Getting Started

[Idknown]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if you could help me with this question. I have an interest to get into wedding photography, but I am not confident about my technical capabilities yet. Before you call me irresponsible, I am not booking jobs, just looking for some places to test myself or training.

Are there any resources you would suggest for reading or for test shooting? I know second shooting is a great way to learn, but wedding seasons doesn't start till later, and I don't want to sit idle.

In the end - where can I go to improve my technical skills? What kind of technical skills do I even need? And how can I gain the confidence I need to shoot a wedding?

It'll be great to hear from pro wedding photographers regarding this topic.

Thanks.

[randplaty]

Which technical capabilities are you not confident in yet? Can you get good exposure every shot? Do you know how to use flash/bounce flash?

I would recommend just bringing your camera everywhere and start practicing. When you go to a party, bring it along. Offer to take portraits of your friends for free... that will be similar to bride and groom posed shots.

Make sure you're able to shoot in manual. For an actual wedding you don't need to shoot in manual, but knowing manual helps you shoot better in all other modes.

Once you're technically proficient, network and make friends with pro photographers in your area and ask if you can second shoot.

[bps]

I am not a wedding pro, but I am a young second shooter. Here's a few things that come to mind:

- Learn how to quickly control your camera. By quickly, I mean changing settings without even looking at the buttons on your camera. (practice this as often as you can) Wedding photography moves at a fast and furious pace.

- Find indoor places or events with terrible lighting, and shoot away. Learn what works and doesn't work.

- Learn everything you can about flash. We're talking FEC, fill (outdoors), and good bouncing techniques. Also learn how to shoot flash when you can't bounce (very high ceilings, etc)

- Once you start to get a handle on these things, start hunting for an opportunity to second shoot. The experience you will gain as a second shooter is priceless!

There's definitely more, but this should get you started.

Bryan

[Mike]

Here's some reading for ya: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5999915&postcount=2