First Wedding Please C&C

[josh237]

Well I did a wedding for my friends little brother and well it was really messed up how it went but here are some shots from it please let me know what I should do to better them. I used my flash and rebel with the 18-55 lens (all I had till I get my new one) I figured my 70-200 would make me too far away.

I had a tuff time with flash and stuff with how hard the sun was any suggestions would be great tahnks

1.http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/wedding_%20%2836%29.JPG

2.http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/wedding_%20%2867%29.JPG

3. http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/wedding_%20%2846%29.JPG

4. http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/Reception_%20%289%29.JPG

5. http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/Reception_%20%2856%29.JPG

6. http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/Reception_%20%2824%29.JPG

7.http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/Reception_%20%2833%29.JPG

8. http://ldmfocus.com/wedding/Reception_%20%288%29.JPG

Thanks all.

[Svetlana]

I really like the compositions but the harsh shadows from the flash kinda ruin the shots for me.

[KFormus]

1) Shoot at f/2.8L more often than not

2) Don't let the blare flash lighting touch your subject (if your subject can see the glass of your flash they will get lit with bare flash) - to do this I use a black piece of foam and GOBO any sections that may spill onto the subjects, I then bounch the rest of the flash off a wall or ceiling.

3) If you are shooting in harsh harsh sun
a) Have an assistant carry a light off camera on a lightstick w/ umbrella
b) If no assistant shoot in shadow area

4) If shooting in sun, but not toooo harsh just use a stofen and shoot direct on for a little bit of fill ight


On the plus side, at least the shots are decently focuses, unlike the first 6 or so events I did lol.

[HappySnapper90]

1) Shoot at f/2.8L more often than not

2) Don't let the blare flash lighting touch your subject (if your subject can see the glass of your flash they will get lit with bare flash) - to do this I use a black piece of foam and GOBO any sections that may spill onto the subjects, I then bounch the rest of the flash off a wall or ceiling.

3) If you are shooting in harsh harsh sun
a) Have an assistant carry a light off camera on a lightstick w/ umbrella
b) If no assistant shoot in shadow area

4) If shooting in sun, but not toooo harsh just use a stofen and shoot direct on for a little bit of fill ight

Good advice but from what the OP said, I doubt he had any of those capabilities and probably just a pop-up flash and a 18-55 kit lens. Reflectors and umbrellas were probably out of his league if he never worked with them before.

[Valjoy]

Nothing wrong with your shots ....except the flash is too harsh. I agree with all the advice above....maybe just try to adjust your flash exposure compensation down so you are not getting as much power when you are outside in the sun. Just enough to lift the shadows off the faces.
...When inside and you have light coloured walls or ceilings , like your pics above, practice bouncing your flash off the ceiling onto your subject....this gives a far softer look . Keep at it.....it took me awhile to get used to using flash effectively.

[Maureen Souza]

These are pretty good. I am sure the B&G will be happy with them and you have learned a bit more what to do and what not to do.

[josh237]

Good advice but from what the OP said, I doubt he had any of those capabilities and probably just a pop-up flash and a 18-55 kit lens. Reflectors and umbrellas were probably out of his league if he never worked with them before.


I was using my 580EX II Speedlite flash and I tried adjusting my flash but with my lens it was better to shoot at f-11 than f-5.6 but I guess I just need to play around more outside.

Also with the bounce I understand that I can bounce it in the hall with the ceiling but if I am using a bracket with my flash how do I bounce it when I take a verticle picture? I will need to play around with that as well.

Also what about a diffuser what that have been ok to use? thanks all

[CosmoKid]

I was using my 580EX II Speedlite flash and I tried adjusting my flash but with my lens it was better to shoot at f-11 than f-5.6 but I guess I just need to play around more outside.

Manual flash instead of Ettl for fill

Also with the bounce I understand that I can bounce it in the hall with the ceiling but if I am using a bracket with my flash how do I bounce it when I take a verticle picture? I will need to play around with that as well.

The 580 will twist, spin, bend, etc

Also what about a diffuser what that have been ok to use? thanks all

you can buy one or even make your own. heck, some people use napkins




see bold for answers

[josh237]

see bold for answers


thanks I will have to play around for that as I was using the ettl so I will have to just play with the distance then right.

I have a diffuser just wanted to see if it was better to try and use

thanks I will play with that as the ettl should not be used for outside just for fill light.

and for the bounce I will have to try that as I used to use a rubber band and a piece of flexible material and used that but never thought about using it there I was kinda nervous to make sure all went well I guess thanks

[briancummins]

I'd have to agree with everyone above, the flash lighting is harsh. Bounce bounce bounce.