Tripod/monopod use at weddings

[tim]

I'm trying to get a feel for where professionals use tripods and monopods at weddings. I'd really appreciate if a few pros would list where they do and don't bother to use monopods. Situations I have in mind in particular are:
- Inside the church during the ceremony.
- During outside weddings.
- Group pics, indoors and outside.
- Individual/couple pics, indoors and outdoors.
- At the reception.

Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer this slightly odd question. I have a non-obvious reason for asking, which you can probably guess if you've seen a few of my posts around here recently.

[robertwgross]

From your list, the only place that I DO NOT use a tripod is around the reception. The seating area is always very crowded. Trying to line up for the cake shot can be crowded. Around the dance floor, I have to move fast.

---Bob Gross---

[NGrinerPhoto]

i use a tripod during a ceremony if it's indoors. i always use one when shooting formals. it's good to frame the shot then look at the subjects while taking the photo. other than that, i handhold.

[tim]

Thanks guys, you've pretty much confirmed what I thought, I just wanted to check when it was and wasn't practical to use a tripod on what could be a very busy day. The questions was to help me decide to do about flash brackets and tripods, mainly with regards to portrait orientation for some pics. Since i've discovered my tripod is stronger and more stable than I thought the question's pretty much moot now. Cheers.

[DaveG]

I'm trying to get a feel for where professionals use tripods and monopods at weddings. I'd really appreciate if a few pros would list where they do and don't bother to use monopods. Situations I have in mind in particular are:
- Inside the church during the ceremony.
- During outside weddings.
- Group pics, indoors and outside.
- Individual/couple pics, indoors and outdoors.
- At the reception.

Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer this slightly odd question. I have a non-obvious reason for asking, which you can probably guess if you've seen a few of my posts around here recently.

It's probably easier to say where I don't use a tripod: The bride getting out of the limo, coming down the aisle with her dad, the B&G coming down the aisle and then the receiving line. EVERYTHING else is with a tripod. Not only do I get better technical images the tripod also establishes a position for me. At outside group shots for example. If I hand hold the camera and walk up to the group to arrange them I can be assured that Uncle George will immediately stand where I'll need too! Inside I find that I'm dragging the shutter almost every time I do a shot and the shutterspeeds can really drop down low.

[tim]

You use a tripod for candids at the reception? And for informal style set shots of the bride with a little kid, or her husband to be?

Good point about the tripod saving your place, good idea. I'm still considering the 70-200 IS to compensate for my shaky hands for shots inside.

[Moments]

I only use a tripod in a church if I can't hand hold, and if the celebrant is ok with it. A priest that I work with regulary will not alow flash once the Bride reaches the altar during the service and he will not let a tripod any place but the balcony or at the back of the church. It's a dark church so I use 800 speed film and a long lens from the back. Once the couple kisses, I get off the tripod quick and move up front for hand held shot for the exit.

I have tried to use a tripod with groups, B&G formals etc, and I found it to be too restrictive when I'm short on time and moving quickly. If I have plenty of time it's great for when I have to adjust someone in the shot, or even to set up a grouping, shot etc, I do not have to keep putting down and picking up the camera. It also helps in training my assistant. Once I frame a shot, I can have him jump behind the camera to see exactly what it looks like.

In a reception, forget it. I work with videographers that have thier cameras on rolling tripods, and they move around quickly. But one videographer that I work with has an assistant who gets on the floor with a normal tripod for cake shots, garter, etc and he's always in the way and cant move quickly. I have tried to explain to him that he has to move quicker, and he always blames the tripod.

My flash bracket goes right on my tripod quickly to for the times I wish to drag the shutter for a background and also fire my on camera flash.

I always have a tripod with me just incase I need it. I have one in the trunk of the car even when I'm not working. I guess it's like a security blanket.