Simple help, please! Casual beach wedding

[chickymcnuffin]

I was just asked to photograph a casual beach wedding... In 1 1/2 weeks! I don't have any time to really plan for it and haven't done much photography lately since I had my second child in December, but I have photographed one wedding last year. Most of my photography is infant, child and family photos, where I can plan the perfect time of day for natural lighting...

Anyway, this wedding is on the beach in NC at 11am, so it's going to be completely bright at that time. Any advice on how I should shoot it with the light not being the greatest? I'm afraid I will get some harsh shadows...

Any advice and tips would be wonderful! I won't be using anything but the kit lens and the 50mm 1.8. Not the greatest setup, but that's the best I can do right now! Luckily the couple isn't really too worried on getting "GREAT" photos and just wants to be sure to get a few good snapshots, but I want them to be perfect!

[mritchy]

I would definately suggest just renting a lens with a little more reach to be honest, unless you plan on being really close when getting candids. Since you are going to be outside, it doesn't have to be a 2.8 or anything. As far as light, just position them accordingly when doing formals, and PP very well! Good luck!

[chickymcnuffin]

Do you think I can rent a lens so soon? The other problem is that I don't have my license (it expired June 1, and I didn't renew it, as we're moving in a month. I know when I rented a lens before, I had to have a license....

[Mike]

you shouldn't have too much difficulty renting at short notice.
The couple have hired you at short notivce so they should understand if you are not 100% prepped.
Use fill flash as a way to reduce harsh shadows.

[philodelphi]

Scout out the location ahead of time, at the same time of day, and look for a good place to utilize shade. If there isn't one, consider an assistant that can hold a bit diffuser disc. And ditto on the usage of fill flash.

[chickymcnuffin]

you shouldn't have too much difficulty renting at short notice.
The couple have hired you at short notivce so they should understand if you are not 100% prepped.
Use fill flash as a way to reduce harsh shadows.

He's one of my husband's friends/coworkers, and when they asked, I explained that normally it takes awhile to plan, and they didn't care and still wanted me. They were just going to have me use their regular digital camera, so I don't think they'll have too much of a problem with me not being totally prepped! :P

How should I use the flash? Like what settings is best for fill flash outside in the middle of the day?

[chickymcnuffin]

What are your opinions on the best (but semi cheap) lens to rent??

[kenshinvt]

I would suggest a 70-200mm f/4 (with or without IS) that will do just fine outdoors and allow you to stand back a bit. A lot of places do let you rent with just a credit card. That lens shouldn't be too expensive for the weekend.

is the reception outdoors too?

[chickymcnuffin]

I would suggest a 70-200mm f/4 (with or without IS) that will do just fine outdoors and allow you to stand back a bit. A lot of places do let you rent with just a credit card. That lens shouldn't be too expensive for the weekend.

is the reception outdoors too?

I guess there really isn't a reception. This is just a thrown together kind of thing with only about 20 people there in total. The ceremony is just the B&G and officiant, and then the "reception" is just lunch at a beach house.

[kenshinvt]

I guess there really isn't a reception. This is just a thrown together kind of thing with only about 20 people there in total. The ceremony is just the B&G and officiant, and then the "reception" is just lunch at a beach house.

If it is a nicely lit beach house (I'd imagine it would be - lots of windows and afternoon sunlight coming in), then you should be just fine with the 50mm 1.8--you should be able to get plenty of good shots with that. However, if reception shots are really important, and you know for a fact it's going to be really dark, think about adding a basic flash like a 430EX into the mix (also wouldn't be bad for outdoor fill flash so you would get lots of use out of it).

Just think about renting a nicer telephoto for the outdoors part. Shouldn't run more than $50-60.

[chickymcnuffin]

I've got the 430EX! :) For fill flash, should I use it on ETTL or what? I'll look into the 70-200mm! Thank you!

[tim]

I've got the 430EX! :) For fill flash, should I use it on ETTL or what?

"What" mode is very difficult to use, I suggest ETTL :p

[chickymcnuffin]

"What" mode is very difficult to use, I suggest ETTL :p

Oh, really? :o I always use the "M" (or "what", lol!) mode... I guess I never really have used ETTL.....

[david lee]

Stay with ETTL it will do the job for you. Get them under some shade, perhaps a nice tree with overhanging branches, use the branches as a frame to your shot perhaps.

Shoot manual, expose for the background and then underexpose by a stop.
ETTL will fill in correctly and your background will be rich in colour.

[philodelphi]

Stay with ETTL it will do the job for you. Get them under some shade, perhaps a nice tree with overhanging branches, use the branches as a frame to your shot perhaps.

Shoot manual, expose for the background and then underexpose by a stop.
ETTL will fill in correctly and your background will be rich in colour.

Really really good advice. That's exactly what I do too when I have to shoot important subjects in light that's very bright.

[elisesanchez]

Scout the location at the same time of the day with couple of friends who can act as the couple. Go in with a plan, and you should at least be able to provide what the clients are asking for.

[chickymcnuffin]

Stay with ETTL it will do the job for you. Get them under some shade, perhaps a nice tree with overhanging branches, use the branches as a frame to your shot perhaps.

Shoot manual, expose for the background and then underexpose by a stop.
ETTL will fill in correctly and your background will be rich in colour.

Totally stupid question, but I understand what you mean about expose for the background, but what do you mean by underexpose by a stop? How much is a stop and why do I underexpose by one? Sorry if that's really stupid....

[philodelphi]

Here's 1 way to do it:
1. Set dial to M
2. Choose the aperture you want.
3. Point the camera at the background elements you want exposed properly. If the background is kind of dark (probably not in your case), bump up the ISO.
4. Change the exposure until it's at 1 big notch below the middle notch. (Each big notch is a stop.)

I hope this helps!