Trying to prepare...

[BlindRacer]

As it seems, all the elders and wise of this community look down upon "It's my first wedding, and it's in 2 weeks!" Well, I'm not the primary shooter, and this wedding isn't until late September.

I've read through all the stickies, and probably close to a hundred other threads by this point. But am looking for some specifics on preparation.

I was asked by my sister, to be the second photographer for a wedding several months off. Now, my sister has a few years of photography under her belt, as do I. We each have shot a handful of engagement photos, but never a wedding.

I know, I know, I would never take this job being the only/primary photographer, however, my sister did, and I want to help her out since she's a little nervous about it (and if I didn't, she'd be flying solo, with not even a backup camera).

So, I'm pretty sure I've got a good idea of what equipment is needed, and what is suggested. Come the wedding, I'll have most of the bare minimum (on a super budget, so can't get much). I'm more looking for what types of things I can do now to prepare/practice for this wedding? I'm trying to get outside and shoot around the time/ lighting the ceremony is going to be, and I'm trying to shoot a lot of indoor shots in anticipation for the reception, but it doesn't seem like enough. Does anyone know of things I could do, or places to go to practice?

As for the wedding, it's a 6pm ceremony in late September (outside), so sun sets closer to 7ish. Reception is at 7.30 or 8pm till midnight (indoors).

I know my setup is incomplete, but I can't do much about it at this point...

50D
50 1.8
17-85
(will have at least 24gigs on my end, and sister will have about the same)
(will get at least one more battery, and maybe a couple cheapo's just for insurance sake)

I'll be getting either a 430ex/ exII, or maybe a 580ex/ exII if budget allows. And if budget really allows, I might get a Sigma 70-200 2.8...if not, we'll be renting a Canon 70-200 2.8/ or 4 (which is suggested?)

My sister will have almost an identical setup. Right now she has a rebel something, but is getting the 50D (cause I like mine so much) over the next couple weeks.

Well, anyways, the question is prep. What to do? I'm not looking for 'your setup sucks', or anything like that, cause I know it's not ideal for a wedding, but it's what I've got, and I've got to do it. If there are some reasonably priced fast primes that might be a good addition for this, I'm not opposed to those suggestions...even if I have to rent.

Thanks for all your info.

[mrbojangles13]

deff get the 2.8. dont bother with the f/4.. if your get the flash, go out and practice. practice in av mode, get used to it, thats what i suggest using... practice taking pics w out looking into the viewfinder, someimes you cant. get as quick with your settings as you can as well... you dont want to miss anything. definately go to the location and check out the lighting on more than one ocassion. try and go there when its sunny and cloudy to get an idea on lighting conditions and so you have some time to plan out some shots. get an idea of what the customers want and expect so you can better suit there needs. these are all things you and your sister should do. i would not roll up to a wedding without doing these things atleast.

[BlindRacer]

Thanks for the great reply.

2.8 it will be then (I was pretty sure, but didn't know if they weight would be an issue or not).

I will definitely be getting a flash, and I'll be practicing tons with bouncing, and anything else I can. One thing I've heard about the 580ex/exII is that it can have a slower recycle time, and sometimes take upwards of 30sec to a minute if it gets too hot. Is this true? Which do most wedding photogs get for their primary flash? Is a 430ex/exII going to be adequate if that's all I can get?

I haven't gotten a flash yet, due to not really having aspirations of wedding/portrait photography, so it hasn't really been needed in most situations. But I guess now is as good of time as any to delve into the wonderful world of controlling my own light.

I normally shoot in Av, and M when the camera is doing things I don't want.

I'm getting pretty fast with the settings...always could be faster though. Do need to practice a bit more without looking. General things I almost always do without looking, but it's the not so usual things I always have to figure out. I'll have a good while to get faster and faster though.

Going to the location is the big problem. If it were within 20-30 minutes away, I'd probably go there 5 or 6 times and really get a feel for it. But it's a little over 2 hours away. I'm in North Orange County California, and the wedding is in San Diego. If I ever find myself down that way before then, I'll definitely make a trip over there, but can't be assured on that.

I have a good feel for what the customers want...they went to my sister based on her previous engagement shoots that she had done (their's included, which they loved). I'm pretty confident that we will be able to deliver adequate shots, as I don't think they are expecting pro results, however, we both want to give them something worthy of a professional.

Something that would be wonderful, would be if I could see photos of this venue. It's called 'The Prado' in San Diego. The reception is in the 'Loggia Room'. If anyone has photographed there, or has a link to somewhere online, that would be amazing. I've seen what is on The Prado's own website, but can find much else.

[BlindRacer]

http://www.cohnrestaurants.com/wp-content/themes/default/includes/theprado/loggia.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2328/2109713921_c6c9bbc07f.jpg?v=0

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_st6wkh6e-w0/SFDciqxUMII/AAAAAAAAAZU/yHe_Pqathjo/s400/prado_scene_websize2.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2251/2109715555_bf927c5360.jpg?v=0

These are some shots of the reception room. Looks like light colored walls...about 15 foot white ceilings in half, and 9-10 foot in the other half (but colored). Does anyone see any challenging lighting scenarios? Remember this is going to be at night, so no light coming from the outside.

Also, these are pretty much the only photos I can find of this room. Looks really cramped too.



I believe this to be the Ceremony area. I think the B/G stand down by that arch in the far center. Looks like the guests are up where those people are standing. That seems a little awkward...being so far away from the guests...That might be a little challenging...any suggestions on this?
http://www.ephraimandrachel.com/uploaded_images/CasaDelReyMoro-721455.jpg

http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/food/calif/sandiego/prado/photos/ceremony.jpg

[mrbojangles13]

personally, i think it is absolutely rediculous to shoot a wedding without checkin out the location before showing up to shoot. i am going to stress that you check out the location durring the time the wedding and reception is planned. go with a light meter and your camera as well. i try and have shots planned before i get there. i have no idea about the 580.

[BlindRacer]

Thanks again. I've got some friends that live about 20 minute north of there, so maybe I'll go down and visit.

If anyone else has got some info for flashes that are suggested...and possible problems they could give.

[mattograph]

Hey blind...

I smiled at the OP. I think you misunderstand the "attitude" of some of the contributors here. Its not that they are anti first wedding, they are anti unprepared wedding.

IN any case, you seem, based on your questions and your demeanor, "worthy" of advice....

:)

Anyway, my suggestion would be to hook up the 17-55 2.8 IS -- a great lens for that body. Somebody, anybody, going wide with a 10-22 can provide some neat stuff too.

www.digitalprotalk.com is a great wedding shooter blog. You'll find almost everything there is to know about shooting weddings there. The author, David Ziser, is on a cross country tour giving 1 night seminars that may be of some help.

www.kelbytraining.com has a great series on lighting and posing weddings. Its 20 bucks a month, but you can do a single month and soak it all in.

[form]

I'm anti first wedding when combined with the following idea: "I have a rebel with kit lens and have been shooting for about 2 months, this should be enough right?"

Irks me to no end!

Buy a 580EX, Tamron/Canon 17-55 f/2.8, or 30 f/1.4. If there are no rules against getting close during any part of the ceremony, then longer isn't as important as faster.

[mattograph]

longer isn't as important as faster.

That's what I always said!

Sorry, couldn't resist! :)

[slapstix55]

The Prado is a great place for a wedding. Good luck!

[form]

Prado is very nice, lots of daylight and very expensive food. Some of the best flan ever.

[harroz]

I sincerely hope I'm the later, and not the former;-)
For the record I'm with Form, it's ok to be a learner and to move forward, we all do, but it's the ones who try to fly a helicopter with a licence they got out of a cereal packet that is iritating:rolleyes:

looks like an awesome place for a wedding, set your camera and flash to auto and you'll be good to go ;-)

o.k joking aside, you're on it. prep it! it looks like an amazing place, but look at those trees, they could make or break you!. so in knowing this go there as you said, at the same time of day, and blast away atleast 200 images of your sister, and get your sister to do the same of you. you could get some amazing images if you're comfortable to break out of the box there. it's vitally useless going and prep shooting without a physical subject in the approximation area of your subect. Anyway after this you should have it nailed.

for interior, don't be shy of iso, the 50d has way usable 3200iso images if shot and processed properly. be aware of the windows, unless they have to be in the shot then take them out, in other words, shoot away from them, this will take out the 1/200 f2 window against 1/25 f2 interior equation and leave you with an easier lighting situation. If you're a little more onto it than that, then use the windows and doors wisely and you'll get some out of ordinary images.

a flash is good for sure, but not mandatory, but DON'T decide halfway through that you need it and flip up your camera one. you'll run out of battery power way too quick, not to mention looking amateur(not a good look if you want future business). 70-200 2.8-one of you should have one.

set your rear screen so you can see the histogram, if you haven't worked with this then start right now and learn about it so you know what it does and shows you without thinking on the day.

you shoot in Av? if not then try it out.

don't stress too much about it. oh and since there's you and your sister, when you're doing formals and nice couple shots work together, one shoot while the other poses and checks everything can work well.
good luck and HAVE FUN!!

edit: oh! and look at that water at the front of them.... yeah baby-reflections!

As it seems, all the elders and wise of this community look down upon "It's my first wedding, and it's in 2 weeks!" Well, I'm not the primary shooter, and this wedding isn't until late September.

I've read through all the stickies, and probably close to a hundred other threads by this point. But am looking for some specifics on preparation.

I was asked by my sister, to be the second photographer for a wedding several months off. Now, my sister has a few years of photography under her belt, as do I. We each have shot a handful of engagement photos, but never a wedding.

I know, I know, I would never take this job being the only/primary photographer, however, my sister did, and I want to help her out since she's a little nervous about it (and if I didn't, she'd be flying solo, with not even a backup camera).

So, I'm pretty sure I've got a good idea of what equipment is needed, and what is suggested. Come the wedding, I'll have most of the bare minimum (on a super budget, so can't get much). I'm more looking for what types of things I can do now to prepare/practice for this wedding? I'm trying to get outside and shoot around the time/ lighting the ceremony is going to be, and I'm trying to shoot a lot of indoor shots in anticipation for the reception, but it doesn't seem like enough. Does anyone know of things I could do, or places to go to practice?

As for the wedding, it's a 6pm ceremony in late September (outside), so sun sets closer to 7ish. Reception is at 7.30 or 8pm till midnight (indoors).

I know my setup is incomplete, but I can't do much about it at this point...

50D
50 1.8
17-85
(will have at least 24gigs on my end, and sister will have about the same)
(will get at least one more battery, and maybe a couple cheapo's just for insurance sake)

I'll be getting either a 430ex/ exII, or maybe a 580ex/ exII if budget allows. And if budget really allows, I might get a Sigma 70-200 2.8...if not, we'll be renting a Canon 70-200 2.8/ or 4 (which is suggested?)

My sister will have almost an identical setup. Right now she has a rebel something, but is getting the 50D (cause I like mine so much) over the next couple weeks.

Well, anyways, the question is prep. What to do? I'm not looking for 'your setup sucks', or anything like that, cause I know it's not ideal for a wedding, but it's what I've got, and I've got to do it. If there are some reasonably priced fast primes that might be a good addition for this, I'm not opposed to those suggestions...even if I have to rent.

Thanks for all your info.

[BlindRacer]

As far as I know, there are no rules about getting close during the ceremony. I still have to verify with the staff, but I'm pretty sure.

The reception is after the sun is down, so window/ door light isn't going to be a problem. I'll just have less interior light to work with, so I'll definitely need the fastest lenses I can get.

Also, it looks like I'll have enough to get the 430exII in the next week or two. Will this flash suit me well for this? I'm going to be using the faster lenses, and want to capture the atmosphere, so I don't think I need something super powerful...just for fill (but like I said, I know next to nothing about flash).

I do shoot in Av...and M when the camera is doing things I don't want. I've found that when I'm in darker situations, I'm shooting in M more, so I can keep the shutter speed up, and the aperture open. And since the 50D only lets the auto iso go up to 1600, I'll control that myself to get the right exposure. I've found that going to 3200 (when needed) yeilds better results than trying to stay lower on the iso, and have blur from my hands at too slow of a shutter speed. Does this sound alright for a wedding? Should I practice some other way of doing things. I don't think I'm too slow at it, so speed shouldn't be an issue (I don't think). I think it will still be bright enough at the ceremony to be in Av, without an issue on shutter speed, so my speed shouldn't be an issue there.

I do have another question. On memory cards...is it better to have a handful of smaller sized cards, than it is to have only 2 larger sized cards?
And I was looking at getting the Sandisk 8gig extremeIII...and use that till it fills up (should be around 400 shots).

And what do you guys think of the Kingston 16gig 133x card? I was thinking about getting this to have a ton of extra storage, and not have to worry. Is this card too slow? I can't find any real read/write speeds on this card.

Thanks for all of your help. All your responses are very helpful and appriciated.

[BlindRacer]

Sorry for my long posts. I still have 2 questions that haven't been answered.

1. Is it okay to have 2 large size CF cards (like an 8gig and 16gig)? Or is this not safe for some reason? Is it better to have a handful of 4gigs?

2. Will a 430exII work for this wedding? I don't need to get something that is top notch. I just need it to work for any fill that I might need, and then during the reception for fill. Am I going to be wishing that I got the 580exII (can't afford that)? Is there something in the middle of those, or a great third party flash that's cheaper?

Thanks for all your suggestions. They've really helped a lot.

[form]

Some say it isn't safe. I would rather use the big cards because I can get away with having an 8gb in each camera and not have to replace cards for a very long time, at least 4 hours.

Why would you be able to afford the 430 but not the 580? I would not only need the most powerful flash available but I also really need off-camera flash for tons of things. Buy used.

[BlindRacer]

Isn't the 430exII about $275? And the 580exII about $425?

It's a big price gap. I've never really worked with flash before, so I'm trying to buy this without knowing what would be best.

Where could I get a 580exII for under $300? Used is fine as long as it would last, and is in good condition.

Would I be significantly under powered with the 430exII, or would it work, just not be ideal?

[form]

Impossible to answer your questions but I know that if my 580EX had twice the power it does, it still wouldn't be enough to give me the amount of control I really want.

[cory1848]

If there are no rules against getting close during any part of the ceremony, then longer isn't as important as faster.

Except if its an outdoor wedding with lots of sunlight. Learned this the hard way this past weekend shooting with my Tamron 17-50, 50 isnt long enough to get out of the way of your shadow if the sun is anywhere towards your back.