasonSTL739]

They will love #1 and #2. The last two could use better bounced flash. Put slave flashes on light stands in the corners. I hate being picky to another photographer but you asked :)

Nah it is exactly what I need. I had a single strobe on a stand coupled to oncamera fill, but I should have lit it up with a couple. It is basically my first wedding! :o

They are unedited except for a quick mod to #2.

Do you use two slaves, or more? Pocketwizard? studio strobes?

[pcunite]

Do you use two slaves, or more? Pocketwizard? studio strobes?

I have five 580EX II. In the reception area (depending on the venue ceiling structure of course) I will put two on light stands bare pointed at the ceiling. Then my on camera 580EX II will also contribute to exposure. Both master and slave set to ETTL mode. The others are in use by my assistant.

[JasonSTL739]

I have five 580EX II. In the reception area (depending on the venue ceiling structure of course) I will put two on light stands bare pointed at the ceiling. Then my on camera 580EX II will also contribute to exposure. Both master and slave set to ETTL mode. The others are in use by my assistant.


That's what I thought, and what I was considering to be the move. In ETTL? Do you find they pick up the master in larger venues no matter your orientation?

Curious also, why not four? Two enough or do you use three-four sometimes? Refresh rate? How long do the batteries last in them? Using any of the external battery packs?

Does the assistant run on the same strobes?

Sorry... lots of questions......... I appreciate your feedback!

[JasonSTL739]

Also - anybody run the hotshoe flashs on stands just pointed towards the dance floor?

[pcunite]

1. In ETTL? Do you find they pick up the master in larger venues no matter your orientation?

2. Curious also, why not four? Two enough or do you use three-four sometimes?

3. Refresh rate? How long do the batteries last in them?

4. Using any of the external battery packs?

5. Does the assistant run on the same strobes?



1.
I use ETTL but am considering a move to radio triggers because yes there is a problem with the furthest away slave firing. I don't find my clients complaining about my receptions pictures by the way as they are just grab shots mostly. The cake shots I have a slave positioned in such a way that ETTL works every time as well as the other required shots.

2.
Because I like to travel light and setting up four lights for shots that don't make me any more money... well why? I will use four sometimes for formals and other important shots.

3.
Refresh rate on a full power flash is under 3 seconds with a good battery. It can take 3 full seconds when batteries are getting weak. I use Maha PowerEx 2500 for main and Sanyo Eneloops low discharge for my backup batteries.

4.
No and for my style I am getting by. I don't pop shots off constantly but when the bride is coming down the aisle I miss instantaneous rapid fire ability I must admit.

5.
Yes.

[JasonSTL739]

1.
I use ETTL but am considering a move to radio triggers because yes there is a problem with the furthest away slave firing. I don't find my clients complaining about my receptions pictures by the way as they are just grab shots mostly. The cake shots I have a slave positioned in such a way that ETTL works every time as well as the other required shots.

2.
Because I like to travel light and setting up four lights for shots that don't make me any more money... well why? I will use four sometimes for formals and other important shots.

3.
Refresh rate on a full power flash is under 3 seconds with a good battery. It can take 3 full seconds when batteries are getting weak. I use Maha PowerEx 2500 for main and Sanyo Eneloops low discharge for my backup batteries.

4.
No and for my style I am getting by. I don't pop shots off constantly but when the bride is coming down the aisle I miss instantaneous rapid fire ability I must admit.

5.
Yes.

Fantastic. Thank you.

Sounds like we're on the same page regarding travelling light... That is why I'm eyeing your feedback closely.

Do you tend to get through the whole reception on a single set of batteries?

I've got a single external battery pack I use for the on camera when I shoot in certain scenarios. It helps ALOT especially if you have it loaded with all PowerEx batteries in the flash and pack. I didn't use it at all at this wedding, but I had decent lighting in the church I felt.

The other possibility for us is the use of alienbee's on stands with a vagabond pack for the two strobes. Seems like many are doing this instead. With the upcoming cybercommand thing, you'll be able to control the strobe as well as turn them on and off individually from your pocket. We already have a bunch of these, so it is a possibility. But, more stuff...

Do you gel the hotshoe flashes? I was thinking about that at the reception to match ambient after the fact.

And last... what kind of stands do you trust for the hotshoe flashes while in a venue like that? I have huge studio stands, but they seems like overkill.

[JasonSTL739]

#1 the fact that they are not on even ground feels odd to me, and the oof trees, white statue and that blue thing in the picture distract me. curves and cloning fill fix that :)


my $0.02

Definitely... white thing and blue thing will be history in post for that image. The post here is pretty much raw - just a bit of the basics.

[pcunite]

Do you tend to get through the whole reception on a single set of batteries?

Do you gel the hotshoe flashes?

And last... what kind of stands do you trust for the hotshoe flashes while in a venue like that?



I shoot all the getting ready shots and the ceremony (if it needs flash, I don't always use flash in the ceremony) using the same batteries. I change my batteries after the ceremony when I have a spare moment. I have never let them go all the way down. I personally shoot about 300 shots but not all are flash.

I don't GEL my flashes but wish I could sometimes. It is just to much trouble going from room to room and I would be afraid I would forget I have it attached. Every so often there is an image that could have really used it though...

I use Bogen 3361 light stands. I can move with one hand the stand, 580EX II, and a 60" umbrella attached. Very nice and light. I went with the 3361 because of their height potential.

There are better wedding pros on here than me like Tim, crazy (crazy something I don't remember his name) and Toggy.

[JasonSTL739]

I shoot all the getting ready shots and the ceremony (if it needs flash, I don't always use flash in the ceremony) using the same batteries. I change my batteries after the ceremony when I have a spare moment. I have never let them go all the way down. I personally shoot about 300 shots but not all are flash.

I don't GEL my flashes but wish I could sometimes. It is just to much trouble going from room to room and I would be afraid I would forget I have it attached. Every so often there is an image that could have really used it though...

I use Bogen 3361 light stands. I can move with one hand the stand, 580EX II, and a 60" umbrella attached. Very nice and light. I went with the 3361 because of their height potential.

There are better wedding pros on here than me like Tim, crazy (crazy something I don't remember his name) and Toggy.

Awesome. Thanks much.