Wedding reception

[CalaMiTa]

Hi, My dad gave someone the word that i would photograph their wedding reception.
They're getting married in the USA so i aint shooting the wedding just the reception whcih is back over this side of pond (:
anyway any tips? ****ting it to be honest :D
thanks :D
CalaMiTa

[Skrim17]

is your dad going to buy you all the stuff you need to shoot it?

[CalaMiTa]

haha! nahh ):
i already got gear to shoot it. . . . just not very much experience of shooting something as important as this!

[_aravena]

Buy camera gear. :p

Seriously, tips on what? We know nothing about the reception or you. GO candid...looka t other people's sites and get an idea. We need more info.

[Skrim17]

Look at other's posts and write down the shots you like, make sure you know how to take them and you are set.

[CalaMiTa]

well its just a usual wedding reception, people sat down talking, toasts and other stuff that happens there! haha
anyway. . . not had much experience of shooting indoors either.
erm. . . can't think of anymore detail.
just want some general shooting tips/previous experiences.
thanks :D

[shannyD]

are you oging to be using multiple flashes? a pop up flash, what is the location like? at night time or daytime?

i hate it when i get volentold to do something and im unclear on what i should be doing.

[Christopher Steven b]

I suspect you can relax about it. If you don't have much experience shooting something like this and everyone knows this, their expectations shouldn't be very high, no? Tips? shoot lots of photos! you really can't do wrong, I don't think.

What gear do you have at your disposal?

[_aravena]

No more details? Shanny just asked about many details. You mention it was indoors in a question, that's details! Where's it at indoors? Windows? White walls? Wood? Well lit?

Just pop on a flash, aim for the ceiling and shoot. That's all I can say for now. Spray and pray or you can go study other people's photos and read throughout here. No one wants to do research anymore. No wonder people known nothing when leaving school. They learn the minimum and didn't study to gain knowledge, just to memorize information.

[CalaMiTa]

thanks guys, some good advice. feel slightly more relaxed now.

i have a canon 450D, speedlight 450EX, 18-55mm kit lens, and a 75-300mm canon lens, think i'll take the tripod aswell ;)

I am having a chat with the bride soon so i'll ask her where the venue is and probably check it out before hand. i'll mention my experience and situation.
Yeah think just going to get as many shots as i can, and just shoot in RAW.

i hate it when i get volentold to do something and im unclear on what i should be doing.

haha! know how you feel! the thing is my dad volenteered me when i had the good old 10D. even though he knew it had the reoccuring "error 99".
anyway got a new canon now :D

understand what you mean about nobody does research! i use the forum mostly checking other peoples photo's and techniques and find this a big advantage!

anyway! thanks guys! i'll report back on the reception when its done :D

[shannyD]

i think if you can.. you might want to pick up a 50mm 1.8 lens from canon. you can find them pretty cheap.. but your lens lineup that you have wont give you great results. you will have to blast the bejeezuz out of everyone you are pointing your camera at.

honestly.. borrow one or buy one. its great for low light shooting. and you really want to be able to get creative.. especially since its a reception.

i would think long and hard about this one. you can find them on craigslist, ebay, and BH.

get one. if you can afford more.. pay for the 1.4 version.

fingers are crossed for you now.

[CalaMiTa]

but your lens lineup that you have wont give you great results. you will have to blast the bejeezuz out of everyone you are pointing your camera at.

haha. . please elaborate!

do you mean the 50mm 1.8 will be better for low light control and won't have to use as high flash exposure?
sorry for being a pain, still a begginer, but i'm getting there :D

i think i'll get one to be honest, seem like a decent lens (:

thanks a lot :D

[shannyD]

they are a gem for beginners.. you will have a lot better low light control. granted i would practice with it a few days ahead of time in like conditions... but for the price.. its probably the best prime canon makes.. like a best bang for your buck kind of thing.
the camera is great. you just need something a little faster. and you wont have to blast everything.

youll be able to get more creative, and get some of those nice shots with some great background blur.

it really is a great little lens.

shan

[CalaMiTa]

thanks for great advice!
much appreciated!

CalaMiTa (:

[_aravena]

Ugh....yeah, it's good to learn. Make it so specifically clear that you are, to put blatantly, a n00b. :)

This is their day and they may hire someone else or not care and compile everyone's photos which has been suggested on online news sources killing business for some of us. I'd go practice some candids as well replicating light and get used to the light level.

[azekiel]

did you ever get the nifty fifty lens? I did, and it was miles better than the kit lens... from noob to noob, I recommend getting one... good luck@